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Nailcote Hall Golf Club
Review piece in the May edition of UK Golfer Magazine, written by Steve Jackson (with the help of Charley Hull!)
So, the phone call comes through on my mobile “Hi, this is Paul White from UK Golfer. I want you to play a nine hole, all par three golf course called Nailcote Hall.”
I’ll be honest, my first thoughts were “Who’s Paul White?” followed by “How’s he got hold of my phone number?”
Then I thought: “You want me to leave my newly-born first child (Lewis John, for the record) at home, drive 50-odd miles to play nine holes on a pitch and putt? This must be a wind up.”
But the freelance journalist inside me said: “Carry on talking, this could be interesting”. And it was.
Nailcote Hall is no ordinary golf course. It’s a track I’ve actually wanted to play for some time, particularly since I found out it would be hosting the British Par Three Championships this summer.
But there was still this little voice (and it wasn’t my son’s!) saying: “You shouldn’t be playing a pitch and putt at your age. You’re a grown man, who likes to get his driver out and belt it as far as he can.”
So, I thought I’d bring along a guest. At four and a half feet tall and 11 years of age, Charley Hull was the ideal choice.
As one of the best young golfers in this country, with a handicap of just eight, I knew she’d love to play the course, she’d play it well. And better still, she could even write the review for me!
(Message to the Editor: You still need to post the cheque to me, I’ll forward it on – honest!)
I won’t waste any time then, this is what a tiny golfer thought of this tiny golf course...
“I was nervous when I got to the tee. After all, I was playing against that fantastically brilliant golfer and excellent sport writer Steve Jackson. Have you ever seen his work? He is soooooo talented!!!
I let Steve go first. I know his handicap is 17 but he’s got such a rhythmic swing. I wish I could have a swing like his when I grow up (honest, this is what she said. I’m quoting word-for-word!).
With the flag at the back of the 116-yard hole, he missed the green. My ball was on target but it pitched a foot from the hole and bounced into the back bunker. With a shot, Steve won the hole. One down.
Hole number two. Steve fires a magnificent shot into the green to within eight feet (this time, I’m actually telling the truth!!!). Two down, but not for long as Steve four-putts the 124-yard third.
Two short holes to come now. Hole 4 is just 87 yards. Almost as short as me. Out of bounds down the left, and that’s where Steve hits it - onto the railway line. I over-club again. But, I still win the hole. Level.
I loved the fifth. It was my favourite hole. Only 95 yards, but looks really nice with the big trees at the front left and right. Halved.
At the sixth, I have my best tee shot, over the sand – pin high. Steve hits his ball short right into the water. Very funny. So, I’m one up with three to play.
The seventh is the longest hole at 146 yards. My dad gives me the wrong club… again! Can I sack my dad as caddie?!!
Steve hits a wild shot right and then chips across the green into some tiny bushes and then has an air shot. So I win another hole.
Two up, two to play. Like the previous hole, the eighth has an elevated green with two bunkers and a small pond. I win the hole and the match.
The ninth is currently being changed. They’re building a pond before the green. At the moment, it doesn’t look very pretty, but this will be a great last hole. I could tell he was a bit down, so I let Steve win this one.
‘Dad, can I play the nine holes again?’ We didn’t have the time, but I loved the course. So thanks for letting me play Nailcote Hall.”
A big thumbs up from little Charley then. And it’s difficult not be impressed. The Cromwell Course is a superb test of a golfer’s short game.
There are some holes that could, and should, be birdie opportunities for the better players. But equally so, there are some seriously difficult holes, particularly five, seven and nine.
With European Tour professional Mark Mouland running a Junior Golf Academy at the course, this is the perfect venue for youngsters to improve their short game.
But, for the older golfing generations, it’s also one of the most pleasant places to have a round of golf, especially with Nailcote Hall, built in 1640, and the surrounding 15 acres in the backdrop.
Take my advice, put the driver away, and drive to Nailcote Hall.
If you play Nailcote you will see why the professionals play the British Par 3 Championship there. There is
no better place to test your short game as even the professionals are occasionally in double figures for one
hole. You must try it sometime, or go to watch the Par 3 Championship and see some famous celebrities
as well as PGA tour pros; Tony Jacklin will again play in the event this year.
Charley has played in the last two Pro Am's with the renowned PGA tour professional - Mark Mouland.
Mark won the professional event last year and he and Charley just lost the team
prize on a count back. If Charley's individual score had counted in the professional event, she would have
been joint 10th in a field of 60 male professionals.
See Coaches on main menu for more on Mark and Charley.
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