Qwerty
Tour Winner
How was the course Louise? I haven't played it but I believe its well worth a trip.
Fast greens anyone?
- Thread starter louise_a
- Start date
louise_a
Money List Winner
its well worth a visit, its not up to Pleasington in my opinion, but one of the girls I played with yesterday says its her favourite course in Lancashire and she has played a lot of different courses.
Qwerty
Tour Winner
Ive heard similar reviews Louise, heard many say its absolutely superb.. Best inland in lancs etc.
I'll have to make the effort and get up there for a game. I think LBs played it.
I'll have to make the effort and get up there for a game. I think LBs played it.
Foxholer
Blackballed
Another in total agreement with this!
I've recently played on greens measured at 13 and once on even faster - and they were a joy to putt on. They were, however, generally pretty flat/subtle breaks. Craigielaw's buried elephants were around 11 for the first year in proper use, which was 'fun' at times on certain greens, though plenty of flattish pin positions were normally available.
I know a couple of courses where certain greens could be made virtually unplayable even with quite 'normal' green speeds!
Dan2501
Tour Winner
I love Lancaster, so many great holes, and some of the views are spectacular. The par 3's all have something about them, other than the shortest, which is just a bump down with a pitching wedge, but all the others are really challenging, and make you think. I love the 9th, though rarely play it well. That's a real tactical hole, you have to get your tee shot into a good position, otherwise it's impossible to get over the water and attack the green with your 2nd. I've seen quite a few people go for it from a bad position on that hole, and drop shots. Then the 18th is a superb finishing hole, such a challenging tee shot, and one that is so easy to drop shots on.
NWJocko
Tour Winner
They were treacle slow all last week Louise, not sure if they were doing that to cut/roll/iron them for the weekend but they were as slow as I've played them when out for a few holes last week.
Seem to be able to speed them up at will for big comps etc. Not sure how but its very impressive!
louise_a
Money List Winner
I surprised myself on the 9th, my drive ran out of fairway and was in the rough just short of the ditch, hit it to 8 feet but needless to say missed my downhill birdie putt, however one of my partners however drained her 30 feet downhill putt for a birdie!
Happily hit the 18th from the tee too.
I think the 17th is a cracking hole but not too many others really stuck in my mind.
Fyldewhite
Tour Winner
I'd rate Lancaster alongside Clitheroe, Pleasington and possibly Preston as the best inland Lancashire courses. All are pretty similar undulating parkland and usually in great condition. Everyone would have their own preference but there's not much between them IMO.
louise_a
Money List Winner
My memories of playing Preston once before are good, I am playing there this afternoon so it will be good to get an immediate comparison with Lancaster.
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
I have to be honest I never understand this approach, making greens play differently in comps to how they do day in day out. Be far more impressive to me at least if courses have consistently good greens for as much of the year as possible not just quick ones on a handful of days a year
NWJocko
Tour Winner
I would agree with you. Its only happened twice this year.
Once for a big amateur comp they went from usual quick to scary quick.
Last week they let them grow (maybe maintenance related I don't know) but by the Saturday morning they were back to the usual.
Should probably have been clearer, all other times this year they have been the same for comps and in the week.
Junior
Tour Winner
I heard the greenkeepers at Preston and Lancaster are good mates and have a competition between themselves each year to see who can get the greens the quickest!
The first time I went to the Grove it said the putting green was running at 11.9. Never played anything that fast and promptly putted it straight off the other side. It took some getting use to. The ones at Blackmoor were pretty slick last time I played too, especially the 18th but they were perfectly playable, even with a huge slope on the 18th
Foxholer
Blackballed
I'm another that would challenge a sudden change of speed. No problem with a 'build up', but to suddenly change is wrong imo. Not only does it unbalance things for the comp, but I feel I'm being 'cheated' for the times when they are less than optimum speed.
Of those 2 courses that ran at 13, one was setting up for a Euro Ladies tournament, so fair enough, but the other had them running at 11-12 for the couple of weeks or more either side of that tournament too - so club members got the benefit as well.
Oddsocks
Ryder Cup Winner
Was speaking to a member of royal Aberdeen this year when we went to the open there a he said they had slowed the greens down compared with normal pace as they didn't want to destroy the players confidence before playing the main open the following week
From this I would say they can be to fast.
From this I would say they can be to fast.
garyinderry
Ryder Cup Winner
Played Preston on Monday. Greens quick and true. Loved it.
Boo who. We amateurs are going to have differing speeds with greens. Its pretty obvious how they are playing that day. Putting green. Look at how tight they are cut and also how dry its been.
Quicker the better for me. Makes chipping that much easier. The quicker they are, just pop it on the green and it just keeps rolling towards the green.
