The 9th at the Grove plays as the 18th in major events.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, The Grove has quickly elevated itself into the conversation as one of England’s most popular daily fee facilities.
Most notably, the club hosted the 2006 WGC-American Express Championship won in convincing fashion by Tiger Woods with a record aggregate total of 261 and an eight-stroke margin over Ian Poulter and Adam Scott who tied for 2nd.
The performance by Woods also included an unprecedented PGA TOUR scoring achievement with three consecutive eagles on the par-5 9th - which played as the concluding hole for the event.
Designed by acclaimed architect Kyle Philips - the man responsible for such notable courses as Kingsbarns and Yas Links - The Grove can stretch to 7,152 yards and plays to a par of 72.
The 567-yard 9th turns slightly left and uphill in the drive zone before turning back slightly to the right. Two fairway bunkers guard the right side and they must be avoided on the tee shot. Generally, the hole plays into the prevailing wind. As the players come to the green the view of the original Mansion and formal gardens comes into site.
The green requires careful thought as it provides an array of vexing movements requiring a keen eye to discern and then execute accordingly.
The hole was smartly placed as the closer given the range of scores that can happen during a professional event.
In 2019, Kyle Phillips undertook a redesign of the fairway and greenside bunkers, focusing on enhancing their visibility from both the tee and approach shots. This reshaping not only adds a visual challenge for golfers, but also contributes to a strategic element in navigating these bunkers effectively.
The Grove also hosted the British Masters on the European Tour in 2016, won by Alex Noren, and a Rose Ladies’ Series event in May 2023. The facility is owned by Ralph Trustees Limited.
For more info go to:
Luxury Hertfordshire Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa | The Grove Hotel