I have lived in Nottinghamshire most of my life, and since returning to the game about three years ago I have played quite a lot of the courses here.
Beeston Fields - pleasant parkland course around 4 miles west of Nottingham, in good condition in summer, very wet in winter (closed or partially closed throughout January and February). Decent but not outstanding practice facilities. Has more of a corporate feel to it these days (you will get the idea if you look at the website), hosting parties, weddings etc, and happy to take societies with shotgun starts that can close the course to members for hours. Subs around £1,000 pa.
Bulwell Forest - great little municipal (where I started playing as a kid ), but limited practice areas and less than 6,000 yards. Cheap subs though!
Chilwell Manor - parkland course, they have modified the greens in recent years and they are as slopey as the fairways are flat. It's about 6,200 yards, somewhat featureless in my opinion, but a proper members club. Nice clubhouse. Practice facilities are a bit limited. Been closed a lot in 2016, they had 9 holes open yesterday (carry only). Subs about £750.
Coxmoor - quality course in North Notts. They are lengthening it in the hope of getting Open Regional Qualifying, and, although not as tough as Sherwood Forest and Notts (Hollinwell), which it is close to, it is a proper test with some lovely holes. I think there is a waiting list and an entrance fee.
Mapperley - short and very hilly, lots of friendly members.
Newark - bit of a trek from Nottingham, Good test of golf, but I got the impression the club is a bit cliquey.
Norwood Park - near Southwell, so again a bit of a trek. Only played it once, the greens were fantastic in March! It is a very innovative club. I think we have a forumite who is a member and can tell you far more than I.
Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell) - the best known course in Nottinghamshire, and easily the toughest test of golf. Shame about the bikers that I understand have returned to do more damage to the course. I think there is a waiting list and an entrance fee, and perhaps not a members club in the sense of roll up's and lots of comps.
Oakmere Park (Admirals) - All year round course, I quite like it although it has one or two daft holes (8,9, 10 and an uphill par 3 on the back nine). Good practice facilities.
Radcliffe on Trent - our County Course for 2016. I have never enjoyed playing it, but it is a decent parkland test and the greens are always fast and true.
Ruddington Grange - Not far from the city, and easily accessible. Relatively new (20 odd years old) and maturing, very wet in winter. Bit dull.
Rufford Park - Another new course, nice setting not far from Rufford Abbey north of the city, and an enjoyable if not especially tough test. Great views.
Rushcliffe - a real Marmite course on the road to Loughborough, some folks love it because it is so quirky. Very hilly, barely a level lie on it. The pro there is a proper gent and a good teacher. Very good practice range (not grass though).
Sherwood Forest - Nottinghamshire's second course in terms of difficulty and overall quality. Make your score on the front nine because the back is a brute! Always a joy to play there, and hardly anyone on the course when I have been. Despite this, it probably has a waiting list and an entrance fee.
Stanton on the Wolds - a favourite of mine because it seems to suit my eye. South of Nottingham, another parkland course that is in good condition, although extremely wet in winter.
The Nottinghamshire Golf & Country Club (aka Cotgrave) - two courses here, about 25 years old with a heck of a lot of money spent on them (and they are still upgrading). Both enjoyable courses, the Open is the harder of the two. Very good practice facilities as well. My only reservation is that they also hold lots of Societies, and have visitors all the time. Rounds can take forever and despite 36 holes I wonder if they have the members at the forefront of their thoughts. Might be wrong though!
Trent Lock Golf & Country Club – Uninspiring newish course, very boggy. Very good pro and a great driving range, and an American Golf outlet. And a Pirates crazy golf course for the kids.
Wollaton Park - parkland course of around 6,400 yards about 3 miles from the centre of Nottingham overlooked by a 16th Century Elizabethan Hall in a large park. Deer roam over the course, which is has a lot of interesting holes, particularly on the back 9. Sand based so open all year round, no mats and rarely on temps. Grass practice facilities (albeit perhaps not the best). Lots of varied comps. Subs around £1,000.
Worksop - not been here recently, but deserves a mention as it is Lee Westwood's alma mater and a favourite of many. By repute a very good test of golf (held the English Mid Amateur in 2014). North Nottinghamshire so a good drive from the city.
