Video Library
Please enjoy our latest aerial photography using a drone. They have been filmed in HD and if you start the video you can adjust the quality by clicking the cog in the bottom right corner and change the quality to 720p. (You can increase the quality higher than this if your internet speed is up to it).
Affording views of the course, the wooden structure of the clubhouse blends in flawlessly with its natural surroundings and provides the perfect introduction to the club. It is warm, friendly, modern and the ideal place to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat.
If you would like to enjoy a snack and a drink, we have an informal bar area, open from 11am, where you can sit and relax with friends and family. Our private restaurant, overlooking the beautiful lake and the 18th green, also offers you the opportunity to enjoy our traditional Sunday Carvery, serving high quality local produce and delicious homemade desserts. The restaurant is also available for private functions, seating up to 120 guests with ample car parking available.
Stratford Oaks Golf Club was officially opened in 1993 by former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher. The land that the course is built on was used for agricultural purposes before World War II. During the war years, however, it was transformed into an aerodrome, which was used as an 'overflow' for Wellesbourne Airfield because of its altitude and the fact that it was less prone to fog. The Americans used the airfield to store B17's, although their time was short-lived as their enormous weight damaged the runways. Thereafter, it became an auxiliary airport for the RAF and housed such legendary planes as Vampires and Meteors. After the war had ended, the land was returned to agricultural use when it was bought by a Midlands Industrialist who wanted to turn it into a Wildlife park along the lines of Longleat. Planning was refused as it involved removing some of 'The Snitterfield Bushes', which are still here today alongside the 14th, 15th and 16th holes. Permission was subsequently granted to build a golf course, which was designed by Howard Swan, a leader in the field of golf course design. Swan Golf Designs is internationally-renowned and has earned commissions across the world for its work.
The first at Stratford Oaks proves that it is not just the length alone that makes a golf hole. At 329 yards it might seem easy, however, the number of 6, 7 and 8′s recorded here in medals proves the opposite! The key to this hole is to keep the ball in play. As with so many holes at the Oaks the trouble is on the left so tee up on the left side and hit away from the woods. The second shot can prove very deceptive with a raised green. Make sure you are aware of how far up the green the pin is positioned. A high lofted shot or a low punched 3/4 swing shot are both options here. Remember the further back the stance the ball is positioned the lower it will go. If the pin is cut hard right, play the percentage shot to the middle of the green and hopefully you will be off to a solid start.
The seventh starts a run of three holes at Stratford Oaks with a feel of a links course. All three are exposed to the elements and if you are hitting into the wind they are a very tough proposition whilst downwind they offer a couple of good birdie chances. Being very open it is very easy to lose your bearings on the seventh tee and lining up to a specific point on the fairway is important. The shorter line down the left side is tempting, but beware the waiting bunkers and hillocks. Middle-right of the fairway is the sensible line. The big problem with the second shot is the bunkers on the left. The answer is to aim to the right of them. Never attempt the impossible carry for there is plenty of room to the right, leaving an easy 3rd shot in to the green angled at 45 degrees to the fairway. There can be as much as 3 clubs difference between the front and back of the green, but if in doubt a safe shot to the left is the ploy.
The difficulty of the par three eighth hole is its length, 216 yards off the back tees. Many golfers will not be able to reach the green and a bogey 4 here is no disgrace. Do not force your tee shot but play to the left of the fairway and then pitch on. Remember – good course management will save you shots here. Many tee shots land short right on this hole where a low running chip shot up the slope is ideal but beware the bunker down the right awaiting the sliced tee shot. Always try to leave yourself the easiest putt namely up hill, across or down the green can spell disaster.
The 10th hole is the longest on the course, with trouble lurking all the way. The tee shot must be straight with the key being to avoid the sand on the right. The second shot requires a lot of thought and is dictated by the water biting into the fairway around the landing zone for the second shot. Again the left side is the safest option but if your drive is short of the fairway bunker laying up short of the water is often the best ploy. Having negotiated these hazards the approach is played to a raised green, with mounding to the left and a very large bunker to the right, so allow one club more.
Arguably the best Par 3 at the Oaks, the 14th nestles in a secluded wooded corner of the course with mature trees forming a screen around the green and a pond cutting into the left side of the green. There is no room to bail out to the right as a large bunker protects this area. The trees make club selection difficult so check the wind direction carefully. The green is severely sloping from back to front with some entertaining pin positions, especially back left.
The 18th is a wonderful finishing hole. A lake right and out of bounds left adds interest and spice to the tee shot. The hole then doglegs to the left over a ditch, which is drivable from the tee. The fairway landing area for the second shot subtly slopes left towards a large lake that sweeps all the way up to the green and around the back of the green. Bunkers to the right await the over negative safety shot. Three average shots to the green often offer a better reward than two mighty blows that can bring into play all of the potential hazards.