The Grove Hotel and Golf Course Review

Few things get the team at GolfMagic quite as excited as a five-star stay and play, and when we got the opportunity to take a quick trip outside of London to The Grove, you can bet your bottom dollar, we were brimming with excitement. 

From the moment we arrived at the clubhouse, we knew we were in for a treat. The incredibly friendly staff collected our clubs, noted our tee time, and directed us to our locker. 

There, we had a lovely welcome pack, which featured a premium tee bag, a personalised bag tag, and an array of useful tools for the course, including tees and ball markers. 

With the sun peeking through the clouds, we wandered over to the well-presented bar and tucked into a delicious egg and bacon sandwich before readying ourselves for a much-needed practice session.

After picking up our buggies and bags, we drove down to the immaculately maintained practice area, where we were met by staff who helped us log in to the Trackman app, which delivers real-time shot data to every booth. 

Hitting off a grass range is always a treat, and with a pyramid of balls at our disposal, we put in some much-needed practice before heading to the excellent short game area, which is only a short walk away. 

A few chips and a handful of putts later, and we were ready to tee off. 

The Grove is a relatively new golf course and it's sprawled out over stunning Hertfordshire countryside. 

It can be stretched from 5,500 yards to 7,150, so we decided to play off the 6,332-yard tees to give ourselves an outside shot at putting together a decent score. 

We're huge fans of a generous start, and that's exactly what the course offers up, with a short 312-yard par four to get things started. 

A few holes in, and one thing became very apparent: the course is kept in magnificent condition. 

The tee boxes are manicured, the fairways lush, and the greens kept in tip-top shape. 

Generous off the tee but penal if wayward, The Grove is the kind of course you could play every day without getting bored. 

The array of holes does a fantastic job of keeping things interesting while the layout runs smoothly, with the routing allowing you to see all corners of the historic property.  

The third and fourth holes require both courage and precision. The par-4 third demands a long approach shot over water to a green with a hidden drop-off at the back. 

While we managed to escape unscathed, the third hole is undoubtedly the first true test you encounter, and having spoken to friends, it's certainly dished out some scorecard punishment in its time. 

Moving on to the fourth hole, you are met with a stunning short par-3, which, from the tees we were playing, measures only 127 yards. 

Don't be deceived by the short yardage, however. Your distance control will truly be tested on the thin sliver of the green, which lies just beyond a burn that lays in wait to snaffle up any poor shots. 

The remainder of the front nine consists of two par fives that measure a touch over 500 yards and a devilish par three that sits atop a hill, requiring a well-struck tee shot in order to prevent disaster. 

The 9th hole also bears some historical significance, as it was the sight of one of Tiger Woods' many great achievements. 

The long par-5, which was played as the 18th hole during the 2006 WGC American Express Championship, saw Woods make an eagle on three consecutive days, something that hasn't been achieved since. 

His three tee and approach shots travelled a whopping 1,762 yards in total.

The hole also features plaques on the fairway from where Woods took each of his approach shots, so naturally, we had to give it a go. 

We won't tell you what score we made, but rest assured it wasn't an eagle. 

We began our analysis of the course upon reaching the halfway mark, and the one thing that struck both my partner and me was the brilliance of the greens. 

Maintained at USGA standards year-round, they roll pure and quick, which is not something you can say for every course in the UK after the amount of rain we've had in 2024. 

While we wouldn't say The Grove is a resort course, it certainly gets plenty of visitors, so we have to give a big pat on the back to the greenskeepers for ensuring the putting surfaces are well maintained. 

Having confirmed our shared admiration for the course over a delicious hot dog, we moved on to the back nine.

Featuring two par 5s, two par 3s, and five 4s, the back nine has a solid mix of holes that vary in direction, distance, and difficulty. 

If we had to pick our two favourite holes, they would probably be the downhill par-3 13th, which features a sharp drop-off and a beautiful view of the green. 

Second to the 13th is the par-5 17th, which requires a solid drive to make it reachable in two.

The 17th also features a wonderful green complex surrounded by steep drops and innovative hollows. 

Driving up the 18th, we were both satisfied and wholly impressed by the standard of the Grove. The fairways, as previously mentioned, were in excellent condition, and there wasn't a single area of the course that was in need of even a touch of TLC. 

Approaching the 18th green, we were also met by a member of staff who took our bags from us before cleaning our clubs and having them ready for collection. 

While only a small detail, the added hospitality and service really does elevate the overall experience. 

Sadly, the golf was over for the day. However, the Grove experience was only just getting started.

From the course, it was a quick walk to our rooms, and we were greeted with enormous beds, roll-top baths and stunning views of the gardens. 

While we wouldn't say we are hotel room experts, the Grove's offering is certainly deserving of its five stars. 

The quality of furnishings, luxury appliances and stunning views made it one of the most comfortable and enjoyable hotel stays we've ever had. 

Before dinner, we also sampled the hotel's wonderful Sequoia spa, which is decked out with a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, pool and a well-equipped gym, which we put to good use in order to build up an appetite for what was to come. 

While The Grove is well known for its golf course, it has one other ace up its sleeve that is equally as famous: the Glasshouse buffet. 

While we don't claim to be hotel experts, we certainly know our way around a buffet, and the Grove's buffet is undoubtedly one of the best in the country and perhaps even the world. 

The food selection spans all corners of the globe, from roasted meats to a sushi station and every type of national dish you could ever imagine. 

The selection is magnificent and it's matched by the quality. The staff were also incredibly attentive, and we couldn't have had a more enjoyable experience if we tried. 

A special mention has to go to the chocolate chip cookies offered at the dessert station. They were so good that we nearly polished off the whole platter on our own. 

Following an excellent night's sleep in the huge bed, we reluctantly had to check out and return to normal life.

If you're looking for a play-and-stay experience in the UK, then the Grove should be right at the top of your list.

The price is premium, but it's worth every single penny. The course is immaculate, the rooms are sublime, and the food is first-class.

We honestly couldn't recommend The Grove highly enough, and we hope to return one day. 

To book your visit, head to www.thegrove.co.uk