Belton woods v's Belton Park.

[Oddsocks]

Morning all,

I'm after a bit of feedback on the two above courses, ideally from those who have played both. A friend of mine is new to the Grantham area after moving there from south London earlier in the month. These two are his two closest clubs and both within budget but not being from the area, it would be good to give him some feedback.

How do they play in the winter?

Do they get stupidly busy meaning long rounds or trouble getting tee times?

Which one is generally kept in better condition?

And from a members point of view if poss, what are they like at welcoming new members in to things like swindles?

Finally, are they stuffy?

 

[Deleted member 18645]

I played a two-day event at Belton Woods last month, a Sunday/Monday schedule. On the Sunday, both courses were ramped to the hilt with players although it seemed to ease off around 4pm. Everyone takes buggies because the courses are both so long and it certainly wasn't stuffy, more the opposite to be honest. Both courses are long and challenging with the Lakes being particularly difficult off the back tees. But if I was in the area, to be honest, I would look elsewhere.

 

[simplyme]

Greig (GB72) will be best answering this as he was a member of Belton Park iirc.

I much prefer Park to Woods, played a few times over the last few years, never been overly busy and genuinely dry.

 

[Oddsocks]

Cheers guys, stuff like this is ideal info. Any others in the neck of the woods you'd suggest over the two?

 

[simplyme]

Stoke Rochford is about 10 / 15 miles from there and I prefer that course to both of the Beltons

 

[MattM]

Belton Woods is a Hotel / Golf / Spa 'resort' - caters a lot for weekend / overnight breaks and society days. Weekends are usually busy, not sure about week days. I've played there a few times, long courses but Ok.

Not played Belton Park, but believe it is more of a traditional Golf 'Club' rather than 'Resort'.

So, depends what you are looking for, 2 very different places

 

[Hacker Khan]

I've played Woods a few times and also did a mystery shopper thing there. It's a resort so you get a lot of stay and play people. When I did the mystery shopper thing they told me the chain that owns them is moving more towards ensuring the members do get priority tee times at weekend mornings to prevent them all being taken up by people on golf breaks. But no idea in reality if that is happening.

Both courses are fine, not especially memorable thinking back but the greens and fairways were in decent nick. Got the impression from the club house it was not stuffy in any way and you would not get the etiquette police condemning you to eternal hell as you had the wrong colour socks on with shorts, as you can get at some courses. But no idea if the members were a bit cliquey with each other.

The chap at Woods that showed me round said he used to be a member at Park and although the course was arguably better at Park, he left as it was too stuffy and cliquey. But then again he would say that. Also seem to remember GB72 who was/is a member at Park thought it was a bit stuffy, but I'm sure he can answer for himself.

 

[GB72]

Out and about at the moment but will post some comments later. Member at Belton Park, played Belton Woods quite a bit and used to be a member at Stoke Rochford

 

[m1975]

Belton park would be my choice to join by a million miles !
Agree on the comments on Stoke Rochford, good track playable all year

 

[kerber0s1983]

Played Belton Woods a few times, and like others have said its a long way round on foot.

Everytime i've played there it has been fairly rammed with folks staying on golf breaks - its owned by Q Hotels that are pushing golf/spa breaks, and it always comes up on YGT/Golf breaks so must be a popular stay/play venue.

Can't comment on the other 2 as haven't played them, even though i only live 30 mins away and my folks still live in Grantham

 

[bobmac]

There's no point being a member of a great course if you cant get on it.

Stoke Rochford really only has one starting point so if a society has the tee booked, you're stuffed.

BW has 4 starting points, 5 if you count the par 3 course, a starting sheet but it's still busy. But then it does have a pool and Sauna, but the food and drink are pricey. And it is a resort course(s)

BP has 3 starting points and not too busy but no starting sheet but they always try and keep one starting point open.
It doesn't have the pool and sauna but food and drink are reasonable.
As for the courses, I'd play Belton Park over the other two but wouldn't turn down a game at any of them.

