Macdonald Hill Valley Spa, Hotel & Golf - Emerald Course

The course has plenty of potential but just isn't being looked after. No fairways cut in - particularly bad on some of the holes on the back 9.
Bunkers are a state and the winter tee matts have seen much better days. The course desperately needs some love.

Also had a look at the Saphire course and how they are charging a green fee for that is a disgrace.

Really need to up the game. Played Market Drayton last week for the same price and it knocks spots off Hill Valley.

Visited Hilly Valley emerald course 26/2/24....
I only paid £20.99 course was not very busy it was midday on a Monday in February lol.
Some challenging holes but unfortunately the course conditions were in need of vast improvement.
90% of the greens were in poor condition, very mossy & covered in debris, fairways were long and very boggy and finally all winter tee boxes were on 'pallet' style platforms which were really slippy.
Overall unfortunately I wouldn't recommend this course until course gets some much needed improvement or at least when weather gets warm & course was alot drier...

4/10 at best !!

Course was in great condition, in particular the greens were rolling brilliantly and a real credit to the grounds team. Only let down was lack of refreshments in pro shop and halfway house, which was closed (probably due to tee time) . Definitely recommend for the price , bargain!

course generally in good order but the greens in need of TLC

Pace of play was slow as no marshalling on the course to speed things up. The fairways were not well drained in places and the greens were poor condition. Expected more for a £40 per person round

Course conditions were embarrassing. Possibly the worst I have every been on. Greens were unplayable. I can appreciate its winter but even taking that into account, really really bad.

Greens were dreadful looked like they hadn’t been touched in a while. White and red tees were in normal areas but only yellows on mats very odd considering the boxes looked fine.

Mid October the course was holding up well after the weather we’ve had over the last few weeks. Only complaint wa , why white and red markers have proper grass tee boxes but yellow are off mats?

First time playing and the course was in great condition. After all the rain I thought the fairways would be soft but they were very firm which was a plus. Golf shop staff were very friendly and welcoming. Didn’t find any pitch marks on the greens which was good to see.

Course in good condition after all the rain we’ve had the last few weeks. Downside was having to use tee mat’s on every hole. Pace of play was good

Let down by very boggy conditions underfoot.
Despite weeks of little rain.
Too much like heavy clay fields.
Course layout was difficult, given the course conditions.
Disappointed.

Hill Valley has good greens, and a lovely layout with plenty of trees and ponds. It had clearly suffered with the recent lack of rain as it was bone dry, making it very hard to play (and find your ball) as they rolled until finding level ground. We gave up after 15 holes of waiting on almost every tee, sometimes 3 groups. Oh and £14 for a sausage sandwich and £5 for a cup (literally) of chips is ridiculous.

Course has so great holes a little bit TLC needed but was very enjoyable