Birthday treat. Swinley or somewhere else????

[Smiffy]

The Missus is looking to treat me to a days golf at a "top" course for my 60th next month.
She has mentioned Sunningdale, but despite the fact that she is paying for it I am personally loathe to pay over £300.00 for a days golf anywhere so have told her "Thanks, but no thanks". Hope that doesn't sound ungrateful, but as I say the cost goes against the "Smiffy" grain. That's nearly £10.00 per hole!!
Have been looking at alternatives, somewhere that I haven't played before.
Two that spring to mind are Swinley Forest or Worplesden.
I want to stick around the Surrey/Berkshire area as I personally prefer Heathland courses so both Swinley and Worplesden appeal to me.
Worplesden has a website, so I have had a good look at that, Swinley doesn't, so information is a little more difficult to come by.
Is it fairly easily accessible and if so, what's the terrain like (thinking about my wonky old legs!!).
I'm not looking to play either course until late Spring, early Summer by the way.
Any other suggestions or would Swinley be the place to go?
Rob

 

[massivebelterlad]

Would highly recommend Worplesdon got to play it in a society earlier this year. Stunning course and the best I played this year

 

[BubbaP]

Was fortunate to play Swinley this year. Would say easy walking, be surprised if you didn't enjoy it. Seems to have a historically "need to know someone" image, but not clear if that is modern reality. Be interested in what you find.

 

[Smiffy]

Was fortunate to play Swinley this year. Would say easy walking, be surprised if you didn't enjoy it. Seems to have a historically "need to know someone" image, but not clear if that is modern reality. Be interested in what you find.

No website or email details so assuming a telephone call or letter is the order of the day?

 

[BubbaP]

Was a corporate day so unfortunately don't know, hopefully someone with better knowledge will be along.
A chap did a sort of after dinner piece after lunch on the history and a few tales.

 

[Smiffy]

Another choice is the Berkshire.
I have played there before and it's nice that they have two courses.
But I'd really like to play at Swinley, not having tonked it around there before.

 

[Fish]

Another choice is the Berkshire.
I have played there before and it's nice that they have two courses.
But I'd really like to play at Swinley, not having tonked it around there before.

Wherever you choose, I'll keep you company if you want, I'll even bring the cakes :smirk:

I loved the Berkshire but Swinley I'd happily pay out to play, in the right conditions.

 

[Smiffy]

Wherever you choose, I'll keep you company if you want, I'll even bring the cakes :smirk:

I loved the Berkshire but Swinley I'd happily pay out to play, in the right conditions.

Duly noted Robin. Be good to have a game, I don't think we've actually knocked it round together.
As I say, wherever I go it won't be until the conditions are right. May/June/July I reckon.
Not going to go to a top notch heathland course when the trees and heather aren't out properly, although I appreciate that it has to be later in the year to get the heather at it's best.
And I'm not wanting to play on crap greens either.

 

[SammmeBee]

Hankley Common......

 

[Smiffy]

Hankley Common......

Played it quite a few times Geezer.
Nice course, but I'm looking for somewhere different, preferably somewhere that I haven't played before.
Only reason I mentioned the Berkshire is it must be 15 years or more since I've played there.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Worplesden is a fine course and a good test.

 

[Smiffy]

Worplesden is a fine course and a good test.

Hard on the trotters????

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Morning Rob

Worplesdon isn't hard walking, a few undulations but that's about it. Very nice track but I personally prefer West Hill.

Swinley.....again lovely course, it has a fantastic aura to it, probably because it's not the easiest course to get onto. Word of warning though, I've heard that the greens have gone downhill in the last few years and they are having to address the problem. Check with those that have played it recently.

Other options include St Georges Hill and Walton Heath? Or for similar money you could probably include an overnight stay and play somewhere like Royal West Norfolk (Brancaster), Hunstanton (fastest greens I've putted on in England) or even down to the west country for Saunton or Burnham.

Thinking outside the box, I could host you at Broadstone, night out in Bournemouth then Hayling on the way home?

 

[richart]

Sunningdale is £215 a round Rob (less than 50p a shot ), but if you become a vicar you can play for £60.:thup:

You could play in March for £115.

You would love Parkstone, which you could add to Broadstone. Happy to give you B & B at mates rates.

 

[Smiffy]

Sunningdale is £215 a round Rob (less than 50p a shot ), but if you become a vicar you can play for £60.:thup:

You could play in March for £115.

You would love Parkstone, which you could add to Broadstone. Happy to give you B & B at mates rates.

Nice idea Rich but the idea was to play two rounds mate.
It is a "special" treat.
Don't want to play in March. Hate inland courses at that time of year as the trees and heather are bare.
Paul Nash phoned me earlier and left a message (got to phone him back later) warning me that Swinley isn't in the best of condition.
I've heard that Parkstone is good, as is Broadmoor....

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I've heard that Parkstone is good, as is Broadmoor....

You'd fit in quite well there

 

[Smiffy]

You'd fit in quite well there

Blooming autocorrect!!

A trip to Broadstone and Parkstone wouldn't be out of the question I guess.
Find a little B&B close by as the courses are only 7 miles or so apart.
Travel down Sunday morning, play one of them on Sunday afternoon and the other on Monday morning???
Could always play for a curry on the Sunday afternoon Gordon if you can rope Lou in too????
Rob

See that Parkstone have a tie-up with a couple of local hotels offering B&B for £50.00 the night.
Cushty!!
http://www.parkstonegolfclub.com/pdfs/PGC_Golf_Rates.pdf
http://www.parkstonegolfclub.com/pdfs/Menzies_Bournemouth_Hotels_2013.pdf

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Blooming autocorrect!!

A trip to Broadstone and Parkstone wouldn't be out of the question I guess.
Find a little B&B close by as the courses are only 7 miles or so apart.
Travel down Sunday morning, play one of them on Sunday afternoon and the other on Monday morning???
Could always play for a curry on the Sunday afternoon Gordon if you can rope Lou in too????
Rob

See that Parkstone have a tie-up with a couple of local hotels offering B&B for £50.00 the night.
Cushty!!
http://www.parkstonegolfclub.com/pdfs/PGC_Golf_Rates.pdf
http://www.parkstonegolfclub.com/pdfs/Menzies_Bournemouth_Hotels_2013.pdf

I'm sure Louise would be up for that, got plenty of friends at Parkstone too so could get signed on there which would make it a cheap weekend. Have you not played Parkstone before? Huge amount of work taken place in the last 3 or 4 years, it's a cracking day out now :thup:

 

[Smiffy]

Green fees are a lot cheaper during the week!!
Fancy sharing a room Rich to avoid the £30.00 single supp?

 

[Smiffy]

I'm sure Louise would be up for that, got plenty of friends at Parkstone too so could get signed on there which would make it a cheap weekend. Have you not played Parkstone before? Huge amount of work taken place in the last 3 or 4 years, it's a cracking day out now :thup:

I haven't mate. Could be a goer at this rate. But as I say, I'm not looking at doing anything until about May/June. I'd love to be able to play in short sleeve shirt and get a bit of a tan.