Course of the week - Drift Golf Club
07 Dec 2009 - 07:26:32
There are around 150 golf courses in Surrey and their number include a smattering of the best in England, so it's hardly surprising some remain relatively unknown outside the county boundaries. Hidden gem anyone?
Drift Golf Club is a secluded tree-lined track nestled in the Surrey Hills, just 20 miles outside London.
Designed by Sir Henry Cotton and Robert Sandow, it's a flat layout that puts an emphasis on accurate driving and offers ample reward to the consistent player.
At 6,026 yards from the whites, it's at the mercy of a big hitter, and the short par fours offer up superb birdie chances if you find fairway from the tee.
With only 13 bunkers on the course, the sand-wedge may well stay in the bag, but it's in the tall oaks framing the holes that trouble awaits.
Get it wrong with your driver and you could well be reaching for another ball amid the foraging pheasants.
With visitor green fees at £40 during the week, and £45 at weekends, Drift is not cheap - and you get the feeling the tariff is more reflective of the course location, than its desirability.
While 18 holes at Drift is an altogether pleasant and peaceful experience, it's not one that will stay with you for long. Too many of the holes are too similar for this course to stand out from its plethora of esteemed Surrey neighbours.
That said, if you savour tranquility and a wholly unpretentious atmosphere, Drift deserves an afternoon of your time.
Furthermore, on our visit, despite weeks of torrential rain, the course was in excellent condition and the greens played wonderfully.
- Will Tidey
