The buildings and surrounds of what we see today at The Hertfordshire was actually the site of a monastery over 1000 years ago. Post the monastery years, a stately home was here for a few hundred years, evolving into a school, then a military hospital and back to a school once again – so we can certainly say that there is plenty of history here.
It was around thirty years ago back in 1993 that we saw the land converted into a golf course which covers close to 200 acres and the mature surroundings defy this young age.
The estate boasts several beautiful registered ancient trees that date back to the days of the monks.
One of the highlights is the monkey puzzle tree that sits proud next to the 9th green. There is also the remains of a ‘ha-ha’ wall that can be seen to the sides of the three holes near to the mansion house.
The course was designed by Nicklaus II and stretches around the estate and also to the south of White Stubbs Lane where seven holes are sited on land used previously for farming.
The course starts strongly and grows throughout the round with the final six holes arguably the very toughest part of the course. Five of these holes include water hazards and keeping your ball dry as you play the final third is an achievement in itself. There are two par-3s here (15th and 18th) with both crossing water – the finale requiring an extended lake carry to a raised green with some of the strongest bunkering on the course.
Throughout the course, the shaping especially around the green complexes is of a very high standard and the members and visiting golfers are extremely complimentary of the presentation of these key areas on the course.
Until 2019 the course was managed by the Crown Golf group but since then The Hertfordshire has become sole-owned and day to day control of the country club is now all in-house – this has enabled some serious investment on and off the course.
In 2019 a new fleet of greenkeeping equipment was purchased which is added to each year enabling the early season look of the course to be considerably ahead of most other courses of the county.
Many bunkers all around the course have had some special treatments recently with re-designs and capillary liners installed; the 9th and 10th holes are great examples of this.
In 2023 the teeing areas are undergoing an overhaul to widen and level them to create more tee options and extra length on some holes – this project will continue for a few seasons but improvements are noticeable already.
The very wet winters that are now regular in the UK have put any drainage problems at the forefront of all course managers’ minds and The Hertfordshire is no exception. Serious investment in the last three years has proved to be really successful with over four kilometers of new drainage now in operation and this is another project that will continue.
The results are obvious; only four closure days due to rain in the last year and whilst open, the course always remains on main tees and greens.
Having a ‘mansion house’ as a clubhouse is a huge bonus for The Hertfordshire as the wow factor is there way before a ball is struck and we know what is said about those first impressions.
The investments have continued off-course too with the bar and function rooms now seriously upgraded and are great places to spend time pre and post golf.
The country club feel is underlined with the newly refurbished spa – including a heated swimming pool, hydro-pool, sauna & steam room. Add in a gym and workout classes throughout the week and it is easy to spend many hours here.
A great selling point for golfers is that all memberships include the spa/health club facilities in the package.
The recent new ownership and investment is a huge plus point for The Hertfordshire and the future continues to look bright – planning permission is being sought for new holes, an irrigation reservoir, improved driving range and academy – these projects will all go to enhancing the experience and will make The Hertfordshire more of a destination than just a golf facility. From top to bottom from all connected, the ambition to realise the huge potential that has always been evident now looks like it will become reality in the coming years.
Corporate Golf Days
Words from Andy Newmarch – Top 100 Golf Courses, South of England specialist
I have been coming to The Hertfordshire on and off for around thirty years and I do believe that I even attended the press-event on opening day. I have always enjoyed the course and love the variation of the par-3s with the semi-island green at the 15th a real highlight.
Course presentation is a constant throughout the year with the shoulder seasons standing out especially.
It is really very exciting now to see that the attention to detail on the course is moving up a level and the future is certainly looking bright with newly designed holes on the way and basically the whole club having an increased level of love, attention and quality as we move forward.
I will certainly be keeping a very close eye on the upgrades in the coming months and years and expecting a lot.
