Haste Hill Golf Club
Overview
This is muni golf, both cheap and accessible. There are no less than six great two-shot holes. Some holes have potential, some are forgettable, but all of them can be had for £11.
Drainage ditches come into play on 13 of 18 holes.
Despite tree planting between fairways, the corridors remain wide.
How much, if any, of the original is left? It is difficult to know for sure. However, the bunker to the left of the 15th green is untouched.
The two-shot holes are what you come to play. The 3rd especially stands out.
Even the straight par 4's don't play straight. There is always a slight dogleg.
Golf Course Review
Haste Hill Golf Club comes by its name honestly with the front nine routed up and over a hillside. Good golf courses over hilly terrain often find imperceptible ways of gaining elevation. The 4th, 5th and 6th holes form a triangle that brings you to the highest point on the course. There is a bit of walking and elevation is gained eloquently although the 6th is a bit clumsy.
Haste Hill Golf Club's Par 3's
The five one-shot holes range from 123 to 171 yards. There is not a lot of variety in distance but there certainly is in character. For example, the first is downhill with a plethora of bunkers. The fifth is uphill, blind and has no bunkers.
Haste Hill's Highlights
The real highlight for me are the par 4's. Holes 2 and 3 require bold drives to reveal the pin. Back to back par 4's running parallel to each other on a hillside is usually not a recipe for success but it works here.
The 13th and 14th are back to back short par 4's. The right club from the tee could be just about any iron all the way to the driver. One thing is certain; the sub-300-yard par 4 is a helluva lot of fun to play.
Drainage ditches intersect the closing holes of both nines. With diagonal hazards and elevation changes, decisions must be made.
Harry Colt at Haste Hill Golf Club?
There have been some rumours Haste Hill Golf Club is a Harry Colt. When opened in 1929, the nine-hole course is clearly attributed to Herd and Taylor. Was Harry Colt or an associate involved at a later date? The jury is out until more evidence is uncovered but it appears the rumour is debunked!
Haste Hill Golf Club - Videos
Featured Architect: MacKenzie, Alister
As taken from his book, Golf Architecture, Alister MacKenzie felt the following were essential: The course, where possible, should be arranged in two loops of nine holes. There should be a large proportion of good two-shot holes and at least four one-shot holes. There should be little walking between...
