Foxhills Longcross course review: Parkland golf that demands precision

Situated just outside the M25, southwest of London, Foxhills Country Club is a palatial resort that offers 45 holes of golf, tennis courts, a four-star hotel, an award-winning spa and much much more.

Originally established as a country retreat for famous parliamentarian Charles James Fox in the 18th century, the estate passed through a number of owners before it was bought by Air Lingus in the 1960s, who employed Fred W Hawtree to design two 18-hole courses in 1974.

Today, we are going to focus on the Longcross, which is one of two championship courses at the resort. 

Characterised by tree-lined fairways and small, challenging greens, the course has a reputation for favouring accuracy over power, and we were about to find out exactly why. 

Upon arriving at the resort, we were instantly impressed by the overall setup and presentation. Making our way up through the long and winding driveway, we got glimpses of the excellent-looking par 3 course before arriving at the parking lot and getting our first glimpse of the impressive clubhouse. This first taste of the resort was a fantastic indicator of the level of quality and conditioning we were about to experience. 

Picking up our buggy and heading to the tee, we were greeted by the informative and friendly starter before taking a look at the unusual but interesting tee marker board.

Opting to do away with gendered tees, Foxhills has instead chosen to give guidance based on handicap and driving distance, which was a refreshing choice that we think should be utilised at more courses around the world.

With our tees established, we got underway on what had turned from quite a miserable rain-soaked morning into a bright and beautiful afternoon.

So, with the sun beginning to emerge, we teed it up and let rip on the 1st hole.

Let's get into it.

The 1st hole is very much a what you see is what you get hole, which is always quite a welcoming start to a course you've never played before. Having the fairway laid out in front of you always seems to settle the nerves, and with this hole, if you can keep your tee shot fairly straight, you should be positioned nicely to get your round off to a good start. 

A long iron is your best bet, with trees flanking the entire length of the hole on both the left and right. 

Those who trust the driver to remain straight can take advantage of the fairly short hole, with a 280-yard drive of the blue tees leaving you with only a pitching wedge or 9-iron in. Two bunkers shield the green short on both sides, but the relatively flat putting surface provides a good opportunity for a straightforward two-putt. 

The 2nd hole is a dogleg right that has one very well-positioned fairway bunker at its apex, which can force your hand to try and hit over the corner. Be advised, though, the thick trees right of the fairway may have had the ground cleared below them to make finding your ball slightly easier, but even if found, the thick collection of trees will offer you few routes for escape. 

Navigate the corner correctly, and depending on how aggressive your line is off the tee, you can leave yourself with a straightforward approach to a green with only one bunker to protect it. 

A blind tee shot greets you on the 3rd tee, and if you can avoid the fairway bunkers positioned at roughly 225 yards, you can expect your second shot to be off a downhill lie to a green protected by two bunkers that stand like bouncers on each side of the entrance.

The 4th hole is a par 3 played over a small stream that runs through the middle of the hole. The stream should present no issue, but with the wind regularly swirling, club choice will be of paramount importance to keep your ball on the green. 

Ranging in distance from anywhere between 150 to 180 yards depending on the pin, if you can walk off the 4th with a par, you should be delighted with the result.

Featuring a very tight landing area, the 5th hole favours a tee shot to the left side of the fairway. A small collection of trees jut out from the right side of the fairway, cutting off any opportunity you could have for going for the green. 

Best played as a three-shotter, a small stream some 20 yards short of the green lies in wait to swallow up anything short, with two bunkers once again narrowing the mouth of the green. If you can manoeuvre a three-wood in from the fairway, then the green presents an excellent opportunity for birdie, but with danger lurking short, left and right, we would recommend laying up to leave yourself with a short wedge shot in. 

Playing close to 200 yards off the back tees, the 6th hole is a  well-protected par 3 that requires a long and straight iron shot in order to be navigated without racking up a big score. 

A straight par 5 that's reachable in two for longer hitters, the 7th hole has a small number of bunkers that can catch you out, but it's the trees that will really punish you if you wander into them. 

The hole travels straight uphill from tee to green, and while pulling out the three wood is tempting if you find the fairway, a well-struck mid-iron may be the tactical play if you're chasing a good score. 

Position is critical off the 8th tee. The hole turns sharply from right to left, leaving a fairly small landing zone for players who hit a fade. Drawers of the ball can turn it around the corner, but with the hole only measuring 309 yards, a four iron or rescue to the tip of the corner will take much of the danger out of play while leaving a short second shot to the green. 

Two bunkers hug both sides of the small green, so playing for the middle of the putting surface is always the clever play here.

Another dogleg left rounds out the front nine, and it offers a beautiful elevation change for one of our favourite approach shots on the course. 

A high draw with driver is the ideal choice here, and you will need the added distance to give yourself a look at the green. Measuring 431 yards, longer hitters will leave themselves with a wedge in, but for those who aren't lucky enough to bomb it 300 yards off the tee, a mid iron will likely be the weapon of choice for your second shot. 

