Welcome – Playing Shrivenham Park is like dating a skateboarder…a bit of rough with a relaxed demeanor and more dangerous than meets the eye. Grace was thrilled at the abundant rough (as well as at Dad not having his best day off the tee on the front 9) which meant plenty of treats for finding the ball in the tall grass. The easy-going vibe was great for Grace as we are often apprehensive as to how receptive fellow golfers will be to our canine caddy regardless of the club policy. But the course was exceptionally dog-friendly.

Dog walkers traversed the parkland course throughout the round with plenty of new butts to sniff passing by. In an extraordinary bit of serendipity, we happened upon Winnie and Percy (see photo above) as well as their golfing human, Adam Ruck. As it happens, Adam is the author of the seminal dog golfing article “Courses That Welcome Dogs” in the Telegraph. This piece was one of the first I came upon when I was researching the subject to create the website. Today if you Google “dog golf”, is article is the 6^th highest item to appear.

Walk – Shrivenham Park winds around like that drunken skater boy with paths crossing over fairways and holes even crossing over other holes. It’s a bit of a meandering pretzel layout, but at least it has very clear signs pointing you to the next tee. One lovely aspect of the grounds is the sheer diversity of types of tree. It was like a showcase of British arboreal diversity.

Water – Like the paths on the course, streams of water also weave their way through the grounds with several being quite fresh (and satisfying for Grace to rehydrate from).

Wildlife – Mostly a range of squirrels keeping a watchful eye on all the dogs walking by.

Wind Down – We were able to resume regular wind-down service at a nearby doggie pie, the Carpenters Arms, who not only had quite comprehensive COVID protocols for patrons, but also had a different entrance for dog-toting patrons (see photo below). The dog-friendliness of the pub hits you even before entering with prominent signs welcoming doggie drinking buddies. And the signs of welcome just continued inside with a special doggie treats menu (see below) which Grace appreciated hugely. The human menu had a fairly typical pub range of offerings, but also had several pizzas on offer which we extremely tasty (and Grace loves the “pizza bones”, aka crust).

Welcome – Mill Green not only provided a warm welcome to Grace, but also was simply one of the most overall welcoming courses that we have played. Despite the quite crowded course (post-lockdown desperation for open spaces is still in full swing), everyone was in good spirits and exchanging friendly greetings with lots of gushing over Grace and her green-side decorum. The course is built on parkland with nearby dog walking trails so dog walkers are a common sight.

Walk – Another course set in the level land of the Home Countries making for a very walkable round.

Water – There was so much water and sand everywhere that it felt like a day at the seaside. The COVD19 bunker rules made the profusion of traps more manageable, but 7 water hazards (some near lake-sized) put the pressure on fairway play. A couple shots went in the drink and we could see them just beyond club length reach. Grace could see them to and wanted to fetch them for us, but couldn’t figure out how to open her mouth underwater. Grace loved the water hazards as most had low banks making for an easy sip and even the occasion feet cooling.

Wildlife – There might not have been seven swans a swimming in their seven ponds, but there were every other species of water fowl enjoying the aquatic oases.

Wind Down – The doggie pubs are back! With the July 4ht openings we now could resume our regular wind-down service with a stop at a nearby dog-friendly pub. And the nearest to Mill Green (according to doggiepubs.org) was Attimore Hall. They were up and doing business which involved advance booking and a range of sterilization and social distancing protocols once there. Once advantage to the distancing was that the tables were spaced out more than we typically find which provide plenty of room to lay out Grace’s dog blanket on the floor to rest on while we dined. The food was nothing to rave about nor complain about. Pretty standard pub-chain fare produced competently. We certainly weren’t complaining as it was our first pulled pint in nearly four months (see photo at bottom)!

Welcome – Throughout our round at Surrey National we encountered dog-walkers on the bridleways and rambling paths which crisscross the course, and every member we came upon was quite enchanted by Gracie-girl.

