The Wiltshire course was £35 and worth every penny imo, the hotel is being used to house migrants so we were a bit skeptical of what the golf facilities would be like, its a course that with a little tlc could easily be top tier.
then from there onto Celtic manor the cellar bar watching the spurs game was ok but v busy, we went for dinner at the couldra court which annoyingly isnt covered by shuttle transfers, so had to arrange our own taxis which took an age, meal was okay but service shocking.
played the montgomerie on the Sunday 8.30am tee off we had buggies but as you have to stay on the path pain in the backside.
personally I found the whole place expensive and overated.
next 2 breaks we are looking at are dale hill with a sunday overnight, then possibly the belfry in the summer.
AVOID Dale Hill - awful place - hotel is shite, food average at best, and the Woosnam Course is in terrible condition (original course is ok) - there is way better out there - Mannings Heath near Horsham is good
any other recommendations for a place with 2 courses and a hotel/accomodation local
ideally somewhere where there is a little bit of nightlife as in a pub etc and somewhere for a decent meal.
Do you need 2 courses ? Why not just play 2 rounds on the same course. Sometimes a "day ticket" is cheaper than playing 2 different courses at the same place. Or play 2 different courses that are close to each other. Royal Eastbourne & Eastbourne Head are only a stone's throw apart for example.
The Wiltshire course was £35 and worth every penny imo, the hotel is being used to house migrants so we were a bit skeptical of what the golf facilities would be like, its a course that with a little tlc could easily be top tier.
then from there onto Celtic manor the cellar bar watching the spurs game was ok but v busy, we went for dinner at the couldra court which annoyingly isnt covered by shuttle transfers, so had to arrange our own taxis which took an age, meal was okay but service shocking.
played the montgomerie on the Sunday 8.30am tee off we had buggies but as you have to stay on the path pain in the backside.
personally I found the whole place expensive and overated.
next 2 breaks we are looking at are dale hill with a sunday overnight, then possibly the belfry in the summer.
AVOID Dale Hill - awful place - hotel is shite, food average at best, and the Woosnam Course is in terrible condition (original course is ok) - there is way better out there - Mannings Heath near Horsham is good
any other recommendations for a place with 2 courses and a hotel/accomodation local
ideally somewhere where there is a little bit of nightlife as in a pub etc and somewhere for a decent meal.
Depends how far you want to go. Bournemouth is surrounded by some great courses within a 15/20 minute drive, some even nearer. Plenty of hotels and the nightlife is lively!
I would recommend Dudsbury, Ferndown, Bulbury Woods, Isle of Purbeck (very tricky!!), and especially Barton-on-Sea (3x9 holes - make sure you include The Needles 9).
The Wiltshire course was £35 and worth every penny imo, the hotel is being used to house migrants so we were a bit skeptical of what the golf facilities would be like, its a course that with a little tlc could easily be top tier.
then from there onto Celtic manor the cellar bar watching the spurs game was ok but v busy, we went for dinner at the couldra court which annoyingly isnt covered by shuttle transfers, so had to arrange our own taxis which took an age, meal was okay but service shocking.
played the montgomerie on the Sunday 8.30am tee off we had buggies but as you have to stay on the path pain in the backside.
personally I found the whole place expensive and overated.
next 2 breaks we are looking at are dale hill with a sunday overnight, then possibly the belfry in the summer.
AVOID Dale Hill - awful place - hotel is shite, food average at best, and the Woosnam Course is in terrible condition (original course is ok) - there is way better out there - Mannings Heath near Horsham is good
I played Dale Hill last month, the course to the left as you drive in (not sure which that is). It was in great condition and a really good track, thoroughly enjoyed it. Food was overpriced though
The Wiltshire course was £35 and worth every penny imo, the hotel is being used to house migrants so we were a bit skeptical of what the golf facilities would be like, its a course that with a little tlc could easily be top tier.
then from there onto Celtic manor the cellar bar watching the spurs game was ok but v busy, we went for dinner at the couldra court which annoyingly isnt covered by shuttle transfers, so had to arrange our own taxis which took an age, meal was okay but service shocking.
played the montgomerie on the Sunday 8.30am tee off we had buggies but as you have to stay on the path pain in the backside.
personally I found the whole place expensive and overated.
next 2 breaks we are looking at are dale hill with a sunday overnight, then possibly the belfry in the summer.
