Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa - Premier Course

By the 4th hole we were the 4th group waiting on the tee box this caused back logs for the next 4/5 holes. Again by the 15th we were the 3rd group waiting. 5hours minimum to get around.

Really poor greens. Patchy. Spongy. Weather clearly not helped. Really slow pace of play also.

We originally played the championship course which was much better, we entered a par 3 challenge and won 1 free round where guests were half price. We decided to use the voucher at the premier course where we were told the rack rate was £90 so using the voucher was costing £45, very disappointing when you can pay online for anywhere between £20&£30. Most people with a brain can see this is really poor value. Unfortunately the course think otherwise.

On top of this, we were very disappointed in the condition and pace of play, especially the pace which was abysmal, we were on track for a 6hour plus round which is ridiculous, should have had a Marshall out to help.

Greens were good but tee boxes were very poor.

Wouldn’t recommend. We give up after 9, never done that in my life.

Pace of play good. Course had a nice layout and despite no rain for many weeks the course held up well. Couple of greens showing some form of infection and not in good condition at all. Clubhouse exterior quite rundown and could do with some TLC.

Overall not bad.

Shambles of a course

Worst greens and tee boxes I’ve ever played

£35 wasn’t worth £5

Club house and pro shop not open. Most of the greens had large sections with no grass grass.

Arrrived to find 5 x 3 balls on the tee at the same time. Course was in pretty good condition, though greens a little patchy in places.

Took nearly 3 hours to play 10 holes, so abandoned at that point given there was yet another queue on the 11th.

Played here a few times before and never this bad - sort it out Portal

We were a 2 ball and went round in 3:10 hrs. It was in good condition and well looked after.

We wanted a drink after the round. Despite it being 5:20 pm, the bar was closed with about a dozen cars in the parking lot!

Pace was shockingly slow we were stuck behind 2 four balls on a stag do, it took 5 hours to complete the round we almost walked off on a few occasions. The club allowed these out in buggy’s with 2 crates of beer and they shouldn’t have been allowed to be in control of a buggy.

Greens all moss and bits on the greens, bunkers have different sands throughout, ok for a hit if required

Course looks great but greens were the worse I've seen them, tee times were late dinner time bar was shut and pro shop was shop when we finished, if your looking for membership anywhere wouldn't look at this ....

We found the premier course in excellent condition , with our late T off time the round was relaxed and un rushed plus the weather was perfect. Thanks !

Got this on golfnow hot deal for £21, definitely worth the money on this, would happily pay more. Course was in excellent condition throughout with only the odd area of mud (very rare) which was labeled GUR. Staff were friendly when checking in at the pro shop and in the bar after the round. Certainly going again soon!

First impressions are of a dated club house…a little grubby and unkempt decor with rusty plumbing in the toilets.

Practice putting green is mediocre but for some reason has the air line close by instead of where most are place….after the 18th hole.

The stairs coming down from the car park to the rear of the club house are dangerous and slippery when wet…I’d advise walking the long way around.

We were told that the tee boxes were all in use…which wasn’t the case….! It was their winter tees, which was just heavily trampled grass with yellow and red markers placed in front of the actual tees. The markers haven’t been moved in a while..

The course in general wasn’t that great and not worth the £25 to play….maybe in spring/summer I would pay £25.

Finally the pace of play was slow hence there are signs around informing you to increase your pace of play….golfers don’t seem to pay any attention to these….Our group had to walk through a group we were following due to their slow pace as the 2 groups following us caught up.

Don’t expect a premier golf course….!

Lovely weather fantastic views course is challenging and interesting loved it pace of play was abit slow overall no complaints

2nd time visiting the premier course will be back again! Brilliant course