Chippenham Golf Club, founded in 1896 , has gone through many changes in its history including the recent opening of 7 new holes and the building of a new modern Clubhouse.
The first records of the Club date back to 1896
The course provides a fantastic challenge to golfers of all abilities. The excellent putting surfaces always receive great reviews . The recently added holes have enhanced the existing layout and make for an enjoyable round of golf. There is an interesting mix of holes with five par 5’s, five par 3’s and eight par 4’s.
Course Overview
Accuracy and patience are required to fashion a good score. The white tees measure in at 6414 yards while the reds measure 5818. The more established part of the course requires placement and thought, while the newer holes allow you to open the shoulders a bit more.
The greens provide a good defence, being on the smaller side, but once you are on the surface you are guaranteed a smooth and consistent roll. The greens have always been highly regarded.
Course Scorecard
Course Rating and Slope Rating
| Tee | Par | Yardage | Course Rating | Slope Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (Men) | 72 | 6414 | 72.0 | 127 |
| Yellow (Men) | 71 | 6080 | 70.5 | 124 |
| Red (Ladies) | 73 | 5813 | 74.8 | 138 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Hole 1 Par 5
RON FARRAGE
WHITE 566 YARDS | YELLOW 550 YARDS | RED 466 YARDS
No easy opener. This is a long snaking par 5 hole where placement is essential both off the tee and with the second shot.
The green is a small well bunkered target with the approach well guarded by trees on the left.
Hole 2 Par 3
LANGLEY
WHITE 185 YARDS | YELLOW 158 YARDS | RED 166 YARDS
A testing mid-length Par 3 with a small target and out of bounds lurking left.
Plenty of room short of the green.
Hole 3 Par 5
BULLFIELD
WHITE 473 YARDS | YELLOW 462 YARDS | RED 457 YARDS
A short Par 5 by modern standards but don’t be fooled.
A gentle right to left dog-leg is bordered by out of bounds the entire left hand side.
A realistic chance of birdie but a double bogey awaits a lapse of concentration
Hole 4 Par 3
SQUIRREL’S DREY
WHITE 161 YARDS | YELLOW 144 YARDS | RED 149 YARDS
A great Par 3. A raised green with its false front and large bunker left provides a target that is hard to find.
Throw in a typically swirling wind and you will be happy to leave here with a three.
Hole 5 Par 4
UP AND OVER
WHITE 359 YARDS | YELLOW 351 YARDS | RED 353 YARDS
As the name suggests, the tee shot plays over a rise and then the second shot rises again to a long and narrow green.
A testing Par 4.
Hole 6 Par 3
ALLINGTON
WHITE 139 YARDS | YELLOW 114 YARDS | RED 124 YARDS
An old style quirky design with a green surrounded at the front by a bunker.
This is quite an exposed part of the course where club selection can be tricky with the prevailing wind.
Hole 7 Par 4
GORSE
WHITE 377 YARDS | YELLOW 363 YARDS | RED 356 YARDS
An interesting Par 4 where the driver is probably best left in the bag.
A ditch cuts the fairway in half and placement from the tee is vital to provide a mid-iron to the green. Past the ditch the fairway slopes heavily from left to right.
Hole 8 Par 4
BLUEBELL WOOD
WHITE 317 YARDS | YELLOW 310 YARDS | RED 295 YARDS
One of the newly redesigned holes on the course. With two main options for playing the hole, to most golfers the conventional way will be preferred.
Hitting a tee shot to the point of the right to left dog-leg will leave a short iron to a green nicely tucked up against “Bluebell Wood”. For the bigger hitters feel free to take the direct route, but anything coming up short will be played from some long grass.
Hole 9 Par 5
BADGER’S DRIFT
WHITE 492 YARDS | YELLOW 482 YARDS | RED 462 YARDS
An accurate drive is required to split the two fairway bunkers. From here the hole dog legs sharply right at the end of the tree line so either a strong fade is required or a lay-up to the corner to attack the well bunkered green.
Hole 10 Par 4
THE HOLLOW
WHITE 391 YARDS | YELLOW 375 YARDS | RED 381 YARDS
Testing Par 4 requiring an accurate drive to a fairway with a deep swale at approximately 250 yards.
A shot aimed at the left of the green is sensible as anything missing right will fall away down the slope.
Hole 11 Par 3
THE DELL
WHITE 183 YARDS | YELLOW 168 YARDS | RED 136 YARDS
An attractive Par 3 with two significant Oak trees framing the hole. A mid to long iron will be required to a large green with a slope from back to front.
A shot missed right of the green could find a ditch while the left side is protected by a bunker.
Hole 12 Par 4
GO WEST
WHITE 377 YARDS | YELLOW 362 YARDS | RED 346 YARDS
This hole typically plays into the prevailing wind to a fairly wide fairway.
From here a dramatic second shot appears as if you are almost hitting into nothing with no backdrop to the green.
The green also provides great views over the surrounding countryside.
Hole 13 Par 3
CREAMER’S CORNER
WHITE 189 YARDS | YELLOW 168 YARDS | RED 145 YARDS
This hole is set to become the signature hole on the course. A drop Par 3 with stunning views over Wiltshire.
The hole doesn’t play its full length but don’t let this fool you as you are often met with a right to left cross wind.
Take your 3 here and run.
Hole 14 Par 5
LE SPLOSH!
WHITE 480 YARDS | YELLOW 471 YARDS | RED 465 YARDS
An iron or rescue club will see you to the top of the hill where you are faced with a carry over water for your second shot.
Once you’ve negotiated the lake, a tricky green tucked into the corner of the property awaits with a hedge lurking left and behind.
Any score is possible on this hole.
Hole 15 Par 4
DEER RUN
WHITE 368 YARDS | YELLOW 341 YARDS | RED 329 YARDS
A very clever design which requires an accurate drive between the dew ponds on the right and out of bounds left.
The second shot is sharply uphill to a two-tiered sloping green. A great hole.
Hole 16 Par 4
HOLLEY’S COPSE
WHITE 388 YARDS | YELLOW 373 YARDS | RED 357 YARDS
An often downwind Par 4 where a straight drive will be rewarded with a short club in.
A lot of tree planting has taken place here and as they mature the hole will become tighter.
The green sits across you slightly so club choice is important.
Hole 17 Par 4
POND
WHITE 421 YARDS | YELLOW 401 YARDS | RED 410 YARDS
Perhaps the best of the older style holes. Aim for the marker post and avoid the hump (old green) in the middle of the fairway.
Once you’ve found the fairway you’ll be left with a downhill shot over a small pond to a green sloping away from you and well protected by bunkers.
Hole 18 Par 5
SABRINA
WHITE 548 YARDS | YELLOW 487 YARDS | RED 416 YARDS
A long Par 5 to finish.
The drive meets a slope in the fairway taking away the run.
The approach to the green is deceptive and there is a steep slope at the front of the green which can propel balls through the back of the green.
