Bush Hill Park Golf Club is a superbly maintained parkland golf course tucked away in North London. At 5776 yards this classic British track is an engaging par 70 that is suitable for golfers of all abilities.
bhpgc.com
Bush Hill, London N21 2BU
020 8360 5738
The course dates back to 1895 when the original grounds were formally laid out by Harry Vardon and James Braid, the latter was responsible for designing a number of classic courses in and around the London area. Similar to many courses constructed at the time, Bush Hill Park Golf club was originally a nine hole course but in 1913 was converted to 18 holes.
Since its construction the course has developed and changed somewhat, however, the spirit of Vardon and Braid’s design remains firmly in place. The modern amendments at Bush Hill Park Golf Club blend seamlessly into a course oozing with tradition.
There have been subtle alterations to the course which continue to this day, the remodelled 17th is a good example.
The club house is an attractive former hunting lodge which includes a bar with a wonderful picture window that overlooks the putting practice area and 18th green in the distance.
The facilities available include a small range suitable for irons and warm up nets are located next to the first tee. An excellently stocked and serviced pro-shop is situated in a converted stable next to the club house.
At first glance you would think that Bush Hill Park Golf Club is a tight and compact course. The first tee certainly fits this impression, a par three with a tight approach to the green. The course is well laid out and offers a superb range of tees which open out as you make your way around.
A wonderful mix of mature woodland lining a gently undulating landscape frames this attractive golf course, it really is a visual treat.
The fairways were cut to perfection, on the day of play the course was just starting to benefit from a spell of warm weather and early summer burst in growth. The neatly mown lines on the fairways, the first and second cut fringes were excellently maintained. The green keepers at Bush Hill Park are doing a superb job.
Notably the rough wasn’t unnecessarily rough. It was easy to find a wayward delivered shot, so-much-so it occurred to me that if more courses did this it would speed up the pace of play tremendously.
The greens were similarly impressive. With a few exceptions generally there’s not much turn in them. However I was caught out a couple of times over reading my line as the greens had a wonderful pace about them. The ball rolled well.
The par three holes at Bush Hill Park are an absolute delight. Well protected by bunkers, water, trees and narrow fairways, all manner or hazards provide a different test of your mid to short iron game.
Bush Hill Golf Club is very much the thinking golfers course, there is very little scope for hit and hope here, it is a true test of skill and character. For a relatively short course there are a couple of excellent par fives to test the longest hitter, two of which are lined with some impossibly high trees, the natural fader of the ball should beware!
There are several holes that could lay claim to the signature hole at Bush Hill Park golf club, perhaps the most memorable of which are on the back nine. The 13th is a one of those tremendous par threes I mentioned earlier, a good-sized pond protects the green with the 19th century clubhouse in the background.
The fourteenth is a tight mini-dogleg left par 4 that rewards any excellently delivered drive with a superb birdie opportunity.
Bush Hill Park Golf club has a bit of a sting in its tail. The 17th has been recently re-modelled to include a wonderful ornamental pond. Club selection and course knowledge is key to setting yourself up in the most advantageous position to attack the green. Personally I had a Jorden Spieth moment and launched two balls into the water and then over shot the green to card an eight, I’d imagine its possible that many golfers do the same. It’s a great hole.
From the welcome in the club shop, the politeness of the grounds keeping staff to the friendly hellos from the members around the course, Bush Hill Park is a singularly cheerful place to play golf. Secluded from the hustle and bustle of everyday urban life, Bush Hill golf club feels like a complete escape from busy North London.
Bush Hill Park Golf Club is in one of those areas of London that is rich in golfing opportunities, there are many great courses clustered close together here. As much as I always recommend playing every course in London, I would make an effort to play Bush Hill Park at least once, it’s a wonderful club with a brilliant course with tons of character that’s worth a round at any time.
THE LONDON GOLF GUIDE 