I am regularly asked by my golfing pals about UK resorts; “Where shall we go next?” – “Have you been anywhere special recently?” – “What is your latest recommendation?”
The answer most times will be the long list of venues that we all know and love but to be able to suggest somewhere different or somewhere that not many have heard of is pretty rare. Well, I now have something new(ish) that certainly gets my vote as a strong stay and play option.
The Springs Resort and Golf Club just 30 minutes from the wonderful city of Oxford is well worth a visit.
The Springs has been rescued by the Darwin Escapes group when they purchased the resort back in 2017 and added to their growing portfolio of UK lodge parks and golf venues that include several very attractive holiday-home ownership options along with top quality accommodation for visitors.
Since 2017, the group have invested heavily all around the facility and during my recent visit in April 2023, this was on show from start to finish. What you see now is very different to what was here fifty years ago when the Tudor-style Springs Hotel was owned by rock legend Ian Gillan of Deep Purple fame – back then and still evident now is the guitar shape outdoor pool, which just shouts, ‘1970s rock and roll’.
On arrival at the resort the feeling of relaxation kicks in early; check-in is smooth and welcoming and if you get the chance, you may choose to us the wonderful ‘1893 Spa’ straight away which is situated just yards from reception. The 1893 Spa may not be the biggest but this is 100% luxury throughout with fantastic facilities including, steam room, sauna and a relaxation-pool with those brilliant massage water jets that did wonders for a tired old 57-year-old body ahead of a day’s golf!
As mentioned, the welcome here is a warm one and when you consider the many accommodation choices, there is something for everyone; hotel rooms, 1 and 2-bedroom lodges including pet friendly options and catered and self-catering dining. The golf-clubhouse has a great atmosphere and time flies whilst eating and drinking here in the Ridgeway Restaurant whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner time.
The original layout of the golf course is around 25 years old, when former Ryder Cup captain, Brian Huggett designed and suggested how the course would be played. With such a great foundation, the upgrades from 2017 onwards were primarily to improve the look and the feel of the course. One of the very best course architects, Tim Lobb worked with Huggett on the re-development and what we see now is one of the very best bunkered courses in the home counties. Add in the face-lift given to the lakes around the course during this time and the aesthetics are very strong indeed.
The course plays just shy of 6,500 yards but there are other tee options allowing all standards of golfer to enjoy the layout – a layout that does not have too many elevation changes, meaning a rather friendly walk. So friendly that The Springs hosted the British SpeedGolf event back in 2022, which wait for it… Rob Hogan from Ireland won with a score of 75 for 18 holes in 34 minutes and 47 seconds… Really? I have been known to spend that amount of time in the halfway hut alone!
Ahead of attempting the course ,use the practice facilities is my advice; a great short game area and range plus indoor studio at the pro-shop is a must.
Playing the course for the first time in April 2023 was really enjoyable and despite the weather (#wet2023) many holes stood out for me. The short par-5 3rd has to be negotiated well as the fairway bunkers are all at significant points from the tee and also on the layup shot. The par-3s at the 8th and 10th are serious tests with water in play on both holes and at 183 yards and 195 yards respectively show their teeth.
Back-to-back par-5s on the 14th and 15th holes gives a chance to score well – both strong good-looking holes and located picturesquely very close to the river Thames. I liked the home-hole a lot; here is a big par-4 with a group of historic trees to negotiate from the tee at 180 yards (you go left, I’ll go right…)
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Overall feeling is that the way that the course feels and plays, mirrors the rest of the resort facilities with the obvious qualities shining through since the Darwin Escapes purchase.
Loved my time at The Springs Resort and will definitely return and staying and playing here will suit everyone.
I think I know where my next recommendation will be when asked…
The Springs Green Fees: Monday – Thursday £50. Friday – Sunday & Bank Holidays – £60.
https://thespringsgc.co.uk/
https://darwinescapes.co.uk/
