forest vs brabazon

[hovis]

I waited a long time to play the arden as was really looking forward to it as i'd heard it rivaled or bettered the brabazon. The course was fantastic and in great Condition but imo it had nothing on the brab ( not even close). I know theres alot of belfry bashing folk about but am I on my own here?

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Certainly not on your own.

IMO the Arden course is possibly the most over-rated track in the Midlands. Back 9 is pretty good but first nine holes lack variety and definition.

Unlike many who knock the Brabazon I have played it in the 70's. 80's, 90's, 00's and more recently. During that time I have seen it mature from boggy farmland to a magnificently conditioned course.

It does not have many great holes but plenty of good holes e.g. 3rd, 9th, 12th & 16th.

It is unlikely that it will ever be a truly outstanding course but is far superior to the Arden.

 

[hovis]

It does not have many great holes but plenty of good holes e.g. 3rd, 9th, 12th & 16th.

Surely the 10th and 18th qualify as "great holes" they could do with getting rid of the 2nd and 11th though

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Surely the 10th and 18th qualify as "great holes" they could do with getting rid of the 2nd and 11th though

Not a massive fan of the 10th. To the club golfer it is a pretty easy 4; the difficulty only arises when average hitters get suckered into going for it. Agree with you on 18th.

Re; the 11th it is disappointing that changes didn't really work out.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Forest of Arden is a decent course but I think the Brabazon is overrated. Some good holes no doubt though.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

Have played both a few times, for me neither are particularly memorable, just ok courses, of the 2 I prefer the forest of Arden.

 

[Fish]

I agree with a lot of the comments made, I think the Braz is a bit of a slog and the Forest is overrated as a 'course', the back 9 offers far more than the front.

I place Beau Desert above both of them.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

I agree with a lot of the comments made, I think the Braz is a bit of a slog and the Forest is overrated as a 'course', the back 9 offers far more than the front.

I place Beau Desert above both of them.

Never played the brab but I do agree that Beau Desert is a far better course than Forest.

 

[mashleyR7]

I've played the Arden three times, two work events and once as a guest of Marriott Hotels and never really considered it as a good course. Thought it was Ok but not a top top course that I'd rush back to play again.

 

[Snelly]

Both pretty average courses in my view and I would find it hard to pick a favourite, probably the Belfry I would say. Little Aston is far better. Not played Beau Desert but I hear very good things.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Both pretty average courses in my view and I would find it hard to pick a favourite, probably the Belfry I would say. Little Aston is far better. Not played Beau Desert but I hear very good things.

Agree about both Little Aston & Beau Desert. Could also suggest Whittington Heath.

In every one of the above cases it is about mature courses on sandy soil compared with more modern, largely clay based courses.

 

[Duckster]

Went the the Arden earlier this year. It was ok. Agree about the back 9 being better then the front, but the most memorable thing was the deer running around. Not the golf course.

Personally I really like the Belfry, been many times and am going back there next year. I'm a fan of the 9th on the Brabazon, especially if the pin is back right. 18 is a great finishing hole though.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I waited a long time to play the arden as was really looking forward to it as i'd heard it rivaled or bettered the brabazon. The course was fantastic and in great Condition but imo it had nothing on the brab ( not even close). I know theres alot of belfry bashing folk about but am I on my own here?

I used to take my daughter there soon after it was built for ELGA coaching.
I thought the place looked awful.
One of the Large brothers was appointed course manager and he really turned round a flawed Alliss/Thomas early creation.
It took him a long time [10 years] to get it in decent condition.

Played it about 10 years ago and did not really look forward to it.
I was really surprised how well it played with a good variety of risk/reward holes.
The condition was superb [even on New Years Day]

 

[GB72]

I was not overly enamoured with the Arden course. Decent enough but even the deer were not a novelty to me as there are similar amounts on my home course. In fact some of the Arden did remind me of my home course which, as per previous posts, I would class as a decent course but in no way challenging to top 200.

As for the Brabazon, I really need to play that again. I played it at a big GM organised meet when I was playing off 27 and probably had no place on that course. I was doing my best to hack it around but it was a long slow round and I really did not have any sort of game to assess the quality or not of where I was playing. Add to that having the marshalls up my backside for much of the round because it was a slow day and we were the back markers and my enjoyment was sullied. Would love to try it again now I am a better golfer to see what I think.

 

[hovis]

I dont know why beu desert get such high ratings off folk. I find it average and way too short. The greens are soooooo undualted its a joke. But I do play it 3 times a month so perhaps its just lost its shine