I'd avoid the Belfry if I were you. It's similar to Celtic Manor in that it's very expensive and overrated, and the nightclub has even shut down now!! The Brabazon course takes forever to play and is really nothing special. Holes 10 and 18 are great obviously but the rest of it is very average I thought.
Someone else has suggested Princes - that's a far better experience.
Played at Darenth Valley yesterday. The course has always been at bit samey but was in fantastic condition and of course some wonderful scenery. Struggled a bit on the long par 4s managed to break 100 but not by much
Just went for a round of golf by myself at Barnehurst. Got a birdie on the 9th. I hear many people saying it should prob be a par 3 and I'd agree but I'm buzzing after I started only playing in July and am only teeing off with an iron. Putted a long one on my 3rd shot and their was noone out the front of the club house to give me a cheer 😭
Played at Darenth Valley yesterday. The course has always been at bit samey but was in fantastic condition and of course some wonderful scenery. Struggled a bit on the long par 4s managed to break 100 but not by much
I played Darenth Valley 1st time for years last week,lovely condition,with as you say great views,however it is bit long for 79 year olds,so I got nowhere near the hundred mark,but will give it another go.
Yes hopefully they get it in good condition, good for the locals with the adventure golf, shop, track man range etc.
My son, who is now a member at Barnehurst, tells me that the course was all set to be sold by American Golf in the course of the last week or so but that the sale fell through at the last minute. Shame because the new owners were proposing a number of improvements including the driving range as currently golfers aren't allowed to use drivers there.
Yes hopefully they get it in good condition, good for the locals with the adventure golf, shop, track man range etc.
My son, who is now a member at Barnehurst, tells me that the course was all set to be sold by American Golf in the course of the last week or so but that the sale fell through at the last minute. Shame because the new owners were proposing a number ofimprovements including the driving range as currently golfers aren't allowed to use drivers there.
Knock down the house on the corner of the 3rd hole, push back the tee as before & make it a par 4 again.
Cut down tress in the car park & move the clubhouse back 50-100 yards thus making the 1st & 9th's longer.
Yes hopefully they get it in good condition, good for the locals with the adventure golf, shop, track man range etc.
My son, who is now a member at Barnehurst, tells me that the course was all set to be sold by American Golf in the course of the last week or so but that the sale fell through at the last minute. Shame because the new owners were proposing a number ofimprovements including the driving range as currently golfers aren't allowed to use drivers there.
Knock down the house on the corner of the 3rd hole, push back the tee as before & make it a par 4 again.
Cut down tress in the car park & move the clubhouse back 50-100 yards thus making the 1st & 9th's longer.
I think they were proposing to make the 9th the first hole simply because of the dangers to the Clubhouse!!!
Finally today after 30 odd years of playing golf I got my first hole in one!!! and what a beauty of a strike it was. I was always worried that if I got one it’d be a duffed shot that got lucky.
Finally today after 30 odd years of playing golf I got my first hole in one!!! and what a beauty of a strike it was. I was always worried that if I got one it’d be a duffed shot that got lucky.
Very happy man today 😊
Congrats. What course were you playing ?
Probably the closest I've come is on a course nr Newport, Wales. Par 3, 140 yards(ish) over a pond. It landed a foot or two away (pitch mark) and rolled past the hole stopping a foot the other side.
Finally today after 30 odd years of playing golf I got my first hole in one!!! and what a beauty of a strike it was. I was always worried that if I got one it’d be a duffed shot that got lucky.
Finally today after 30 odd years of playing golf I got my first hole in one!!! and what a beauty of a strike it was. I was always worried that if I got one it’d be a duffed shot that got lucky.
