East Berkshire Golf Club prides itself in delivering a first class service to our members, guests and visitors.   Do not just take our word for it though, please read testimonials below or follow this link to the Top 100 Golf Courses website.

Feel free to post a review here

Chris Wanless, February 2025

East Berkshire Golf Club, nestled in the quiet village of Crowthorne, offers a delightful blend of challenge and charm that will captivate golfers of all abilities.

Established in 1903 by ex-Scottish professional and expert club and ball maker, Peter Paxton, this course has gracefully matured from its heathland origins into a picturesque, tree-lined parkland layout.

Spanning 6,236 yards with a par of 69, East Berkshire may not boast the length of modern championship courses, but it compensates with its strategic intricacies. The course is predominantly flat, ensuring an easy walk, yet it demands precise shot-making and thoughtful course management. Paxton’s design incorporates natural water features and heather, creating hazards that challenge without overwhelming. The fairways are meticulously shaped, guiding players through well-defined semi-roughs to greens guarded by thoughtfully placed bunkers and natural barriers.

The opening hole, aptly named Paxton sets the tone with its subtle demands, requiring accuracy over power. It lures you into taking on the green from your first shot of the round, but offers enough trouble to create regret from those not fully warmed up! The 3rd hole, is a 429-yard par 4 that runs adjacent to the railway line, presenting out-of-bounds on the left and a challenging approach to a well-protected green. The par-3 5th, at 148 yards, is a standout with its large green flanked by water on the left, emphasizing the importance of precise club selection. The back nine intensifies the challenge, notably the 10th hole, a 437-yard par 4 demanding a well-placed tee shot to navigate the dogleg and avoid encroaching hazards. The course culminates with a 413-yard par 4 that requires a strategic drive favouring the right side to set up a manageable approach to the final green.

East Berkshire Golf Club stands as a testament to classic course design, where strategy and precision take precedence over sheer distance. Its tranquil setting, combined with a layout that rewards thoughtful play, makes it a must-visit for those seeking a pure and enjoyable golfing experience.

(from Top 100 Golf Courses website)

Vince, September 2024

After over 15 years since my last visit, I returned to East Berks recently & was very pleasantly surprised.

I’d always enjoyed the course, but wondered having played so many great courses since last teeing it up here, whether it might not live up to my fond memories—thankfully however, it absolutely did. It’s an excellent course, impressively maintained despite being on such a small piece of land near the heart of Crowthorne. 

East Berkshire is an easy walk, fairly flat, the conditioning of the course is fabulous, and the greens are slick and true. The short 9th hole is an absolute gem—arguably one of the best par 3s in the county. It’s only a short iron, but the bunkering and green complex are superb, demanding precision and rewarding creativity.

It’s the type of course you could play regularly and never tire of— I’d happily play here far more often. East Berks is a classic members’ course, providing an enjoyable yet challenging round for all abilities

(from Top 100 Golf Courses website)

Mark K, August 2024

I played East Berkshire on my last day of a year of Berkshire golf.

I left feeling that I should return to the course for another visit and return to the county permanently.

The course makes the most of a cramped site and if more of the land that was used for the front 9 had been available I am sure EBGC would feature in a ranking of England’s Top 100 most aesthetic courses.

The 8th and 9th are the finale of what is a very good looking collection of holes but the course turns more parkland for a significant proportion of the remainder of the round. 

The back 9 may be a better test of golf.

As a whole the course is probably not a stern test of the game, there are too few holes that you would consider strategic. But I played on a very wet day at the end of a very wet March. I can imagine when it’s running fast its true nature is revealed along with being an even more pleasant place to spend an afternoon.

(from Top 100 Golf Courses website)

Alex Dawson, June 2024

A Charming and Welcoming Experience

Nestled in the serene landscape of East Berkshire, this golf club offers a delightful blend of historical charm and modern amenities.

Having played here in early June 2024, I can confidently say that East Berkshire Golf Club provides an engaging and satisfying golfing experience from start to finish.

