Review: Jack Barkers Golf Complex, Northampton, UK
62Welcome to my review of the Jack Barker Golf course, Delapre, Northampton. The Oaks Course.
The course is a 5947 yard par 69 course set over 18 holes on the outskirts of Northampton. The setting of the course is very pleasant as it is within the grounds of Delapre Abbey, or more properly, the Abbey of St Mary de Pratis which was one of only two Cluniac nunneries built in England
Hole 1. The first tee is set some 317 yards from the front of the green. There are two small bunkers set either side of your approach but a good straight drive will see you very close to the green in the winter and running off the back in the summer. The green is not very large and, like most of these ex municipal courses, lacking in grass. The first hole should be an easy par for all but the real novice golfer.
Hole 2. The second hole is a 414 yard par 4 which dog-legs off to the right. There is a large bunker set at around 180 yards to the right hand side of the fairway to try and discourage the cutting of the corner, there are several sand traps protecting both sides of the green so an accurate second shot is required. The green is a reasonable size, fairly flat and quite quick. The stroke index of 3 does not reflect my experience of playing the hole and I feel that there are far more difficult holes on the course.
Hole 3. This 322 yard par 4 hole is another hole which has a slight dog-leg to the right. The hole is also down hill which makes this another fairly easy par.
Hole 4. This 363 yard par 4 hole is rated as the most challenging hole on the course. When you stand on the tee you have a dense wooded area and out of bounds off to your right and some thinner woodland off to your left. There is a brook which runs across the fairway at approximately 250 yards. The green is very accessible with your second shot assuming that you have hit a good straight drive.
Hole 5. A 168 yard par 3 hole which is protected by a brook which runs around the front and left side of the green. There are trees to the back of the green and more water to the right side of the fairway.
Hole 6. A 351 yard par 4. This is one of my favorite holes on the course. The fairway is lined with trees along the left hand side and the hole dog-legs to the left. There is a stream that runs across the fairway some 30 yards from the green. The ideal shot from the tee is to play a driver with a bit of a draw which, if struck correctly, will see you in the middle of the fairway 10 yards short of the stream. There are bunkers to either side of the green. If played well you can make an easy birdie but and error on your tee shot could quite easily see you shooting 6.
Hole 7. A nice straight 195 yard par 3. No real problems here just a scattering of trees which can come into play if you hook your tee shot.
Hole 8. The eighth hole is a 395 yard par 4. When you stand on the slightly raised tee you are greeted with a long straight wide fairway which encourages you to give the ball a good wack! The problems arise if you slice the ball as there is a fairly deep brook that meanders down the right side of the fairway. One of the longer par fours but not a difficult hole.
Hole 9. A 349 yard par 4. A nice straight hole without anything to cause any problems.
So there we have the front nine holes. Nothing particularly challenging if you are able to keep your tee shots in the fairway. The rough on the Oaks course is very rough and it is more likely than not that you will lose your ball if you venture too far in.
And to the back nine..
Hole 10. A 393 yard par 4 with out of bounds along the left hand side. You are unable to see the flag when standing on the tee as the hole fall away down a slope at some 150 yard. The hole has a stroke index of 2 which I do not feel it justifies. A good straight tee shot makes for a fairly approach.
Hole 11. Another of those short par 3’s. 169 yards down hill. The hole generally plays more like 150 yards.
Hole 12. A vary deceptive 316 yard par 4. When you tee up on this hole you are confronted with a fairway which dog-legs to the left and has out of bounds all along the left side. There is a large slope downwards away from the tee which leads to a stream at about 150 yards. On the far side of the stream there is a steep slope up towards the green. The ideal tee shot would be a draw which follows the out of bounds along the left hand side. This hole look far worst than it plays.
Hole 13. This hole is a 413 yard par 4. The fairway undulates but is fairly straight. It is a deceptive hole in that you always think that you could have hit the ball harder and further. The fairway falls steeply away from the tee and your drive always looks to be very short.
Hole 14. A short par 3 at 175 yards. The hole is straight and there are no real hazards.
Hole 15. A straight forward 355 yard par 4. No real hazards .
Hole 16. A 485 yard par 5. This hole is a relatively straight forward par 5. The green is tucked in behind a small copse but as the hole is down hill from the tee the yardage feels much shorter.
Hole 17. 430 yard par 4. A nice easy hole. Straight and no real hazards.
Hole 18. This hole is stroke index 18 and quite rightly so. The hole is a 337 yard par 4 and fairway slopes away from the tee towards the green. This hole plays more like a par three than a par four and I have witnessed very high handicappers putting their te shot on the green.
So there we have it. It’s not as well maintained as some of the private courses in the area but it’s quite playable and offers excellent value for money. The complex also offers a challenging but short 9 hole course as well as two par three courses and a pitch and putt. There are two practice putting greens and a large floodlit driving range. The complex shop is an American Golf store and stocks everything that you would expect. There is tuition available at reasonable prices and you can even hire a golf buggy if you are too lazy to walk. Food is available in the club house and there are adequate changing facilities. The car park is large and safe. On the whole it’s a pleasant place and a nice way to spend the day.
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