Best course in your county?

[SteveBonners]

We are not blessed in Essex. The best is probaly Abridge but theres really not a stand out course in the area.

I agree that we Essex is not renowned for great golf courses. I would agree with Abridge as a good test and it has been an Open Qualifying course.

Thorndon Park is a lovely mature layout near to Brentwood. It is a Harry Colt designed course and is nearly 100 years old. Always presented in wonderful condition, when I have been there.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Dorset is my home county. Best courses are Broadstone, Parkstone, Ferndown, Remedy Oak and Isle of Purbeck.

Broadstone is the best test of golf by a clear margin.

My folks are holidaying at Christchurch the week after the HFH's days, so I'm going to join them. As I'll have my clubs with me, and I believe they aren't too far away, I may have to try one or two of those out for myself.

 

[Paperboy]

I play Parkstone regularly, got several friends over there. Agree about condition, it is as good as any course in the country these days. Broadstone condition isn't as good but it is the better layout. As for the 7th, it's a stunning hole if you know how to play it, only mickey mouse if you take the wrong line off the tee.

It definite;y is a mickey mouse hole if you have to give a bloody shot there and duff your tee shot

 

[stevek1969]

Where i stay is Angus so thats Carnoustie by a mile and where i play is Fife so St Andrews Old Course, so run of the mill courses i suppose.

 

[davidy233]

Don't forget Arbroath, the Burnside and some very good inland courses like Edzell and Letham.

You are very lucky in your area :thup:

Wasn't intending forgetting any of those, used to be a member at Arbroath and intend playing an open there next week if there are spaces - for my personal taste I'd add Forfar too

Now if this topic was courses within 30 miles of my house as the crow flies then I could fill a book

 

[Deleted member 1147]

For me it's Sherwood Forest in Notts over Hollinwell. Bit controversial as Hollinwell always is higher in the lists mags produce, but hey ho. But some of this is probably down the the fact that I've never played that well at Hollinwell and played very well (for me) when I played Sherwood Forest.

And in Lincs it's the Hotchkin at Woodhall Spa. Although I don't think I've played any others in Lincs. But any other answer is wrong.

Sherwood Forest, Hollinwell & Coxmoor are all Mansfield neck of the woods aren't they?

 

[MendieGK]

Wiltshire - The Manor House and Bowood beyond that there's not much, maybe Kingsdown or high post

would have to agree, Wiltshire stuggles. Hence why my last two clubs (despite living in Swindon) havent been in the county!!

Bowood is the cream of the crop but is quite expensive to be a member at. love the place though

 

[MendieGK]

Played Northamptonshire County Course on sunday - thats the best course in that county - what a cracking course.

Has the look of North Hants about it

I played it on Friday, and didnt think it was that amazing if honest, the greens were like car parks and every hole felt very simliar - 400yds slightly up a hill

 

[pbrown7582]

ganton for me in this neck of the woods although I have yet to sample alwoodey or moortown.

 

[Liqdaddymac]

would have to agree, Wiltshire stuggles. Hence why my last two clubs (despite living in Swindon) havent been in the county!!

Bowood is the cream of the crop but is quite expensive to be a member at. love the place though

I must be one of the only people around that really doesn't rate Bowood! have played it a lot and just find it boring. rather play north Wilts, cumberwell or Manor house (if they can guarantee less than a 5 hour round)

 

[Hacker Khan]

Sherwood Forest, Hollinwell & Coxmoor are all Mansfield neck of the woods aren't they?

Yup, Mansfield is the nearest well known place to them all. Hollinwell and Coxmoor are but a decent 3 wood then mid iron away from each other, Sherwood Forest a little bit further away, but not far. All 3 would make a seriously good golf break with very little driving, bit surprised they don't get together and do that really as they are top notch courses.

But then again I suspect they don't really want the hoi pollio on, I've played Hollinwell on a perfect Sunday afternoon in June and I think we were about the only ones on the course. Although having said that, Hollinwell does release the occasional tee time on one of the discount tee time websites, so may be even they need visitors nowadays.

 

[MizunoGreyhound]

Don't forget Arbroath, the Burnside and some very good inland courses like Edzell and Letham.

You are very lucky in your area :thup:

I had the pleasure of playing Edzell again last week. Still loved it, despite the trees being chopped and sold for lumber along 13 and 14. Shame, as those holes have now lost their definition and some of the intimidation factor.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Hunstanton likes folk in 2 balls but the pro uses common sense and fixes folk up accordingly, three balls etc where necessary. The members have been very friendly to me and it's all nice and relaxed with the course being the focus... Brancaster similar but they can be sticklers for protocol up there . It is a bit traditional I'll admit but times are slowly changing whilst maining the charm of the area. Hcp certs will help but not essential. As always phone ahead and you'll be fine. Well worth checking out Cromer if you are in the area for a couple of days - new greenkeeper last year and it's playing amazing.

Thanks (and to drive4show as well) I really enjoyed Sheringham last time, and as I am staying in the town it may be the easy option. But will see, I've walked through Brancaster to get to the beach a couple of times so it would be nice to play it.

 

[Swinger]

Wiltshire and in order of preference -

1 - Manor House
2 - Salisbury and South Wilts
3 - High Post
4 - Bowood

Not really overjoyed at the prospect of playing too many other courses in this area but some others are ok. Not sure anyone else in the county agrees with the South Wilts shout as it hasn't been mentioned yet and it is my home club so it might be perceived as being a little biased but I like it and think it is a good test of the game.

 

[Liqdaddymac]

Never played South Wilts or High Post so maybe have a knock one day?

Have to play at Wrag barn in a few weeks in a league to Dubai match - any reviews on the place?

 

[Liqdaddymac]

Gloucestershire for me would be;

Ross on Wye (although officially Herefordshire)

Then it is close in my opinion between Cotswold Hills (my course) and Minchinhampton. They are both kept in fantastic condition. If they both took the same time to get to for me, then in all honestly I would probably be at Minch as it has 2 good courses.

 

[Tommo21]

Anyone mention East Lothian.......where do I start. 19 to choose from within a 30 min drive. 2 or 3 world class, 2 or 3 more high class and a few nice one's.

 

[NWJocko]

Anyone mention East Lothian.......where do I start. 19 to choose from within a 30 min drive. 2 or 3 world class, 2 or 3 more high class and a few nice one's.

Was going to start on my home county but would have been a long post!!

Muirfield the best probably? Not that I've played it or any of the new ones (Archerfield or Renaissance).

Personal favourites are Gullane 1/2, Dunbar, Longniddry, North Berwick, the Glen. That's without mentioning about another 15 that are really good courses.

 

[pbrown7582]

Yup, Mansfield is the nearest well known place to them all. Hollinwell and Coxmoor are but a decent 3 wood then mid iron away from each other, Sherwood Forest a little bit further away, but not far. All 3 would make a seriously good golf break with very little driving, bit surprised they don't get together and do that really as they are top notch courses.

But then again I suspect they don't really want the hoi pollio on, I've played Hollinwell on a perfect Sunday afternoon in June and I think we were about the only ones on the course. Although having said that, Hollinwell does release the occasional tee time on one of the discount tee time websites, so may be even they need visitors nowadays.

they did organise a 3day 4bbb comp on all courses this year.

 

[daveyc2k2]

I agree that we Essex is not renowned for great golf courses. I would agree with Abridge as a good test and it has been an Open Qualifying course.

Thorndon Park is a lovely mature layout near to Brentwood. It is a Harry Colt designed course and is nearly 100 years old. Always presented in wonderful condition, when I have been there.

I hear Chelmsford Golf Club is one of the best in Essex