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The Inspiration Golf Club Review

VaselineJune 28, 2024

0 3 minutes read

There are few architectural duos that can match the formidable CVs of both Tom Mackenzie and Martin Ebert, so when news of a new golf course designed by the pair opening in London surfaced, it certainly caught our attention.

Mackenzie and Ebert have worked on some of Britain’s most iconic golf courses, including Royal County Down, Royal Dornoch and Turnberry.

There is one thing that connects all three of the above courses: they are all link courses.

Now the Inspiration, the new course in question, is certainly not built on left-field land, being just 20 minutes from central London. However, Mackenzie and Ebert have drawn on their experience to design a ‘modern links’ course, inspired by the wealth of links tracks that Britain has to offer.

The Inspiration is located just inside the M25, next to RAF Northolt, and has been in the making for almost 10 years. Due to the location being so close to an operational airfield, the number of trees that could be planted was very limited.

As a result of this limitation, the idea for a domestic links course was born.

Inspiration Golf Club

So, how do you create a links course about 50 miles from the sea? Well, Mackenzie and Ebert used a number of different tactics to achieve the feel and look of the link, and overall they did a remarkably good job.

The redesigned bunkers, large undulating greens, introduction of gorse bushes and undulating fairways all meet the links checklist.

The use of unusual hole designs also adds extra whimsy to match the modern links.

While the architectural decisions are all on site, there are some environmental features that are a constant reminder that you are in fact closer to Wembley Arena than the beach.

The constant hum of the nearby M40 is hard to ignore, while the steady rush of jet fuel is a far cry from the fresh smell of clean sea air.

Inspiration Golf Club

That said, the course itself and the overall golfing experience are top class.

The track is in excellent condition. When we played in early June, there wasn’t a blade of grass out of place on the large greens and lush fairways.

The Inspiration itself can be stretched from 5,440 yards to 6,610 yards, with two tee options in between, offering a good selection of distances for golfers of different abilities.

The overall layout is very inviting and the variety of hole layouts is both exciting and enjoyable.

Perhaps our favorite hole on the course is the short par-4 hole 10. This hole offers a classic choice between risk and reward, with little to no relief on either side of the green.

The 17th is also an excellent hole. The testing par-4 was 430 yards long from the tees we played, and has an absolutely monstrous 62-yard wide green.

We were also particularly taken with the first hole, which offers an excellent opening to the round. The 475-yard par-5 stretches uphill, but the generous fairway makes it a relatively welcoming opening shot. Just four words of wisdom: stay away from gorse.

Inspiration Golf Club

Away from the golf courses, the clubhouse is still a work in progress. The temporary structure that is there now provides a refuge from the elements and a place where golfers can buy food and drinks, but it will be replaced within the next two years with a permanent structure that will provide golfers with a place to grab a quick bite to eat before or after their round.

When it comes to golfing in London, the cost of a tee time can often be a tough pill to swallow.

The proximity to one of the most prosperous cities in the world is often reflected in the price. However, the Inspiration offers remarkable value.

Green fees are currently set at €70 for Monday to Wednesday, €80 for Thursday and Friday, and £90 for the weekend.

While the prices mentioned above are certainly not a drop in the ocean for most golfers, they do offer excellent value for money on a course that gives you great value for your money.

Inspiration Golf Club

Pronunciation

Let’s face it, building an inland links course just a few miles from the centre of London was no easy feat.

However, Mackenzie and Ebert, along with the Menai-Davis family, have done an excellent job of creating an enjoyable course that offers an excellent level of conditioning and design that can challenge and entertain any level golfer.

You’ll rarely get change from £100 for a round of golf so close to London, so the fact that Inspiration offers such an intriguing layout for the price it currently offers is commendable.

We highly recommend Inspiration if you want to play in the London area.

While the noise may be frustrating for some, the track is generally a fun and intriguing experience from the first minute through the eighteenth minute.

VaselineJune 28, 2024

0 3 minutes read

Vaseline

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