Wouldn't it be nice to pop down to one of your local golf courses and watch the likes of Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Paul Casey battle their way to a European Tour title?

The trouble is, while there are some stunning tracks in the region, there aren't too many, Woburn aside, capable of holding a tournament at that sort of level.

But that has all changed now with the opening of the magnificent Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa.

At 7,107 yards long and par 73 off the back tees, and set in the luxurious surroundings of the 18th century, Grade I listed mansion house, it is a course that could genuinely stake a claim for a place on the tour. And the best thing? Anyone can play it for a very reasonable price.

Paul Keen, 36, is the club manager. He said: "We officially opened in May. It was slow to start with but it's picking up. I think a lot of people think it's Luton Hoo and so they can't visit but the course is open to anyone."

The course has already tried its hand at hosting a tournament. The Betfair Pro-Am was held there at the end of September.

Paul said: "We would like to hold tournaments. It's not a short-term plan but we are looking at hosting events in the future.

"Coupled with the unique and iconic building in Luton Hoo itself, for the players to come here it would be unique as well."

Luton Hoo provides an incredible backdrop for anyone playing on the course. The luxury five-star hotel is set in more than 1,000 acres of land and gardens crafted by the famous landscape gardener Capability Brown.

The golf course itself, or at least part of it, has actually been there since the turn of the last century but much of it was destroyed during the Second World War.

It reopened this year as an extremely challenging course with four different tees. Even the red tees - the club prefers to call them red, rather than ladies' tees - weigh in at a stern 6,143 yards. That's longer than the whites at many other courses.

The yellows are a tough 6,544 yards while the whites are 6,810, but it still doesn't deter the 28-plus hackers from trying to play off the 7,107-yard blue championship tees.

Paul, who has been playing the game since he was ten and has a handicap of eight, said: "Lots of people who play off 28 ask to play off the blue tees but we do discourage it for pace of play and lack of enjoyment really.

"We would prefer you to have a handicap certificate but it isn't essential and if necessary we will give you a quick proficiency test in the nets to see how you drive a ball, check your swing plane etc.

"Etiquette for me is far more important than people being 28 handicappers. There are plenty of eight and 10 handicappers who are far slower than people who play off 28."

My Luton Hoo experience began the moment I drove up the long, tree-lined and imposing driveway that cuts through the course. Standing on the first tee (yellow for us mere mortals) you are given a 'gentle' introduction to the course, a 422-yard, par four parkland-style hole. Don't get too comfortable though - everything is about to change!

Cross the road to the second and for the next ten or 11 holes the course takes on a real links feel. Constructed from existing scrubland, it is very exposed, the wind blows around everywhere and, with three lakes and a reservoir, water comes into play on six holes. Anyone playing to their handicap on this stretch is doing extremely well.

It's only when you head to the signature 13th hole that for a brief moment or two you get some respite from the tough conditions. With a massive hedge acting as a windbreak, it all calms down and you're back in a parkland setting. That is until you realise you're playing a card-wrecking, 246-yard par three. I felt grateful to walk away from that one with a bogey.

And there is no let-up on the home straight either, with dog legs and even double dog-legs on four of the last five holes.

Prior to playing Luton Hoo, I had been shooting around the 100 mark, occasionally dipping into the mid 90s, and was starting to get fairly confident about my game.

But I have no shame in admitting that the beast of Luton Hoo brought me back down a peg or two and I shot one of my worst scores since taking up the game.

Accuracy is paramount. While the first cut of rough is fairly forgiving, anything wild off the tee is going to be in thick cabbage, straw or heather and you may as well kiss goodbye to your ball, so take a plentiful supply!

The course as a whole, and the greens in particular, were in excellent condition and that was in spite of a week of solid rain before the day I played. Credit must go to the award-winning head greenkeeper Avon Bridges (his parents were apparently fans of cult TV show Blake's Seven!) and his team.

On the day I played there was only one winner, and that, as always, was the course itself. But finish off your round with a drink at the 19th, Adam's Bar, a Grade II listed former stables, and everyone's a winner!

Last word goes to Paul: "What we are aiming for is that it's not just a game of golf, it's an experience. From the time of booking to a friendly face in the bar, everything has to be exceptional.

"All I want is for people to say as they go down the drive, 'when are we coming back? Not shall we, but when?' It's a game that very much stirs emotions, golf, and if you can press the right buttons for people it makes it very simple."

Consider my buttons well and truly pressed, Paul - when can we come back?!

• A round of golf at Luton Hoo plus a two-course table d'hote lunch costs £80 per person. The newly introduced winter package is coffee and bacon roll, 18 holes and a two-course lunch from £49. Call the pro shop for bookings on 01582 698856.


• Visit the website at www.lutonhoo.co.uk