The Course

Cotswold Hills Golf Club sits high on the limestone escarpment above Cheltenham — at around 800 feet above sea level, it is one of the highest-altitude parkland courses in southern England, and the elevation shapes everything about it. The turf drains naturally and quickly, so the course plays firm and fast for much of the year. The wind is a permanent companion. And the views — west across the Vale of Gloucester to the Malvern Hills and beyond — are among the finest from any golf course in the region.

The layout stretches to over 6,800 yards from the back tees and plays to a par of 73 — generous in length but conservative in par, which means that many holes play as genuine par fours rather than comfortable par fives. The fairways sit on rolling ground with natural contours that make a flat lie something of a luxury; the ability to play from sidehill and uphill lies is tested throughout. Tree-planting in recent decades has added definition without reducing the open, exposed character that makes the course so engaging.

The second nine is widely considered the stronger half — the 12th, a long dogleg par four, and the 15th, a demanding par three across broken ground, are among the best holes on any course in Gloucestershire. The closing holes play back towards the clubhouse on rising ground, and completing them in regulation at the end of a tiring round represents a genuine achievement.

The Clubhouse & Facilities

The clubhouse at Cotswold Hills is well-appointed and comfortable — a proper club environment with a bar, catering and the relaxed atmosphere of a membership that takes pride in its course. Visitors are well received and the staff are knowledgeable about the course’s particular demands. It is worth asking at the pro shop about the day’s pin positions; they make a significant difference here.