Back to my roots...

[DAVEYBOY]

Yesterday me and my mate decided to take a trip down memory lane and play the course that we used when we first took up the game and which we where members of for 1 year. It is a muni around 5800 yards and I'd rather not say which one as I don't want to give it bad press as its a great course for the non-serious type or beginners. Our main aim was to see how much we had improved since leaving for the Belfry in Feb. I know I've got a whole heap longer and my swing has come a long way in such a short time but I was interested to see how I played some of the holes which once gave me nightmares as a beginner.

Anyway I started off with a par, bogey followed by a few more pars one being on a 140 yard par 3 where my ball actually hit the flag and tangled for a second until it was thrown out behind the hole and unfortunatly not down into the hole. From the first tee I could see the amount of distance I had gained with the driver and the whole bag in-fact but it became very apparent on the 320 yard par 4 7th where I hit a great draw with the driver which I believed would be close to the front but to my amazement had actually gone threw the green and was on the fringe at the back leaving an 8 ft eagle chance (lets say I'm still waiting for my first eagle) all in all it was great to see the progress I have made and it made me realise its not that bad when I have a bad day.

The biggest killer yesterday was the greens, it was like putting on fairways and I just couldn't get the ball to the hole and decided it would probably do more harm than good for my game to continue to putt on them.

THE HIGHS -

Hitting the green on the 7th
Cutting holes that once gave me nightmares down to a drive and a pitch
Hitting the pin/flag on the par 3
Actually realising how much I have improved

THE LOWS -

The abundant smell of marijuana
The little Chav tipping his can of Carling all over one of the greens
The dirt boxes (sorry I mean tee boxes with there lack of grass)
The greens
Fag ends everywhere
The brain numbing slow play

So all in all it was fun to go back but wouldn't want to do it very often if I'm honest...

 

[hovis]

Pype hays!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rob_golf1]

GO ON Dave, enlighten us of its name!?

Give me a rough location in Brum??

 

[DAVEYBOY]

Pype hays!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big mouth, put the world off why don't ya

 

[hovis]

Big mouth, put the world off why don't ya

revenge for the ''whitington heath''

 

[palindromicbob]

Y

THE LOWS -

The abundant smell of marijuana

Should that not be one of the highs? Badum Tish!

 

[DAVEYBOY]

It's not that bad but I would say if you have even the slightest bit of golf snobbery in you then don't bother. I've lived 5 mins away from there my whole life so I'm used to the types you will find there and actually know most of them lol

 

[DAVEYBOY]

Should that not be one of the highs? Badum Tish!

Good one... Mods change that on will ya

 

[rob_golf1]

Haven't they just had a new Clubhouse built as the old one got burnt down!?

 

[DAVEYBOY]

Haven't they just had a new Clubhouse built as the old one got burnt down!?

Yep the old one was victim to arson and the new one looks and is great butttt... The course doesn't match.

 

[rob_golf1]

Yep the old one was victim to arson and the new one looks and is great butttt... The course doesn't match.

To be fair, I have played a few of the My Time courses recently, (Lickey Hills and Cocks Moors), and I was very impressed in the improvements that have actually been made. The greens were lush, and very true, and the fringes were well maintained. There was decent sand in the bunkers, and it looked as though the tee markers were being regualarly moved to allow the used areas the chance to grow back. There were also a number of grass cutters and I even got asked for my card half way round by a marshall on one of the rounds I played.

 

[DAVEYBOY]

To be fair, I have played a few of the My Time courses recently, (Lickey Hills and Cocks Moors), and I was very impressed in the improvements that have actually been made. The greens were lush, and very true, and the fringes were well maintained. There was decent sand in the bunkers, and it looked as though the tee markers were being regualarly moved to allow the used areas the chance to grow back. There were also a number of grass cutters and I even got asked for my card half way round by a marshall on one of the rounds I played.

I still want to play Licky Hills but I must say the Bunkers and greens where better at PH before MyTime took over. Saying that they have built 2M pound clubhouse.

 

[rob_golf1]

I still want to play Licky Hills but I must say the Bunkers and greens where better at PH before MyTime took over. Saying that they have built 2M pound clubhouse.

I love playing the Lickeys!! Really good track, you might even get to see 'Big Ron' up there!!

Some nice holes on there, the 3rd, unless you can drive the green you will end up at the bottom of a valley with a 60 yard shot to an elevated green. If you look to your right as you walk the fairway, you can see all of Birmingham City Centre in the distance (a firm reminder of just where you are )

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Did same as OP last week. Up home in in Bonnie Jockland for the week and played course I was member of 35 yrs ago pre-handicap days (James Braid designed East Renfrewshire). Loved it. And knocked it round in 7 over when I don't think I broke 90 that many times over a period of 3 yrs. Off yellow tees it's a 5950yd par 70. So actually short but a very tight course with blind tee shots and where accuracy is critical. But these days I can hit a steady drawing 4 wood 230yds or so - so why use a driver. So loved it.

 

[SocketRocket]

hey! Daveboy, must feel good now you are approaching Forum average driving :smirk:

 

[PIng]

I've played Pype Hayes twice recently and the tee boxes are shabby, but I thought the greens were ok (apart from the one where the sprinklers came on without warning whilst someone was putting!). The rounds can be very slow on Sunday afternoons if you get stuck behind a group of lads who've just rolled out of the pub and decide to have a game.

The new clubhouse is very impressive, and so far My Time seem to be doing a good job. I haven't visited the Lickey's since they took over but I've heard they're doing a reasonable job.

I'm now in my second season at my club and there are some holes where I'm taking taking 3 clubs less than last year on some holes. I know the ground is firmer etc but I'm definitely hitting further. I must re-visit the Lickey's and see how I get on.

 

[DAVEYBOY]

hey! Daveboy, must feel good now you are approaching Forum average driving :smirk:

He he I wish I could do it on every drive. It felt good though and there where 4 young lads waiting on the 8th and they where looking at me like I was some sort of freak. The level of golf around there is pretty poor without sounding like a knob so I don't think they have seen someone hit a ball that far before. BIG HEAD MODE :clap: I've worked hard for my distance both with my swing and loads of heavy lifting in the gym and I'm not saying I'm a massive hitter but its gets out there from time to time.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Haven't been back to Wimbledon Common for a few years (always open to offers) but it is always interesting. Tight course and despite the public being a pain in the neck the course and especially the greens have always been good when I've returned. Might have to pop up again just to see the look on the pro's face!

 

[DAVEYBOY]

I've played Pype Hayes twice recently and the tee boxes are shabby, but I thought the greens were ok (apart from the one where the sprinklers came on without warning whilst someone was putting!). The rounds can be very slow on Sunday afternoons if you get stuck behind a group of lads who've just rolled out of the pub and decide to have a game.

The new clubhouse is very impressive, and so far My Time seem to be doing a good job. I haven't visited the Lickey's since they took over but I've heard they're doing a reasonable job.

Again without sounding like a knob.... I reckon the greens where honestly not much more than half the speed of those on the PGA both me and my mate really struggled to get the ball to the hole. The cups where actually hard to see when we got down to get the line as the grass was long and it covered the hole on a few occasions lol (maybe they where due a cut)

... And I remember them being really fast with loads of break!!!

 

[Hack-Man-Hob]

Real nice up Lickey Hills a little soggy under foot mind a bit out the way for me so only use it a few times a year. As for Big Ron haaa haaaa my old school pal played up there years & years ago and Big Ron gave him a quid because he had a Villa headcover on his driver!