Brocket hall golf club, located in 500 acres of seclusion just 20 miles north of london, is a pleasure. Lord brocket was sentenced to jail after being found guilty of a £4.5 million insurance scam at brocket hall over a decade earlier. There were wild rumors that he'd buried his classic ferraris under the undulating greens of the melbourne course, or even dumped them in the river lea's broadwater. In fact, he'd dismantled them and transported them to a north london jail.

Brocket hall was designed in 1760 and is now leased out on a long-term lease by the trustees. Brocket hall, formerly the residence of two british prime ministers and a favorite country retreat for royalty, is now a five-star golf resort with two courses named after former prime ministers william lamb (2nd viscount melbourne) and henry john temple (3rd viscount palmerston).

The melbourne course was the first to be set out in brocket hall's grounds. It debuted in 1992, designed by peter alliss and clive clark. Many people consider this to be one of the best projects from the bbc's voice of golf. The course's architecture fits the natural contours of the undulating 18th century parkland, and it belies its youth.

The melbourne course is not a scramble, reaching 6,616 yards from the back tees and par 72. It's a fun exercise that's still very difficult. The holes are diverse and fascinating, with the river lea serving as a stunning yet intimidating threat. From the onset, the river is in play, ready to catch something hit too far to the right. The par three 2nd necessitates a complete 170-yard carry straight across the river to a green guarded on both sides by trees.