18 holes (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

18 holes

It's often said by devotees that a bad day on the golf course is still better than any day in the office. That's particularly true when playing in the beauty of The Cotswolds.

THE MANOR HOUSE

The Manor House Golf Club at Castle Combe is, quite simply, a superb place to play golf.

Greatly enhancing a good day, a course like this also ensures the frustrations when not playing your best are far outweighed by the magnificent setting, imaginative design and self-evident pride in its preparation and presentation.

Ultimately though, any golf course is judged on the quality of its holes. A really good test of golf ability, this course never feels too daunting, and there are numerous memorable holes - especially the par 3s.

Thirteen's entire length (198 yards) is filled from tee to green by a huge swirly bunker. The 17th's 120ft drop to a double green split by a babbling brook was voted amongst the top 10 par threes in the world.

It's the hardest hole - the par five third - that I feel captures the essence of The Manor House course. It's short; there are extreme differences in elevation; great accuracy and control are needed to earn a difficult par; the view is picture postcard pretty. All those features are repeated to varying degrees right around this wonderful golf course.

The extensive clubhouse with its cosy spike bar and attentive staff all add to the feeling of exceptional quality. Visitor green fees range from £40 to £85. Not cheap, but I can't think of a better place to give yourself a golfing treat. My wife described the day as the most enjoyable 18 holes she'd ever played.

THE PLAYERS CLUB

"Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink" Eight miles away, one mile from the M4 Junction 18 (the Bath/Stroud junction), lies The Players Club.

Unashamedly constructed to attract professional tournaments, it's Britain's longest golf course at 7,600 yards off the championship tees. We of more modest ambition face 6,336 yards of challenging and varied golf right from the first tee, where you must drive left to avoid rolling into the ponds protecting the cars using the entrance drive.

Water features on no less than 14 holes, so club selection, course management and steely nerves will do as much to determine your score here as your golf swing.

The fourth and 15th are the most dramatic holes. Both require good positional tee shots to be able to carry the lakes that invite your ball for a dip from your second shot. It's not all target golf though. A couple of par fours are very long, and one par five stretches 696 yards from the back tee (it's 613 from the yellow).

When you're aiming as high as The Player's Club it takes time to get everything just so, and there's evidence that the landscaping is far from finished. For a three-year-old course though, the fairways and greens are already remarkably high quality.

Whilst not matching the scenery of Castle Combe, The Players Club could mature into one of the outstanding courses in the country, let alone the Cotswolds. It's amazingly good value too, with membership available from £100 per year, allowing you to play for only £20 a round, and society days including food from £39. We'll be back.