Bristol Golf Tour

Head east from Bristol and quickly you will come to two excellent young courses that provide an exciting challenge and will test your nerve.

Although relatively new, the classy Kendleshire Golf Club has already hosted several pro events and has been included in a list of the top 10 new golf courses in Britain in Golf World. 

The quality of the golf course is matched by an equally impressive clubhouse offering a good selection of food and drink in friendly surroundings. Make sure you take plenty of balls though - 18 of the 27 holes have water in play, most significantly at the 11th which is a carbon copy of the famous 17th island hole at Sawgrass.

The Kendleshire Golf Club is a highly rated and extremely popular golfing venue for small groups and societies alike. Nowadays it offers 27 holes of top class golf with the latest loop of nine holes - designed by former Walker Cup captain Peter McEvoy - adding to the fun and games in July 2002, making the venue even bigger and better. The original 18 holes were first opened for play in 1997. 

You really have to hold your nerve at the Player's Club - water is seemingly everywhere, cropping up on all four short holes and twice on the par-3 3rd. The par-5 15th is flanked by two lakes and is another stunning hole. If you're looking for a top match play venue, this is the course for you. With so much trouble around, usually in the form of sand and lakes, the wheels can fall off at any time. The Players Club is one of the best UK golf courses to emerge in the last few years. It may have opened as recently as May 2002, but it is maturing fast and its reputation is spreading far beyond the west country which, let's face it, isn't exactly blessed with too many prestigious golf courses.

You can sum up The Players Club in two words – long and challenging. But probably best not to tackle it off the back tees (7,600 yards) as it’s hard enough for the majority of golfers without doing that. The bold, brash Bristol layout is the ultimate in golfing challenges – not only is it ultra-long but it’s strewn with hazards. The short holes are pretty impressive too with most by water. If you’re after an easier test try the neighbouring Stranahan layout which opened at the end of last year.

The Players Club Golf Course is a 18-hole championship golf course situated just one mile from junction 18 of the M4. It only opened in 2002, but one of the striking features is its maturity with woodland, lakes, trees and gorse coming into play. At more than 7,600 yards off the back tees, it's the longest golf course in the country though from the front markers it dips below 6,000 yards. Six sets of tees will ensure that, whatever your handicap, you'll enjoy your round.