7 Handicap California Golfer / London Golf Trip

[44killian]

Hello....I'm planning to come to London for a four or five day golf trip in May. Play to a 7 handicap, have had 4 golf trips to Ireland, 2 trips to Scotland and played throughout the US....love to travel and play. Looking for suggestions as far as course options in the London area....know the primary clubs, Sunningdale, Wentworth, London Club, etc. Any other gems out there?

Thanks.

 

[Ethan]

Lots of choice. Kinda depends on what sort of golf you like and how much money you are willing to spend. If you like heathland golf (gorse, sandy soil), then you are in luck. There is a string of courses mostly to the south and west of London that will fill any itinerary. Sunningdale is one, but also Walton Heath (2 courses, where US Open qualifying is held), Woking, Worplesdon, West Hill, Hankley Common, The Berkshire (36 holes), and if you can get on them, Swinley Forest and New Zealand, are all great courses.

Personally, I don't rate The London Club.

Wentworth West is a great course despite controversial changes made for last years PGA, but is eye-wateringly expensive and rather corporate. The Edinburgh Course at Wentworth is an interesting course also.

 

[44killian]

Appreciate the info. Not concerned with price if the course is worthwhile. Heathland is fine, looking forward to playing some parkland courses in the UK. Question....how much are Pro V1 or Callaway is/ix balls in the UK?

 

[fundy]

Pro V1s will cost yopu £35-£40 per dozen if you buy away from the main courses (ie in american golf etc), at them be more like £50

 

[User20205]

it's a bit further out (about 1 1/2 drive from London), but a few of us are playing here on May 11th.

http://www.bowood-golf.co.uk/

If this coincides with when you are over here, feel free to join us.

I don't think it's in the same league as Hankley, sunningdale etc but it is supposed to be a decent course all the same.

 

[grumpyjock]

Re: 7 Handicap California Golfer / London Golf Trip

have a look on the arrange a game map and see who is local to where you are staying.
By the way welcome to the forum, whats your HC clubs you play with ect ect.
If you have transport there are quite a few around London.
But if you want a must try course Beau Desert is one.
Just out side Birmingham off the M40 dont know time or distance from the big smoke,sure someone on here will.
Enjoy

 

[richart]

If money is no object, look at Sunningdale,The Berkshire, St Georges Hill, Hankley Common, West Hill, Woking, Worplesdon, Swinley ,and Wentworth. My top course would be Sunningdale, and they have two courses to choose from.

 

[RGDave]

Re: 7 Handicap California Golfer / London Golf Trip

But if you want a must try course Beau Desert is one.
Just out side Birmingham off the M40 dont know time or distance from the big smoke,sure someone on here will.

Beau Desert is quite a drive from London. I used to drive W. London to Birmingham often and in mid-afternoon it takes best part of 2+ hours. Add more from central. ALSO Beau and Little Aston are north of Birmingham...so longer still.

However, I'd suggest trying to play Beau Desert/Belfry/Little Aston/Forest of Arden/Enville etc as a "leg" of a tour.

 

[MashieNiblick]

Just thinking, as suggested by Ethan, you might want to consider Walton Heath, just south of London. Never played it myself but it hosted the 1981 Ryder Cup when the US fielded arguably the strongest ever Ryder Cup Team, hosts US Open Qualifying and is the venue for this year's Senior Open Championship in July so hopefully will get some airtime on TV in the US. Maybe would make a nice experience for an American visitor.

Wherever you decide to play, let us know and tell us what you thought of it. Would be interesting. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Bratty]

Stoke Park is also close enough to London to warrant a look.

They filmed Goldfinger there, if that helps (known then as Stoke Pogues)?

If you can get to the coast, then Royal St George's is fantastic, but pricey (£150 per person for 18, or £190 all day).

However, next door is Princes, which is offering the following:
http://www.princesgolfclub.co.uk/visiting-golfers-special-offers.php
£200 for up to 27 holes with Coffee and Bacon Roll on arrival with a One Course Lunch!!! BARGAIN!

 

[RGDave]

I wonder if he's coming back actually?....we'll see. I hope so, it'd be nice to advise a visitor.