Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club (Arden course)

Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club (Arden course): The championship Arden course, as distinct from its shorter companion layout, the Aylesford, is a relative newcomer to the legions of excellent parkland golf courses in England. Opened for play in 1970, this partly open, partly wooded course was designed and built to test both amateurs and top tour professionals. The likes of Ian Woosnam, Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke and Thomas Bjorn have all been winners here on the Arden.

At over 7,200 from the tips, and liberally laced with water hazards, thick penal rough and plenty of tree-lined fairways, the Arden course is a long and challenging test, but a most pleasing and enjoyable one as well. The gently undulating good-width holes bring water into play on several occasions, especially on the front-nine and most dangerously on the rightside of the tough par-4 9th.

The back-nine loop, quite different from the more water laden front-nine, is played through the remnants of an ancient oak forest, where deer and pheasant are ever-present. In this wonderfully natural and open parkland environment, thoughts of medieval hunting parties leap to mind. Across the attractive sweep of the back-nine and the grazing-land beyond, stout gnarled oaks contrast with a youthful undergrowth of green ferns.

The Arden's testing signature hole is saved until last. This fabulous long par-3, which has played a deciding role in many a match, requires a carry across a good-size pond to a well-bunkered green. Your final putts are played in front of the red-brick Forest of Arden resort hotel.

Stay & Play at Forest of Arden: onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.