Stafford Castle Golf Club

I played this course today after a break of 40 yrs and had a very emotional journey down memory lane. I was a junior member here until the age of 18 when I left to go to university. This course was where I learned to play and where snatched nine hole games in the hot summer evenings with my dad took me from a 36 handicap to single figures. After a long break; marriage, divorce, work and two beautiful daughters who have since grown and flown the nest, I've recently returned to this frustrating but beautiful game and vowed to return to play the castle course once again - and today was the day.

Sadly the course has lost it's hole names. Gone are Lark's Hill, The Punch Bowl, The Carriage Way and The Old Oak but in many other ways the course is still exactly the same. The box for score cards and envelopes is still there and the bar and club house are pretty much unchanged after all these years.

The holes play longer; the tees are further back and dense trees which have grown since I was a boy make the fairways narrow and frustrating for those that can't hit a straight ball.

The greens are in great condition and the fairways are lush and green despite the blistering hot summer we've had this year. Are there better courses out there? Yes - but this course is accessible and affordable and is the only course I've seen in the UK where you can actually practice off real grass rather than mats on a range.

I've played some beautiful courses over the years and made many friends from playing golf and have this little nine hole course to thank for it. I've never forgotten my humble beginnings which started here all those years ago. I wish I could have played one more time with my dad but unfortunately lost him 17yrs ago. I'd like to think that he was somehow able to share the moment with me from his final resting place and probably still moaning at me for not being able to keep my head down.

We had the earliest tee off here. Was great having the free flow of play. Lovely little 9 hole course.

Overall, it’s a good course, though slightly overpriced compared to other courses since it’s only a 9-hole GC. The staff were very friendly and helpful, which made the experience enjoyable.

Great well kept 9 hole course greens in great condition played early so clubhouse and pro shop wasn’t open

I love this golf course. Took my new to golf friends to it and they loved it too. Good for all abilities

The condition of the fairways, greens and tee boxes were good but I didn’t realise that this was only a 9 hole course with 2 tee of locations on each hole. The positions of the second tee boxes were not different enough to create the feel of playing a completely different hole. Needs some money spending on the clubhouse, pro shop and practice areas. Decent enough for a round but I can play other local courses with friends that are members for the same price and I feel that they offer far better value for money in return.

I have played this course a lot over the years. There was a storm in the morning and we teed off at 12:20 and the conditions for perfect. Luckily no one was really out in front of us due to the rain. I was playing with 2 new to golf lads and the course was great for them to learn the sport. For me it’s a great course to test all abilities. Tricky layouts. Greens ran smooth. Not many out of bounds areas or water hazards so the newbies didn’t loose too many balls.

Average course. Very busy and felt pressured even though we were playing at a good pace

Great course, longer than initially thought. Slow play due to it being so busy. Greens were in really good condition and fairways nice and wide. I was really hoping for a cold beer afterwards but bar was closed at 19:55.

Definitely play there again.

Loved the early tee times offered

Very enjoyable morning

Behind a senior comp - very slow and did not offer me to play through.

Greens in poor state

Staff very friendly

Course conditions are absolutely fine for time of year, greens quick, a few areas GUR but to be expected, layouts fine, a quick 9 would be fine here as it's a 9 hole course, clubhouse looking aged and car park offers little protection from any waywards shots from 9/18, as I nearly found out from a stray ball which I managed to block hitting my car. Will definitely play here again, but modernisation highly recommended for long term success.

A fantastic 9 hole course with 18 tees. So wonderful to have tee boxing in Feb and and very well looked after course.

A challenge even for any golfer but a joy to play.

Great value through Golf Now but would've still been happy if I'd paid full price. No restrictions despite awful weather. A bit boggy on some fairways but greens and tee boxes in great condition. Friendly, welcoming staff - no airs and graces. Thank you.

Lost my shoe on the fairway. Sunk under ground. Did 3 holes & walked off, didn’t even get a refund. Just not very nice people that run it.