Forest of Arden (Arden)

As one of the premier golfing resorts in the country, it is perhaps no surprise that the Forest of Arden Resort has two solid golf courses – the Arden and the Aylesford.

Both were designed by Donald Steel in the early 1970s, and the Arden Course would soon be shown off the world, playing host to the European Tour on several occasions across the 1990s and 2000s.

The course, which can push as far as 7,100 yards from the tips, plays in two loops, and is a test from any tees. Water hazards, large sand traps and tree-lined fairways all stand in your way of a good score on the Arden.

Check out our full piece on the Forest of Arden Resort here.

Visit the Forest of Arden website here.

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Although the resort may outdate the golf course, the Arden Course (as it was originally known) was designed by Donald Steel, opening in the early 1970s.

It became known as the Arden Championship Course following its first hosting of the European Tour. The English Open was hosted at the venue from 1994 to 1996, with Colin Montgomerie among the winners.

It returned to Forest of Arden in the early 2000s, with the British Masters also calling the West Midlands venue its home for a three-year spell. Darren Clarke was victorious twice on the Arden Course, with Thomas Bjorn also being a victor.

The Arden Championship Course is, as it says, the championship offering when it comes to golf at the Forest of Arden. The course plays nicely in two loops to allow golfers to play just nine holes if they prefer. Large oak trees line the fairways, while there is plenty of sand and water to keep you focussed on the task at hand, especially over the opening stretch. From the back tees, the course pushes past 7,100 yards. Even from the Yellows, it still measures a solid 6,450 yards for us mere mortals.

It is a relatively comfortable start to the Arden Course. Three of the first four holes are medium length par 4s, providing good birdie opportunities to get your round off to a great start. However, anything pulled too far left of either of the first two tees will find the large water hazard that runs alongside both holes. The 2nd is only 320 yards from the Yellows, but it plays as a strong dog-leg left around the water. Make sure your tee shot finds the right side of the fairway to have the best view of the green. The par 5 3rd and par 4 6th meet at a double green, with the former having a split fairway thanks to a narrow ditch that runs across the hole. Five bunkers then sit along the second part of the hole, disrupting the lay up area and surrounding the green.

The 4th is almost the opposite of the 2nd. This time, the dog-leg is shar to the right, and it is a hole that requires you to find the left side of the fairway, and more importantly, have hit it far enough to reach the corner. Water sits in front of the green, which is large. The 5th is the first of the par 3s, and is played slightly downhill to a large green, guarded by five big bunkers. 6 brings you back to that double green, but only after you have managed to find a narrow fairway. The 7th is the second par 5, and tees off next to a water hazard, but any good contact on your ball will get past that with driver. Six more large bunkers will take your eye throughout the hole, including two of them sitting in front of the putting surface.

The short 8th hole is a beauty. It is only 145 yards from the Yellow tees, but that is entirely over water to a green surrounded by trees. The 9th then tees off over the same water hazard before winding its way back to the clubhouse. It plays as a dog-leg right but there are no bunkers in play off the tee shot. Two traps do sit in front of the green, but there is plenty of space behind the putting surface.

The back nine begins in a much tougher vein than the front. 10 is a 400-yard par 4 which dog-legs to the right, and it is one that plays much longer than its yardage. 11 and 12 provide some respite – the former being a par 4 of only 335 yards off the Yellows, while the 12th is a par 5 of 515 yards. It is a birdie opportunity, just don’t be sucked in to going for it with your second shot, as the green sits behind a water hazard. Two more tough par 4s follows. Although the 13th is arrow straight, it is 420 yards in length, and a large oak tree sitting on the left of the fairway can block you out if you tee shot is down the left side. 14 is also more than 400 yards, even off the Yellows, but the main trouble comes at the green. Three large bunkers protect the dance floor, and even if you find the surface, there is the chance of a three-putt here.

The closing stretch on the Arden Course features a pair of par 3s. The first of those comes at 15, which is played to a wide and shallow green, one guarded by three large bunkers. 16 is a strong dog-leg right, which is almost 90 degrees. Again, it is a tee shot that must reach the corner of the hole, so you have a view of the green, one that sits behind water. The 17th is the last of the par 5s, and makes its way left after the tee shot, before turning back to the right for the green. At 480 yards off the Yellows, there is a chance of making this in two for some, but water guards the green once more. The Arden Course at the Forest of Arden finishes with a sublime par 3, as described by Terry Jacoby in the ‘1001 Golf Holes You Must Play Before You Die’.

“One of the most distinct signature holes, the 211-yard par 3 overlooks the fishing lakes and resort. It’s a breathtaking view with a breathtaking tee shot, which requires you to carry the water. A par here and you deserve a pint of accolades.” - Terry Jacoby.

Where is Forest of Arden located?

The Forest of Arden is located near Maxstoke in the West Midlands. Coventry is less than ten miles to the east, while England’s ‘Second City’ - Birmingham – is only 15 miles to the west of the Forest of Arden resort. The M6, the longest motorway in the country, runs almost alongside the northern boundary of the property, while the M42, A45 and A452 are also close by.

Birmingham International Airport is just six miles from the Forest of Arden resort. TUI, easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2.com all have bases at Birmingham International, which is the busiest airport in the Midlands. Almost 10 million passengers travelled through Birmingham International in 2022. The train station at Birmingham International is also the closest to the Forest of Arden, the same six-mile journey from the resort. Trains run both north and south through Birmingham – as far as Glasgow and Manchester, down to London and Bournemouth.

Are there any NCG Top 100s: England venues nearby?

Due to its proximity to Birmingham, there are plenty of NCG Top 100s: England venues that are within close reach of the Forest of Arden. Copt Heath and The Belfry (Brabazon) are the two closest, while the likes of Blackwell, Sutton Coldfield and Little Aston are all within 30 miles.

What golf facilities does Forest of Arden offer?

Along with the two Donald-Steel designed golf courses, the Forest of Arden resort also features a full-length driving range which has both covered and uncovered tees, along with a row of grass tee which are used throughout the summer months. There is also a short game area which practice green and bunkers. The putting green sits near the 18th green of the Arden Course so you can practice your putts while watching those face the treacherous par 3.

What are the green fees at Forest of Arden?

The price of a green fee at Forest of Arden changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Forest of Arden, visit their website here.