The striking, modern design of the JCB Golf and Country Club has made it one of the most talked-about courses in the UK, but getting a tee time isn't as simple as checking a website. If you're wondering how you can play it, the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. This guide will walk you through the exact pathways available to get you onto the first tee and how to prepare for the challenge when you do.
Before we discuss how to play it, it helps to understand what makes the JCB course so special. Opened in 2018, this is not a century-old club steeped in traditional history. Instead, it's a bold, contemporary statement piece conceived by Lord Bamford, the chairman of the iconic JCB construction equipment company. Located in the rolling hills of Staffordshire, England, the course was built on 240 acres of countryside with a singular vision: to create a modern, tour-grade masterpiece for corporate entertainment and brand promotion.
Designed by Robin Hiseman and his team at European Golf Design, the course is an engineering marvel, much like the famous yellow excavators that gives the club its name. Every hole was meticulously shaped, resulting in dramatic elevation changes, spectacular vistas, and a series of memorable risk-reward shots. From the lush, perfectly manicured bentgrass surfaces to the awe-inspiring 17th hole with its island green, the entire facility exudes quality and exclusivity. It was built to host major tournaments and provide an unforgettable experience for a select few, which is why access is intentionally limited.
Let's get this out of the way first. No, you cannot go online or call the pro shop to book a standard visitor green fee at the JCB Golf Course. It operates as a high-end private club with a heavy focus on corporate membership, not public play. Its primary purpose is to serve JCB's global business network and its corporate partners.
But don't lose hope. "Private" does not mean "impossible to access." It simply means you need to find one of the specific paths that lead to the first tee. If playing this modern marvel is on your bucket list, here are the genuine ways you can make it happen.
While the front door might not be open to everyone, there are several "side doors" that provide an opportunity to play. Here are the most common and realistic ways to secure a round.
This is the main artery of the JCB Golf Course. The club was purpose-built to entertain corporate clients and partners. Many companies hold memberships that allow their executives and guests to play. Others book single or multi-day corporate hospitality events, where a group gets exclusive use of the course and facilities.
Actionable Advice: If you work for a larger company, it’s worth inquiring internally to see if it holds a membership or if there's a budget for high-end client entertainment. Proposing a corporate golf day at JCB for key clients could be a fantastic business initiative that also gets you on the course.
While JCB is overwhelmingly corporate-focused, the club does offer a very limited number of "Individual Golfer Experience" packages on select dates. These are the closest thing to a visitor tee time and are aimed at golfers who want to experience the venue without being part of a larger corporate event.
These packages are premium-priced and usually include more than just a round of golf. You can typically expect a full day experience, including breakfast, access to the world-class practice facilities, 18 holes of golf (often with a caddie or forecaddie), and a post-round meal in their exquisite dining room. Availability is scarce and must be inquired about well in advance.
Actionable Advice: Check the official JCB Golf and Country Club website or contact them directly to inquire about dates and pricing for the Individual Golfer Experience. Be prepared for a high-end price point, but it's the most direct route for a non-affiliated golfer.
Like any private club, the most straightforward ticket to entry is knowing someone with access. If you have a friend, colleague, or acquaintance who is a member or whose company holds a membership, a guest invitation is your golden ticket. The host member will be responsible for booking the time and covering any associated guest fees. The club's culture centers around providing a seamless, top-tier experience, so playing as a guest is a fantastic way to enjoy the grounds.
Actionable Advice: Networking is a part of golf. Don't be shy about mentioning your interest in playing the course within your professional and social circles. You never know who might have a connection.
Exclusive golf courses often donate four-ball vouchers to high-profile charity auctions. These events can be a win-win, allowing you to play a bucket-list course while supporting a good cause. These opportunities are unpredictable but do pop up throughout the year.
Actionable Advice: Keep an eye on the websites and social media feeds of major national and golf-related charities. When a round at a place like JCB is up for auction, it often gains significant attention. Be prepared to bid generously.
Let's assume you've secured that coveted tee time. Congratulations! Now the fun part begins: getting your game ready. As a coach, this is where I get excited. JCB is not a course you can tame with brute force alone, it demands thought, precision, and a solid game plan. Here’s what to work on.
One of the most defining characteristics of the JCB course is the number of forced carries. You will be asked to hit shots over water, ravines, and wetlands. The most famous example is the par-3 17th, which sits on an island, but many other holes require you to fly the ball a specific distance to find safety. A topped shot or a weak fade can quickly lead to a reload.
From the Coach: Head to the range and focus on your carry distance, not your total distance. Use a rangefinder to pick out a target (like the front of a bunker or the far side of a practice green) and practice hitting shots that land there. Knowing exactly how far you fly each club in your bag, from your mid-irons to your wedges, will give you immense confidence when faced with a forced carry.
The course was bulldozed into a Staffordshire hillside, creating dramatic visuals and numerous uneven stances. You will rarely have a perfectly flat lie. You'll get ball above your feet, ball below your feet, and plenty of uphill and downhill shots. Fighting the slope is a recipe for disaster.
From the Coach: To practice, find a sloped area on your practice range. For a ball below your feet, bend more from your knees to get down to the ball and aim left of your target (a righty's shot will tend to leak right). For a ball above your feet, choke down on the club, stand taller, and aim right of the target (the ball will tend to move left). The key is a stable base and a balanced,three-quarter swing.
Stretching to over 7,300 yards from the championship tees, JCB has plenty of length. However, reaching for the driver on every par 4 and 5 is foolish. Water hazards snake into fairways, and deep, strategically placed bunkers guard landing areas and greensites. Often, the best play is putting yourself in "Position A" for your approach shot, even if it means sacrificing 20-30 yards of distance.
From the Coach: Before you pull a club on the tee, think backward from the green. Where is the flag? Where is the deadly miss? Based on that, what is the ideal spot in the fairway to be hitting from? This will dictate whether you hit a driver, 3-wood, or even a long iron. This is course management, and on a strategic course like JCB, it's non-negotiable.
As you'd expect from a championship-level course, the greens at JCB are pristine, large, and fast. Many of them feature multiple tiers and subtle, sweeping breaks. Three-putting can derail a good ball-striking round very quickly. Your pace putting will be tested from the first hole to the last.
From the Coach: Before your round, spend at least 15-20 minutes on the practice green. Don't just hit a few short putts. Find the longest putt you can and work on nothing but pace. Your goal is to get every putt to die within a three-foot circle of the aole. This focus on speed will adjust your feel for the day and save you several strokes.
Getting a tee time at the JCB Golf and Country Club is an exclusive affair, but it is certainly achievable. The most reliable paths are through corporate hospitality or their specific 'Individual Golfer Experience' days, though a well-timed charity bid or a generous invitation from a member can also open the door. It’s a challenge, but one that is well worth an effort.
When you do get to stand on that first tee, the challenge requires more than just well-executed shots, it demands smart, confident decision-making. Thinking your way around a demanding layout like JCB, from judging a forced carry to picking the right target, is where you truly score well. We developed our on-demand coach, Caddie AI, precisely for these moments. By getting a quick hole strategy or instant advice on how to play a tricky lie, you can remove uncertainty and commit to every single shot, fully enjoying an unforgettable golfing experience.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
