What is it like to play at Centurion Club? The course that LIV Golf launched on has
When LIV shook up the golf world and had their first event in June 2022, they chose Centurion Club in Hertfordshire as their perfect launchpad.
A cramp-inducing 7,100 yards from the back tees, Centurion Club is a private club only opened in 2013 and has already become one of the most talked about courses in the UK.
From the moment it opened, the Club has been run in what might be considered a slightly unconventional way. A progressive, open-minded and non-traditional approach is very much the ethos at the Club and one which was instilled from the get-go by Managing Director Scott Evans.
There are no captains or committees, no separate tees for men and women and no stuffy dress-code to follow that you might find at other golf clubs.
It’s about the golf and Mail Sport decided to pay a visit to west St Albans (Hemel Hempstead, really) to see just how good it is.
The view from the entrance to the Centurion Club’s main building
The site has room for plenty of functions even beyond a round of golf
Playing golf at Centurion Club
As we arrived at the Club, our golf bags were taken and loaded onto our buggies ahead of our tee time as we ventured into the Courtyard to grab a drink and visit the pro shop.
The Courtyard which was originally a buggy store, was converted into a bar and dining area a few years ago and has since become a hub for members and their guests to eat and drink pre and post round. The original Members Lounge, which you’ll find upstairs has some of the best views in the house, overlooking the 18th Green and is another inviting space for members to relax and socialise.
A short uphill walk (or drive) to the left of the first tee brings you to the warm-up area on the left and the putting greens on the right. A pyramid of balls is waiting for you to hit off the AstroTurf while 20 of you could be on the putting green and you’d have room – no excuses before you tee off, which I normally need!
The courtyard is a more modern, social take on the traditional clubhouse
The practice range runs adjacent to the 18th fairway to the left
Plenty of room on the putting greens with a variety of lines to warm you up
The first four holes or so take you to another world. As a Hertfordshire local, a 27 degree day and playing golf in among those tall trees and luscious greens, I felt transported to North America. Truly beautiful, picturesque holes as the images below will attest.
The first hole is a par five with a sharp, dogleg left that makes for a tricky tee shot. The green is man-marked by a series of bunkers – just some of the 80 (yes, eighty) you’ll find on the course and, like the other holes you’ll play, requires extreme precision on the approach.
A common theme of the course features raised tee boxes that allows you to hit down onto the impressively manicured fairways and greens. If your handicap is in the 20s like mine, it’s a welcome sight. Many of these you will find around the Halfway Hut – another extremely welcome sight.
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in North America, not Hertfordshire!
The pristine cuts in among the trees and gorgeous weather really immerses the player
The raised teeboxes are fun but here is an example of the narrow fairways and killer rough
Of course, there is some water to navigate on your way around. The 12th is arguably the most challenging and thus, satisfying, of the two most notable water-hazardous holes.
A dogleg right leads you down to a large circle of drink that protects the green. Too long and you’ll find yourself in the bushes a few yards off the green. Too short and your ball is getting wet.
The views walking down towards the water and green combination will cause you to pause – wonderfully crafted. The 18th is a long par five that brings you parallel with the Clubhouse by the time you get near the green. Once you’re putting, a large section of water sits between you and the impressive Clubhouse to bring your round home.
One of the 80 bunkers that will do its best to ruin your good time!
One of several par threes where there is a low margin for error
One of the most beautiful holes on the entire course – but easy to get in trouble
The 18th sees you finish opposite the club house and more troublesome water
Narrow fairways, super fast greens protected by squads of bunkers and rough that is basically a lost ball the second you enter mean this is a course that will test your abilities and could frustrate the high handicappers.
But, the immaculate condition of the course is enough to seduce anyone, whatever round you’re having. Once you get to grips with the challenges of the course it’s a joy to play. The first four holes is an iconic stretch that stays with you and sets the tone.
More about Centurion
The focus of Centurion Club is providing a sociable space for their members and using their modern facilities to play host to a range of meetings and events, including weddings, parties and wakes which can be hired by non-members too.
The Courtyard is excellent after a round of golf. It has the perfect social atmosphere, but things go up a notch when you head to the members lounge, which is home to a whisky room for the Senate members who each have a locker with a bottle of whisky assigned to them.
Centurion has a litany of places to sit and enjoy yourself when you’re not playing golf
The Whiskey Room which has a bottle for every senate member
The Garden Room where afternoon tea can be enjoyed
Centurion Club aims to become a popular destination for weddings and other functions
There’s also the restaurant and the private dining rooms, which provide another space for members to dine and are also open for non-members to book into.
Centurion Club is one of the toughest and visually stunning courses built in the past decade – maybe the best in many ways.
But a golf club that strives to be different from traditional ideas has ambitions to house more than golf. If they can do golf this well, why not the rest?