Golf in Gloucestershire/Bristol

[Klimski]

Hi all,

My touring group is headed to Bristol this May. We have three days of golf. So far, I am making sure that we play Cleeve Hill, as I have wanted to play there for years.

We will play there on a Saturday. But we are flying in on Friday, out on Sunday evening, sleeping in Cheltenham. So would love your advice. Our group is all hcp 18-22, with one beginner added on, who will play only one round.

Now we have some choices to make, and would love your opinions:

Long Ashton or Bristol & Clifton (arriving and departing Bristol airport)

Painswick or Stinchcombe Hill Sunday morning round? (on the way to Bristol Airport from Cheltenham)


Any hidden gems:

Old courses (around 100 yrs old)
Affordable (under 60 UKP)
Fun
Views
Playable for our hcp's

 

[Neilds]

I would say that Chippenham fulfils some of your criteria (old, affordable, playable) but may be a bit out of the way between Bristol and Cheltenham - just off Jct 17 of the M4.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Lived in Bristol mid 80s to mid 90s - member of Filton…and played all the courses in the area. The other side of the airport on the coast I always enjoyed playing Clevedon.

 

[wjemather]

There's not many must-plays in the area, and equally there aren't many to avoid either. Getting a tee time on a Sunday morning is probably your key issue, so Minchinhampton Old Course and Tall Pines (which is adjacent to the airport) are probably worth considering.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Hi all,

My touring group is headed to Bristol this May. We have three days of golf. So far, I am making sure that we play Cleeve Hill, as I have wanted to play there for years.

We will play there on a Saturday. But we are flying in on Friday, out on Sunday evening, sleeping in Cheltenham. So would love your advice. Our group is all hcp 18-22, with one beginner added on, who will play only one round.

Now we have some choices to make, and would love your opinions:

Long Ashton or Bristol & Clifton (arriving and departing Bristol airport)

Painswick or Stinchcombe Hill Sunday morning round? (on the way to Bristol Airport from Cheltenham)


Any hidden gems:

Old courses (around 100 yrs old)
Affordable (under 60 UKP)
Fun
Views
Playable for our hcp's

Might be worth looking at the Minchampton courses

 

[Neilds]

There's not many must-plays in the area, and equally there aren't many to avoid either. Getting a tee time on a Sunday morning is probably your key issue, so Minchinhampton Old Course and Tall Pines (which is adjacent to the airport) are probably worth considering.

Castle Combe, Bowood, Kendleshire - all possibly out of budget though

 

[wjemather]

Castle Combe, Bowood, Kendleshire - all possibly out of budget though

Castle Coombe & (particularly) Bowood maybe also be a bit off route.
I wouldn't put The Kendleshire up with those two; and there are similar courses in the area that are cheaper to play.

 

[D-S]

I'm a member at Bristol and Clifton and getting a tee time on the Sunday would be a lot easier than the Saturday but depends on the club diary and as there are no County Cards at the weekend it may well be out of budget.

As has been said there are not many 'destination' courses in the County.

Availability and price at Stinchcombe and Painswick will be better - however with Painswick and Cleeve Hill on the same trip might overdo the 'quirkiness' quote - I'd therefore plump for Stinchcombe.

 

[IanM]

In addition to those suggested, near Cheltenham, Cotswold Hills and also Lilleybrook

If you want Cleeve Hill on acid, play Painswick!

 

[Voyager EMH]

Hi all,

Painswick Sunday morning round? Yes

Old courses (around 100 yrs old) Yes 1891
Affordable (under 60 UKP) Yes £25 on a Sunday
Fun Yes
Views Yes
Playable for our hcp's Yes Par 67, low slope rating, only one par 5, several short par 4s.

 

[Ranger]

What about Sodding Chipbury? I played there in a tournament once and thought it was good, long time ago though.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Castle Combe, Bowood, Kendleshire - all possibly out of budget though

…and none of them 100+yrs old

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Big +1 for Painswick. You just got to go expecting the unexpected…and don’t expect anything fancy. Maybe a bit too like Cleeve Hill if variety is the spice of life.

 

[Neilds]

…and none of them 100+yrs old

I would also say they would be a struggle for higher handicaps, and don't have good views, but I was referring to be 'must play' in the area

 

[SocketRocket]

Might be worth looking at the Minchampton courses

If you like Cleeve Hill then Minchinhampton old course is similar, the new course is very nice but more expensive.

Long Ashton near Bristol Airport is a really nice club to play.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

If you like Cleeve Hill then Minchinhampton old course is similar, the new course is very nice but more expensive.

Long Ashton near Bristol Airport is a really nice club to play.

My feeling is that Minch Avening is more visitor-friendly than Minch Cherington. But the Old (Common) may be the only Sunday option at Minch.

 

[SocketRocket]

My feeling is that Minch Avening is more visitor-friendly than Minch Cherington. But the Old (Common) may be the only Sunday option at Minch.

You have to be aware of the cows roaming on the old course. The greens with corner posts and wires to keep the cows off are novelty but I do like it. Played both courses at the new club in some regional matches and thought they were both good.

 

[Klimski]

Thanks for all the great input. I talked to the lads and there is a feeling that doing both Cleeve and Painswick is a bit too quirky. Cleeve is a lock for me, so now considering Stinchcombe (which looks a bit easier) and even Tall Pines (location...) I know that Tall Pines doesn't meet that many of my criteria. Thanks again, will be reading up on all the courses.

 

[IanM]

My Bristolian mate just said, if you're playing Tall Pines, based on location, play Woodspring instead.
Avon and Severn 9s.

 

[D-S]

My Bristolian mate just said, if you're playing Tall Pines, based on location, play Woodspring instead.
Avon and Severn 9s.

Or Mendip Spring.