Golf around Northampton / MK

B

bucks05

Newbie
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
2
Location
Melbourne, Victoria
Visit site
Hi all - first post. Coming to the UK on holiday with wife from Australia in April. We will be based around Northampton / Milton Keynes. Looking to play 4 or 5 rounds of golf including 1 top rated course (maybe Woburn?)and 3 or 4 mid range - Any recommendations for that area gratefully received - thanks in advance.
 
Beware Collingtree Park in Northampton unless you like playing through and around a housing estate. Greens weren't that good either when I played last year.
Mentmore is good for a day out - 2 good courses.

Oh and welcome!!
 
I live in MK. There are 3 courses in MK itself, Wavendon - I haven't played it for about 15 years, but it was quite short and fairly uninteresting when I last played it. Abbey Hill - only played the 18 hole once, it's not too bad, bit hilly in parts. I make more use of their 9 hole par 3 with my son. Windmill Hill - on my doorstep, I play it occasionally as it is convenient, literally 2 mins in the car. It is a bit tired at the moment, but it's OK for an occasional round.

I'm a member at Leighton Buzzard, which is not too far away, it's short, but tricky in parts, I like it.

Also close are Buckingham, Millbrook, Silverstone, Delapre and Three Locks. Buckingham is not too bad, I liked it and would have joined there if I hadn't found Leighton. I've only played Delapre and Three Locks once each, and again, about 15 years ago. Not played the other two, although I will be playing Millbrook at some point this year as I can play free with my membership from Leighton :).

Happy to get you a half price round a Leighton as my guest if I am free at that time (depends on wifey's work schedule).
 
Im playing Farthingstone on Friday and Saturday. Not sure what it's like, but my work colleagues seem to like it.
 
I am a member at Collingtree Park and to say you are playing through a housing estate is a little harsh. Yes there are houses backing onto some holes but these houses average about £500,000 each . . . The course has had a lot of work done to it since the Euro pro event last year and the greens are much better. I have been a member at a couple and along with Brampton Heath Golf Centre, Collingtree is one of the better courses. Welcome
 
I'll second the recommendation for Northants County.

I'm a member at Millbrook and think it is a good track and always gets a good response when I host mates there. Happy to try and fix up a game with you but would have to be at a weekend.

I like Staverton Park near Daventry, plays down/up/along the side of a hill so drains well and has some intersting holes.

Wavendon is currently like a swamp according to my golf teacher who is based there. Short and straightforward course but cheap. They also have a 9 hole par 3 course. Avoid the pitch and put though as the greens had no grass on them when I took my 9 year old round it in September.

Woburn is very nice but it is expensive if not playing with a member. The Dukes is my favourite but the Marquess is growing on me and I really enjoyed it last time I played it, playing it again on Friday so will be interested to see how it has coped with the snow and rain.

Leighton Buzzard - nice course, tight in places, keep the driver in the bag much of the time.

Aspley Guise and Woburn Sands - also a nice course with some interesting holes.

Collingtree Park - last time I played it the course was in good shape. I'd agree that the housing estate comment was a bit harsh. I didn't find the houses intrusive.
 
welcome to the forum, now you're here, stay a while.

I'd second Aspley Guise - especially if you plan to eat there as well, probably one the best courses we've visited as a society.

Leighton Buzzard - a bit too quirky, 1st & 9th tee and 8th green are on top of each other and if it's wet (not beyond the realms of possibility) that hike from 11 to 12 is not recommended.

My mate and I have Millbrook and Three Locks on the must play list for this year.

You also have a good few courses around Bedford to choose from, though I've only played The Bedford and Mowsbury to date. The Bedford is another in a housing estate and Mowsbury is a half decent muni.

I think The Bedfordshire and Pavenham Park may be worth a look.
 
never played it myself but my old man tells me that the best course he has played is Kettering Golf club. Anyone else played there?
Click to expand...

I played a match there last year and, whilst doubtless a good course, it is never likely to feature on too many "best course I have ever played" lists! There are several far better tracks around the Northamptonshire area, Northants County and Wellingborough being just two.
 
