Sandford Springs Golf Club

Sandford Springs is set among the beautiful rolling hills of Watership Down in Hampshire, with spectacular panoramic views of Berkshire and Hampshire. Situated on the A339 between Newbury and Basingstoke, Sandford Springs boasts 27 holes laid out as three loops of nine; The Park, The Woods and The Lakes. This trio of layouts ensures a varied challenge set amid enviable geography that is both distinct and memorable. [gallery ids="eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvbmNnLWxpdmUtYXNzZXRzLmFtczMuY2RuLmRpZ2l0YWxvY2VhbnNwYWNlcy5jb21cL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMTFcLzEwXC8xM3RoMy5qcGciLCJ0aXRsZSI6IjEzdGgzIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvbmNnLWxpdmUtYXNzZXRzLmFtczMuY2RuLmRpZ2l0YWxvY2VhbnNwYWNlcy5jb21cL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMTFcLzEwXC9ibHVlcm9vbS5jb21wb3NpdGUuanBnIiwidGl0bGUiOiJibHVlcm9vbS5jb21wb3NpdGUiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwiYWx0IjoiIiwiZGVzY3JpcHRpb24iOiIifQ==,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvbmNnLWxpdmUtYXNzZXRzLmFtczMuY2RuLmRpZ2l0YWxvY2VhbnNwYWNlcy5jb21cL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMTFcLzEwXC9jbHViaG91c2VfbGFrZS5qcGciLCJ0aXRsZSI6ImNsdWJob3VzZV9sYWtlIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvbmNnLWxpdmUtYXNzZXRzLmFtczMuY2RuLmRpZ2l0YWxvY2VhbnNwYWNlcy5jb21cL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMTFcLzEwXC9mcm9udGRvb3IuanBnIiwidGl0bGUiOiJmcm9udGRvb3IiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwiYWx0IjoiIiwiZGVzY3JpcHRpb24iOiIifQ==,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvbmNnLWxpdmUtYXNzZXRzLmFtczMuY2RuLmRpZ2l0YWxvY2VhbnNwYWNlcy5jb21cL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMTFcLzEwXC9zYW5kZm9yZC1zcHJpbmdzLmpwZyIsInRpdGxlIjoic2FuZGZvcmQgc3ByaW5ncyIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJhbHQiOiIiLCJkZXNjcmlwdGlvbiI6IiJ9,eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvbmNnLWxpdmUtYXNzZXRzLmFtczMuY2RuLmRpZ2l0YWxvY2VhbnNwYWNlcy5jb21cL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMTFcLzEwXC91cHN0YWlyczMuanBnIiwidGl0bGUiOiJ1cHN0YWlyczMiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwiYWx0IjoiIiwiZGVzY3JpcHRpb24iOiIifQ=="] A welcoming clubhouse with extensive facilities, a Golf Academy and a well-stocked golf shop with custom-fitting services complete the picture. The course was designed by the famous Hawtree & Son firm and the first 18 holes were officially opened by Sir Nick Faldo and Bernard Gallacher in June 1989. The final nine holes were added in the summer of 1991. The course at Sandford Springs has recently enjoyed an investment of £1.5million to improve and drain the course and another £250,000 to put some water back – this time selectively on tees, greens and approaches. The new automated irrigation system is now 'on-line' and completes the four-year programme to turn Sandford Springs into one of the finest golf courses in the region. The Park is the first nine and asks the golfer for strategy, placement and ball-striking. Upon climbing to its highest levels, this loop is commonly buffeted by strong prevailing winds that help make it a test more usually associated with a links. With plentiful, penal ditches also snaking across the par-34 circuit, those tempted into a risk-reward shot to clear them will need their ‘A-game’ to do so. The 9th is the Park signature hole, a 317-yard par four that plunges downhill, requiring an accurate long iron off the tee followed by a nerve-inducing pitch to a green protected by two lakes and two green-side bunkers. The Wood is the second loop, incorporating holes 10-18. With its mature trees creating a naturally-sculpted challenge, accuracy is required to negotiate the avenues of arguably the most difficult of Sandford's three nines. A par-36 loop that winds uphill and down dale to guarantee breathtaking views of Watership Down, the variable elements, sloping lies and tricky greens all combine to create the combative characteristics that define this section.

This trio of layouts ensures a varied challenge set amid enviable geography that is both distinct and memorable.

A potential card-wrecker also doubles as the Woods’ premier hole. The par-4 355-yard 13th asks you to fire your tee-shot into a cascading chasm and, once at the bottom, negotiate a sloping lie shot over water and a deep bunker to find the putting surface. The final loop is The Lakes which, as its name implies, includes water everywhere. Five of the nine holes of the par-35 section bring deep lakes into play, while trees creating tight driving holes are ably supported by ditches prone to pilfering balls throughout. The opening four holes of the Lakes provide a tough start to any round – be it your initial induction or when commencing the back nine. The relentlessly ruthless start – a 444-yard par four, 515-yard par five, 205-yard par three and 403-yard par four – presents a serious challenge. The 21st is a 'short hole' requiring a long iron over a big lake into a green surrounded by bunkers and bordered by thick woodland. The driving range, well-stocked Pro-Shop with custom-fitting services, friendly, welcoming membership and clubhouse, complete with a fantastic food menu, all contribute towards making Sandford Springs the enticing place it is. Sandford Springs is a stunning wedding venue licensed to hold wedding receptions, civil ceremonies and evening celebrations for up to 100 people.