Walk – While much of Surrey is low-lying downs, Surrey National is in the western Surrey Hills. Located in Caterham, the first clue was in the town sign welcoming us to “Caterham on the Hill”. At times, the fairways seemed like something out of the film “Inception”. On one hand the they were exceptionally forgiving being some of the widest fairways we have played (much to Grace’s disappointment as we didn’t hit a single drive into the rough all day). On the other hand, if you didn’t drive with some degree of precision, you would find yourself rolling to all sorts of inconvenient lies. The verticality does make the course exceptionally photogenic with dramatic vistas at every bend (we gave Grace treats for posing for the extra photos we were taking since she was missing out on ball-finding rewards).

Water – Two sizeable water hazards were reasonably accessible and fresh, and the course swings back around to the clubhouse for water if needed.

Wildlife – Despite the two ponds, we didn’t come across any water fowl, but curiously we encountered pheasants on the course several times. Our house is crawling with the game birds (and English partridge) so Grace was completely non-plussed.

Wind Down – Another week before pubs open properly, but the bar at the Surrey National clubhouse was selling bottled drinks and snacks. We joined quite a few golfers grabbing a drink and sitting on the large knoll overlooking the 18^th green for a bit of a wind-down at the end (see photos at top and bottom).

[UPDATE:  Unfortunately, a reader reports that Surrey National is no longer dog friendly – see comment below].

Welcome – With the sunny weather and coronavirus furloughs packing the courses, we chatted for a bit with a foursome of some very friendly members who were most enchanted by Grace. They were particular admiring of her ball sniffing abilities to find stray shots. So I maintain that my subsequent drive into the rough off the tee was simply to show off Grace’s party trick.

Walk – With our midday tee time on the hottest day of the year so far, the broad, open fairways were less appealing than they otherwise would have been. A few more trees (aka “slice magnets”) would have actually been more welcome for some much needed shade.

Water – The course features two sizeable water hazards – on the 7^th and 11^th – which are fairly accessible and seem fresh enough that Grace was able to wade in, cool her legs, and get a few sips. The 8^th hole returns to the club house so you can refill your water supply there.

Wildlife – The two lakes are obviously inviting homes to waterfowl and the first one was graced with a lovely family of ducks with seven ducklings trailing along behind mommy. And the other lake had a sizeable flock of Canadian geese. Both sets of birds made their way to the middle of the lake whenever ever a golfer strolled by so they never really were much of a distraction for Grace.

Wind Down – Coronavirus continues to limit the options for post-round wind-downs. I looked again on the Doggie Pubs site for pubs that be at least be offering take-away but after going down the list of the ten closest establishments – none of them open at all – I gave up.

Welcome – Greys Green public course’s welcome was a warm as the heat wave hitting the country especially with our late afternoon tee time. Many signs at the reception make clear that dogs are welcome. We passed a number of dog walkers using the paths which cross through the course, and we even happened upon a fellow dog-golfer with an ever so alert border collie in tow.

Walk – The course does undulate like It Zwibble’s Mount Lumpy Bumpy all way onto the greens which have more curves than a Ruben’s pinup. But other than the roly-poly terrain, it is all a relatively flat walk. Except for the 16^th hole which plummets from the tee and then climbs steeply to the green after the most severely angled dog-leg I have ever seen (putting the dog-leg into dog-golf). At 6000+ metres, the course provides a plenty long walk, but that measurement understates the true length of perambulation. Many of the holes have a 100+ yard walk from pin to tee. The walk from reception to the 1^st tee is longer than many par 4s. Fortunately, with the sunny day, all these traipsing transfers are nearly all shaded in a lovely canopy of trees. Another bonus to the walk was the exceedingly well marked signs to the next hole at every green. Being habitual visitors to new courses, our walks are often inadvertently extended by getting misdirected along the course so we were particularly appreciative of this feature.

Water – A number of artificial rain-water catcher ponds were pretty much dried up, but the 9^th hole does return to the reception where you can buy bottled water.