Very happy man today 😊
Congrats. What course were you playing ?
Probably the closest I've come is on a course nr Newport, Wales. Par 3, 140 yards(ish) over a pond. It landed a foot or two away (pitch mark) and rolled past the hole stopping a foot the other side.
Similar distance. 7th hole at North Foreland GC my home course
Finally today after 30 odd years of playing golf I got my first hole in one!!! and what a beauty of a strike it was. I was always worried that if I got one it’d be a duffed shot that got lucky.
Very happy man today 😊
Congrats. What course were you playing ?
Probably the closest I've come is on a course nr Newport, Wales. Par 3, 140 yards(ish) over a pond. It landed a foot or two away (pitch mark) and rolled past the hole stopping a foot the other side.
Similar distance. 7th hole at North Foreland GC my home course
Nice hole by that pub and a lovely course as well.
Finally today after 30 odd years of playing golf I got my first hole in one!!! and what a beauty of a strike it was. I was always worried that if I got one it’d be a duffed shot that got lucky.
Very happy man today 😊
Congrats. What course were you playing ?
Probably the closest I've come is on a course nr Newport, Wales. Par 3, 140 yards(ish) over a pond. It landed a foot or two away (pitch mark) and rolled past the hole stopping a foot the other side.
Similar distance. 7th hole at North Foreland GC my home course
Nice hole by that pub and a lovely course as well.
Not been any comments on here of late. Surely some of you are getting out more regularly now the weather is improving? being a golf addict I’m managing an average of 3 rounds per week, mostly at my club North Foreland GC which has handled the wet weather without a problem due to its superb natural drainage. Had a nice little trip to Le Touquet in early April where we played Le Foret and Le Mer (word of advice: don’t play Le Mer with a hangover 😵). We have the Belfry booked for September (PGA & Brabazon)
Game has been coming on a bit as well. A couple of lessons in January put me straight and my WHS has dropped from 13.4 to 9.5. Hoping to get lower as it warms up and hopefully the wind dies down a bit.
So come on fellow golfing lifers, let’s hear about the state of your game, hopes for the rest of the year and any trips planned?
Flackwell Heath (Wednesday)- Lovely Course just off the M40 near High Wycombe. Only played it a couple of times but would recommend it
The Shire - Barnet - Last Friday. Played it a few times in the past but it was unplayable on the fairways after heavy rain a couple of days before. Rain whilst out there didn’t help. Become a bit of slog and the scores reflected that.
West Hill near Woking yesterday. First time visit and will go back. Splendid course, not overly long but if your ball goes in the heather then you will struggle. Not cheap but would recommend it.
Not me but as I posted earlier on this thread my son started playing golf last July and to say he's become obsessed is an understatement. Throughout the winter he was out in all weathers, fitting it in around his work (coaching various sports at a school and cricket for a District and at a number of clubs). He is literally hitting balls every day of the week be that on the range, on the course or in the garden (we have a half length cricket net and he hangs an old blanket over it).
He was a member at Barnehurst but, frankly, the facilities have been allowed to really deteriorate so is now at Redlibbets. His WHS, when at Barnehurst hit a low of 1.8 which was, frankly, ridiculous and not representative of the level of golfer he was. As a result of joining and playing at Redlibbets (and always off the black tees) that is now out to 3.4. He hit a bit of a brick wall a month or so ago and then got severely found out when he went to play Princes (Shore & Dune) on a particularly windy day when he hit 16 over. I must admit that I was quite shocked when he messaged me with his score but it just goes to show what a hard game it can be and how the more challenging courses in adverse conditions can bring you right back down to earth.
That said, the round at Princes was a real awakening moment for him. He described it as the most frustrating and yet most enjoyable sporting day of his life - and this is someone who has played tennis, table tennis and cricket at an elite level including age group cricket at The Oval for Kent against Surrey. So, in conjunction with his coach, he is now trying to re-model his swing in order to hit longer and with more control. He's getting there and hopefully things will start to go in the other direction again.
