GM Top 100 courses

[Val]

Alwoodley is just cracking. Best course in Leeds by miles. The twilight offer in the summer is the best deal unless your a cat 1 golfer playing the Yorkshire order of merit. It's defo worthy of a forum meet next year.

Midweek and twilight, sounds good to me

 

[pbrown7582]

Midweek and twilight, sounds good to me

Twlight is same weekday or weekend

 

[Liverbirdie]

What makes you say that? I think there is not much between them personally on the course but think Wallasey does shade it for variation. The clubhouse at West Lancs is horrible but a decent size and the welcome we got as an outing was shocking, it does have a far superior practice facility though. Wallasey has a good clubhouse, a very welcoming pro and bar staff, food ain't bad either, do West Lancs offer a cheese board?

For the 20/100 marks for the off field/atmosphere/club house etc, Wallasey wins hands down.

For the course only, Wallasey's best holes are a good bit better. West Lancs lesser holes are stronger than Wallasey. Overall I think West Lancs is tougher but generally better than Wallasey, but not even a full 1 out of 10 better, more a quarter. Some don't like the mid back 9 holes at West Lancs, but I like them ones, as the trees give it a bit of difference.

If Wallasey's flat holes were also in the dunes and with elevation changes, it would be a top 5 UK course. The flatness of 6 of the holes, just take away from it slightly.

When we played West Lancs with the forum, 2 holes were shortened, but I've played it from the whites when fully open and its a very good course.

Oh yes, at Wallasey you don't get chutney with the cheeseboard and it's through the tunnel!

 

[Val]

For the 20/100 marks for the off field/atmosphere/club house etc, Wallasey wins hands down.

For the course only, Wallasey's best holes are a good bit better. West Lancs lesser holes are stronger than Wallasey. Overall I think West Lancs is tougher but generally better than Wallasey, but not even a full 1 out of 10 better, more a quarter. Some don't like the mid back 9 holes at West Lancs, but I like them ones, as the trees give it a bit of difference.

If Wallasey's flat holes were also in the dunes and with elevation changes, it would be a top 5 UK course. The flatness of 6 of the holes, just take away from it slightly.

When we played West Lancs with the forum, 2 holes were shortened, but I've played it from the whites when fully open and its a very good course.

Oh yes, at Wallasey you don't get chutney with the cheeseboard and it's through the tunnel!

Fair assesment even if i dont agree

I really need another hit at WL.

For me Wallasey loses it at 6 + 7 then that horrible 10th hole which is a nothing hole. I really can't fault the rest,
1st 4 holes are superb,
a nice straight forward opener to a semi hidden green
a beast of a 2nd responsible for stableford
tough short par 4 3rd premium on accuracy off the tee and club selection to an elevated green
the view off the 4th as good as you'll see anywhere
6+7 ive covered earlier, not great
8 is a second shot hole, tight wee green off a good dogleg
9th proves par 3's dont need to be long, similarly the 12th
10th yuck
11th is my favourite, similar to the 3rd
back to back par 5's running beside each other and totally different from each other on 13 + 14, great holes and tough if the wind is up,
15 messes with your head with that second shot
16 is a beast especially with wind 1
7 is mental just hit it long, twice and sometimes 3 time
18th is a cracking finish, great view, large green right in front of the clubhouse patio.

I'm obviously a bit biased but objective with it, 3 poor holes in 18 aint bad especially when the good ones wouldn't look out of place at any top links.

 

[Liverbirdie]

Fair assesment even if i dont agree

I really need another hit at WL.

For me Wallasey loses it at 6 + 7 then that horrible 10th hole which is a nothing hole. I really can't fault the rest,
1st 4 holes are superb,
a nice straight forward opener to a semi hidden green
a beast of a 2nd responsible for stableford
tough short par 4 3rd premium on accuracy off the tee and club selection to an elevated green
the view off the 4th as good as you'll see anywhere
6+7 ive covered earlier, not great
8 is a second shot hole, tight wee green off a good dogleg
9th proves par 3's dont need to be long, similarly the 12th
10th yuck
11th is my favourite, similar to the 3rd
back to back par 5's running beside each other and totally different from each other on 13 + 14, great holes and tough if the wind is up,
15 messes with your head with that second shot
16 is a beast especially with wind 1
7 is mental just hit it long, twice and sometimes 3 time
18th is a cracking finish, great view, large green right in front of the clubhouse patio.

I'm obviously a bit biased but objective with it, 3 poor holes in 18 aint bad especially when the good ones wouldn't look out of place at any top links.

I don't mind 10 actually, I don't think I've played many holes that are like it, so I like it for that, and its always funny to see some people's chips run back past them.......

