Course Recommendations

[Vardon11LDN]

Myself and three friends played Woburn last week. We had an all-day ticket so got 30 holes in. We played the Marquis which was fantastic and then got 12 in on the Dukes before the light faded. The first 5-6 holes on the Dukes blew us all away. That part of the course is a tree lined valley. I would be really keen to hear of any other woodland courses in the South East that could be considered similar.

 

[spongebob59]

Always enjoyed Hemsted forest but haven't been there for a while, so can't vouch for the condition these days.

http://www.hemstedforest.co.uk

 

[VVega]

Having just played the Duchess' and the Duke's, I also loved the front 9 of the Duke's a lot. I'd certainly recommend the Duchess' as it's even tighter tree-lined.

Otherwise, I heard Thetford is similar (cut into the forrest) and has good greens.

How was the Marquis in the wet? I was told it's the wetter of the three and thought to wait a few weeks before giving it a go.

 

[Smiffy]

Always enjoyed Hemsted forest but haven't been there for a while, so can't vouch for the condition these days.

http://www.hemstedforest.co.uk

Hemsted is "okay" but with all due respect there is no way that you could considered it "similar to Woburn" as the OP is asking.
Woburn if fairly "unique" in having 3 predominantly parkland courses.
Most of the top venues down this way (with more than one course) tend to be a little more "heathland", along the lines of St Georges Hill, Walton Heath and The Berkshire, to name just three.
Foxhills, in Surrey has two courses, but if I were going there for the day I would choose to play the "Longcross" course twice rather than the other "Bernard Hunt" course.
I think the Longcross course is about as close as you are going to come to the Woburn experience without actually playing at Woburn.
http://www.foxhills.co.uk/golf/course-information/longcross
Just my opinion of course.

 

[Oddsocks]

Depends how tree lined you want it Alan. Like the approach to your second or more like the 4th in general

 

[Vardon11LDN]

Having just played the Duchess' and the Duke's, I also loved the front 9 of the Duke's a lot. I'd certainly recommend the Duchess' as it's even tighter tree-lined.

Otherwise, I heard Thetford is similar (cut into the forrest) and has good greens.

How was the Marquis in the wet? I was told it's the wetter of the three and thought to wait a few weeks before giving it a go.

It was a little bit soggy but it did not detract from the experience. Just a few wet areas really.

 

[Vardon11LDN]

Depends how tree lined you want it Alan. Like the approach to your second or more like the 4th in general

Baz, I like lots of trees, deep ones that you can't see the other side through! which is strange because I don't hit it straight enough.

 

[Foxholer]

Myself and three friends played Woburn last week. We had an all-day ticket so got 30 holes in. We played the Marquis which was fantastic and then got 12 in on the Dukes before the light faded. The first 5-6 holes on the Dukes blew us all away. That part of the course is a tree lined valley. I would be really keen to hear of any other woodland courses in the South East that could be considered similar.

Woburn really is rather unique! 3 really good courses and it's only really personal preference for style that separates them. I do, however, believe that you played the best part of Dukes, as some of the later holes seem a bit tame compared to the earlier ones. I think the Duchess is a fabulous course. It's not as tight as the impression the huge trees give, but if you want dense trees, that's the one to go for!

I wouldn't consider playing Foxhills except between May and very early October unless there has been no rain! It gets far too soggy after rain as it's almost completely clay based!

The Bernard Hunt is the tougher course but both have great finishing stretches. Longcross is much tighter, though has been opened up considerably to help dry it out. Not up to Duchess standard, either in quality of course, nor density of trees, but certainly passable if the price i right. Does pretty good deals through Golfbreaks but bars/food can close very early!

 

[massivebelterlad]

Worplesdon is fantastic

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Worplesdon is fantastic

Yes but not exactly tree lined. A lot of the heathland tracks are taking out trees by the hundreds right now. Only 'forest' course I can think of down this way is Remedy Oak but maybe further west than the Op is looking for.

 

[paddyc]

Not in the south east but Kings Lynn may be worth considering if you really want mature tree lined courses. Does not quite meet Woburn quality bit significantly cheaper. Have not played there for a good few years but always in great shape. I think they do a twilight summer rate of £20. From Bromley its a two drive though.

 

[Oddsocks]

Baz, I like lots of trees, deep ones that you can't see the other side through! which is strange because I don't hit it straight enough.

Blackmoor!

Rich and hawkeye are members

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Brocket Hall

 

[Big Bandito]

+1 for Brocket Hall although a birdie tells me it's not in it's usual A1 condition right now. Another alternative in the area is The Hertfordshire.

 

[Vardon11LDN]

Brocket Hall

Great, playing there next week!

 

[Bratty]

Liphook has a good few trees and is rather nice.
The Addington would also be worth a look.

 

[spongebob59]

Swinley ?

 

[fundy]

+1 for Brocket Hall although a birdie tells me it's not in it's usual A1 condition right now. Another alternative in the area is The Hertfordshire.

Not sure Id compare the Hertfordshire with either course at Brocket Hall lol

As for Brocket, from what youve said the Palmerston (more tree lined) would suit you better than the Melbourne (more water) albeit it will depend which course is the visitors course the day you are playing I expect (unless youre with a member). As for condition, I believe theyve been closing the Palmerston as much as possible through the wet conditions so that should be in excellent condition, the Melbourne more likely to have had traffic but still in decent nick Im told

 

[ADB]

Liphook has a good few trees and is rather nice.
The Addington would also be worth a look.

He's a member there judging from the sig

I would go Brocket Palmerston, certainly the front 9 is what you are after

 

[Vardon11LDN]

Not sure Id compare the Hertfordshire with either course at Brocket Hall lol

As for Brocket, from what youve said the Palmerston (more tree lined) would suit you better than the Melbourne (more water) albeit it will depend which course is the visitors course the day you are playing I expect (unless youre with a member). As for condition, I believe theyve been closing the Palmerston as much as possible through the wet conditions so that should be in excellent condition, the Melbourne more likely to have had traffic but still in decent nick Im told

Playing both next week so I will report back on the conditions