It has been 18 years since a significant golf Championship—and the legendary Tiger Woods—last made an appearance at The Grove, a picturesque golf course and resort located just off the M25, near Watford. However, a stroll through the grounds and a round of golf reveal that time has been kind to this venue.
The Grove has evolved into a preferred retreat for top-tier football teams before their matches at Wembley. The England men’s national team has made it their base for years, and Real Madrid recently chose it for their preparations leading up to their Champions League Final victory this year.
An impeccably maintained football pitch in the rear of the property is just one of the many attractions. Guests can indulge in a luxurious spa, an outdoor summer cinema, a variety of restaurants, nature trails, stunning accommodations, and, of course, an exceptional golf course that is a must-visit for enthusiasts.
Though the top names in golf may not have graced The Grove recently, many prominent figures from various sports have visited for different reasons. Given everything this venue has to offer, it’s easy to understand its allure.
Mail Sport spent a night and played a round at this beautiful location to uncover why so many top athletes and teams frequently visit this Hertfordshire gem.
Explore The Grove and book your round or stay in the enchanting heart of Hertfordshire!
The main entrance to The Grove that leads you through to a reception, bar and then restaurant
The Grove is clearly very proud of hosting Tiger Woods in his prime – as they should be!
The main building for where the rooms are found – we were lucky enough to have a balcony
The lush greens of The Grove were a joy to play, the whole course is in perfect condition
Golf at The Grove
Firstly, you would never suspect they aren’t currently hosting a world championship event—although it’s certainly on their radar for the future.
A bit of light drizzle (in July? Unbelievable!) presented us with a slick surface for our morning tee-off and thus, breathtaking views of the neatly trimmed greens. Lush landscaping was visible from every angle around the main buildings perched atop the hill. The attention to detail aligns perfectly with The Grove’s commitment to excellence from beginning to end. A splendid start.
A brief walk from the pro shop and first tee—where you can also grab a buggy to skip the stroll—lies a practice range along with chipping and putting greens. The range is stocked with more practice balls than you could possibly need and plenty of tees, allowing you to kick off your day in style.
The first tee is positioned just in front of the putting green and hits downhill with trees and thick rough to the left, and bunkers eagerly waiting to catch your attention. Not the simplest start! However, it certainly whets your appetite for what lies ahead.
The practice range where players are given balls and tees for their warm up
Wasn’t the sunniest July on record but still made for nice playing conditions
Two points to note, though: once your ball lands in the rough, you may find it tricky to locate again! Most holes offer ample room off the tee, but if you’re prone to slicing and shanking, be prepared to replenish your supply of balls (I actually purchased more at the Pro Shop after the front nine, while my friends raved about their sausage rolls).
Secondly, the greens are quite fast—really fast! Anything downhill can be a challenge, and it will take a few holes to familiarize yourself with the speed. I certainly lost most of my strokes to the putter (or lack thereof), but it was a challenge I thoroughly enjoyed, and I found myself improving bit by bit.
Players can order food and drinks from their buggy as they approach the 9th hole
Once back to where you started, you’ll find your order ready and waiting for you
One of the front nine par threes that show off The Grove’s estate as well as the greens
The course has beautiful scenery all around it with all 300 acres on display
There are several standout holes at The Grove, beyond the famous ninth that Tiger Woods dominated. I was on track to par that hole, yet the greens! They’re still lingering in my memory!
On that particular hole, the club has installed plaques marking where Woods drove the ball for three consecutive days when he made eagle on that lengthy par five. The plaques are spaced about 10-15 yards apart and nearly aligned—truly remarkable feats by Tiger.
The par five where Tiger Woods eagled three times has plaques where he drove the ball
And here’s the sign that lets you know you’re about to play the iconic hole
I found the par threes at The Grove particularly enjoyable. The 3rd hole features a green shielded by a water hazard just a few yards in length, yet two of my friends managed to find the drink.
As you ascend the hill on the 7th, prepare to hit toward the magnificent view of the manor house from around 130 yards. On the back nine, there’s another par three that challenges you to strike downward from about 160 yards, but you’ll need to tackle a thick patch of rough measuring 100 yards before you’re even in play.
The diverse array of holes and accompanying challenges is one aspect, but the overall quality of the course and its surroundings makes for a delightful experience, regardless of your skill level.