Golf has been an absolute life changer for my son. He has had so many ups and downs with his cricket and some real dark times when he did not feel that he was in control of his own destiny. Now he knows what he has to do and can visualise how he can improve. He is able to compartmentalise each part of his game and actually measure what he has done well and what he hasn't. Nobody dictates where or when he is playing or what role he is going to have e.g. what number he is going to bat.
I do get that most who play golf do so for the fun of it whilst still always wanting to beat their best and might find it strange that he takes it quite so seriously but it is what gets him up at 6.30am to be on the course an hour later. There are far worse things that a 21 year old could be doing with his time. The reality is that, for him, the State Pension age is likely to be 70 and he might not even be able to play at that age or even still on this earth. The only regret that I have is that I wish my body and mind would allow me to play too because if it did I would be out there with him right now. But probably playing off the ladies tees! I am extremely jealous of the rest of you for that very reason. As for my son, the cricket season is here and he still loves playing that on a Saturday. The golf will just have to have one day off!
@Addick Addict doesn’t sound strange to me. I’m absolutely obsessed with the game. I took it up more seriously from the age of 35 once playing football took a backseat. I’m 59 next month but despite the aches & pains of sitting in the cab (& an aging body🥹) I could play every day in all weathers. When I’m not playing I’m often watching it on tv or YouTube or even just thinking about golf😉 shame to hear about Barnehurst GC going to seed again but hope your son will be happy at Redlibbets. I was a member there for 7 years before moving down to Broadstairs in 2021 and still play there every now and again
I'm a member at barnehurst as it's opposite my house. I play as much as I can. Played Sunday and done really well. Got around the course in 52 which for a beginner I'm happy with. Playing it again tonight.
The great thing with golf is that you can play on your own and with the lighter evenings now here can play after work - easy whizz round a course on your own inside 2.5 hours. Some of my best scores came with a twilight round
im playing Moor Park (West course) tomorrow looking forward to playing there in some dry weather as it’s been wet every time I’ve played it over the last 3 months
Hurtmore in the 15th
and in the 23rd & 24th Breadshall Priory
I have managed to play once a week somewhere so I am happy
Our lads trip to Stoke By Nayland got waterlogged off in March so we had 32 drunken fellas on a spa break and posh dinner. Some of us took in golf on the way there at Woolston Manor and Chigwell on the way home but they were both pretty sodden to make a proper judgement.
Scored 18 points at the fun Wednesday night 9 hole comp at our club tonight (another Lifer won the football card AGAIN, I think he prints them).
was nice playing ok for a change, my handicap has steadily been going in the wrong direction. Such a frustrating game but love it.
playing boughton friday then comp at North foreland saturday both courses then back to foreland sunday, soon of to villamora for 5 days. love it .
Are you a member at NF ? I’ve been a member since 2021. Love the place!! Not playing in the Fishwick this year as going out in the evening and 36 holes will do me in 🤣 I’m up there Sunday morning though 👍🏻
playing boughton friday then comp at North foreland saturday both courses then back to foreland sunday, soon of to villamora for 5 days. love it .
Are you a member at NF ? I’ve been a member since 2021. Love the place!! Not playing in the Fishwick this year as going out in the evening and 36 holes will do me in 🤣 I’m up there Sunday morning though 👍🏻
yes member couple years now, great course. one day i will par the 17th🙄
Comments
Someone else has suggested Princes - that's a far better experience.
My son, who is now a member at Barnehurst, tells me that the course was all set to be sold by American Golf in the course of the last week or so but that the sale fell through at the last minute. Shame because the new owners were proposing a number of improvements including the driving range as currently golfers aren't allowed to use drivers there.
Cut down tress in the car park & move the clubhouse back 50-100 yards thus making the 1st & 9th's longer.
and what a beauty of a strike it was. I was always worried that if I got one it’d be a duffed shot that got lucky.
