Delapre Golf Course Review

Originally written and reviewed for the first time in September 2018, updated and remastered April 2020

Delapre Golf Course

Played and Reviewed – Saturday 1st September 2018

Address – Delapre Golf Centre, Eagle Drive, Northampton, NN4 7DU

Website - http://delapregolfcentre.co.uk/

Course Information and Stats

Delapre Golf Club is situated on a huge 260 acre site just off the A45 in Northampton and in close proximity to the Abbey grounds. The main course itself (the Oaks course) is a classic public parkland golf course, they also boast two 9 hole par 3 courses. Previously owned and run by the council now it is owned by new ownership and they are making their mark on the course making changes from the first time I played here in April 2013.

 Upon arrival

Having played this course consistently from April 2013 until November 2015, I was very eager and keen to see what developments, if any, had taken place. As I arrived and drove through the main gate, past the Jack's Par 3 course the conditions were superb with a very bright and sunny day in which to play, the course and all the memories of playing here all came flooding back.

The car park and surrounding areas had not improved but the parking is very ample and possibly too big for the demand of the club.  Walking to the club house to pay for my round the putting practice facility, chipping area were very well kept and extremely well used. Having looked in the club house and facilities little had changed in this area but they were busy and well used and kept really clean and tidy I was served by a chap behind the counter who was very friendly and explained that I could get out at any point as I had arrived before my designated tee time.  At this point I was thoroughly looking forward to getting out to the 1st tee to see what the developments of the course were for myself.

Delapre Stats

From the longest tees (White), Delapre’s Oaks course runs 6,299 yards. The course consists of four Par 3 holes, thirteen Par 4 holes and one Par 5 hole. I played off the yellow tees which measured at 5,947 yards. 

Signature hole – 13th Hole – 413 Yards Par 4 

For me the most attractive hole on the course because of the views of the course and town itself from the tee box. Tee shot needs to be hit straight, head left and you end in heavy rough, right is fine but you need to find the fairway and ideally be in line with the fairway bunkers. Second shot takes on a ditch which is more mental than a hazard. Two good shots and you end on the green. Too long off the second shot and you will be out on bounds and in heavy rough. On approach to the green the greenside bunkers come into play with them situated Putting green is relatively straight forward with little movement similar to the majority of the greens on the course.

Best Par 3 – 5th Hole – 168 Yards

The first of the Par 3’s on the course is a great challenge from the first shot. Club selection is key (I know that is the case for every shot) but the ideal is a good first shot lands you on the green. Too short and you are in danger of finding bunkers. Although there is no water the green is surrounded by a ditch so finding the right length is important. Push the ball to the right and you could find a bunker there as well. A good challenge for the first of the short holes on the course.

Best Par 4 – 17th Hole – 430 Yards 

The penultimate hole on the course and for me the best, but most challenging, Par 4 on the course. From the tee you need to keep the ball straight. Push the ball to the right and the 10th fairway is where you may end up. Too short and you fall short of the ditch, which again is a mental challenge more than one of distance. A good tee shot will find the generous fairway. The second shot is pivotal to the hole as to score well you need to take it on but the green is situated on an island with a ditch round it. A poor shot to the right and you find the ditch that follows the fairway all the way down the right hand side. Leaving the ball short is not a bad option and chipping well to make par is hardly a bad way to play the hole.

Best Par 5 – 16th Hole – 485 Yards 

This is the clear winner as it is the only Par 5 on the course however don’t let that deter you. It is a good Par 5 hole in which to take on. Off the tee the first issue is being long enough to reach the narrow fairway – too short, left or right and you find the long grass making the next shot choice trickier. A good tee shot will position you in good stead to take on the ditch however there is a dilemma to face. Do you play the course and follow the fairway round to the left hand side or do you take on the green which is surrounded by Willow trees. From there is it relatively straight forward home with two green side bunkers just shy of the green and one to the left hand side.

Birdie Time – 3rd Hole – 322 Yards

Following a relatively straight forward start to the round the 3rd hole is one that is if played properly is a real opportunity to make birdie. Like most shots in golf being accurate is important and this drive ideally needs you to play the shot with some fade in order to end up on the right side of the fairway, this with a slope to the green gives a great chance to set up a chance for being on the green in two shots. Too far left off the tee isn’t a bad shot, as you will probably still end on the fairway but leave you with a lot to do from the angle to the second shot. Too far right and you will end up in thick rough surrounded by trees making a second shot tricky. Following a good drive the second approach shot is not too tricky with the only hazard being a bunker just to the left of the green. An ideal chance to get the round moving in the right direction.

