The course & playing information.
Set in the beautiful and tranquil Oxfordshire countryside, Bicester Hotel, Golf & Spa boasts 36 newly designed Tee structures, freshly remodelled Bunkers and 7 lake systems combined with 9 fully reconstructed undulating green complexes. The course at Bicester Hotel, Golf & Spa offers the complete test of golf: challenging yet friendly and a joy to play.
Course Status
The Golf Course is Open – No Buggies 2/03/26
The Driving Range opening times
Monday to Friday – Open 10.00am – Close 8.30pm (Last balls 7.45pm)
Saturday and Sunday – Open 10.00am – Close 8.00pm (Last balls 7.15pm)
Local Rules
Out of bounds
Beyond any boundary of the course. On or to the right of the road while playing the 1st/10th hole. On or to the right of the 17th fairway while playing the 18th. To the right of the posts on the 6th/15th hole.
Goose & Swan dung
Free relief under 16.1 will be for goose dung that affects the lie of the ball or the area of intended swing. There is no relief for goose dung affecting the players stance.
Dropping Zone
When playing the 18th hole from the black tees, if a player’s ball is in the red penalty area between the tee and 18th fairway, the player has the additional relief option, of using the dropping zone, which is the entire mown white/blue tee area to the left of the penalty area. The dropping zone is a relief area under Rule 14.3
Model Local Rule E-3 Abnormal conditions – Preferred Lies
When any part of a player’s ball touches part of the General Area cut to fairway height or less, the player make take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area.
Reference point: spot of original ball.
Size of relief area measured from reference point: 6 inches (150mm) from the reference point, but within these limits:
Limits on location of relief area:
Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and must be in the General Area
If the player is in doubt if the ball lies in an area allowing relief, then the assumption is relief is not allowed.
Model Local Rule E-2 Cleaning ball
Due to heavy rainfall, the course has suffered, and the ball is picking up mud through the general area. As such we need to introduce a local rule to allow players to clean their ball outside of fairways when necessary. Relief is allowed under Model Local rule e-2 as below.
When the ball lies in the general area, the ball may be lifted, cleaned and replaced without penalty. The player must mark the spot of the ball before lifting it and the ball must be replaced on its original spot.
Penalty for playing ball from wrong place in breach of local rule: General penalty; 2 strokes under 14.7a
Scores will still be accepted for handicap adjustments in accordance with the England Golf adverse weather guide.
For clarification this is different to preferred lies in that the ball must be returned to the exact position it was lifted from to clean the ball.
Ground under repair – Bunkers with standing water
Due to the heavy rainfall, some of the bunkers have accumulated water which is still present. The challenge of golf was not intended to include playing from bunkers which are filled with water. As such the competition committee have declared bunkers with any standing water will be considered as Ground Under Repair, and relief may be taken under rule 16.1
The ball can be played as it lies, or relief taken outside of the bunker within 1 club length of the nearest point of total relief.
This is intended to simplify relief options for water in bunkers and ensure as fair a challenge as possible.
View our course rating and handicap ratings for Bicester Golf Course.
Pre-booking essential on 01869 229007, please note we now accept County Cards at the club
Score Card – Bicester Score Card
Overview
Hole 1
A tough opening tee shot with Out of Bounds down the right as well as some well positioned bunkers. A good tee shot will leave a short/mid iron to a generously sized green.
Hole 2
A Par 5 that demands a straight tee shot threaded between the bunkers. Beware of the bunker across the fairway around 70 yards short of the green as a poor strike will catch out people who are brave enough to try to reach the green in two.
Hole 3
The shortest Par 3 on the course but don’t be fooled, a loose tee shot will end up in one of the three greenside splash bunkers or leave a tricky pitch onto the green.
Hole 4
One of the toughest driving holes on the course with established trees lining the fairway, several bunkers near the green are well positioned to catch any misplaced shots.
Hole 5
The second Par 5, and a good one with bunkers, ditches and a narrow entrance protecting the green. An accurate lay-up is a must to navigate this hole.
Hole 6
A risk and reward hole. The longer hitters can attempt to go for the green, but with water on both sides of the fairway a precise tee shot is key. The safer play is to lay-up short of the water or be a little more aggressive and play well down the left hand side of the fairway.
Hole 7
A Par 3 guarded by a big greenside bunker so make sure you take enough club to clear it.
Hole 8
A short and wonderfully simplistic par 4 will reward players with an aggressive tee shot, however water lurking to the right of the green and a tricky greenside bunker make for the need to play and accurate short iron to an undulating green.
Hole 9
Longer hitters may be tempted to hit over the bunkers but the safe play is too lay up short, but beware of the water over the green.
Hole 10
A short and tricky Par 4 where a well-positioned tee shot is a must as bunkers down the right and a water hazard short left of the green need to be avoided.
Hole 11
A good drive down the middle of the fairway will set up an approach over the bunker across the fairway to a green that is guarded by a pond to the left.
Hole 12
A great looking Par 3 from this tee with a green that is slightly raised. It is also well protected by three bunkers. A solid tee shot into the middle of the green will give a good look at birdie.
Hole 13
The Longest Par 5 at Bicester. Three good strikes required to get to this green whilst avoiding the well positioned fairway bunkers.
Hole 14
A strong Par 4 where an accurate tee shot is required, anything left of the fairway could potentially end up in the ditch.
Hole 15
No need for the driver. Play a long iron down the middle to leave a short approach to the green. Distance control is important with water looming over the back of the green.
Hole 16
Any shot that is not well struck could end up in any of the bunkers guarding a tricky right to left sloping green.
Hole 17
A good shot to the corner of the dogleg with leave a short/mid iron to a long narrow green, beware the water to the right of the green.
Hole 18
A Great Finishing Hole. An intimidating tee shot with water to carry but a well-placed drive will leave you with a medium iron to a well bunkered green that is surrounded by water to the right and behind.
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