Bearwood Lakes GC

Mike Harris
By
published

The challenge of any new course is how quickly it can bed in so that it looks, feels and plays like it has been around for a long time. Bearwood Lakes in Berkshire, which opened in 1996, passes that test with flying colours.

Designed by Martin Hawtree, the course makes its way through mature woodland and swathes of golden rough that contrast beautifully with the cross cut fairways. The result is 18 holes that live long in the memory.

Many of the holes are reminiscent of Sunningdale, no more so than the magnificent 520-yard par 5 11th, where the hole plays uphill through tall, proud, Scots's pines to a majestic rolling green.

The green-keeping team keep things in immaculate condition, handcutting all the greens and tees and making sure the members of this private club never play in anything other than perfect surroundings. A true slice of golfing heaven.

Best Hole: The 11th hole is a testing par-5 that requires unerring accuracy - not for the feint-hearted.

Web: www.bearwoodlakes.co.uk

Mike Harris
Mike Harris
Content Director

Mike has been a journalist all his working life, starting out as a football writer with Goal magazine in the 1990s before moving into men’s and women’s lifestyle magazines including Men's Health, In 2003 he joined Golf Monthly and in 2006 he became only the eighth editor in Golf Monthly’s 100-plus year history leading the brand until July 2023. He is now Content Director overseeing Golf Monthly and two other iconic sports brands, FourFourTwo and Rugby World.

His three main passions in golf are courses (he's played over 500 worldwide), equipment (he's always in search of something shiny to give him an edge) and shoes (he owns more pairs than he cares to mention!).  

Mike’s handicap index hovers at around 10 and he is a member of six golf clubs: Hartley Wintney, Royal Liverpool, Royal North Devon, Prince's, Royal Norton and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

Mike's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 10° - Fujikura Ventus Blue 5S - Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grip

Fairway woods: TaylorMade Sim Max 3/15° - Fujikura Ventus Blue 6S & TaylorMade Stealth 7/20° - Fujikura Ventus Red 6S - Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grips

Utility Iron: TaylorMade Stealth UDI 3/21° - Aldila Ascent 90HY - Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grip

Irons: TaylorMade P790 (5-PW)  - Fujikura Axiom 75R - Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grips

Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 50°, 54° and 58° - KBS Tour Hi-Rev 2.0 shafts - Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grips

Putter: Evnroll ER2B - Gravity Grip 

Ball: TaylorMade - Tour Response (Yellow) 

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