9-hole golf course in Herefordshire

There are magnificent views of the surrounding countryside when you’re teeing off from holes 4,5 and 7. In addition you’ll get glimpses of the challenges ahead at other holes (especially on the long 9!). With a smattering of concealed bunkers, Pearl Lake Country Holiday Park’s exclusive 9-hole golf course is a gem among golf courses in Herefordshire. 

Read on to find out a bit about the course history, course map and short descriptions of all 9-holes. There’s also details of our range of options to stay and play. Plus the benefits of being a holiday home owner with a golf course on your doorstep!

On historic land

The course stands on what  used to be the historic Bateman Estate on the edge of the North Herefordshire village of Shobdon. As you walk up the first fairway you’ll see historic Keepers and Stables cottages. Consequently these stone cottages are now self catering units – ideal if you don’t want to be too far away from the course! Find out how to book further down.

Improving the course

As with other golf courses in Herefordshire, we’re always looking to improve the golfer experience. As a result, in 2023 our course was updated with five completely new holes. We lengthened the existing first hole to create a tricky dog-leg par 4. We subsequently installed a sprinkler system servicing all new greens to maintain a much better quality putting surface. Our work on the course never stops and we’re currently (November 2025) upgrading all our tees to make them larger.

Improving your game

The course will test the best of golfers not with its length but with the need for accuracy. Some of our holiday home owners have taken up golf for life after an initial round! As a result this is a course that grows with you as you try to reduce your handicap.

Long game, short game

Straight hitters will benefit from keeping the ball in play, as opposed to long hitters who may be a bit wayward off the tee. It’s the short game that’ll give the greatest return. There’s narrow greens, water hazards, deep bunkers and tree-lined fairways. It’s a little course but it leaves a big impression!

We’ve got 3 different tees for each hole. Graded ‘Hard’ (white), ‘Medium’ (yellow), and ‘Easy’ (red). You’ll need a different approach on each hole as you navigate your way round. So you could say we’ve got 27 holes!

Getting ready

The course is a fairly flat walk for those carrying their bag. The good news is that you won’t need to take a full choice of clubs out with you. If you’re a big hitter and can get near the green with an iron shot – you won’t even need your driver! It’s a great course to hone your wedge skills. Depending on how many people you’re playing with, you should be able to get around the 9-holes in about an hour and half.

The course

Green Fees

Holiday Home owners – no charge
Self-catering guests – no charge
Touring customers and visiting guests – £12 per day

Clubs for Hire

We’ve a number of golf bags with clubs for hire (£12 per half day), if someone in your party has forgotten theirs. They’re Hogan clubs and although we can’t guarantee they’ll have you playing like American golf great, Ben Hogan, they are nice nice and shiny!

Hole guide

1st – Par 4 229 yds “Oak No More”

Club selection from the tee is something of a dilemma, not least because it’s the first shot of the day; a strong fairway wood or hybrid takes you far enough to get a good angle into the green but brings the out of bounds on the right into play. A mid-iron is the safer choice but makes a left-sided pin position harder to access!

2nd – Par 3 149 yds “The Spinney”

Now is the time to accurately gauge the strength and direction of the wind. This short hole presents two options; a well struck, high shot that lands and holds the semi-blind green or a lower flight that lands short and runs up to the green. A small target awaits, so consider where your best miss is and avoid short siding yourself to leave a chip and a putt for par.

3rd – Par 3 186 yds “Shobdon Rise” 

Another hole where understanding the best place to leave your tee shot is paramount and is dependent on which of two tiers the hole is located. A long iron or hybrid may be required to find the centre of the green, which slopes sharply from back to front. Miss the green and a chip or pitch from above the hole makes par very difficult; miss short and a bunker awaits. A good shot is required!

3 down

4th – Par 3 173 yds “Top to Bottom”

A signature hole whereby the beautiful tree plays a key part in your decision making upon the tee. A mid-iron is called for, and accuracy is at a premium. There is some space around the flat green to miss long or right and leave yourself a chance to still make par. With out of bounds both left and right, you may consider laying up to the right-hand side of the fairway to leave yourself an inviting wedge across a small valley. Birdies are rare here, bogies are not.

5th – Par 3 149 yds “Round T’ Bend”

A par 4 from the red tees; either lay up short of the creek to leave a full wedge into the green or carry it to leave a long pitch to the well-protected green. A par 3 from the yellow and white tees, you may err on the side of caution and bail-out left, as you shall have to carry trees on a direct route to the hole. Only a short iron is required to reach the green, but out of bounds lies long. If in doubt, take half a club less.

The final four holes

6th – Par 3 131 yds “Short & Sweet”

A short hole with a small target; the 6th requires a straight, short iron. Out of bounds or an awkward chip lie beyond the green, so distance control is critical. A bunker will catch anything well short of the green, with some room between to be creative with your short game in search of par. Find the green and you shall have a relatively short putt for birdie.

7th – Par 3 135 yds  “Three To Play”

Enjoy the distant views in the background as you weigh-up your choice of club on this picturesque hole. Pay attention to the prevalent wind and avoid over-clubbing. Bunkers short, both left and right are commonly found, though a large, flat green will receive a well struck shot or indeed one that rolls in from low. A good golf shot will be rewarded here.

8th – Par 3 144 yds  “Lucky Eight”

A two-tier green from back to front creates a very small target that will reject all but the very best (or luckiest!) of shots. The creek that runs across the fairway must also be negotiated. Par will be easier to make from a tee shot that finishes slightly short or left, where the tier in the green may be used as a backstop for your chip or pitch shot. Once again, avoid going long to protect your scorecard.

Hole 9 – Par 4 325 yds  “Windy Heights”

Arguably the most challenging shot on the course; the tee shot threatens out-of-bounds left and right. A hybrid or fairway wood that carries the grass bunker and finds the fairway will give you the chance to reach the green in regulation with a mid to short iron. Get it wrong and this hole has ruined many a good round. Get it right and head to The Lakeside Bar and Bistro with heroic tales of straight drives and unlikely pars.

Stay and Play in Herefordshire

At Pearl Lake Country Holiday Park you can enjoy our 9-hole golf course by staying or owning with us.

Become a holiday home owner

Imagine having a golf course just a short walk from your holiday bolthole. At Pearl Lake you’ll be living the golfing dream. No need to plan to play, just play when you want!

As a home owner you’ll be able to join the Golf Society – there’s a ladies and men’s section. The Society organise plenty of regular competitions and there’s always a Texas Scramble in the calendar. Many of our homeowners are also members at other golf courses in Herefordshire.

Stay in your tourer

At Pearl Lake we have hard standing fully serviced touring pitches with great facilities on hand. If you’re staying on our touring area, you’re just a short walk from the first tee! Pearl Lake is a dog friendly park so if you’re bringing your pooch there’s bags of walks and a dog wash and dry too. The green fee for a full day for touring guests is £12

Stay in our holiday accommodation

There’s a brilliant choice of self catering accommodation at Pearl Lake Country Holiday Park. If you’re golf mad then book a stay at one of our 2 stone cottages that overlook the first fairway. You can size up the competition and check out the club selection!

Stay in one of our classic holiday home static caravans which are sited within a 5 minute walk of the first tee. Golf is included in the price for static caravan and cottage stays. If you want to bring your dog then just check at the time of booking to ensure you book dog friendly accommodation.