What's it like to stay and play at The Belfry? The four-time Ryder Cup host has THREE golf courses with the Brabazon still one of the best in the world - and the resort has a new £80m development project on the way

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You might think being a mid-20 handicapper attempting to play a golf course that has held the Ryder Cup four times would be a nightmare scenario, but The Belfry, and particularly its Brabazon course, is so wonderfully crafted you'll enjoy yourself no matter how many balls end up in the water.

Home to four Ryder Cup events, The Belfry has long been considered one of the UK's most storied courses and with three immaculate courses - The Derby, PGA National and Brabazon - there is something for everyone.

To enjoy multiple courses, you really have to stay the night. Mail Sport decided to play The Derby before staying the night and finishing off with the Brabazon before going home - hopefully not entirely defeated!

As part of the stay we enjoyed dinner and breakfast in the Ryder Grill, enjoyed drinks in Sam's clubhouse and the Brabazon bar before retreating to our excellent rooms that overlooked where we'd be grateful for bogeys the next day.

Ever wondered what a stay and play is like at The Belfry? Allow Mail Sport to help:

The entrance to the main resort and some pristine grounds that surround it

The pro shop is found around the back of the main building, but leads through to Sam's bar

It's not everyday you get to play a course that so many legends have stepped on!

 The Derby

If you want to play at a venue with one of the richest golfing histories in the country but you don't want to spend a fortune, then The Derby is a nice option.

It served as a warm-up for us and also, a bright idea. Compared to the Brabazon where greats like Seve Ballesteros and others have graced, The Derby is a far more straight-forward round and not half as difficult.

That's not to say it's basic or easy; that statement more speaks to how jaw-dropping and challenging the Brabazon can be. But still, with The Derby, it is choc-full of straight up and down par fours with just two par fives and a few tricky threes to get you swinging.

While it might not have the signature holes the two other Belfry residents boast, The Derby does retain the same care with its green-keeping. If you don't have a buggy, a minibus will take you to the first hole which sits alongside a warm-up putting surface and the 18th green.

The Derby is a short drive away from the main complex, but literally only a couple of minutes

The weather did not help the photoshoot, but the course itself is kept in great condition

Although the course is fairly basic in layout, the greens are still difficult to navigate

After the 9th hole, you will cross a road and not return until you take on the 18th. The 11th and 12th holes ranked as the favourites for me; the former a par four with a monstrous dogleg right that follows an uphill drive. Making the green in two required skill I simply did not bring on the day!

Straight after that is a downhill par three that while 200 or so yards, is reachable with the right club. My six iron took me to the front of the green and had it been warmer... I can only dream.

All in all, it's really good value for money and a course that the vast majority of abilities can enjoy with their wide fairways and rough you can actually find your ball in!

The Brabazon

What a beautiful course - let me start with that. A costly 14 holes features water on this course (bring lots of balls!) and thanks to the weather perking up, we got to see the lush greens and hazardous drink in all its glory.

The fairways and greens are manicured to an exceptional standard that almost feels a crime to leave a divot in. Teeing off at the first means you're likely to have a dozen or so fellow golfers watching on which might as well feel like 10,000 if you're me! Luckily, the fairway is nice and wide to start.

A lot of golf courses have straight forward par fours around 400 yards straight up. This course is choc-full of doglegs, water taking out of play direct lines and bunkers acting like bodyguards for the green.

Beautiful views of The Belfry's main building as you approach the 18th green

The grass is cut and manicured to a championship standard all the way around

The course features numerous long bunkers that make positioning a challenge 

The famous 10th hole that Seve Ballesteros managed to drive... twice!

 The third hole is where the action starts to pick up. A par five at around 540 yards begins with a narrow drive that approaches a set of bunkers and sharp left dogleg. 

From there, you can either lay up on the right hand side or you can go straight across a tempting stretch of water straight to the green.

Nearly every hole on the course has character akin to this; there is always something extra to think about or scenic to drink in.

The very next hole - a par four with a long bunker on the left and a moat of water protecting the green - had dozens of geese just chilling on the fairway. An extra obstacle was the last thing I needed, but I can't say I've had to deal with that before!

The greens are fast, but not lightening quick like Centurion Club or even The Grove. What Belfry does have over those two clubs in particular is more forgiving rough, probably offset by the fact that water lurks at more turns than not. Still, if you are a little wayward off the tee, you will generally be able to find your ball as long as it is dry.

The weather permitted us to see the Brabazon in all its glory with 14 holes featuring water!

The geese are not fazed by your presence on the course whatsoever

Several holes have water features on it in various sizes with some truly remarkable designs

The first tee on the Brabazon - you'll be pleased to know I hooked it left

The walkway onto the green on the famous 10th hole and it's gorgeous green

 The standout holes are the 10th and 18th, both of which run parallel to each other and feature the same water. Next to the convenient half-way house, the 10th is a par four that is drivable to the green at about 240 yards. The only problem is the green is a very small target to hit, but Seve famously hit it in 1978 and 1985. It requires a fade on the drive, something I don't quite have! I laid up and took a bogey, happily.