The fast greens will leave many of you feeling like this! But it’s a fun challenge to work out
Plenty of holes feature long rough before you can make the fairway just to add to the difficulty
Many three putts were had…
The course measures a hefty 7,152 yards from the back tees to a kinder 5,507 from the front
Staying at The Grove
The day before I enjoyed The Grove’s greens, I treated my partner to a night at the hotel to experience the resort’s many offerings. After winding through the scenic road up to the main manor house—the beautiful views were a delightful distraction—we were met with ample parking, a warm welcome at the door, and prompt service at the reception. A solid beginning.
Our room wasn’t yet available, so we decided to enjoy lunch at The Stables. This dining spot is conveniently located next to where golfers can grab a meal and beverages post-round, offering a fantastic outdoor area perfect for putting practice while savoring your food.
Our meal arrived faster than the speed of the putting greens, if such a thing were possible! I opted for The Stables burger, a mouthwatering bacon and cheese concoction, while my partner indulged in classic ale-battered fish and chips. We were pleasantly surprised to have our orders within mere minutes.
The Stables is a high-end spot for lunch right next to the golf facilities
As you can see, the portions are no joke! With the putting greens just over the hedge
The portions serve as exactly what I look for—none of those meager, overly decorated servings common in upscale restaurants. My partner and I were unable to finish our meals due to the generous sizes! Afterward, we strolled past the pro shop, clubhouse, and spa to collect our key from reception.
We stayed in a deluxe King room with a garden view, which boasted enough charm that you might never want to leave for the grounds. The TV featured built-in access to Netflix, Disney, and Paramount, so all we had to do was log in. The bed was enormous and comfortable, complemented by a cozy seating area in front of the TV.
Our balcony overlooked beautiful water features and gardens that connect the main reception with the Glasshouse restaurant and the spa, providing a delightful spot to sip from the stocked mini fridge (or enjoy the bottle of prosecco that awaited us in our room).
A warm greeting to our room and a stocked mini-fridge made for a welcome start
It would have been easy to spend a lot of time in the room given it’s space and connectable TV
The pool area had a handful of people around and had plenty of space to swim and relax
Could certainly imagine this terrace area being busier when there are less clouds
The only thing deeper than the rough I encountered on the golf course was the luxurious bath in my room! Before my partner could question my prolonged time there, we took an afternoon swim and enjoyed a pleasant stint in the steam room at the spa area. It was a very calming experience and not overly crowded at all.
Dinner and breakfast were enjoyed at The Glasshouse, which was undoubtedly the standout feature of our stay. It’s a buffet-style dining experience but with chefs stationed at each station, ready to cook and prepare your selection right before your eyes. From steaks and Chinese dishes to curry, carvery, seafood, pasta, and pizza—whatever you desire is available and freshly made.
The cooking stations are maybe the most impressive part about The Grove!
Fresh pasta made right in front of you as you request it from start to finish – absolutely superb
Crucially, you’re allowed to indulge in as much food as you can manage. Typically, the cost is around £52 per person for a meal if you simply wish to dine there without prior reservation, but honestly, I would return and pay that again. The culinary experience is genuinely worth it.
We capped our evening with a few beers in the bar area, and there were plenty of spots to stroll or relax while sipping. The venue often hosts various functions (my sister celebrated her wedding here several years ago), yet ample space remains to accommodate all guests comfortably.
Gabriel’s football pitch is worth a visit, conveniently located beside the main building. Many renowned athletes have played on that pristine surface, including numerous England squads. A short distance from there, we discovered a pop-up outdoor cinema featuring beanbag seating and a small bar behind it, which seemed particularly inviting on a lovely summer evening.
The rear-gardens feature a pop up restaurant called Skewd and an outdoor summer cinema
The cinema played classic films rather than new releases but had a food truck alongside it
Here’s the turf Real Madrid and England have graced! The urge to hit a daisy cutter is strong
Explore The Grove and plan your round or your stay in the vibrant heart of Hertfordshire!
Despite The Grove not hosting a major championship for nearly two decades, one would think standards have declined, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact, it is abundantly clear that they prioritize excellence at every level of their course and resort. In a world where quality is often a gamble, The Grove undoubtedly provides exceptional value.
