Fri-Sun Golf Break for 12 - Recommendations Please

[mab]

Morning all,

I have the honour of arranging the annual golf tournament for myself and 11 pals later in the year. We have recently increased the tournament duration from 2 to 3 days and we follow a Ryder Cup style format, so Celtic Manor was the obvious choice... but they are unable to accommodate our preferred dates in and around September. :-(

Can you recommend any quality alternatives?

We're looking for good courses with nice local pubs nearby, and preferably walking as opposed to driving from accommodation to tee each morning (although that's not mandatory). It also would be good to play 2 or 3 different courses as opposed to the same course 3 times.

Given we have to play Fri, Sat and Sun whilst weekend member competitions may still be in full swing, I'm not sure of the best options.

Thoughts welcome and appreciated.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Whats your budget as that should give us a clue what to suggest.

 

[Marshy77]

we played and stayed at Portal last year but guess from where you live you want to go somewhere else. We also did Carden but no pub local.

Hollins Hall, Bradford might be ok but only one course. Close to Shipley, Guiseley and Otley for nights out.

 

[ColchesterFC]

Without suggesting any one place in particular you might be best looking at resort style golf hotels where they are more geared up for visitors rather than a members club that is likely to have comps on and restrict when you can play. Have a look at some of the golf breaks companies websites to give you an idea of what's available to narrow down your options and give you an idea of prices. Plus some of them will have deals on like 1 in 12 go free if you book with them which will help keep costs lower.

 

[Hacker Khan]

My boring stock answer is Woodhall Spa. They have 2 courses so the members play one course on the Saturday and the other is open to visitors, and then they swap round and the members play the other on the Sunday. At least that's what they did when I went.

As for local pubs then Woodhall Spa hasn't got a huge choice, but The Petwood Hotel is highly recommended but you'll have to drive to the course. But it's minutes away at most.

Otherwise I know Golfbreaks do city trips where you stay in a city centre and play some courses. Up side is lots of bars/pubs, downside is a drive to the courses. Plus the hotel we stayed in in Leeds when we did one of these was on the main drag, so we got about 2 hours sleep at most between the bars that were pumping out music closing at 4am and the street cleaners making noise at 6am.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

My boring stock answer is Woodhall Spa. They have 2 courses so the members play one course on the Saturday and the other is open to visitors, and then they swap round and the members play the other on the Sunday. At least that's what they did when I went.

As for local pubs then Woodhall Spa hasn't got a huge choice, but The Petwood Hotel is highly recommended but you'll have to drive to the course. But it's minutes away at most.

.

Yes that's what happens. One course is always for members and one is always for visitors. The Inn in Woodhall Spa is now open and that's not bad either.

 

[njc1973]

The Belfry would be a good bet, North Wales for somewhere not too far, Woburn/Gullane for somewhere bit more expensive. A group of us are having a 3 night break in October to Southport playing Birkdale, Formby & Hillside, costing about £500 including ferry across.

Theres loads of places that have at least 2 courses on site, I'd look through the golf holiday websites & find the place you like best then check the reviews to make sure there is some nightlife nearby.

 

[full_throttle]

if you don't mind the travel, Monmouth and the surrounding area is good place to look, two courses and then a choice on the way home Ross On Wye or South Herefordshire

 

[patricks148]

St Andrews.

5 courses right in the town, loads of pubs and restaurants, what more coulf you ask for

 

[Waitforme]

East coast of Scotland .... there really are some gems

 

[Duckster]

Belfry?

If you fancy a bit of organising yourself then you could have a look at doing Scotland. We've done Silloth on the way up, then carry on to the hotel in Dumfries, played Dumfries & County the next day and then last day came back via Southerness. Realise that it doesn't fit your park up, leave car kind of trip but Silloth and Southerness are both top courses and D&C's not bad either.

You could even look at doing St Andrews as you can book online for all the other courses apart from the Old Course or sort out one round on the links and arrange digs at The Fairmont as they have two courses.

Leeds was also a good one with Moortown, Allwoodley etc... again, means driving to the courses each day but you get top nights out there.

 

[Essex_Stu]

Gleneagles might of been a good shout if the ryder cup wasnt on

 

[IanG]

East coast of Scotland .... there really are some gems

South West coast of Scotland .... there really are some gems

 

[standrew]

Did the belfry via your golf travel.great weekend and got a good deal for 7 of us.

 

[jchubs]

Morning all,

I have the honour of arranging the annual golf tournament for myself and 11 pals later in the year. We have recently increased the tournament duration from 2 to 3 days and we follow a Ryder Cup style format, so Celtic Manor was the obvious choice... but they are unable to accommodate our preferred dates in and around September. :-(


Can you recommend any quality alternatives?

We're looking for good courses with nice local pubs nearby, and preferably walking as opposed to driving from accommodation to tee each morning (although that's not mandatory). It also would be good to play 2 or 3 different courses as opposed to the same course 3 times.

Given we have to play Fri, Sat and Sun whilst weekend member competitions may still be in full swing, I'm not sure of the best options.

Thoughts welcome and appreciated.

Hi, I can put some ideas together for you should you want me to.. for 12 guys going for 2 nights, I can normally put some decent prizes your way also.. drop me a pm and we can discuss...

 

[RobertB]

left field...

Liverpool-Derry with nice Ryanair (!) .... leaving thursday evening, returning sunday evening.....

hire 3/4 cars..... base yourselves in Derry - Portrush & Ballyliffin (or both courses) and/or then a choice of Portstewart, North West, Rosapenna, PortSalon....

 

[Qwerty]

Great Courses, Bars & restuarants and always a great atmosphere around the town....

You can't beat St Andrews :thup:

 

[mab]

Wow - a lot to go at there. Thanks chaps.

I consciously left out some info as I didn't want to influence your recommendations. Price is not number 1 priority so we can be fairly flexible, but the location would ideally be within 3.5 hours drive of both London and Manchester... although the Scotland suggestions really do have me thinking.

I'll mull over a few of your suggestions.

For reference, we've been doing 2 day trips (Sat / Sun) for around 10 years, so we're familiar with the Golfbreaks 'golf resort' style apprach, but I would like recommendations from those of you that have first hand experience of what you consider to be a quality package.

 

[mab]

My boring stock answer is Woodhall Spa.

I think we have a winner.

Any feedback on the courses? I understand the Hotchkin in particular is an excellent course.

Also, any feedback on the local village from those who have been recently? I understand there are a few restaurants and pubs / bars which seems to contradict what you mention above re: limited selection.

Ps. We'd stay at the Inn.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

I think we have a winner.

Any feedback on the courses? I understand the Hotchkin in particular is an excellent course.

Also, any feedback on the local village from those who have been recently? I understand there are a few restaurants and pubs / bars which seems to contradict what you mention above re: limited selection.

Ps. We'd stay at the Inn.

PM me if you need to know anything. You will love it.