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Cotswolds and Oxon info

IanM

IanM

Journeyman Pro
Joined
May 18, 2009
Messages
14,620
Location
Monmouthshire, UK via Guildford!
www.newportgolfclub.org.uk
Going to do a mini trip with my regular 4 ball in July. They are all too tight to play big names so I thought get them to Oxfordshire for some value.

Recent info appreciated

I'm thinking Burford. Havent been for years, is it still good? Greens used to be top notch.

Is the Cotswold Country Club what I would have known as Chipping Norton GC? Might stay there if can get a decent deal. Any good these days.

Assume Frilford and Tadmarton still good??

Or Heythrop. Stayed there on the 80s when it was Nat West Training College. What's that like?

Thoughts appreciated!!
 
Frilford is excellent, all 3 courses are, Tadmarton also great but in a different more homely way (always love playing there). Burford has always been good. Further down Studley Wood is a decent track (albeit gets a lot of traffic). Yes Cotswold Country Club is what used to be Chippy, not been there since it changed.
 
Agree that Burford is always in good nick, but I always found it a boring course with no standout holes. I would look for more interesting corses to play on your trip, plenty of them around
 
Ian, like you, I stayed at Heythrop several times when NatWest owned it. Haven't played there but a friend of mine has and said you really needed a buggy as there are a lot of long walks from greens to the next tee. He thought the course was OK, but it was a few years ago when it had only been open a short while.

My old club Wrag Barn might be worth a look too. Lovely course and continues to be improved year on year.
 
Neilds said:
Agree that Burford is always in good nick, but I always found it a boring course with no standout holes. I would look for more interesting corses to play on your trip, plenty of them around
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He he, I suggested similar a few years back and was lynched!
 
I think generally the area has a number of solid/decent places and it will mainly come down to player preferences.
Frilford is a cut above, but likely only value if playing more than 18 holes. IMO it's strength is in the damper months compared to surrounding courses.

You asked about Heythrop. Apparently the hotel is due to re-open in August. Right now the clubhouse is closed for refurbishment and although the course is fine things are a tad rough around the edges. Maybe check nearer the time.

If your group did come it would likely be memorable. That could be for the interesting holes, design - or it could be for being tired if not used to the walk, and being 'beaten up' if not on your game. You'd likely be fine to play from the white/comp tees if your thing.

In addition to those mentioned could add The Wychwood and maybe Kirtlington. I think @Fragger has had society days at both.
 
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IanM said:
Going to do a mini trip with my regular 4 ball in July. They are all too tight to play big names so I thought get them to Oxfordshire for some value.

Recent info appreciated

I'm thinking Burford. Havent been for years, is it still good? Greens used to be top notch.

Is the Cotswold Country Club what I would have known as Chipping Norton GC? Might stay there if can get a decent deal. Any good these days.

Assume Frilford and Tadmarton still good??

Or Heythrop. Stayed there on the 80s when it was Nat West Training College. What's that like?

Thoughts appreciated!!
Click to expand...

Ian - I worked for NatWest for 34 years and attended a couple of training courses at Heythrop in the late 80s and early 90s. At the time i had only just got into golf so didnt actually play the course - when the Bank owned it was it just 9 holes?
I see the lovely building and grounds are now owned by a hotel group - cant remember exactly when the bank ceased using the site and obviously eventually sold it.
Rich
 
My society is playing Burford soon - though I’m not as it clashes with a course I’m playing close to the Surrey / Berkshire border at the end of the month ? — I’ll let you know what’s their general opinion of it

Broadway GC isn’t amazing by any stretch but it’s enjoyable enough and got great views and is in a beautiful area to base yourself
 
If you want to try something a little different, Cleeve Hill GC near Cheltenham is worth considering.
 
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