Arrival and Facilities:

Finding the course was a breeze, thanks to the clear directions via sat-nav. The entrance, tucked off a residential street, leads you into a world where the club's rich history, dating back to the early 1900s, is immediately evident. The mature trees and the warm, classic interior design of the clubhouse set the tone for a memorable round of golf.

The clubhouse itself is a charming mix of tradition and modernity, featuring tartan carpets and wood panelling that exude a timeless appeal. The facilities have undergone modernization over the years, ensuring comfort and convenience for all visitors. The staff in the bar and pro shop were exceptionally friendly and accommodating, making the check-in process smooth and enjoyable. Although I didn't dine here, the pre-round coffee was excellent, and the changing rooms were spotless, equipped with clean towels and well-maintained lockers, showers, and toilets.

The Course:

East Berkshire is a well-maintained course that beautifully balances heathland and parkland elements. The firm, luscious ground is interspersed with gorse and heather, creating a visually appealing and challenging environment. Much of the course winds through mature woodland, featuring tall, thin pine trees that add to the serene atmosphere.

The layout takes full advantage of the natural landscape, though it remains moderately flat with a few gentle slopes and elevated tee boxes. The tee boxes were among the best I've played on—large, flat, firm, and impeccably kept. The presence of amenities like taps, bins, ball cleaners, and towels on most holes added to the convenience.

Fairways were in excellent condition, with very few unrepaired divots and expertly mown grass. The greens were similarly well-maintained, with a defined fringe and lush, though somewhat long, roughs. Navigation between holes was straightforward, thanks to good signage and well-defined pathways. However, the course's tight layout requires caution as some tee boxes are close to the previous greens.

The only real criticism of the course was the bunkers I found myself in, the sand was far too compact despite it not having rained for some time and was full of stones and even rocks.

Memorable Holes:

While the course is consistently good, a few holes stood out:

7th Hole: A long par 4 with a bridge over a stream, leading to an alcove of mature pine trees and a green protected by bunkers.
9th Hole: A secluded par 3, lined with trees and heather, with a green guarded by a crescent of bunkers and blooming flowers.
10th Hole: Features an approach shot onto a green surrounded by blooming flowers and shrubs, reminiscent of an Augusta-style hole.
11th Hole: A long par 5 requiring strategic play over a blind crest and a ditch.
17th Hole: An enjoyable approach shot towards mature pine trees onto an undulating green protected by bunkers.

Practice Facilities and Value:

The club boasts an abundance of practice facilities, including nets, a grass driving range, chipping green, and putting green. These amenities provide ample opportunities to warm up or refine your skills before hitting the course.

At a mid-week County Card rate of £55, the value for money was excellent. The quality of the course and the overall experience far exceeded my expectations. The club's accommodating nature and the warm welcome we received as visitors made the entire experience even more enjoyable.

Final Thoughts:

East Berkshire Golf Club may not have the dramatic vistas or standout design elements of some top-tier courses, but it delivers a consistently high-quality golfing experience. The charming setting, combined with the friendly staff and well-maintained course, makes it a place worth visiting. I look forward to playing here again and would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a pleasant and rewarding round of golf.

(from Top 100 Golf Courses website)

Mark Howson, May 2023

I made the error yesterday of thinking that after a weekend of a lot of golfing and having played earlier in the day that I could squeeze in another round at East Berkshire and whilst I did I was so over golfed I didn't get the time to really take in the quality that East Berkshire clearly provides.

Its a real gem. Its not the longest but its just great. The greens were superb and a great looking course. Its got that honest feel about it, is not trying to be anything other than a great quality course and an almost less is more feel. I thoroughly enjoyed my round although I played atrocious exhausted golf, I still left with huge admiration of the place. I will definitely return with the energy and focus that it so rightly deserves.

