Shifnal

According to Frank Pennink's Choice of Golf Courses: "Until 1964, Shifnal was a pleasant 9-hole course near the little market town. In 1964/5 a new 18-hole course, designed by me (with great assistance from R.P. Yates) was constructed at Decker Hill."

Decker Hill, as this mansion was originally called, came with the property when the club relocated from Lodge Hill and it seemed only natural to include it in the club’s infrastructure as a rather grand clubhouse. Most of the park’s existing trees were preserved when architect Frank Pennink laid out the 18 holes, and they were supplemented by many new plantings which are now reaching maturity.

Shifnal extends to 6,465 yards, playing to a par of 71 and the course is configured as two returning loops of nine. Highlight holes include the par five 6th (“Road Hole”), rated stroke index 1 on the card, and the 160-yard 7th (“Larches”), which is the only par three on the outward half. On the back nine, the doglegged holes at 12 (“Dovecot”), 16 (“Hillside”) and 18 (“Decker Hill”) are the pick of the par fours.

The club has hosted a number of English Golf Union competitions in recent years, including the Mid-Amateur Men’s Open in 2008 and the Ladies Senior Championship in 2012, so there’s no doubting the modern day golfing pedigree of the much underrated championship course at Shifnal Golf Club.