Best Municipal in the country?

[golfdonkey]

Munis take a bit of a knocking generally but has anyone played a REALLY good one (cheap fees, good nick, friendly staff) they can recommend? (no adverts!!!)
gd

 

[GB72]

My vote goes to Thorpe Wood in Peterborough. Interesting holes, always in good nick, well stocked pro shop and friendly staff. All this at less than £20.00.

Would also recommend the course at Rutland Water. Best course I play on and is only £20.00 per round at the weekend. Not a municipal as is not council owned but it purely pay and play.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My vote goes to Downshire between Bracknell & Wokingham. Owned by Bracknell Forest and I beleive once voted in the top 10 pay and plays in the country.

Always in good nick (sandy soil so always drains well) and a snip at approximately £22 per round weekeneds. Also got a good range and shop.

Happy golfing

Homer

 

[birdieman]

Have to give a nod to Balnagask (aka Nigg Bay) in Aberdeen -sits overlooking the North Sea, the harbour and the city and catches everything the North Sea throws at you. The layout is undulating for a seaside course offering fab views and although not in the same league as say Royal Aberdeen up the coast it's good enough that if this were privately owned you'd be paying serious bucks to be a member. Better than it's better known muni neighbour Kings Links too. Can't comment on the hospitality side.

 

[Parmo]

My home course of Roundhay Leeds (except the burk who wont let me play alone) great 9 holer and 18 for £13.50, set in Park land with a couple of 3 pars and one 5 with and extra long 4 in there as well, the course is in Roundhay Park with water fountains behind the green on the fourth.

7/10 for me

 

[viscount17]

My vote goes to Thorpe Wood in Peterborough. Interesting holes, always in good nick, well stocked pro shop and friendly staff. All this at less than £20.00.

Any idea how easy is it to get on at weekends? This is not that far from me (under an hour) so could be worth a Saturday morning.

 

[GB72]

They operate a pretty efficient tee booking system and normally OK to get a time as long as you call a couple of days before hand. They also have a web site with course planner if you want a look. They also have a sister course, Orton Meadows which, whilst not quite as good, is also worth a go.

 

[John_Findlay]

For interest, views and price it's hard to beat Braid Hills in Edinburgh. Best Council-run course I've played although you're hard pressed not to lose a few balls on the way. Get it on a quiet summer evening and it's a beauty.

 

[simplyme]

Another vote for Thorpe Wood. Haven't played it for about a year but certainly a great muni course.

 

[madandra]

J_F, I will play you at The Braids next week. the winner gets a £1.

 

[John_Findlay]

After 2 sleeves of ProV1x's I'd still be £19 down then !!??

 

[viscount17]

My mate and I are planning to book Thorpe Wood for a couple of weekends time. Orton Meadows looks similar to my home course, Wyboston Lakes, in many ways - short and wet - but won't be disqualifed on those grounds.

I need some downhill lies though, I'm terrible at those!

 

[GB72]

Orton Meadows is a strange course, the front 9 are around the lakes but the back 9 is enclosed parkland. Plenty of downward lies at Thorpe Wood to give you the practice. If you are only out in the St Neots area it may be worth a run over to Rutland Water golf course at Manton. Stunning course, great mix of scenic holes, really friendly and is only £20.00 at the weekend, £15.00 weekdays. Never that busy either. Ignore their web site, however, as last time I looked it was out of date it is now a full 18 hole course with a links feel 2 it coupled with the best par 3 course I have played. No need to book there and should be able to get out fairly quickly.

 

[viscount17]

Thanks GB, I'll give it a try. Since I took 5-day this year it leaves Saturdays free to roam.

 

[RGuk]

Thorpe Wood is a no brainer really, I haven't played it, but I do believe it has come top on more than one occasion in polls.
Painswick always seemed to figure highly (9 hole), supposed to be very interesting.
Roundhay.....hmmm.....I've played it (in a national comp) and it's good but didn't float my boat
Birmingham Golf link courses get my vote (not as individual courses necessarily though). Lickey Hills and Pype Hayes are both great and Hatchford Brook (redesigned in part by an old friend) is quite good also.
I liked Batchwood in St. Albans also.
There must be loads north of the border....
I never found any good ones in London, but I often enjoyed Silvermere (just off the A3 M25).

There are plenty of others, I just get confused with what is a real pay-and-play and what is a members club that encourages public players.

Dave

 

[USER1999]

Played Braid hills a while ago, about 14 good holes and 4 dull ones if I remember. Shot 33 points there, and figured if I went back again I could do better.
Went back a week later, and lost 14 balls, my course record.

 

[simplyme]

GB - Who is the pro / assistant Pro now at Rutland?

Is James the assistant?

 

[GB72]

Yes, James Waycott is the assistant. John Pengally is the pro. Good bloke, used to be the pro at Greetham Valley.

 

[simplyme]

Thought they had both gone there. I was at greetham for 3 years

 

[GB72]

I live in Greetham but am going for a season ticket at Rutland Water for my first membership I think. Greetham is just too busy these days.