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Brabazon or The Grove?

Warbur

Warbur

Assistant Pro
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Nov 15, 2011
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Northampton
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I'm fortunate in that I've been asked to take some customers for a round at one of the above this summer (if summer ever arrives).

I've had a look on the websites and green fees seem to be similar (both around the £160 mark) but as I've no experience of either I don't know which one to go for.

I've heard that the Brabazon isn't quite as special as you'd imagine so I'm tempted towards the Grove but I'd appreciate your comments please ladies and gents?

Any other options that you'd think would be as good/better would also be welcome. We're all Northampton/Milton Keynes based.
 
Warbur said:
I'm fortunate in that I've been asked to take some customers for a round at one of the above this summer (if summer ever arrives).

I've had a look on the websites and green fees seem to be similar (both around the £160 mark) but as I've no experience of either I don't know which one to go for.

I've heard that the Brabazon isn't quite as special as you'd imagine so I'm tempted towards the Grove but I'd appreciate your comments please ladies and gents?

Any other options that you'd think would be as good/better would also be welcome. We're all Northampton/Milton Keynes based.
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Is Woburn too close to home?
 
Brabazon. Equal course but the Brab has the Ryder Cup history which may just impress your customers.
 
Yep, got to be Woburn. Although not sure of summer green fee. But has to be in that region.

But if a choice of Brabazon or Grove. I'd go Grove.
 
I would go Marquess, but if that is too near home, and you want either Brabazon or Grove, I would go Grove.

The Brabazon has the history, such as it is, but for my money the course is mostly a boring slog punctuated by a few memorable, but not necessarily for the right reasons, holes with water.

The Grove is still in its infancy, but the basic layout is better overall, and it has some history too, as the venue of Tiger Woods only UK World Golf Championship win in 2006. The Grove is well suited to that corporate hospitality scene.
 
Thanks all.

I did wonder about Woburn but I've been lucky enough to play the courses there a few times (plus I've the forum meet to look forward to later this year) so, being selfish, I fancied playing somewhere else - particularly as someone else is paying :thup:

Interesting that quite a few are saying that you feel Woburn is better though.

I'll certainly look at the others that you've suggested Fundy, thankyou.
 
The grove. It's always in good knick, it's a nice layout, and they do the corporate bit well. The Brabazon is far from a two hole course, but it has a few fairly uninspired holes too.

The marquess doesn't really float my boat. I prefer the duchess at Woburn.
 
Yeah, nice course stoke park. Played there 2 weeks ago. Was in ok condition. Greens weren't great but should be fine by the summer.
 
Warbur said:
Or how about Stoke Park? It's only about 1 hour away so well within distance.

Any thoughts please?
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I played in a charity day at Stoke Park in November a couple of years ago. It was a wet day and had been a wet couple of months previous to it but the course was in great nick and the greens were superb. Comfortably the best I'd played on in the whole year. Never played the other two courses you asked about but loved Stoke Park and would highly recommend it.
 
Warbur said:
Or how about Stoke Park? It's only about 1 hour away so well within distance.

Any thoughts please?
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Most are likely to disagree I expect but the most over rated place Ive ever played golf (and the 2 you first asked about are in the running). Lovely clubhouse and setting but the course was just ok, nothing special for me, in good condition, but think there are better options
 
For £160 quid there are loads of places deemed better that either the grove or the belfry.

Personally I'd be looking at a proper golf club like the Berkshire, west hill etc. you can get on sunningdale new for £165, or you couldn't go wrong with bearwood lakes. I've not played the grove but the belfry is just too nouveau imo
 
fundy said:
Would take any of the 3 Woburn courses above the Grove or the Brabazon personally, could also consider Brocket Hall, the Buckinghamshire, Stapleford Park if going north
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Surprised you mention Stapleford Park. I have played it quite a bit as it is near me and you can often get on for under £30. I always find it a bit of a slog to get round. Not a bad course by any means just a bit uninspiring to me.
 
GB72 said:
Surprised you mention Stapleford Park. I have played it quite a bit as it is near me and you can often get on for under £30. I always find it a bit of a slog to get round. Not a bad course by any means just a bit uninspiring to me.
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Only been there once and was in the middle of summer, was in great condition and enjoyed it greatly, maybe a little biased because I played well lol. Quite sad though when thinking of 60 to 90 mins north of MK that it was the best I could think of (Northampton County the other but prob too local to Op) - wheres better GB72 (without getting as far north as Woodhall)?
 
fundy said:
Only been there once and was in the middle of summer, was in great condition and enjoyed it greatly, maybe a little biased because I played well lol. Quite sad though when thinking of 60 to 90 mins north of MK that it was the best I could think of (Northampton County the other but prob too local to Op) - wheres better GB72 (without getting as far north as Woodhall)?
Click to expand...

Not much to be honest, Stapleford is pretty much dead on 90 minutes north and the only other course that leaps for me is Luffenham Heath around here. Lots of 'decent' courses round here but nothing in the same League as Woburn etc until you hit Woodhall Spa. Some great courses around Nottingham from what I hear but not played many. How far is Beau Desert from MK, love that course.
 
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