It may be November, but we’re blessed with sunshine as we head to Vale Royal – a rather fancy-sounding mid Cheshire borough – and to Pryors Hayes, 6 miles east of Chester. It’s the sister club of Sunday Slicers’ favourite Hartford, 10 miles in the other direction, and with twice the number of holes, we’ll be happy if it’s even half as good! It’s tucked away off a country lane, and first impressions are good, with a modern clubhouse and wedding venue greeting our arrival.
It’s been extremely wet of late, so it’s hardly surprising that some of the fairways feel like walking on blancmange, with yardage discs somewhat hidden and bunkers that are firm and (we hear mid-round) GUR. Still, they’ve managed to hold off enforcing a single winter tee or green, which is impressive, and the greens’ drainage must be a labour of love to keep them totally puddle free and running true.
‘I hope you’ve brought plenty of balls’ is the warning on being waved through on the first, and sure enough, the combination of a low sun, long semi-rough and fallen leaves proves a tricky combination. Yellow balls prove a particularly bad idea for the autumnal terrain, before even the whitest of Titleists and Callaways seem to vanish without trace. In desperation, we turn to a (previously found) ‘Hippo’, to make the next inevitable loss somewhat less painful.
Well, our Hippo works wonders, and much like its namesake, seems to revel in the wet and muddy conditions! After saying goodbye to 6 balls on the first 4 holes, our Hippo is miraculously unlosable! What’s more, it seems to be performing superbly, flattering an approach shot under the gaze of those waving us through (see Exhibit A… and does that count as backspin?!) It makes one wonder, for the average golfer… do premium balls actually make any difference?
We’re flying solo today, and have the slight misfortune of picking a morning with a popular competition in full flow. Thankfully, the succession of three and fourballs kindly make way in turn, and we’re through 4 groups on the front 9 like a hot knife through butter, without ever asking the question… verbally or otherwise. By the back 9 though, our ‘knife’ has seemingly cooled and progress stalls, but it at least provides a chance to savour the course.
Much like Hartford, there are some shortish holes that tease the prospect of par or better, but tee shots need real precision. The 11th hole straddles a stream en-route to the pin, with a dilemma on how to chart its crossing, and the 16th needs laser accuracy to squeeze betwixt trees and pond. It all takes place through the flattest of landscapes, with no hills to climb (or slide down), and is accessorised seasonally by a variety of wild mushrooms that decorate the semi-rough alongside the fairways.
Time to spare before or after your round? Oulton Park racetrack is nearby, and is free to visit during open track days (like on the day of our visit). The Egerton Arms next to the track is also an excellent spot for a pre or post-round meal. In a rush? Do at least try to swing by the BP on Tarporley Road, which shifts thousands of their delicious home-made samosas every week! Plenty of good reasons to justify a return visit, hopefully next time in drier conditions!
Key Info
Holes: 18
Par: 70
Yards: White: 6,145. Yellow: 5,667. Red: 5,211
Slope: White: 129. Yellow: 121. Red: 123
Visitor Green Fees: £16 for 9 holes / £25 for 18 holes
Website: http://www.pryorshayes.co.uk
Location
Prices correct at time of writing (November 2023).
Find out where this course ranks in the list of toughest courses in Cheshire here, and see our overview of Golfing in Cheshire here.
Where shall we review next? Let us know here.
Golf Cheshire 