Wildlife – Given the rough-and-ready aesthetic of the course, it was no surprise to come upon all manner of wildlife including rabbits and even a herd of cattle in an adjacent field. But the biggest surprise (perhaps of all out outings) was the fly-by of a micro-light down the 18^th hole fairway (see photo at bottom).

Wind Down – Coronavirus is still keeping the pubs shut and a scan of dog-friendly pubs did not uncover any in the area offering even take-away in the lock-down. However, the day of our game the government did make the announcement about pubs opening on 4^th July so soon we will be able to resume our post-dog-golfing wind downs.

Welcome – The Abbey Hill golf course is part of an elaborate complex which Includes:

• 18 Hole course
• Par-3 course
• Foot golf course
• “Pirate Adventure” “crazy golf course (or “miniature golf” as the USA northerners call it, or “putt-putt golf as the USA southerners call it).

So, the place has a very relaxed vibe where a canine in tow did not seem out of place at all. In fact, we did happen upon a couple of dog walkers strolling on the paths flanking the course.

Walk – Again, in the upper reaches of Buckinghamshire levels out so the entire course is laid on largely flat terrain.

Wildlife – Only a few random birds and squirrels.

Water – With a deluge of rain the week before, a number of bunkers had become their own beachy water hazards on the day. The course features a few proper water hazards in back nine, but even with the recent rainfall, they were mostly stagnant and wouldn’t have been much refreshment for Grace. Fortunately, the 10^th hole returns to the main building where you can refill your water bottle.

Wind Down – We found a pub nearby offering take-away, but we couldn’t finish our round before they closed the kitchen for the day (at 5:30 pm…go figure). During non-COVID times, the main Abbey Hill Golf Centre features a Café Bar & Grill with a specious outdoor terrace that would seem to suit nicely.

Welcome –Lee Valley golf course’s slightly scruffy appearance does make it less fussy and more relaxed so you don’t feel self-conscious with Fido in tow. You enter the course through a caravan park which shares a reception with the course. In the window, a prominent sign says “No dogs except guide dogs”, but it is referring to dogs staying in the caravan park.

Water – The biggest fresh water feature I have ever seen at a golf course (obviously excluding the ocean at various seaside resorts). The front nine simply takes you in a circular route around a 5 acre lake. Furthermore, the middle nine flanks the eponymous River Lee. Neither bodies of water are readily accessible for your dog to grab a sip (except lake can be accessed from the 7^th). The 10^th does take you round back to the entrance where you can go to the caravan park for some water (a couple hundred yards walk though).

Wildlife – The play through the front nine is a bit reminiscent of the Hitchcock classic “The Birds”. I have never seen so many and so many different birds at a golf course. Especially lots of seabirds like gulls and terns who were collected on the little patch of land in the middle of the lake squawking loudly like some sort of political rally. Swans, ducks, coots, grebes. Also, the adjacent William Griling Reservoir, several times even bigger than the course lake, also drew many waterfowl flying overhead throughout the game.

Walk – The walk is a leisurely stroll on very flat terrain with plenty of visual interest especially in the first half with the lake on your right shoulder.

Wind Down – Lee Valley is situated in quite an urban part of east London amidst industrial parks and roadways. So the pubs nearby are in pretty limited supply regardless of coronavirus restrictions. However, the course is part of the larger Lee Valley Park complex which also includes the ODEAN Luxe Lee Valley and Lee Valley Leisure Centre both of which offer a variety of refreshments. And the surrounding park area provides plenty of places to consume them with your dog by your side at your bench or table. Due to the lockdown, all the establishments were shut for business (however, side note, another recent addition to the facility is a COVID19 mobile testing area in the parking lot).

Welcome – We are venturing into the northern part of our very own home county, Buckinghamshire, to try a few of the Milton Keynes area course the welcome dogs. First stop was Windmill Hill golf course. A well-appointed course with well-groomed fairways, and a relaxed ambiance to it. We didn’t see any fellow dog golfers, but we did come across a local dog-walker passing through.