Wallasey is not far off perfection for 12 holes, and some may say that the flat holes are to give you a break, but if them other 6 kept the same standard it would be awesome. Truly.

You know me, I don't generally look for "weak" holes to criticise, and I'm not criticising Wallasey as it is on my list of possibles to join, but for the course only I think West Lancs is slightly consistently stronger throughout, although could also do with a bit more elevation changes to improve it.

 

[Val]

I don't mind 10 actually, I don't think I've played many holes that are like it, so I like it for that, and its always funny to see some people's chips run back past them.......

Wallasey is not far off perfection for 12 holes, and some may say that the flat holes are to give you a break, but if them other 6 kept the same standard it would be awesome. Truly.

You know me, I don't generally look for "weak" holes to criticise, and I'm not criticising Wallasey as it is on my list of possibles to join, but for the course only I think West Lancs is slightly consistently stronger throughout, although could also do with a bit more elevation changes to improve it.

I know mate, im in the preference for elevation changes mould too but the more I play these flatter holes the more i appreciate them, they rarely play the same way.

Always good to hear other genuine impartial views.

 

[Liverbirdie]

I know mate, im in the preference for elevation changes mould too but the more I play these flatter holes the more i appreciate them, they rarely play the same way.

Always good to hear other genuine impartial views.

Is right, I mean it's not as clear as the Hillside is well better than Formby debate, is it?

 

[garyinderry]

i like the 10th at Wallasey. the only other hole I have played that is similar is the 9th at moyola park in n.ireland. massive big climb to the green. I find it really hard to hold this green and get the correct height. always a challenge in clubbing and trajectory.

apparently it was seve's favourite hole when he played the course.

 

[Qwerty]

That 10th at Wallasey has tripped me up the both times I've played it.
Good tee shot then under clubbed up the hill both times
Is there a worse shot in golf, especially when you've hit it well just to see that ball trickling back towards you :rofl:

I don't know the the stroke index but on paper it should be a piece of cake. Good hole though.. A little different and certainly gets you thinking.

 

[Fish]

I'd like to play West Lancs again as I played it slightly shortened but still enjoyed it, especially the front 9. The mid holes were ok although a couple were blind tee shots I think. There's just something about Wallasey that makes you love it even if it chews you up.

Playing Formby Ladies next Wednesday for the first time, heard good things

 

[Junior]

Is right, I mean it's not as clear as the Hillside is well better than Formby debate, is it?

Steady ......i thought we had settled that Formby was better....

I need to play West Lancs again and in the Summer to appreciate it. Not fare to judge on a round in mid Winter on a shortened course.

Wallasey imo is on par with Aberdovey and a miles better course than Moortown.

 

[Qwerty]

No doubt Andy.. Formby was the winner
looks like the next question is wallasey or West lancs? I'd say wallasey as west lancs is just too tough for the club golfer and the steak pie and chips at Wallasey are superb!

Thats the tester although you can't see the drop off.

 

[Fish]

No doubt Andy.. Formby was the winner
looks like the next question is wallasey or West lancs? I'd say wallasey as west lancs is just too tough for the club golfer and the steak pie and chips at Wallasey are superb!

Thats the tester although you can't see the drop off.

I don't think I've putted out on the 10th yet, maybe once!

I agree, I think West Lancs is more testing and less forgiveable but a great experience all the same, Wallasey just has it all from the minute you take your clubs out the boot to putting them back in and everything in-between, West Lancs was very unsocial when we were all there but prepared to give the place a 2nd chance.

 

[Snelly]

Thanks, that's helpful in understanding how they are ranked. Further to other comments on this, I would be interested to see a list of the top 10 or 5 in each category. Any chance of that?

An excellent idea. I would like to see that too although I would think for the lesser categories, there are probably a few in equal first place as not enough marks to make them discernible.

 

[Liverbirdie]

No doubt Andy.. Formby was the winner
looks like the next question is wallasey or West lancs? I'd say wallasey as west lancs is just too tough for the club golfer and the steak pie and chips at Wallasey are superb!

Thats the tester although you can't see the drop off.

Baaaaa - youse are all sheep.

I think its hard to split them, as I said. Play West Lancs in the summer and judge it then.

It is definitely tougher, of that there is no doubt. Better will be subjective.

I don't think I've putted out on the 10th yet, maybe once!

I agree, I think West Lancs is more testing and less forgiveable but a great experience all the same, Wallasey just has it all from the minute you take your clubs out the boot to putting them back in and everything in-between, West Lancs was very unsocial when we were all there but prepared to give the place a 2nd chance.