Bogey Beware – 10th Hole – 393 Yards

A tough way to start the back nine with the 10th on the Oaks course. It is one of the only holes on the course where you can’t see the flagstick from the tee which makes it tricky as does the fairly tight fairway. A good straight drive should leave no real problems but in terms of accuracy, however as it is an uphill blind shot it is only you approaching the ball that will tell you how you have done. Inaccuracy will end in a lost ball to the left and very unforgiving thick rough to the right. The thick trees to the left and rough to the right follow you along the hole making approach shots more important. When you get around the green it is surrounded by bunkers to the left and the right all of the above and it being one of the longer Par 4 holes on the course it makes it one where a bogey could easily be recorded on the card.

Post round thoughts 

On what was a lovely day in terms of conditions I was slightly disappointed by the lack of progress made on the course from the last time I played it until now. The round was played in a good time with golfers on the course allowing me chance to play through particularly earlier on in my round without any issue. However in terms of the costing it still remains a good financially viable place to play a round of golf and offers good value for money. I am glad I went back and played it as my first golf course to review as it is the place I played my first round however it is only when you play other courses you appreciate how good some courses are. I would stress that every golf course has merit but this is one that will be lower in the rankings than the majority of others.

Course Rating by numbers – 57/100

Course Design and Test 4 (out of 10) 

In terms of course design it is lacking imagination, but works for the type of facility it is. A lot of holes incorporate bunkers and ditches however are invariably not kept well. The lack of longer Par 5 holes make it unbalanced and the Par 4 holes are invariably similar. Highlights on the course include the sixth which has a dog leg from right to left and the seventeenth which is a tricky hole with tight fairways and an island green to finish on

Landscape and Scenery 6 (out of 10)

Not much to look at really in terms of views, however it is difficult to penalise the course for this because of the situation of the club. To give it credit you would not know you were surrounded by busy town roads as you go round the course. Highlights of the round include the third where you get good views of the Abbey, this can also be seen as you approach the green on the fifteenth. Hole thirteen is a stand out because of the views across the town you get from the tee box. Where it falls down is how the course is kept away from the greens and fairways.

Fairway Condition 3 (out of 10)

This is where the course really does fall down for me. At times throughout my round measuring whether I had a ball in regulation was tough to see, with this most apparent early on where distinguishing patterns in the cut from fairway and rough was tough. Considering the time of year the round was played the fairways looked poorly kept and could have been better looked after. The condition of some of the fairways themselves was very uneven and flat. Not all of the fairways were poor with the highlights being the ninth and eighteenth.

Green Condition 8 (out of 10)

Although the fairways scored badly the greens were a particular highlight of the round with all them looking green and well kept. The majority of them were smooth and relatively flat making putting easier than on other courses. Some fringes and grass around the greens gave distinction but on the whole the greens were well maintained and looked after. 

Hazards 3 (out of 10)   

The course has very little in variation of hazards with the prominent ones being ditches, mainly off island greens but with the odd one in the middle of the course as well and bunkers which can not be penalised because you have to use what you have available to you. However the bunkers were full of rock hard sand which looked very orange showing a poor quality of sand. A lot of the roughs were unkempt and made finding balls tricky and the island ditches were also not well maintained.

Practice Facilities and Amenities 7 (out of 10)

You would struggle to fault the facilities at the course as they have a good floodlit driving range with bays, a good putting area which is well maintained and used and even the option of a chipping and short game practice as well. For what they have it is very good. In poor weather there is not an option for simulator play and no practice facilities for bunker game but a good set of practice facilities.

Clubhouse & Overall Cleanliness 6 (out of 10)

Although my main focus is the golf and the course itself this is an area that should be thought of in reviews. The general cleanliness is good both in the clubhouse and around the course. The clubhouse is well used and they offer good selection in terms of post round meals at reasonable price. Couldn’t fault it for what was being offered.

Pro-Shop 7 (out of 10)

A difficult one to score because of the American Golf store that is attached to the clubhouse. American Golf have their own products that they sell easing the pressure from the clubhouse itself. That being said the clubhouse offer a variety of branded merchandise as well as snacks and drinks at reasonable prices. What you can’t get in the clubhouse you can get in the store.

Access & Parking 7 (out of 10)

Ample parking for the golf course and the access to it is very good off the A45 with good signage also. Although it does have a lot of space for parking it is not the most secure as it is an open space for parking for golfers predominately but walkers as well.

Value for Money and Experience 6 (out of 10)

As mentioned earlier, each golf course has its merits and not all should cost the earth. I would suggest that at £22.50 for a weekend round is relatively reasonable but in terms of enjoyment and experience is slightly expensive for the course conditions and test. I would play the course again but more out of sentiment that because it is a challenging or pleasurable course to play. That said playing in the week and at off-peak times it is reasonably priced