 

[drewster]

Reading this with interest as I need to find a venue for an annual golf trip next year and Belton Woods looks , on paper , a good option. Sorry to hijack the thread but would BW trump Greetham Valley as a stay and play option ???

 

[GB72]

Knowing both, I prefer Greetham Valley but depends what you want away from the golf as it is a trip to any nightlife from Greetham

 

[bobmac]

It's been 15 years since I played Greetham so cant really comment apart from it being quite hilly and windy

 

[GB72]

Apologies for the long post but there are not many subjects on here I can be knowledgeable about.
I will start out by saying that there is nothing that I would call an ideal solution for golf club membership in Grantham. There are decent courses but all of the options lack something when it comes to club spirit and atmosphere. None of the courses that I have been a member of have anything in the way of weekend roll ups so there is an effort needed to get integrated.
We can start with Belton Park where I play now. It is, to my mind, the best course option of the three though Stoke Rochford runs it close. There are 3 loops of nine that are played in various connotations for comps to keep it varied. Outside of competitions there are no tee bookings so you can turn up and play. There will always be one loop of 9 that is open for general play when the others are closed for comps or bookings. There are no societies at weekends, members and guests only. There is little in the way of queuing as the 3 starting points are near the clubhouse and you just pick the quietest.
The downside, depending on what you are looking for, is the club side of things. It can be a bit stuffy, there is a dress code in the clubhouse (trousers, collared shirt, shoes) and the social side is definitely aimed at the older member. The new pro is doing wonders in getting juniors in but the bulk of the membership is over 50. This does not really suit me but it will suit others.
There is now online tee booking for comps which does help with integration as you can sign up to another group but people tend to stick to their usual 3 balls.
Stoke Rochford is similar to Belton Park in the lack of clubhouse atmosphere. That is mainly due to the location as it is on the A1 and you have to drive on the A1 to get there. With that in mind even a pint after is a risk. I like the course a great deal but the one starting point means you can queue for half an hour or more to get out. When I was a member there comps were a case of turning up with you group, signing in and off you go. The tee was not shut for comps so general play was still allowed. That is great if you have group but otherwise it is a case of hanging around the tee box waiting for a 2 ball with a space. There is an excellent half way hut by the 10th green.
Never been a member of Belton Woods but know a few who are. Certainly those who do not like the sometimes inherent nature of private members clubs play there as it is relaxed. I am not a massive fan of the courses but if I played them more then maybe they would grow on me. The clubhouse is the hotel so, again, not much atmosphere and the food and drink is expensive. They do, however, seem to be focusing on the golf a bit more now. The course, however, is always busy and you do get some very mixed ability levels which can slow things up.
Sadly, quite a few people I know have decided that there is no ideal golfing option in Grantham and so have joined the 9 hole course at Sudbrooke to maintain an handicap and then play opens or go nomad.
Pity I cannot say anything more glowing. Grantham has some good courses but has not got what I would call a good golf club. Again, bear in mind that I am in my 40s so my age group is under represented at both private members club and those who are older or like things more traditional may find them far more to their liking. Me, I have to go with where I enjoy the golf most and forget the rest. My playing partner and I tend to head back to the pub in Ropsley for a beer after.
If there is no objection to travelling a bit I could throw out a few more options. As always, if you want to DM me I can give you some contact details if your mate wants a round at Belton Park to test the waters.

 

[Deleted member 18645]

I'll echo the comment about the food at Belton Woods being expensive. And it was crap.

 

[GB72]

Forgot to add that rounds at Stoke and Belton Park are pretty much always 4 hours and under. I have had 5 hour plus rounds at Belton Woods.

Stoke and Belton Park play pretty much all year round. Stoke drains better but even in the worst of conditions, Belton Park puts out a composite 18 made up from various holes on the 3 loops of 9. Neither used winter greens much, if at all, but both use mats for tees in winter.

 

[Oddsocks]

Cheers for the responses lads, I've forwarded to my pal who is very greatful and if he has any more questions I'll post them up.

Nice for him to go in eyes open instead of taking the word of staff who will do anything to get another member through the door.

Thanks again