courses near gatwick

[viking72]

Hello gents.

I'm up to work at Gatwick for a couple of months now in the wintertime. Does any of you have any recommendations of good courses to play near the airport. I'm a medium handicapper so it doesn't have to be to fancy. It could also be nice to play a simulator indoors if it's get to wet outside
Thanks

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Redhill & Reigate is reasonably priced

 

[Smiffy]

Redhill & Reigate is reasonably priced

Bit far away from Gatwick Homer.
I would suggest Copthorne if you want to go to a private club, or if you don't mind municipal golf then Tilgate Forest.
You also have the two courses at Cottesmore not far away but I would guess all of them will be a bit muddy with the recent weather we've had.
Unfortunately there aren't that many around that area that drain well.

 

[alansd]

If you are willing to drive for about 20 mins there are a few which drain well.
Check out Cuddington, Epsom, Banstead Downs, Tyrrells wood. I play at Cuddington and we haven't lost a day due to rain, even yesterday when it lashed it down all day there was no standing water. Epsom will be on normal greens but have some mats instead of tees but Cuddington is on full greens and tees. Which one you play will just depend on times and how much you are willing to spend and if you are willing to travel that bit further. It is pricey round this way but unless there is a deep frost or snow we are able to play as a lot of the courses are on chalk so drain superbly

Hope this helps

 

[viking72]

Thanks fellows.

This was useful, in Norway most of the courses is closed now so it's a nice bonus just to play outside at this time of the year, even if it's a littlebit wet. Another question: Do we need to book tee times or is it room for "drop in" at this time?

 

[JustOne]

I live near Gatwick and there isn't a course within 20 miles that I'd be brave enough to suggest to play.... any of the local ones could easily be a total bog after the rains.

 

[viking72]

I guess we try one of the locals first and evaluate after that. I guess most serious courses close if they are soaked unless money is the main thing

 

[Oddsocks]

Tailgate forest gets my vote or royal ashdown, even the cheaper course has some very nice holes and drains pretty well

Your welcome up Farleigh which is about 25 mins from Gatwick, but it as wet at the moment

 

[JustOne]

Tilgate is a bog.. and a goat track apart from those beautiful Summer days when you fancy a walk in the woods. They also don't have a clubhouse as it burnt down.. so if you like 'portaloos' then it's for you

Chartham Park in East Grinstead might not be too bad.. but I've seen it really boggy in the past. Might be worth a try but if it's rubbish just pretend I never mentioned it

 

[Foxholer]

Royal Ashdown Forest (West?) is probably the closest course that won't be boggy - and pretty good value, though it's been agess (12 years at least) since I've been there - it was the 'Hotel' course then! The marginal British weather can actually make golf less enjoyable than simple snow that closes (and often - pink snow mould excepted!!! - protects) courses.

Another that is not an enormous distance and should be playable is The Addington - though tad 'up market'. In fact, I believe Winter is probably the best time to play that course (though again, quite a while since I've had the pleasure) - drains well, greens traditionally true and quick and you don't get the silly rolls that you get there in Summer. Having to land in the right (or left) rough to avoid ending up in the trees left (or bracken right) on a few holes rather ruins an otherwise fabulous experience - though the 'new' Head Greenkeeper stated they shared and were addressing that concern!

 

[ADB]

My course is about a 25 min drive from Gatwick, but is dry underfoot and on full greens.

 

[Smiffy]

If you don't mind driving 30 miles (it's a fast road so shouldn't take you too long) I can highly recommend East Brighton. I can guarantee that will be on proper greens which will be in superb condition and it drains so well the chances are your shoes will be completely mud free at the end of your round.
The only downside to playing there is that it is fairly exposed being on top of a hill, and if it is a little "breezy" at sea level you are going to get blown about a bit!!
But it is a very nice course, with a good variety of holes and a guarantee of a game. Not expensive either.