Northants county and Wellingborough are top of my list for Northants courses. 3 locks has improved a great amount and probably the best to try in north east Bucks. Central Bucks my course Ellesborough is a stern test but value for money would be Mentmore with 2 courses and always up for a deal. Bedfordshire has obviously Woburn but as people say its a bit pricey but travel into Harpenden and there's Harpenden Common which is a well established traditional members club like Leighton Buzzard. Lots to choose from and may i recommend you come over for a lot longer!!! ;) ;)
 
Thanks for the feedback and welcome - appreciated. Like the look of Mentmore and Northants County and maybe Three Locks as the cheaper option. Will have pram and wifes luggage (!) in tow so not bringing the clubs over - club hire shouldn't be a prob?
 
Club hire isn't something I've thought about but going by my club, it may not be that great. Most tracks just aren't set up to catch the carriage trade as they are in Spain; of course the bigger courses may be better.

I know nothing about this outfit, found it on a web trawl, but if you're here for a while and considering playing a few times . . .

http://golfhire.co.uk/reviews_detail.asp?ReviewID=4
 
My mate and I have Millbrook and Three Locks on the must play list for this year.

You also have a good few courses around Bedford to choose from, though I've only played The Bedford and Mowsbury to date. The Bedford is another in a housing estate and Mowsbury is a half decent muni.

I think The Bedfordshire and Pavenham Park may be worth a look.
Click to expand...

Viscount17 - If you want to make up a 4 at Millbrook give me a shout and I'll get a mate to come along as well you can all come along as my guests.

The Bedfordshire has the makings of a good course but is still very new.

Pavenham Park is a good alyout but the 2 nines were in very different condition when I last played it. That was a long time ago though and I understand they have been spending some money on it.

Bedford and County at Clapham (just outside Bedford) is usually in good condition, is a decent layout and will not break the bank. Quite friendly as well.
 
Golfman, thanks for the offer, hopefully we can take it up.

The plan (subject to change of course) was to wait for warmer weather, lighter evenings etc and try for a Friday pm tee-time (we can finish early on Fridays).
Adam is coming back to golf after a couple of years out, I think he was pretty useful at one time.
 
Hmm someone mentioned Mentmore....wellington boots are optional!!! Lovely greens if you make it past the ankle deep mud on the fairways!!!

Woburn is obviously the best place in the area, with the Duchess being the prettiest (tightest) of the three, and yes it is expensive but i believe you get what you pay for!

The Bedford is an excellent winter course, i play in pro-ams all year round on there and the greens are always quick!

Leighton Buzzard (Plantation Rd) is a good shout, not sure if Lee Scarbrow is still the pro there but Ian Poulter used to be his assistant.

Aspley Guise is another.

I'm due to play Collingtree Park for the first time in a couple of weeks....loads of people have warned me about the greens....hopefully it'll be ok!!!
 
Hmm someone mentioned Mentmore....wellington boots are optional!!! Lovely greens if you make it past the ankle deep mud on the fairways!!!

Woburn is obviously the best place in the area, with the Duchess being the prettiest (tightest) of the three, and yes it is expensive but i believe you get what you pay for!

The Bedford is an excellent winter course, i play in pro-ams all year round on there and the greens are always quick!

Leighton Buzzard (Plantation Rd) is a good shout, not sure if Lee Scarbrow is still the pro there but Ian Poulter used to be his assistant.

Aspley Guise is another.

I'm due to play Collingtree Park for the first time in a couple of weeks....loads of people have warned me about the greens....hopefully it'll be ok!!!
Click to expand...
Can't agree with you there. I played Mentmore in November expectng it to be a quagmire and it was fine. They have done a lot of work to improve the drainage. I played Collingtree in February and it was a lot worse than Mentmore, however, i do realise that we had a lot of snow over the winter but i didn't rate it that highly as a course.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Pestana Algarve Golf Package
Replies
17
Views
759
ShaunRobinson
S
C
The difficulties in arranging golf holidays for groups. Spain or Portugal or somewhere else. Everyone has different opinions on the golf courses...
2
Replies
36
Views
2K
mister v
mister v
Severof
Ethical and legal stand point at golf club ruling
3 4 5
Replies
87
Views
8K
r0wly86
R
Lord Tyrion
Mere GC, Knutsford GC
Replies
8
Views
1K
louise_a
L
J
Golf in and around North Yorkshire
2
Replies
24
Views
3K
TheDoctor
T
Top