Wiltshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/hamptworth-golf-bunkers-1280x854.jpg-2-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30482" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/hamptworth-golf-bunkers-1280x854.jpg-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/hamptworth-golf-bunkers-1280x854.jpg-2-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/hamptworth-golf-bunkers-1280x854.jpg-2-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/hamptworth-golf-bunkers-1280x854.jpg-2-787x525.jpg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/hamptworth-golf-bunkers-1280x854.jpg-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.hamptworthgolf.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hamptworth</a> is a seriously impressive 18-hole golf course about 15 mins outside of Salisbury that&#8217;s just undergone a huge multi-million pound renovation, and now boasts an Instagram-worthy clubhouse with smart changing facilities and a sleek bar and restaurant &#8211; and that&#8217;s before you even get to the top tier facilities, which includes a new driving range. Even the golf buggies are cutting edge (and you can order your drinks directly from them! Got my name written all over it&#8230;).  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE EXPERIENCE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1697" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0222.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30483" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0222.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0222-707x800.jpg 707w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0222-884x1000.jpg 884w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0222-768x869.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0222-1358x1536.jpg 1358w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0222-464x525.jpg 464w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>I&#8217;m certainly no golf&nbsp;pro &#8211; I can count the number of times I&#8217;ve played on one hand &#8211; but under the relaxed guidance of pro Hamptworth coach Katie Dawkins, I feel like golf is something I could totally get into (especially with facilities this swish). </p>



<p>Katie took me to the brand new driving range, which has eight bays and state-of-the-art tech by Top Tracer &#8211; ideal for beginners like me. A quick few practise swings with the orange whip (yes, really) and I was let loose with a 9 iron.&nbsp;Thanks to Katie&#8217;s top tips, I feel like I smashed it out of the park (although maybe beginner&#8217;s luck played a<em> teeny</em> part). The tech tracks your ball, including how far it goes and how straight you send it &#8211; you can even play a game of Go Fish where you score points depending on where the ball lands, which kids will totally love. Not only that, but you can also simulate play on some of the world&#8217;s best&nbsp;golf&nbsp;courses, or tag team your play with a friend.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1165" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0206.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30484" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0206.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0206-800x621.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0206-1000x777.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0206-768x596.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0206-676x525.jpg 676w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Being tucked away at the range in the Bay was a huge bonus, as it took the pressure off anyone watching you or being behind you. Having said that, I can&#8217;t imagine this ever being an issue at Hamptworth as the vibes here are super welcoming and friendly. </p>



<p>After my lesson, we then went for a quick power walk and talk around the grounds, which are dog-friendly and have various walks around the&nbsp;golf&nbsp;course linking up to the Cuckoo Inn pub, back to the clubhouse and more &#8211; and there are currently loads of snowdrops and daffodils out as an extra bonus. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2002" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0225.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30485" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0225.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0225-599x800.jpg 599w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0225-749x1000.jpg 749w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0225-768x1025.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0225-1151x1536.jpg 1151w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_IMG_0225-393x525.jpg 393w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There are so many options here that I can&#8217;t wait to come back to try it all. You can head to the driving range and knock some balls around or play one of the tech games; you can go round the&nbsp;gorgeous 18-hole golf&nbsp;course by foot or on the buggy; you can play tennis or croquet, or take a walk around the grounds &#8211; and if none of that takes your fancy, then you can lounge in the clubhouse and flick through the great wine menu! Speaking of which&#8230;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1261" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_0c4a0164.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30518" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_0c4a0164.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_0c4a0164-800x673.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_0c4a0164-1000x841.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_0c4a0164-768x646.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/thumbnail_0c4a0164-625x525.jpg 625w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The clubhouse&#8217;s lovely new bar/restaurant is a welcome addition to the course, and serves up a menu of everything from smashed avo on sourdough and bacon sarnies to scrumptious-looking cakes. The coffee in particular is top notch &#8211; I am a coffee snob and this delivered. It&#8217;s well worth keeping an eye on the website site as the clubhouse also offers rotating events such as a monthly Sunday roast, an epic afternoon tea and barbecues and hog roasts on the terrace in the summer months. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="965" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/New-Forest-Lavender.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30481" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/New-Forest-Lavender.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/New-Forest-Lavender-800x515.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/New-Forest-Lavender-1000x643.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/New-Forest-Lavender-768x494.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/03/New-Forest-Lavender-816x525.jpg 816w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>You&#8217;re on the edge of the New Forest here, so if you want to make the most of the outdoorsy vibes you can always visit the <a href="https://www.newforestlavender.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Forest Lavender Gardens</a> which is just a five-minute drive away, or Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary over the border in Hants is just over twenty minutes away. For a dinner menu, you&#8217;ve got the Cuckoo Inn practically on site, as well as The Landford Poacher a four-minute drive away. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Everyone from seasoned pros to complete beginners. It&#8217;s a particularly great option for families &#8211; Hamptworth offers kids&#8217; lessons as well as camps during the school holidays &#8211; but I think it would be a great escape for parents after the hectic school run too. I can&#8217;t wait for a slightly warmer day to go back hit some balls and enjoy a sundowner on that terrace.</p>



<p><strong>Not for</strong>: Gym bunnies and adrenaline junkies &#8211; the pace here is more about taking in the gorgeous countryside and enjoying the outdoors, so you&#8217;re not likely to work up a spin class-level sweat. </p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong>&nbsp;You don&#8217;t have to be a member to play here (which is a massive bonus for those wanting to dip into the sport without an upfront commitment). Green fees for Monday to Friday are £50, and £60 on Saturdays and Sundays. Buggy hire costs £30 and half hour lessons cost £35. Range Balls cost £6 for 50 or £11 for 100. </p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.hamptworthgolf.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hamptworth</a>, Hamptworth Road, Hamptworth, Salisbury SP5 2DU</em></p>


Review: Hamptworth Golf Club, Hamptworth

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