Theale Golf Club

Hidden away somewhat (although well signposted) you approach the Theale Golf Centre along a narrow strip of tarmac between the local recreation ground and open fields with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Upon entering the spacious car park immediately in front of you is a modern clubhouse and to your right a small driving range. You pay your green fees at the bar where the welcome is average. The bar looks inviting enough and also has a small selection of clubs, shoes, balls etc for sale. Onto the Theale golf course and it does look in fine shape (especially given the recent dry weather we have been having), very green and well-cut. There are all the customary markers on the tees including a plan of each hole (something so often missing on the cheaper pay & plays). Theale golf course is parkland and nestles nicely between the quaint hamlet of North Street and the M4 motorway, the noise from which on one or two holes could be a little off-putting for some. As I have said the course is in fine shape with well-cut fairways, well-kept bunkers and green thatre springy and well-maintained. There is a good selection of mature trees of different types and sizes as well as a number of small streams and even the odd pylon or two. There are also a few original artefacts dotted around the course that pay testimony to the courses history. There is also a decent amount of shade should the sun beat down as it did on me today. Overall this is a well-designed course that makes the most of this most pleasant piece of rural Berkshire. Challenging enough for the better golfer (although maybe not for the lowest handicappers) yet forgiving enough for the less able. As for value-for-money, at £18 for 18 holes (£12 for 9) weekdays and £25 at weekends it is not the cheapest around. It is a great day’s golf so therefore the price is probably justified although it is competing with other clubs offering the same standards at a lower cost. These prices are also ‘per round’ not ‘per day’ as is becoming the fashion. Interestingly enough (in this day and age) Theale Golf Centre does NOT have a web presence! Overall a highly recommended course.