Welcome to the course review they didn't want you to read, well more accurately the course review they didn't want me to write!

It was a series of odd conversations, but it amounted to the above conclusion, but for no other reason than Sandy Lodge had already had reviews of their course completed. They decided against having a review completed as part of my Best in Hertfordshire series.
Edit: I'd like to be clear and state that I do not charge for course reviews!

As luck would have it, I'm not one to be held back or talked down. Once I've committed to something I'm going to follow it through and let's face it, I've played every other course bar two (at this point in time) in the county and there was no stopping my freedom of speech.

What shocked me more, following my arrival at the course (under a pseudonym) and the 3 or so hours I spent plotting my way around, is that it's beautiful course, really unique and well worth a visit for any golfer! Sheesh, god knows what they were worried about.

The course is laid out over a country estate off a private road and plays as close to a links style course as anything inland can! Designed in collaboration with Open Champion Harry Vardon and used today aa a regular Regional Open qualifier course.

There are several challenging holes and exciting features, the second hole in particular has a unique sleeper bunker which protects the green, it would certainly put off the big hitters and gives the mind some focus on the approach - just ensure you get your wedge shot airbourne!
The subsequent Par 3 3rd is just as thrilling with an elevated tee looking down to a small target green protected with a series of beautifully carved out bunkers.The following hole, Par 5 is just as good too, with a completely blind tee shot where you can't even see the fairway, let alone the green!

My favourite part of this course is actually the Par 3's as they are all well designed, generally quite short but you have to be so accurate to make a score. Therefore it surprised me that my favourite hole wasn't any of them, it was actually the 12th. A decent length Par 4 which requires a good thump off the tee, ideally toward the left side of the fairway to open up the hole for a mid iron to the green.

The rest of the course is really playable, nothing to easy but nothing too difficult either. I really enjoyed the layout of the course, which is as close to the natural lay of the land as you can get, there are quite a few unsighted greens, so this wouldn't suit every golfer but it's well worth the trip and takes a decent position in the overall rankings for the county in my opinion. The greens too were very well maintained, fast and accurate on roll.

A great pro-shop, decent classic clubhouse with friendly staff. Quality driving range, chipping and putting green. Brilliant all round. Shame I had to sneak onto the course to write the review.