Hanbury Manor Course Review
Contributing Editor Rob Smith makes a return visit to the intriguing Harry Vardon/Jack Nicklaus II hybrid at Hanbury Manor in Hertfordshire
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Contributing Editor Rob Smith makes a return visit to the intriguing Harry Vardon/Jack Nicklaus II hybrid at Hanbury Manor in Hertfordshire
Hanbury Manor Course Review
Variety is the spice of life, and one of the appealing features at Hanbury Manor (opens in new tab) is that the course has two quite diverse loops of nine played over contrasting terrain. One is traditionally British, and the other was designed by an American almost ninety years later.
Having first played the course fifteen years ago, I was looking forward to seeing how well the two nines have blended together now that the Jack Nicklaus Junior holes have matured. Happily, the answer is very well indeed and the course sits in the 2015/16 Golf Monthly UK & Ireland Next 100. (opens in new tab)
Amazingly, it is now a quarter of a century since Nicklaus added what is now the front nine, a few years after what was originally the home of the Hanbury brewing family was developed into a luxury hotel. Changes were made at the same time to Harry Vardon’s nine-holer, itself now more than a hundred years old, including the introduction of USGA greens which are a strong feature throughout.
The Nicklaus holes are on undulating and more open ground that runs down to the River Rib. There is a very good variety of style with attractive water to be avoided at two and six. It is particularly intrusive at the eighth, an excellent and challenging two-shotter which plays as stroke index one.
The well-bunkered ninth takes you back up the hill and to easy-walking ground where magnificent oaks are a regular feature throughout the back nine. Water again comes into play, particularly at the lovely thirteenth and seventeenth holes, and on a bright Summer’s day when the trees are in leaf, it is a fine place to enjoy your golf.
The English Open was staged here for a while in the late nineties, and its champions include both Lee Westwood (opens in new tab) and this year’s Ryder Cup skipper Darren Clarke (opens in new tab). The accompanying 161-suite Marriott Hotel is based in a 19th-century manor house surrounded by historic buildings. It boasts a spa, fitness centre and pool, and fine dining in a choice of restaurants.
With its hybrid course offering real variety and fun, Hanbury Manor is an excellent venue for societies, corporates, and those seeking enjoyable golf with all the trimmings.

Rob Smith has been playing golf for more than 40 years and been a contributing editor for Golf Monthly since 2012 specialising in course reviews and travel. He has now played 1,150 different courses in almost 50 countries. Despite lockdowns and travel restrictions last year, he still managed to play 80 different courses during 2021, 43 of them for the first time. This included 21 in 13 days on a trip to East Lothian in October. One of Rob's primary roles is helping to prepare the Top 100 and Next 100 Courses of the UK&I, of which he has played all but nine. Rob is a member of Tandridge Golf Club in Surrey where his handicap hovers around 16. You can contact him at r.smith896@btinternet.com.
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