The Warwickshire Golf & Country Club - Earls Course

Played The Earls early on a Friday afternoon and the course was in good condition considering some recent heavy rain. Greens were slow as they had been dressed and narrow tined but as good as you can expect this time of year.

The Earls isn't for the faint hearted especially when it's heavy going, it's long even for decent hitters like my playing partner and I. But a great test and excellent value.

My only gripe is the pace of play. If you are hoping to scoot around relatively quickly forget it. I have never had what I would consider a quick round of golf here unless first off at dawn. Yesterday's issue was following a four ball from the first tee (we were two ball, both single digit handicap) and not once did they appear to consider letting us play through. Admittedly there were four in front of them but nothing in front of that. It's this inconsiderate behaviour that winds me up, growing up playing golf I was always told to allow quicker groups through especially early in the round. We were out there 90mins longer than we would have been had they let us through after a couple of holes.

Having recently returned from a golfing trip to Majorca, I can tell you busy courses are no excuse for slow play, especially with effective marshalling. The Warwickshire marshall's seem to swan about and do nothing to help the pace of play. The only thing I've ever seen them do is ask a playing partner to tuck his shirt in....ok but how about you do something about the 5hr+ rounds of golf.

To summarise, great course(and the Kings is also a good test, if not as long) but allow 5hrs+ because you will need it!

Fantastic parkland course over rolling Warwickshire hills....quite simply the best course I have ever played, above the Belfry and Forest of Arden.

Pace of play lets it down, it took 4.45 for a 3 ball.

Course condition extremely poor. Tees and fairways OK but the greens were incredibly sandy and impossible to put on. Worst greens I've ever played on.

They also booked our 2 ball onto another 2 ball booking and expected us to play together. Not too pleased to have to spend 5 hours with 2 strangers.

To add to that, very slow play.

Walked off after 14 holes very unhappy.