Beau Desert Golf Club
Beau Desert Golf Club, Rugeley Road, Cannock, United Kingdom
Club overview
Hidden among the towering canopy of Staffordshire's Cannock Forest, this Herbert Fowler classic stands proudly alongside his other English master-pieces such as Saunton, Walton Heath and The Berkshire, to name a few. The beauty of Beau Desert is hard to describe as, with only the occasional passing Stag as a critic of your ability to master the rolling fairways and testing greens, you will enjoy both a sense of isolation and peacefulness here allowing you to focus on your game and enjoy your visit to the full.
TheTop 100 Golf Courses - Course Review The Midlands is not necessarily considered a hot spot for golf courses but Beau Desert Golf Club is one of the few exceptions.
This was the Marquess of Anglesey’s golf course. He commissioned Herbert Fowler to design it and in 1911, Fowler completed the job. The golf club was formed and for the first seven years, played locally at Hednesford Hills before later moving to the current site, affording the poor Marquess some tax benefits and some income from the lease.
Beau Desert, or Beautiful Wilderness is an unusual name for a golf course, especially for a course located in such a picturesque landscape. The land once formed part of the Marquess’s Beaudesert Estate. Once upon a time, the area may well have been wild, but it isn’t anymore. This is a stunning heathland course. Heather and gorse-lined fairways, framed by acres of firs and spruces.
It’s certainly not a long course, measuring 6,458 yards from the tips, but it’s narrow. You need accuracy from the tee. The greens are quite large, especially the 18th, and they are full of wicked borrows, so expect a few three putts. Beau Desert is no pushover; on numerous occasions it has hosted Open Championship qualifying, England & County Golf Championships and most recently the “Logan Trophy” (English Men’s Open Mid -Amateur Stroke Play) in 2017. Invariably, the course is maintained in excellent condition.
One of the many treats at Beau Desert is that you play most holes in splendid isolation; you can lose yourself in the trees here. Additionally, the holes are varied and memorable. You will be hard-pressed to a better inland courses in the British Isles, except in Surrey and Berkshire.
Gallery
Location
Get directionsGolfer reviews
“Had a fantastic day at Beau Desert today with 10 friends for my 50th. The staff were amazingly friendly and welcoming, the food was really good and the course is just exceptional! Beautiful tree lined fairways and heather. Perfect greens, well maintained and well worth the money. I will be back.”
“I played here in an open competition. We all loved the golf course, great layout, some beautiful tough holes, beautiful setting and the course was in excellent condition. The starter was very friendly and advised us to stay below the hole, wise, as the greens are quick and very undulating and you will be in trouble putting down hill. Lovely clubhouse, friendly staff, good food, good practice facilities and a well stocked and friendly pro shop. The only snag is there’s no half way hut and not many, if any, water taps on the way round. Hence the name I presume? A great day out.”
“The course was in exceptional condition, with incredible views and some truly stunning golf holes throughout. But the best part of the experience was the people. Everyone went above and beyond to look after our society and couldn’t have been more welcoming and friendly. A special mention to Andrea in the bar, who took fantastic care of us all.”