Macdonald Hill Valley Spa, Hotel & Golf - Sapphire Course

underwater + unplayable

Played the sapphire course a few weeks back. Overall it has a good layout but it's clear that this course gets little to no attention compared to their championship course. The greens are in very poor condition, with worm holes everywhere and in need of a good cut. If that was sorted, it would be a tidy little course.

My only moan would be the condition of the greens. Not a green keeper in sight.
Staff issues?

Thoroughly enjoyed our Bank Holiday golf day at Hill Valley. The Sapphire course is great with a good balance of straight forward and trickier holes. Course overall in fantastic conditions, however a few of the greens are a little scuffed and worn in places.

Course should not have been open , feet sinking into the green and will damage the greens and very wet and waterlogged

Took us 4.5 hours to get through 14 holes before we walked off - massive issue with slow play here

I suppose for £12 on a Saturday morning at 7am I shouldn’t expect too much!

I was looking for somewhere to play first thing on a beautiful Saturday morning and this was the only course anywhere within 25miles that had a tee time!

The fairways didn’t appear to be maintained, the greens bobbled and jumped around - they were rutted and had weeeds on them plus it here doesn’t appear to be any standards, I saw people with trainers, t-shirts and hoodies on the course.

I think they should turn the Sapphire into a municipal as that is how it feels,

Quite a lot of money for what is not a very well maintained course. The lay out is good with some interesting holes but some of the greens are hard work due to burnt ground, worm casts and rabbit holes.

Course conditions as you would expect for wet winter golf. It was very boggy in places, tee boxes were okay, and the greens were in good condition all things considered.
Narrow fairways, and challenging holes with slopes and raised greens made for a decent day of golf.
Only thing I would say is green fees possibly a little high considering other courses around Shropshire which are great condition for the time of year.

For the £15 I paid, I can't complain, the fairways are slightly long and the greens are very slow and some are a little cut up, but on the whole the course is good for the money.
The only thing I didn't like about it was the fact we had a 3 ball Infront of us who wouldn't let us play through and was holding us and 8 others up as they were that slow.

This course could be so good but very little care as been taking with it.
Greens are poor,trees could do with been cut back as many holes have stupididly narrow approaches because of overhanging branches but it was fun to play but we will not be back

It was such a shame as it is clearly a very clever and well designed course but not enough is being done to maintain it.

Although short, it is tricky with narrow tee shots and unforgiving hazards, a wayward shot is a lost ball.

Drainage of greens is a disaster and has massively compromised these surfaces.

For the price it’s excellent value. Not overly long but a good test especially for the higher handicapper. The course does need a bit of TLC on the greens. Played on 4th August 2021.