(from Top 100 Golf Courses website)

Ed Black, April 2022

I had a thoroughly enjoyable time at East Berkshire. From the moment I got out of the car I was greeted with a really friendly hello and chat with some members. Makes all the difference. The man in the pro shop was no different. Really nice chap. As for the course itself - tight, mature, short and peaceful. Everything I want from a parkland course. No hole the same and above all, fun! Ok sure its not Sunningdale or Swinley Forest but the quality and condition of the course and greens was 5 star. For a third of the price, it's a must visit. Special place. 

(from Top 100 Golf Courses website)

Chris Griffiths, September 2021

Having moved to the area 2 years ago I'd been impatient to play this fine gem of a course, and luckily got invited.

The Clubhouse and Shop is very warm and welcoming; always helpful when playing a new track. The first couple of holes ease you into the round, with some relatively short but challenging par 4's. Then the course starts to bite a bit and you realise your day is about to get challenging.

The par 4 7th was a real highlight for me, with OOB all up the left, heather, bunkers, and a covert stream down the RHS, you needed to throw some long darts. All leading uphill to an exquisite green protected by 3 large bunkers. A complete joy.

I won't bore you with a hole-by-hole summary, but the key to this course is consistent quality but with each hole carving it's own journey through the Berkshire woodland. No shot, no hole felt the same, and I came away with a huge smile.

I've played some of the nearby neighbours (The Berkshire), and one of the most charming assets of East Berks is that it doesn't pretend to imitate it's illustrious neighbours, but takes the same assets they have and makes East Berks unique in its own way.

One word of advice - don't hit down the left on the 18th :(

Absolutely brilliant track. I love it so much I've joined the membership waiting list.

(from Top 100 Golf Courses website)

David E, June 2021

Played here recently in a 'Senior's Open' Event and thoroughly enjoyed the day. This is an attractive, tree-lined and peaceful course.  The greens were in superb condition, quick, with excellent roll and true. As has been said already, not the longest course with only one par 5. Several of the par 4's have dog-legs and there are ditches, bunkers and patches of heather to make life difficult if you stray from the fairways. Strongly recommend a visit if you're in the area.

(from Top 100 Golf Courses website)

Tim Elliott, October 2020

I selected East Berkshire to play my 650th golf course in a two ball with my wife on my birthday and was thrilled by this charming and delightful place. Sure, enough it was difficult to get a visitor Tee Time in the year of Covid, clearly the sign of a thriving Members' Club, that my excitement to eventually get to play here knew no bounds.

The pretty parkland layout begins with two short and reassuring par 4s to get the juices flowing, before the real challenges start. The 3rd hole, a long bunker-less par 4 is a gem, and it just gets better. There is only one par 5, but there is magnificent variety in the par 4s so this is not a problem, and all four par 3s (of which only one is over 160 yards) are special.

And just as you start to feel you are getting on top of the course, the final holes bite back. The demanding 14th where you aim for the left of the fairway from the tee so as to have room around the trees to go for the green is wonderful, as is the straight uphill 15th back to the clubhouse. And the last two holes are long and tough, if not quite as visually appealing.

The course layout and condition are excellent and the overall site is quite cramped even if you never get the feeling of being hemmed in. A bigger nuisance was the number of walkers around the course, for the gorgeous autumn colours on the trees lining most fairways made in easy to comprehend why the location appeals to people other than golfers

(from Top 100 Golf Courses website)

Les Harding, September 2020

Having played a lot of the top courses in Surrey/Berkshire over the past 12 years, booking East Berkshire based on the rankings meant I was not expecting anything exceptional in any way. It gets said a lot on this website but this course is definitely in the "Must be ranked higher" bracket. The course has got great variety, the greens were immaculate and the whole Club and course had a good feel to it. When we visit Surrey/Berkshire we pick 3 courses and play morning and afternoon at each course which means we get a proper look at the venue as a whole. East Berkshire may not be at the level of Swinley Forest, St Georges Hill or Sunningdale but at a third of the green fee it is a course that is totally underrated and well worth a visit"; you won't be disappointed.

(from Top 100 Golf Courses website)