The final hole of this glorious course forces you to go right. If you try and cut the line over the trees off the tee, you will almost certainly end up in the water on the left, unless you are a monster hitter. From there you have about 100 yard to play with before the next body of water that protects the green and that's another 100 yards itself.

Hit right, lay up to the edge of the water and hit the green. That's the advice I have for you after doing the exact opposite during my time there!

Staying at The Belfry

The resort is steeped in history with pictures of legendary Ryder Cup moments and legends of the sport adorning the foyer as you enter reception. There's Ryder Cup meeting rooms that the actual teams graced and the Ryder Grill where you can head for dinner and breakfast.

The other alternative for food and, crucially, a beer is Sam Club House, located a few strides from the Brabazon's first tee and the club shop. After our round on The Derby we watched Super Sunday in the bar and there was ample screens to enjoy the football, even though there was barely a spare seat in the house. There's also shuffleboard at the bottom of the bar for when the drink starts to take over and a separate seating area for food.

My dad had a standard double room while I was lucky enough to enjoy the Muirfield Suite, a small flat to some people with a large balcony that overlooked the starting tee for the PGA course. One living room area leads through to a sizeable bedroom complete with a second huge TV, fridge, seating area - the works. The bathroom (especially the shower) is top draw and like the rest of the room, everything is kept spotless.

Just out of the club shop you'll find more mementos and Ryder Cup history

Who doesn't love a bit of Tiger Wood memorabilia?

I was lucky enough to stay in the Muirfield Suite which felt like a little flat rather than a room

The rooms have plenty of space; I could have brought my family of four thinking about it!

The bathrooms are also top quality with your usual range of gels and robes provided

The large balcony is an excellent feature - I was able to watch people tee off from mine

 The Ryder Grill is a buffet style restaurant with a la carte options, but I opted to dabble in the former and was pleased with the results. They had one of each options; chicken, fish, beef etc with various sides. I settled for chicken and potatoes, but felt the options weren't as expansive as some of its rivals. Having seen what I could of had since, it was my mistake not using the a la carte menu!

We capped the night off with a drink in the Brabazon bar, a short walk between reception and the Ryder Grill. As far as aesthetics go, it's a very nice place for a nightcap. 

The next morning it was back to the Ryder Grill for breakfast and this time, I was very impressed with the volume and variety that was on offer. With a tee time at 10am, I bloated myself to unreasonable proportions thanks to a massive, sensational fry-up and I was ready to go. If I have a heart attack later in life, it was worth it!

There is also a fully-kitted Toptracer driving range on site if you want to get a practice in before you play. Get your distances or get your clubs fitted, these state of the art facilities are very impressive and tucked very close by to the hotel itself.

The Brabazon bar has a warm ambience and plenty of room for privacy or a good time

The Ryder Grill is the spot to grab some food. The service was nice and fast, which was a bonus

As soon as you walk in The Belfry, it's history and prestige is there for all to see

Even the meeting rooms are celebrated for the legends they've had in them, now they're used for functions

 What's to come?

Construction was underway in the background during my stay at The Belfry (no, the noise isn't an excuse for my play!) as building is well underway for a new Leisure Club. Spread across two levels, it will include a large swimming pool with a family-friendly slide, a dedicated lap pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs and café.

There will also be more places to stay with four premium, glass-fronted studios being built to overlook the PGA National golf course and sit alongside an extensive gym area. A large, high-ceilinged, multipurpose sports area will also provide space for guests to enjoy a range of indoor sports. There's much more than just one of the UK's home of golf and that's exactly what they're aiming for. The work should be completed in the autumn of 2025.

Chris Eigelaar, Resort Director at The Belfry, said: “Ensuring our valued guests have an experience like no other is what drives us. It’s extremely inspiring to see the Resort grow and I have no doubt that this exhilarating development will further enhance The Belfry brand and its reputation as one of the UK’s most outstanding leisure and events destinations.”

How much does it cost?

Derby: £30pp

PGA: £55pp

Brabazon: £95pp

Ryder Grill buffet: £35.95

Prices to stay in the hotel vary according to dates, but they starts at £169 a night. 

If you want to play golf at The Belfry, click here. 

The Belfry Hotel & Resort, quite rightly renowned for it's service and exceptional facilities, is an award-winning hotel, located in the heart of the country in Royal Sutton Coldfield, North Warwickshire about half an hour north of Birmingham. Prices start from £169 for a signature room which includes the aforementioned delightful full English breakfast.

It has more than 300 luxurious bedrooms and suites; several restaurants and bars including 2AA Rosette The Ryder Grill and Brabazon Bar; a variety of meetings and events spaces; a leisure club and deluxe spa, featuring the hotel’s famous Fire & Ice Experience; and an array of family activities including an adventure playground. All of that on top of the world-class golf everyone knows about.

I highly recommend a stay and for any avid golfers, the play part is a dream. My only regret is not bringing my family after discovering facilities they could have made use of (playground, pool etc).

The Belfry's new development should be ready by late 2025