Do You like This Golfing Heaven?

Chances to play a Championship course laid out by one of golf history’s biggest names and re-designed by the eldest son of another don’t come along very often.

When you live and work in zone one, it’s difficult to remember how quickly you can be in the tranquillity of the glorious countryside. And it’s amazing how just 45 minutes on a train can make you feel like you’re in a different world.

As you meander down the snaking driveway, you feel like you’re driving into a postcard. The hotel itself nestles neatly in the rows of picturesque ancient trees, while the weaving corridors, rickety elevators and winding staircases make you wonder if you have, in fact, stepped into a murder mystery tour.

But look, I know why you’ve read this far. You want to know if I’ve had the steak or not. Well, you’ll be pleased to know I did. It even came with a delicious homemade peppercorn sauce.

My fellow media-ites and I stood on the first tee. In front of us, an odd par-4; the front of the green protected by bunkers and rough and a split fairway demanding an immediate decision of where to drive.

The back nine has a more parkland-like feel to it. The ancient trees which surround the drive to the hotel now dominate the fairways. Are you warmed up? You need to be, because there’s little room for manoeuvre out here.

Now, I don’t like lying to you, so I’ll admit Rich was carrying me just a tad. But I kept joking with him that my glory would come on the 18th. (mizuno mx 560 driver)A booming drive down the centre, clearing the lake, was followed by a wedge shot which missed the green to the left. A bump-and-run later and I find myself six-feet from the hole. With Matt and James already on their fourth and guaranteed bogeys at best, this was my moment.

The crowd went wild. Supermodels surrounded me. Women fainted. I’m pretty sure one person even released a dove into the bright blue sky. Of course, Rich had already holed a birdie to ensure victory, but that’s not the way Hollywood would write it.

A good score is not easy to come by on this leafy Hertfordshire track, and you’ll need to be on top of your game throughout. But you’ll love every minute of it. A challenging course with character, contrast and style. And all less than an hour from the heart of London. Hanbury Manor is a golfing delight.