Your right Fish, the "club" at Wallasey is a lot better in comparison to WL (their club house looks like Grange Hill), although Wallasey's locker room could do with an upgrade - you didn't build them when the joiners were on strike in the 70's did you?

 

[Snelly]

Of the Next 100 list, the ones that leap out to me as candidates for being inside the top 100 are Broadstone and North Hants. Possibly Ferndown, Lindrick and Royal Ashdown too. All absolutely excellent golf courses. Of those I have played, these are the ones I would remove from the top 100 to make way: Sherwood Forest, Brabazon, Grove, Woburn Duchess, Worplesdon and Trevose. The latter two being the closest to call.

Again, entirely subjective and probably more of an indication of places I have personally enjoyed rather than a true reflection of which is best. For example, when I played Trevose, it was in very poor condition but I am sure this is an anomaly.

The Duchess is really tight (oo-er missus) and off the yellow tees, not a very good test of golf in my view as the landing areas are either a 6 iron away or too tight for a long club. Grove and Belfry? Not for me at all but I haven't ever found a new course that I really liked (and I have played a few including Loch Lomond), Bearwood Lakes being the exception that proves the rule.

Good fun to consider all this. One man's meat etc....

 

[Hacker Khan]

Hacker, what part of the world are you from if your having a lesson at Sherwood, it is the nearest golf course to me.

Are you sure Mansfield Golf Club is not closer but Sherwood Forest sounds a lot better I think you'd go a long way to try and find 2 more contrasting courses that are within a pitching wedge of each other.

I'm Watnall, posh bit of Nottingham so Sherwood Forest is not the closest to me, but as I said in another thread I got fitted there for some G30s and was so impressed by the service I got I booked some lessons there as well. You never know, one day they may even let me join.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Can I say I also don't get the lack of love for The Grove that a few people have mentioned. I know it's a new American type setup, and I suppose I played it for free courtesy of GM which may cloud my judgement slightly. But I thought it was in great condition and there were some great holes, and there should be space for those type of courses in the top 100 and not just it being full of (I'm sure extremely nice) old traditional courses with a big emphasis on links courses.

 

[Snelly]

Can I say I also don't get the lack of love for The Grove that a few people have mentioned. I know it's a new American type setup, and I suppose I played it for free courtesy of GM which may cloud my judgement slightly. But I thought it was in great condition and there were some great holes, and there should be space for those type of courses in the top 100 and not just it being full of (I'm sure extremely nice) old traditional courses with a big emphasis on links courses.

Maybe you would get it if you played a few of the classic links or Surrey sandbelt courses? I wonder if perhaps, given other posts you have written, the "traditional" clubs would not float your boat anyway?

I think the Grove is like the Belfry, the Oxfordshire, the Warwickshire, Foxhills, Queenwood, Woburn, Wisley etc. Not what you would call a proper club. Just courses where people come and play, lacking in charm, camaraderie and the sense of belonging that you get from established clubs. It isn't their fault necessarily - you can't buy history - but the Grove is basically a hotel complex plus a course. Quite nice but very overpriced and not in the same league as lesser known clubs; the West Sussex or Hankley Common for example.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Maybe you would get it if you played a few of the classic links or Surrey sandbelt courses? I wonder if perhaps, given other posts you have written, the "traditional" clubs would not float your boat anyway?

I think the Grove is like the Belfry, the Oxfordshire, the Warwickshire, Foxhills, Queenwood, Woburn, Wisley etc. Not what you would call a proper club. Just courses where people come and play, lacking in charm, camaraderie and the sense of belonging that you get from established clubs. It isn't their fault necessarily - you can't buy history - but the Grove is basically a hotel complex plus a course. Quite nice but very overpriced and not in the same league as lesser known clubs; the West Sussex or Hankley Common for example.

I do admit I have not played the Surrey belt but I have played places like The Rosemount, The Hotchkin, Hollinwell Moortown and Sherwood Forest. And I could see why these places are in the Top 100 so I don't think I am biased against them.

I play all these as a visitor, as I imagine do a lot of people, so things like camaraderie and 'sense of belonging' are very difficult to make a value judgement on unless you take I would argue a slightly blinkered view that you can only experience these at established clubs. And also one could argue that I have experienced a greater 'sense of belonging' in the way I was treated at the Grove than I have been at many other clubs. Not that I have been treated badly in other places (apart from one or two isolated incidents), but The Grove was certainly one place where I felt welcomed and a valued visitor.

So I still stand my my comment that if this type of course does what it is doing very well, and it has the track to back it up as you do need a lot more than some very good customer service, then it is worth a place in the top 100.