Clubs around Bristol / Bath area

[MrGrumtastic]

I'm looking to join a club in the Bristol / Bath area next year and wondered if anyone had any recommendations.

I used to play a bit when I was younger, but life got in the way. I've picked the game up again in the last year or so and am currently playing off around 26. With young family and a full time job, I don't get to play all that often, so getting good value is definitely a consideration.

Clubs that I'm mainly considering at the moment are:
- Saltford
- Stockwood Vale
- Farrington Park

These are all either easy to get to from home or on my commute. I'd certainly look at others nearby if they come with good recommendations though.

Can anyone help me out?

 

[MendieGK]

Come join the Players. Their flexible membership scheme helps reduce the cost significantly when not playing (they have a lot of options). 2 courses, fantastic practice facilities and real modern laid back attitude

 

[MrGrumtastic]

Come join the Players. Their flexible membership scheme helps reduce the cost significantly when not playing (they have a lot of options). 2 courses, fantastic practice facilities and real modern laid back attitude

Thanks for the tip, the county option looks interesting there. Might be worth considering that just for the odd round.

I live just out to the South of Bath though, so it's not quite as handy as I was hoping for when I only have two or three hours to get out.

 

[MendieGK]

Thanks for the tip, the county option looks interesting there. Might be worth considering that just for the odd round.

I live just out to the South of Bath though, so it's not quite as handy as I was hoping for when I only have two or three hours to get out.

Cumberwell does a similar points scheme worth looking into then

 

[trevor]

I love Farrington golf club, it's got the lot, 18 and 9 hole courses, fabulous practice facilities and a good indoor driving range. Can't compare it to the other 2 though, don't know them.
I nearly joined there last year when they had no joining fee and 15 month for 12 offer but the travelling time was 40 mins against 20 where I am now.

 

[Dogma]

I'm a member of Saltford.

Thoroughly enjoy it, and it's a decent price

Can't comment on Farrington, but I have two mates that are members of Stockwood and they moan about not being able to get a tee time on a Saturday or Sunday morning. And when I've been up there, I haven't been impressed to be honest by the quality of the holes or the condition.

 

[MrGrumtastic]

I'm a member of Saltford.

Thoroughly enjoy it, and it's a decent price

Can't comment on Farrington, but I have two mates that are members of Stockwood and they moan about not being able to get a tee time on a Saturday or Sunday morning. And when I've been up there, I haven't been impressed to be honest by the quality of the holes or the condition.

That's good to know about tee times at Stockwood. I guess it's because the visitors' green fees are cheaper there so is more likely to get booked up. After all, that's why I've played a couple of rounds at Stockwood but not Saltford!

 

[MrGrumtastic]

I love Farrington golf club, it's got the lot, 18 and 9 hole courses, fabulous practice facilities and a good indoor driving range. Can't compare it to the other 2 though, don't know them.
I nearly joined there last year when they had no joining fee and 15 month for 12 offer but the travelling time was 40 mins against 20 where I am now.

I've played Farrington a couple of times and the 9 hole a few times too and agree it's a nice setup there. Prefer the feel of the place to Stockwood for sure.

 

[BristolMike]

Stockwood would definitely be bottom of that list for me. Does saltford have a few drainage issues? I remember trying to play a while ago and the course was closed but most other places were open. Knowle is 5 mins from stockwood and is really nice

 

[Dogma]

They've addressed the drainage issues at Saltford.

We're open at the moment for example, with only one temporary.

We have a Summer and a Winter course at Saltford, to protect our signature holes (17th and 18th) during the winter when they get wet as they sit in a valley.

They turn a long Par 5 in to a Par 3 and a Par 4 (with a proper green that's tended to all year round) and have an 18th drop hole made to the side of the Summer 17th.

Winter course is in play November to March normally and doesn't detract from a decent round of golf

We have a new covered range as well and have our specialist shirt game area (bunkers and a few short holes) opening in the Spring.

 

[Dogma]

Knowle is lovely by the way, but has worse drainage than Saltford.

It's closed at the moment and they don't think it'll be open until the New Year

 

[BristolMike]

They've addressed the drainage issues at Saltford.

We're open at the moment for example, with only one temporary.

We have a Summer and a Winter course at Saltford, to protect our signature holes (17th and 18th) during the winter when they get wet as they sit in a valley.

They turn a long Par 5 in to a Par 3 and a Par 4 (with a proper green that's tended to all year round) and have an 18th drop hole made to the side of the Summer 17th.

Winter course is in play November to March normally and doesn't detract from a decent round of golf

We have a new covered range as well and have our specialist shirt game area (bunkers and a few short holes) opening in the Spring.

Always good when courses that are known to be nice sort their issues out. Sounds like it’s set up for year round play now

 

[MrGrumtastic]

Thanks for all the help! I'm leaning towards Saltford at the moment but haven't played there yet, so will try to play a round there early in the New Year to check it out.

 

[Doodle]

Hi.
I live in north Bristol.
As others have said, Stockwood wouldn't be my choice.
Saltford is an excellent club, with great practice facilities if a little boggy in the winter.
Farrington is a nice, but long & quite difficult course which is boggy in winter & a bit of a drive from anywhere.

My recommendation if you live in Bath would be Kingsdown.
A lovely interesting course with superb drainage, which makes it playable all year round.

The best course in Bristol in my opinion is The Kendleshire, it's a course I love playing, but I wouldn't join as it's not a members club.

 

[Dogma]

I used to be a member of Kendleshire.

Lovely course with great facilities.

Just a shame you could never get a tee time at a reasonable time at the weekend unless you were in certain 'circles'.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Cumberwell does a similar points scheme worth looking into then

I didn't play Cumberwell but had a meeting there and was very impressed with the set up and facilities.

 

[Neilds]

I know a few Cumberwell members and play there quite often. On the plus side, 4 9 hole courses which you can mix and match so plenty of variety- and a great par 3 course as well. On the down side, really suffers in the wet and they keep all 4 courses open instead of, in my opinion, rotating them to spread the wear and tear

 

[MendieGK]

I know a few Cumberwell members and play there quite often. On the plus side, 4 9 hole courses which you can mix and match so plenty of variety- and a great par 3 course as well. On the down side, really suffers in the wet and they keep all 4 courses open instead of, in my opinion, rotating them to spread the wear and tear

Everytime I play there I’ve been disappointed with the condition. I’ve a mate whose got points memberships at players and cumberwell, and he said cumberwell only get the greens any good for the europro event

 

[Doodle]

Re Cumberwell.
I concur, lovely course & facilities, but it suffers Nov - March.
That's why I suggested Kingsdown, as it's usually playable all year.
Other options are Chipping Sodbury / Filton / Bath (Sham Castle) / Henbury.

 

[BristolMike]

Re Cumberwell.
I concur, lovely course & facilities, but it suffers Nov - March.
That's why I suggested Kingsdown, as it's usually playable all year.
Other options are Chipping Sodbury / Filton / Bath (Sham Castle) / Henbury.

I played Henbury a couple of weeks ago, it was holding up really well. A few matts and wet in patches, but good still