The Grove

Golf has only been a part of The Grove’s history for two decades, but the estate dates back much further than that.  It was the 1500s when the first building was constructed on the land at The Grove estate but come the end of the 20th Century, the buildings were in ruins.  2003 saw the opening of the brand-new hotel, and it wouldn’t be long before golfing greats would take centre stage at The Grove.  Just three years after opening, the golf course played host to the WGC-American Express Championship, with Tiger Woods (opens in a new tab) winning the tournament. The British Masters has also been played at The Grove, with Alex Noren victorious in 2016.

The 18-hole championship golf course at The Grove is one of several designed by Kyle Phillips in the United Kingdom – with Kingsbarns also on the American’s portfolio. The course, which has played host to both the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, plays at more than 7,200 yards long from the tips, but there are plenty of teeing options to make the course accessible and enjoyable for golfers of all abilities.  The greens are smooth and usually very quick, especially when you finish above the hole. Chipping, too, is testing because many of the greens are slightly raised. If you do not try to take overly aggressive lines and attempt to carry the enormous bunkers that lie on the elbows of doglegs there is nothing to stop you scoring competently – and that always makes a visit to a championship course that bit more special.   The course begins with a gentle opening hole, the second easiest at The Grove. A wide landing area is only guarded by two bunkers on the left of the fairway. It is just 350 yards from the tips, and the approach is playing to a large green. The 2nd then plays to the crest of a hill, with the green sat below the fairway. Three bunkers guard the green, two to the left and one at the back. The 3rd hole is a clever one, as it calls for players to drive towards a stream and trees. However, those are out of reach on the hardest hole on the course. Even if you find the fairway, there is still a tricky approach to find the putting surface.  The first par 3 comes next, and from the tips it is 210 yards. However, for us mere mortals, it plays at no more than 170. There is a wide stream in front of the green, with three tall trees at the back. It is a shallow green, but one that can be found with the right club selection. 5 is another tough par 5 before you come to the first par 5 on the course. A wide landing area off the tee, one that if you find then you might go for it in two. However, the green is guarded by six bunkers, tall trees and a large water hazard if you pull your approach way left. 7 is a gentle par 3 up the slope, with the 8th then being a dog-leg right with six sand traps in total. The front nine concludes with a long par 5, one that will be a three-shotter for most.   The back nine begins with another tough par 4. The tee shot is played through a narrow funnel of trees, but if you find the fairway, then it can be a birdie opportunity. The 11th is a gentle par 5 as long as you miss the four fairway bunkers, before the hardest hole on the back nine follows. 13 is then a lengthy par 3, playing 244 yards from the tips. The drive on 14 is tricky, as most of the fairway is hidden behind a huge fairway bunker. At less than 390 yards from the tips, this is one of the easier par 4s at The Grove.   15 plays as a dog-leg left around the trees, and it offers a tricky start to the closing stretch at The Grove. The 16th is a 184-yard par 3, but it can trick you, as there are bunkers in front of the green. However, there is plenty of space behind those bunkers before you get to the putting surface. Take one club more and do not go right! At just 500 yards, the par 17th offers a birdie opportunity late on, while the closing hole might take that shot right back off you. The Grove concludes with a long par 4. A wide fairway offers you the chance to take driver and rip one, while a large green also gives you the chance of finding it in two. However, there are two greenside bunkers that must be avoided!

Greg Webber: Impeccably presented. While primarily designed to be played 'through the air', there is a wide range of tee options to enable playability

Dan Murphy: A remarkable piece of work that continues to win friends and admirers. One of my favourite modern courses – sporty and skilfully routed around the undulating site

Read more about our panellists here (opens in a new tab).

Where is The Grove located?  
The Grove sits just inside London’s ring road – the M25. It is just outside Watford in a strong golf area. By car, the centre of London is just 20 miles away.     There are several train stations within a few miles of The Grove. Watford, Watford Junction and Watford North could all be used, with the former sitting three miles by road from the entrance to the resort.  The busiest airport in the country – London Heathrow Airport – is also the closest international airport to The Grove. It is just 20 miles south of the venue.  Are there any other NCG Top 100s: England venues nearby?The Grove is one of four venues on the NCG Top 100s: England list situated around the Watford area to the north of London. The Centurion Club, Berkhamsted and Ashridge are all within a short drive from The Grove. 
 What golf facilities does The Grove offer?Along with the championship golf course, The Grove also plays host to a high-quality driving range. The range is fitted with TrackMan technology, which provides data for all shots hit, and offers detailed shot analysis, interactive experiences, and entertaining games. 
What are the green fees at The Grove?  
The price of a green fee at The Grove 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 The Grove visit their website here (opens in a new tab).   Check out our full piece on The Grove Resort here (opens in a new tab). Visit The Grove’s website here (opens in a new tab).  Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.