For my member Review of Hazel Grove Golf Club I think it is a Great test of golf

For my Golf Course Review of Hazel Grove GC is OK, describing it as a gem is a little overstating matters. The course is short and almost bereft of any rough, but does benefit from a couple of well placed water hazards. Much is made of the McKEnzie connection but after a comprehensive overhaul I would be interested to know how many of the great man's original holes remain as he designed them. Stand out holes are 3, 4, 11 and 17. The signature hole is a nice little risk reward affair but much of the back nine is pretty bland.....is the signature hole a McKenzie hole ?? Unlikley one imagines.

The USGA greens are always good and the clubhouse and food are above average. However it does lag a long way behind it's illustrious neighbour at Stockport GC on all counts.

Golf Course Review for Hazel Grove Golf Club.As you arrive at Hazel Grove you see the manicured 1st fairway away on your left and then the two tier 18th green carefully watched over by Alistair McKenzie himself - or at least a lifesize tree carving running his considerable eye over the approach shots and closing putts of the golfers at the end of their rounds. You can almost see an imperceptible nod from the great man himself as the ball rattles in the cup.
These sights set you up for what proves to be a testing, but fair, challenge around the golf club's parkland course. The course is spacious and well laid out and you see the benefits of lots of caring work carried out recently by members and staff ranging from the renovation of the bridges that cross the stream on the 1st and the 3rd to the re-establishment of the fountain on the lake that fronts the 8th hole par four.

Overall, a well laid out and presented eighteen holes with some challenging drives and fast, tricky
greens. As you acknowledge Alistair as you walk off the 18th you'll feel that you've had an excellent golfing experience at Hazel Grove and that first drink will be well deserved.

A Cheshire gem not to be missed.

My Golf Course Review of Hazel Grove Golf Club is a challenging course with very fast greens. It has very good facilities with superb cuisine. For those who find it hard to get around they have a number of single seated golf buggies for hire. The members are very friendly and welcoming. It's a MacKenzie course and even houses a life-size tree carving of Dr Alister MacKenzie, as far as I know it's the only golf course in the world that can claim this acolade.

There are numerous water hazards which can be difficult for the higher handicapper (of which I am one) but the appearance of the lakes are extremely rewarding.

The clubhouse stands very proud beyond the 18th green and is situated on the first floor with a balcony which is pefect to sit and look over the course.

All in all, I'd say you will not be disappointed.

With 2013 Centenary planning well on its way, the beautiful and well-appointed Alister MacKenzie parkland course at Hazel Grove Golf Club in Cheshire, is characterised by several natural water hazards. Add to these the planting of a further 6,500 trees to supplement the existing ones and you can understand why thoughtful course management is required by golfers of all levels.

The course has a number of feature holes each presenting its own individual MacKenzie challenge.

The par 5 third is as testing as any and ranks amongst the best in Cheshire, while the best of the par 3's is arguably the eleventh, both for its degree of difficulty and picturesque layout.

Equally, the eighteenth finishing hole with its MacKenzie tiered green and backdrop of the chalet-style clubhouse ranks with the best on the course.

With so many outstanding holes, it's hard to highlight any one as a 'signature' hole. However, the fifteenth, dominated by a large sweeping lake, which runs along the left hand edge of the fairway, and across the front and down the left of the green, must take the honour. At 285 yards, this par 4 represents the ultimate risk or reward hole.

From the elevated tee the green always seems within reach with a well struck drive, but your mind is then further concentrated by the out of bounds which runs along the right edge of the fairway. The decision is yours - lay up, or take on the green?

Golfers who enjoy and appreciate the challenge of MacKenzie Courses will love the welcome they get at Hazel Grove and we trust they will leave saying "Golf in Cheshire just doesn't get any better than this!"