West Essex is another option with a really good junior section, although may be a little too far to travel from Brentwood.
Also West Essex have just got planning permission for academy including a short game area and a 9 hole course. Not too sure when building this will begin though.
I have a Ping Pal putter from about 1990 that will probably never be replaced. I'm looking to update my R9 driver and V-steel 3w this year (if I can find better!) after buying new irons and wedges in the last 6 months
I brought a set of these (non-pro) about 6 months ago. Ridicolously easy to hit the long irons, long high and straight. I wanted the pro version but put my ego aside and cannot be happier (and poorer!)
I must have tried 5 or 6 sets of irons but these were best for me by far
Quinta - All three courses are good, but my preferred is the south course.
Vale de Lobo - Royal is ok
Old Course is one of my favourites
I've always booked with an online company, not too sure on availability when you're out there but you may be lucky if it's just a couple of you and they may...
Taylormad V-Steel - Very easy to hit off the tee and even easier to hit off the dck. You can probably pick one up for peanuts now, but i've not found any other club that can knock it out of my bag
As said above try as many as you can. I tried Ping, Titleist, Mizuno, Taylormade & Callaway - Went in there wanting the Titliest or Taylormades and came out with the Callaway and the Pings were a very close second.
If you can get a fitting with trackman or similar that should really help narrow...
I had an iron fitting one trackman the other week, that then turned into a lesson, due to some of the numbers that trackman was giving me for club path and face angle.
The pro said that he didn't know how it taught without it!
Great bit of kit though