I have been waiting the whole week to get a chance to do my Golf Course Review of the Goodwood Golf Club Downland Course also known as the The Kennels. The course is a little difficult to find and there can be a bit of confusion about which course you are playing but don't let this discourage you. The welcome experienced on arrival is very friendly and the course has an abundance of buggies and carts.
The Pro Shop has all the necessities like balls, gloves etc and a great section for designer goodies but it isn't a place to buy equipment and clubs.

Before we get to the business end of the course one thing you will notice is that everyone is very friendly and the course has a really relaxed atmosphere which is ideal for golf. According to my host the Course allows members to bring their dogs along for a round as well as they are well behaved and in the old days The Kennels was home to the Duke of Richmond's hounds.

When I visited the course the synthetic putting green alongside the Pro Shop was being used for a function but there is a real one (Grass) within a short distance of the clubhouse. One of the things you will need bear in mind is that the practice range is not close to the clubhouse and will require either a buggy or a car to get to. Another thing to consider is that the course is very long and will require a lot of heavy walking so if you aren't golfing fit take a buggy.

The course sets the atmosphere for great golf and the Scenery and Environment is spectacular with awesome views of the Chichester Cathedral, the Solent and also when we played we could see the Isle of Wight clearly. Getting off on time is not a problem and the course provides booked tee off times with enough time between the groups so there is enough time to enjoy the holes without rushing.

On the business end the Golf Course doesn't disappoint with Top Rated Tee's, Fairways, Greens and Bunkers which have been well placed an clearly show the James Braid influence. The Course Yardage Marking is excellent and the scorecard clearly shows the pin placements with an card provided on the day for the placements. The Cleanliness and Manicuring of the Course was in general excellent the only issue was that a society had been through and had not raked the bunkers and had left a lot of pitch marks which were not repaired.

The Goodwood Golf Club Downland Course is a James Braid and this shows in Layout and Design of the Course which is pure genius, the Challenge presented by the Course is a very difficult one but good shot making will be rewarded and the course offers up a few birdie chances. The course is good value for money and they provide a unique membership scheme on a credits system so it provides great value for money in that you only pay for the Golf you play.