Macdonald Hill Valley Spa, Hotel & Golf - Sapphire Course
Rating Snapshot
About
Established in 1975, Hill Valley Golf and Country Club has a wide range of golfing and recreational facilities and welcomes visitors and members alike. Its boasts two fine courses and is proud to have employed Ian Woosnam in his early days as a professional.
Pro-shop offers a wide range of golfing equipment, tuition and buggy hire. Practice putting green and driving bays are available. Unwind in the a la carte restaurant or visitors bar. There is a separate bar for members.
Additional facilities include 28 ensuite bedrooms, gym, sauna, solarium, jacuzzi and snooker room. Hill Valley Golf and Country Club also offer a conference / function room for parties up to 200.
Shorter but no less demanding the Sapphire course at 4765 yards presents quite a different test for Golfers of any standard, with an abundance of water careful and skilful club selection and equally competent execution are paramount and make this course the ultimate challenge for exponents of the short game. Sharpen up this, the most important aspect of playing, and you will undoubtedly reap the benefits which will show in the improvement of your scoring.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 66 | 4765 yards | 64.0 | 124 |
| Yellow | 66 | 4449 yards | 63.1 | 122 |
| Red | 66 | 4079 yards | 65.0 | 455 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White M: 64.0/124 | 388 | 157 | 360 | 123 | 326 | 166 | 314 | 149 | 323 | 2306 | 104 | 288 | 301 | 190 | 308 | 477 | 310 | 169 | 348 | 2495 | 4801 |
| Yellow M: 63.1/122 | 379 | 150 | 345 | 114 | 262 | 155 | 298 | 136 | 310 | 2149 | 90 | 250 | 293 | 169 | 302 | 466 | 297 | 132 | 306 | 2305 | 4454 |
| Red W: 65.0/122 | 288 | 150 | 345 | 114 | 250 | 152 | 298 | 127 | 275 | 1999 | 90 | 250 | 293 | 105 | 294 | 466 | 297 | 95 | 244 | 2134 | 4133 |
| Handicap | 5 | 15 | 3 | 17 | 13 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 4 | |||
| Par | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 34 | 66 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Conference Facilities, Banquet Facilities, SpaAvailable Activities
Swimming, Billiards
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
It could be a gem, but it’s not
Was looking forward to playing the sapphire course after really enjoying the emerald course previously. The setting is beautiful and the layout is fine, although signage on the course isn’t the best. The greens were in a poor state and the tee boxes were similar. The course is tight and challenging but quite short. If this had the TLC it deserves it could be a gem.
Could be a gem, tlc required
Not played the sapphire course before, but gave it a try as we were very impressed by the emerald course which we have played before. Signage needs to be improved, tee boxes and greens were not great at all. This is a very tight pretty little course, which could be stunning given some tlc. Wouldn’t play this course again.
Great course
We had a great experience playing this course. Apart from a couple of greens with some dead grass, the conditions were excellent considering the time of year. Got really good value for money.
Good day out.
Portal - Say no more, could have been better without all the leaves on the fairways but decent enough anyway.
Short but Great Course
The course is a little short but is in really great condition and very enjoyable. We booked an early Tee time and were first out do we were round in Just over 3 hours, although a two ball did push in front of us as we were finishing up on 15 and heading to the 16th Tee which was a little annoying. Lots of Par 3's and 9nly 1 par 5, but don't be put off as the layout is great. Be advised though it is very hilly therefore if you do struggle a little with walking 18 this might be a challenge.
Overall a super course, friendly and attentive staff and great facilities. highly recommended.
Good little course
First time of playing this course
It a course where you need to think not just hit driver
Some interesting par 3s
Loads of greens staff on the course and to be honest it needed it
A few of the greens need a bit of work on them but nothing major
One of the main problems is trying to find out which way to go to the next tee . Signing is very poor and small
Would we play it again Yes
Not the best
Course was very tight, Most tee’s had no grass on them. Never seen so much grass cuttings on the fairways. Beer bottles everywhere.
Thankful only paid £20. Young lady in the pro shop was very friendly and helpful.
Course needs more attention
Greens although were very good, there was damage on a few of them. Course was a little tired and needed some work for this time of the year. Only paid £15 pp for the round so good value.
Very good condition
This was very good condition for the course even with a bit of rain
Sapphire
Nice course it will improve your short game fairways tight so accuracy is essential greens in good shape.
The greens look like they've been shelled by mortars!
Played this course for the first time after previously playing the more expensive emerald course. Walking onto the first tee and seeing the green on the right looking like it'd been set on fire on the right side was not a good omen. An omen that turned out to be fact. Probably 12 of the 18 greens looked like they'd been shelled. Not sure who the green keeper is but he needs firing. The fairways are just as bad there isn't even a difference between what you'd expect to be fairway and first cut of rough. This is the second worse condition course I've had the misfortune of playing only surpassed by the emerald Hill valley when we played on a day the course was so waterlogged that we walked off. Should have never been allowed to tee off staff didn't care. The hotel is clearly the priority here and the golf course a very distant after thought. Meole Brace Community golf course in Shrewsbury is in better condition that this and half the price.
Vastly Improved: Can’t Fault It Now
Admittedly this course was in a state for quite a few years, but they’ve clearly given it a huge amount of TLC this year.
The greens are in great condition, a million times better than last year. They’ve made clear efforts to improve the course, and it is very well maintained. There were plenty of grounds staff tending to the course whilst we were playing.
It’s a good challenge, and an extremely picturesque course, more so than the more expensive Emerald Course, also at Hill Valley.
If you’ve played previous to April/May this year and it put you off, I’d really encourage you to give it another go now it’s been restored to its full glory.
Not fit to play on
underwater + unplayable
Greens need work
Played the sapphire course a few weeks back. Overall it has a good layout but it's clear that this course gets little to no attention compared to their championship course. The greens are in very poor condition, with worm holes everywhere and in need of a good cut. If that was sorted, it would be a tidy little course.
England’s Royal Golf Package
Dublin Links Golf Package
Royal St George’s Golf Package
Northern Ireland & Dublin Classic Golf Tour
