http://www.donningtonvalley
.co.uk

* The clubhouse, Snelsmore House, a Grade II listed Victorian building, commands magnificent views over the 9th/18th green and offers members exceptional golfing and social facilities.
* Meetings / Weddings
* Indoor practice facility

After a cold, damp, foggy December week the 'Tee Boys' are heading off into rural West Berkshire in search of the Donnington Valley Golf Club. The weather is cold but crisp and the sun is making great progress in breaking through the light fog, this after all is mid December!
We turn off the Old Newbury to Oxford road and head up the long drive that seems to dissect the course. The course looks truly splendid in the bright yet diffused morning sunshine and whilst there are plenty of signs of activity it doesn't look packed.
The car park is small but adequate (although may not be at peak summer times) and the views across rural West Berkshire lift the spirit.
A short walk took us to the Pro Shop that is a good size, warm, well-stocked and staffed by friendly and efficient people who clearly enjoy what they are doing, very encouraging so far.
Adjacent to the Pro Shop is the clubhouse with a wide gravel terrace overlooking the 9th & 18th greens and the splendid views beyond. A short walk takes us to a small putting green and adjacent to the 1st tee (some might say a little too close) is a welcome addition of a practice net.
It was a good job we invested the princely sum of £4 in the course guide as it turned out to be worth its weight in gold, without it on some holes we might well have been shooting blind.
The first was a cunning downhill dog-leg to the left which was only let down by the temporary winter green. This hole set the scene for a great day's golf.
Donnington Valley is a mix of terrain that never bores with each hole having its own unique identity. There are deceptively short par fours, very long par fives and stunning par threes, all with character and an abundance of dips, hollows, banks, ridges, woodland and water just to make in interesting. Each hole really does require very careful consideration before teeing off to ensure correct club selection and strategy. Despite looking like a sleeping cat this course is in fact a slumbering lion challenging you to try and tame it.
The holes that stand out for this reviewer anyway are the first (nothing like having a 'tough' start to wake you up!), the 15th (Big Dipper) which surely must be longer than its recorded length (no?, well it certainly seemed like it!) and the 16th (Lakeside) where you tee off over a range of waterfalls with no real distance to tackle but a huge rise in height.
The course was in great condition given the time of year which is a tribute to the greens staff. Only a few holes were being played on temporary greens and NO temporary tees in sight. The only minor criticism of the maintenance was some of the tee-signs could do with refurbishment and a number of other signs were falling over etc. A small point that doesn't otherwise detract from the enjoyment the course provides. Oh, and there could do with a few more seats by tees for those inevitable long waits that seem so common these days.
The only negative of the day was the obligatory appearance of the 'buggy boys' (why do these people always seem to be sponsored by Callaway??) who took great delight in zigzagging across the course with the compulsory wheel spins, handbrake stops and resultant skid marks that spoil the course for others. And the morons who don't consider the fencing off of greens to apply to them and still insist on playing 'the proper hole' despite any damage this might do or play the temporary green then walk across the fenced off, frost-laden green to get to the next tee. Are these the same people who will moan like hell when the greens are not to their liking nest season?
Still, we had a great day's golf and at the bargain price of £15 for 18 holes on a winter promotion. what more can you ask for?
The 'Tee Boys' can definitely recommend the Donnington Valley Golf Club and hope to return soon.

Phil Knott December 23, 2005

Seven of us booked the Sunday Stayover,18 on Sunday,3 course dinner,twin room,breakfast and another 18 for £99.
First impressions of the hotel were good with friendly staff and ample parking.We'd booked a 1.30pm tee off but the pro said we could get off earlier if we wished which again was good.The course was in good condition,mown fairways,rock hard but they're all like that at the moment,and tricky greens,consistent,fast and I just could'nt grasp them.Some really nice holes and 3 or 4 driveable if you're straight enough and a great clubhouse balcony overlooking the 9th and 18th.Fantastic food and service in the evening with a nice ambience about the place.
Monday however was a different story.After a top breakfast we tee off again at 11.15.We had played 9 when we learned that the back 9 was all on temps as this was maintenance week.No one told us that when booking 2 months previous and no one mentioned it at all when we arrived on Sunday or Monday.We had a moan to the Management and after an hour or so we were compensated so it was all settled in a friendly manner.We were all disappointed though that the weekend ended in an anti climax.All in all though great value and we'd definitely go back.