Arden Course

The Arden Forest is a landscape within the massive 10,000-acre estate of Lord Aylesford's trout lakes at Packington Park. The Arden course, built-in 1970 and designed by Donald Steel, was a frequent venue for the European Tour and hosted the British Masters and the English Open. 

Although the Arden is a new course, Steel beautifully blended the layout into the natural landscape. The majestic oaks, especially prevalent on the back nine, make the design appear much more mature than it is. The challenge of the Arden is significant, especially from the back tees-7,134 yards. Yet even the standard yellow tees rate the course a respectable 6,500 yards. This course is of high quality, set in an amicable setting. Sometimes it can feel much longer than its advertised yard, because the soil is soft, particularly in the winter. The rough can be incredibly difficult; it is always lush and dense, making recovery shots very tough. The Arden is usually kept immaculately from tee to green in terms of the conditioning. Whether you're lucky enough to play the course before, or just after, a European Tour event, then you're in for an absolute treat. 

Gently opening with two quick par fours, it is not long before the actual Arden test starts. The series of holes is excellent from the 6th to the 9th. The 8th is a beautiful short par three, where water on two sides guards the green. The back nine is the most unforgettable, not just for the ancient oak trees but also for the closing two holes, which are very entertaining and technically outstanding. The 17th is a par five, where a bunker jealously guards the green to the left and a lake to the right. Even the crispest approach shots should find the surface on which to place. Look out for closing hole. It's a par three challenging, involving a long, forced carry across a lake. Playing a championship course of the Arden Forest tradition is always fun, but it is especially pleasing when the service and facilities are so excellent.