Brocket Hall Golf Club

Brocket Hall,

Welwyn, Hertfordshire AL8 7XG

  • Office

    +44 (0)1707 368 700
  • Pro shop

    +44 (0)1707 368 705
  • Fax

    +44 (0)1707 390 052
  • Golf pro

    Simon Garner (Head Professional)
  • Academy

    Palmerston Golf Academy

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Tree-lined parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.

  • Surroundings:

    Woodland.

  • Designer:

    Donald Steel

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Yards
7080
6503
5862
Par
73
73
73
SSS or slope
73
71
73

At the same location:

18-hole par 72 Melbourne course (6616 yds from back tees).

Location

Latitude:

51.804077

Longitude:

-0.242643

How to get there:

12 miles NE of Hemel Hempstead

Heading north on the A1(M), just north of Hatfield, leave the motorway at exit 4. Follow the A414 Hertford / B653 Wheathampstead, which crosses you back-over the A1(M). At roundabout follow A6129 Stanborough / B653 Wheathampstead. After o.5 miles turn left at roundabout, direction B653 Wheathamsptead. At next roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the B653 (Brocket Road), direction Wheathampstead. After o.8 miles turn right into Brocket Hall, immediately after St John's church.

Brocket Hall Golf Club (Palmerston course)

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.

Est. 2000

Brocket Hall Golf Club (Palmerston course): Taking their names from two former British Prime Ministers who previously lived at stately Brocket Hall, the Melbourne and Palmerston courses provide 36-holes of top-quality golf on the northern outskirts of London.

The Palmerston, which opened in 2000, wends its way over pleasantly undulating terrain and through mature woodland. Rare hornbeam, Scots and Corsican pine, 300-year-old oak, cedars, sequoias and monkey puzzle trees are just a few of the many varieties lining the often tightish fairways. In this quintessentially English parkland setting, Donald Steel lays down the need for straight driving from the tee, as well as skilful putting on the often large and sloping greens.

Good course management is also needed to stay out of the stylish (though never excessive) bunkering that flanks several fairways and guards at least one side of the majority of greens. Although water hazards are largely absent, unlike on the Melbourne course, a curious "chalk pit" provides an unusual feature to be crossed at the par-4 12th.

Like the 3rd Viscount Palmerston himself, you will be able to enjoy the tranquillity of this "housing-free" woodland setting, although the A1(M) motorway might be heard on a few holes - a reminder that this is the 21st century and not the 19th.

Stay&Play at Brocket Hall: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.

List of courses: England - East

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays; more restricted on weekends.

Must book in advance. Maximum handicap: men 28; women 36. Proof of handicap may be requested.

Green fees

Contact club for green fee details.

Other information

Players generally walk this course.

Practice facilities

Excellent

Did you know?

Brocket Hall, built in 1760 by Sir Matthew Lamb, has been home to two former British Prime Ministers - Lord Melbourne and Lord Palmerston, both of whom served during the long reign of Queen Victoria.

William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, served as Prime Minister in 1834 and again from 1835 to 1841. He was a mentor to Queen Victoria.

Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, first served as Prime Minister in 1855, aged seventy. He served for three years, but was never much liked by Queen Victoria. His second period as Prime Minister started in 1859 when he was aged 75, and ended in 1865. Although nearly eighty-one years old, he refused to retire and was again elected to Parliament. Before he could take up office he became ill and was forced to stay on his estate at Brocket Hall. He died on 18th October, 1865.

Where2Stay

  • Brocket Hall (Melbourne Lodge)5-star

    Welwyn, Hertfordshire AL8 7XG

    +44 (0)1707 335 241

    Visit website

    Historic Melbourne Lodge, formerly the Brocket Hall stable-block has been transformed into luxurious accommodation for both members and guests to the Estate. All 16 bedrooms are appointed to the highest standard, in traditional country house style.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Brocket Hall

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      No

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Hanbury Manor; Berkhamsted; Hadley Wood.

  • Bush Hall3-star

    Mill Green, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 5NT

    +44 (0)1707 271 251

    Visit website

    Bush Hall dates back to 1574, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth the First. Walls of the house that stood in Tudor times are still at the heart of the present structure. The 25 comfortably furnished bedrooms, including several four poster signature rooms, are situated within the main house and East Wing.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      Brookmans Park; Brocket Hall.

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      Hanbury Manor; The Grove; Porters Park; Old Fold Manor; Hadley Wood; Mill Hill; Finchley; Chingford.

Find a course

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Who's Who

Céline Boutier: with many successes as both an amateur and professional golfer, Boutier added a major championship title to her impressive résumé at this year’s Evian Championship.

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Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

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Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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