From the fairway, you will be hitting down to the smallest green on the course, and there is little room for error with your approach as the minuet putting surface is flanked by trees, bunkers and a practice putting green, which we don't advise hitting on to.

Looking back at halfway, the front nine at the Longcross course offers a beautiful and secluded parkland experience that, thanks to the dense treeline that surrounds almost every hole, provides an intimate golfing experience that will both test and reward in equal measure. 

There are some tough holes to navigate, but if you're able to plot your way around rather than attempt to overpower it, there is some low scoring to be had. 

Heading on to the 10th tee, you are met once more with a relatively straightforward par 4 that stretches out in front of you, providing one of the more generous fairways on the course. Measuring only 300 yards, this is one of the best birdie opportunities on the course. 

One fairway bunker lays in wait on the left-hand side, but it's the dense bush that runs down the right-hand side of the fairway that you really want to watch out for. If your ball goes in there, you won't even be able to look for it, so grab another ball from your bag and take your medicine. 

The 11th is an entertaining par 3 that requires a fairly long shot over a steep ravine to a green that features plenty of subtle break to test even the most accomplished putters. 

Off the back tees, fairway bunkers narrow at the 250-yard mark on the 12th fairway to catch out tee shots that drift even slightly off target. Longer hitters can leave themselves with a mid iron in, with short and right being the best miss you can make to leave yourself with a good chance of getting up and down. 

The 13th is another sharp dogleg left that will require an accurate tee shot in order to give yourself a chance at going for the green. With three bunkers staring you dead in the eye, this can be one of the more intimidating tee shots on the course, but a well-struck iron is all you will need in order to give yourself a good look at the green. 

Short and right is the ideal miss, with no bunkers in play to catch you out. Short and left can present a tricky chip, though, with subtle undulation ready to usher your ball away from the hole if you find yourself on the wrong side. 

Hit from an elevated tee, the 14th is a long par 5 that will likely be played as a three-shotter by most golfers. An outcrop of trees on the left-hand side is to be avoided if you want to get up by the green in two, and a small stream that runs across the hole 100 yards short of the green will likely convince you to layup if you hadn't already planned on doing so. A bit of a slog, this hole demands straight hitting for the duration if you are to escape with a par.

The 15th is a fun short par 4 that provides a bit of light relief after the 15th. A hybrid will be plenty of club off the tee, setting up a short second with a wedge or short iron. If you saw your score go through the roof on the previous hole, this is a good opportunity to get a couple of shots back on the course. 

The 16th is a very tough but equally as picturesque par 3 that measures a whopping 226 yards off the blue tees. With water protecting short and right of the green, we pulled out a 4-iron on this hole, but in all honesty, if the wind picks up, you could even have use 3-wood to get to a back pin. 

Framed beautifully by the surrounding trees, this hole is perhaps the most visually appealing on the course, but don't be lulled in by its good looks, it will punch you hard in the face if you're not careful.

The final par 4 on the course, the 17th, is uphill all the way from the tee to green, with water running down the right-hand side of the fairway. 

Measuring 402 yards off the back tees, this hole plays longer due to the elevation, and a good drive is needed to give you an opportunity to get a wedge in hand for a demanding approach. The green will sit high above you from the fairway, and measuring only four paces in depth, it will require a shot or surgical precision in order to be held. 

Having manoeuvred your way through tight fairways for the duration of the round, the 18th gives you an opportunity to really open your shoulders and swing hard. The generous fairway moves from right to left, and if you can start a draw in the middle of the fairway it should work its way back nicely to shorten your second shot. 

A solitary tree that's positioned on the right side of the fairway will likely frustrate drawers of the ball, but if you can hit a solid cut at the green, you can leave yourself with a good opportunity for birdie. Interestingly, the 18th green on the Longcross course is shared with the 18th of the Bernard Hunt, which is Foxhill's second Championship course. So, make sure you are aiming at the correct pin when line up your approach. 

Verdict

An excellent test of tactical golf, the Longcross course is a very enjoyable parkland layout that will reward accuracy over power.

The beautiful tree-lined fairways give each hole a sense of seclusion, which makes for quite an exclusive golfing experience, as apart from a few holes, it can quite often feel like you are the only players on the course. 

The well-positioned bunkers and thick woodland provide plenty of hazards to be manoeuvred, but once you find yourself on the greens, they are both well-manicured and receptive, making the overall putting experience an absolute joy. 

Situated so close to London and due to its popularity, I did fear that we could be staring down the barrel of a five-hour round on the Longcross, but I'm delighted to report that we didn't have to wait on a single tee, and the pace of play was excellent throughout the round. 

Kept in excellent condition, with welcoming and friendly staff, the Longcross at Foxhills is well deserving of its reputation as one of the best parkland courses in the country.

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