Probably the closest I've come is on a course nr Newport, Wales. Par 3, 140 yards(ish) over a pond. It landed a foot or two away (pitch mark) and rolled past the hole stopping a foot the other side.
@801912601 playing partner hit one on Sunday in our comp.
I reckon if I could keep one on a green I’d consider mounting it!
being a golf addict I’m managing an average of 3 rounds per week, mostly at my club North Foreland GC which has handled the wet weather without a problem due to its superb natural drainage. Had a nice little trip to Le Touquet in early April where we played Le Foret and Le Mer (word of advice: don’t play Le Mer with a hangover 😵). We have the Belfry booked for September (PGA & Brabazon)
Flackwell Heath (Wednesday)- Lovely Course just off the M40 near High Wycombe. Only played it a couple of times but would recommend it
The Shire - Barnet - Last Friday. Played it a few times in the past but it was unplayable on the fairways after heavy rain a couple of days before. Rain whilst out there didn’t help. Become a bit of slog and the scores reflected that.
West Hill near Woking yesterday. First time visit and will go back. Splendid course, not overly long but if your ball goes in the heather then you will struggle. Not cheap but would recommend it.
He was a member at Barnehurst but, frankly, the facilities have been allowed to really deteriorate so is now at Redlibbets. His WHS, when at Barnehurst hit a low of 1.8 which was, frankly, ridiculous and not representative of the level of golfer he was. As a result of joining and playing at Redlibbets (and always off the black tees) that is now out to 3.4. He hit a bit of a brick wall a month or so ago and then got severely found out when he went to play Princes (Shore & Dune) on a particularly windy day when he hit 16 over. I must admit that I was quite shocked when he messaged me with his score but it just goes to show what a hard game it can be and how the more challenging courses in adverse conditions can bring you right back down to earth.
That said, the round at Princes was a real awakening moment for him. He described it as the most frustrating and yet most enjoyable sporting day of his life - and this is someone who has played tennis, table tennis and cricket at an elite level including age group cricket at The Oval for Kent against Surrey. So, in conjunction with his coach, he is now trying to re-model his swing in order to hit longer and with more control. He's getting there and hopefully things will start to go in the other direction again.
Golf has been an absolute life changer for my son. He has had so many ups and downs with his cricket and some real dark times when he did not feel that he was in control of his own destiny. Now he knows what he has to do and can visualise how he can improve. He is able to compartmentalise each part of his game and actually measure what he has done well and what he hasn't. Nobody dictates where or when he is playing or what role he is going to have e.g. what number he is going to bat.
I do get that most who play golf do so for the fun of it whilst still always wanting to beat their best and might find it strange that he takes it quite so seriously but it is what gets him up at 6.30am to be on the course an hour later. There are far worse things that a 21 year old could be doing with his time. The reality is that, for him, the State Pension age is likely to be 70 and he might not even be able to play at that age or even still on this earth. The only regret that I have is that I wish my body and mind would allow me to play too because if it did I would be out there with him right now. But probably playing off the ladies tees! I am extremely jealous of the rest of you for that very reason. As for my son, the cricket season is here and he still loves playing that on a Saturday. The golf will just have to have one day off!
doesn’t sound strange to me. I’m absolutely obsessed with the game. I took it up more seriously from the age of 35 once playing football took a backseat. I’m 59 next month but despite the aches & pains of sitting in the cab (& an aging body🥹) I could play every day in all weathers. When I’m not playing I’m often watching it on tv or YouTube or even just thinking about golf😉
shame to hear about Barnehurst GC going to seed again but hope your son will be happy at Redlibbets. I was a member there for 7 years before moving down to Broadstairs in 2021 and still play there every now and again
Hurtmore in the 15th
and in the 23rd & 24th Breadshall Priory
I have managed to play once a week somewhere so I am happy
Scored 18 points at the fun Wednesday night 9 hole comp at our club tonight (another Lifer won the football card AGAIN, I think he prints them).
was nice playing ok for a change, my handicap has steadily been going in the wrong direction. Such a frustrating game but love it.