Walk – Another long walk with the yellow tees measuring 6,385 yards. Until the mid-1980s, the course was one of the longest in Europe. But, resting on the table of Aylesbury Vale, it is all very level ground making the hike a bit easier. That includes 5 par 5 holes! One thing that Lori appreciated was that on 7 holes the Ladies tees were around 100 yards ahead (the 16^th hole was a 117 yard advantage) of the yellow tees which took the sting out of the long fairways for her drive (and yet perversely, there were 3 holes where the Ladies reds were behind the yellows). So I had to be extra careful of my duff shots for fear of elevated risk of “willy rule” penalty!

Water – Water on the course itself is quite unavailable. It has a couple of water features that have been created, but they are not naturally fed and early in the season they were quite dried out. However, for the first time in what seems like ages, the course does return to the clubhouse on the 9^th hole (so you can get water there).

Wildlife – Nothing much of interest (to us or Grace) aside from a few pigeons (flying rats) and squirrels (rats with fluffy tails).

Wind Down – Once again we thought we would give a try to supporting a nearby dog-friendly pub with ordering some take-away. However, going through the DoggiePubs list in the area, we extended to a nearly ten mile radius and still couldn’t find an establishment advertising take-away food or drink. But, as we were driving to the course we passed a sign advertising The Lowndes Arms pub just a couple miles away that also noted being dog friendly. When we arrived, it was buzzing. It was serving a limited range of drinks (mostly beer and cider) as take-away, but it did have a large beer garden where people were consuming their beverages in a socially distant manner. The food was limited to crisps, but they do a Sunday roast take-away you can book in advance. Despite the limitations, it was encouraging and refreshing to sit down to a post-round pint, or any pub pint, for the first time in months.

Welcome – Well into the dog golfing season now with extra opportunity to catch up on lost fairway time from their closure as Lori and I are both on furlough (Grace is always on furlough). Having explored the dog-friendly courses near our West Wycombe home, we now have to venture out a bit further (about an hour’s drive) to find new courses to check out. Fortunately, the reduced work schedule and long summer days are giving us plenty of time for such forays. Our latest took us to the exquisite course of West Berkshire.

Walk –The course is lengthy at 7+ km (blue tees), but meanders along fairly flat ground with a number of lovely vistas as a backdrop. Manicured expansive fairways surrounded by the most picturesque plantation of trees. Unfortunately, the flanking woods made retrieval of sliced drives harder than in conventional grassy rough. Still, we were still dusting off enough cobwebs from our form that Grace had plenty of opportunity to find stray balls (much to her delight).

Water – The course has a few small and stagnant pools of water around the course. And the clubhouse features a striking water feature, but it the steep sides keep it from being accessible for a few laps of water. But the generous supply of water is at the clubhouse and half-way hut. The course is designed that more holes return to the clubhouse than any course I have played. Conventional layout would have the 9^th hole returning to the clubhouse either for a mid-round break or to facilitate playing a half-course. But at West Berkshire, the 2^nd, 5^th, 8^th (as well as obviously the 18^th) all arrive at the clubhouse. Also, there is a half-way hut that in normal times would provide a loo, food, and water (but it is closed now due to the coronavirus protocols) that sits at the end of the 4^th, 9^th, and 16^th. So over a third of the holes finish near a place to get some water.

Wildlife – Quite a number of squirrels (the bane of many a dog’s focus) darted about teasingly in front of Grace, but she’s too much of an old dog to pay them much heed.

Wind Down – The pubs are still on lock-down, but we thought that we would try again to support one of the dog-friendly pubs nearby who were carrying on with carry-out. Scrolling through the DoggiePubs website, it wasn’t until we came to The Castle Inn in Cold Ash until we found someone advertising take-away in the area. It was a full 7 miles away from the course, but most of that was on our way home. They served up a tasty burger and some okay cod and chips topped off by a lovely syrup sponge (with lots of custard!). Truly good pub grub and just what we needed after such a long course and an hour drive home. The service was impeccable and they commented that they are truly dog-friendly as dogs typically outnumber humans during normal times.