Good course and teaching pro near Wimbledon

[Tiger]

Hi guys, a friend of mine is thinking about takling up golf and lives in Wimbledon. Just wondered if you guys have any recommendations for teaching pro's and courses that aren't too far from there.

Thanks in advance

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Jeff Jukes at Wimbledon Common. Decent teacher for beginners and the course is short enough but still a challenge. Have to wear a pillar box red (bright red basically) jumper as part of the bylaws. Relatively cheap for green fees to and visitors can play Monday-Friday and at weekends with a guest.

 

[TheJezster]

Funnily enough, I spoke with Jeff today. I also live near Wimbledon, in Mitcham. I took the game up in August, and played Mitcham a few times, 3 or 4 i think. Broke 100 just before xmas and decided to look for a club with a friend of mine. We have chosen Wimbledon Common and are going down for a round on Saturday 15th to try it out and join until April to see how it goes.

I've really caught the bug. Bought my own clubs in Aug/Sep and have played around 8 rounds now, including 3 in a row up to new years day. 103, 93 and 90, so look to be heading in the right direction. I'm looking forward to joining Wimbeldon and having a few lessons too. Ive been lucky in that 2 of the guys ive played with play off around 14/15 so have been giving me great advice on club selection etc.

Ive read the forum for a couple of weeks now, and I saw somewhere else that you used to belong at Wimbledon Common Homer, is that right? Any advice you can give?

Cheers

Jez

 

[Deleted member 1418]

I also played my first round of golf at Mitcham - grew up about a 15 minute walk from the course! Last time I played there was about 2 years ago during the summer - best greens you'll ever find on a public, pay and play course; right up there and even better than some of the great courses in that area.

Jez you won't go wrong with either Wimbledon Common or London Scottish (they share the same course). I was a member for many years at London Scottish and thoroughly enjoyed it. Only left because I moved to Hertfordshire.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I know Mitcham very well too but haven't played there in ages. The condition of the course went downhill as did the clubhouse and last time I was there it looked very jaded on and off the course. Once you get into WC we'll have to meet for a game. I haven't seen Jeff in a few years now so it'll be good to meet up (he still owes me some wages ). Don't be fooled by the total yardage. It is a tricky course especially the par 3's as the majority are 200+ yards of the whites. In my opinion, you can make some easy birdies (3, 5, 9, 10, 15 are all relatively short par 4's and some are driveable in summer) but then have to defend your scores when you play the par 3's.

It takes some learning especially the small greens which are mainly bowl shaped and have some interesting borrows. Not sure who is still up there but Phil Hales, and any of the Abberton clan are worth getting to know and are all good golfers but will help you with your game

 

[Tiger]

Thanks for the suggestion Homer. Have passed the info on.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We have chosen Wimbledon Common and are going down for a round on Saturday 15th to try it out and join until April to see how it goes.

I assume you've got a game with a member or they have invited you down as guests to try it out on that Saturday. Weekends are members only and you can only play as a members guest.

 

[Handicap28]

I'm a member at London Scottish so play the same course (except our 1st is the Wimbledon Common 8th I think). Great value for money - both clubs still have similar subs and no joining fees I think and neither clubs seem to be particularly full so no problems getting on the course. Also very rarely closed in bad weather. As mentioned it is short but still pretty difficult - tough par 3s and tight driving down a number of holes. Regardless of which club you join, the opening hole will be a par 3 of over 200 yards. Greens are always in good condition and are tough. Favourite hole there would be the 7th (14th from Wimbledon Common)- par 4 of around 390 yards where you need to drive over a bit of a valley and up a hill with the fairway narrowing due to trees, the approach to the green is very narrow. Only negatives to the place are as its on public land you do have to contend with walkers/runners/dogs sometimes, all play has to finish by 2.30 on a Sunday afternoon, in the summer the fairways can be lacking in grass as I dont think they are allowed to treat them with anything, and the wearing a red top can be a little tiresome. Other than that, have enjoyed my time there as a member.

 

[john0]

Have to wear a pillar box red (bright red basically) jumper as part of the bylaws.

Is it just me, or would anyone else refuse to join a club where you were forced to play in a bright red jumper every round?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Have to wear a pillar box red (bright red basically) jumper as part of the bylaws.

Is it just me, or would anyone else refuse to join a club where you were forced to play in a bright red jumper every round?

Not the club that enforces the policy but is the by-laws permitting playing on common land. It is supposedly so the public know there are golfers there but as they have right of way anyway (and they know) it is is an archaic regulation. However it forcibly observed by the course rangers and anyone not wearing red will be asked to leave the course.

 

[Deleted member 1418]

Favourite hole there would be the 7th (14th from Wimbledon Common)- par 4 of around 390 yards where you need to drive over a bit of a valley and up a hill with the fairway narrowing due to trees, the approach to the green is very narrow.

Ah yes, 'Paradise' if memory serves me correct! Lovely hole. Very fond memories of my time at London Scottish and actually didn't mind the whole 'red top' thing at all.

 

[funkyfred]

I also played my first round of golf at Mitcham - grew up about a 15 minute walk from the course! Last time I played there was about 2 years ago during the summer - best greens you'll ever find on a public, pay and play course; right up there and even better than some of the great courses in that area.

Jez you won't go wrong with either Wimbledon Common or London Scottish (they share the same course). I was a member for many years at London Scottish and thoroughly enjoyed it. Only left because I moved to Hertfordshire.

Hello pieman

I was born in Mitcham and used to caddy for my father when i was off school when he played Mitcham. Funny enough he was a member at Wimbledon Common for many many years before he left and joined Leatherhead sometime in the early 80's.

 

[Deleted member 1418]

Hello Fred. If he was still playing Mitcham regularly from around 85 - 89 then I may well have been one of those little rascals who used to try and sell lost balls back to the members!!! I also knew the kids who used to lie in wait on the 10th and then pinch the balls that made it down the little hill and out of view from the tee! Happy days!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I was born in Mitcham and used to caddy for my father when i was off school when he played Mitcham. Funny enough he was a member at Wimbledon Common for many many years before he left and joined Leatherhead sometime in the early 80's.

What was your dads name. It would have been around the time I as there

 

[funkyfred]

Homer

Thinking back my father probably left Wimbledon Common sometime around 75-77, as he was a member at Leatherhead when I got married in 1979. Was you at WC then?

Funny enough my first job was working in the little offices at the back of the clubhouse, the old stables. Our address was 19a Camp Road. We moved from there (to Croydon)during the very hot summer of 1976, and can you believe it, we moved whilst the Tennis Championships were on, great planning. , not by me I hasten to add.

 

[Tiger]

Guys I've heard about thread hijacking but this really does take the biscuit! Mmmmm biscuit...cup of tea anyone?

 

[Oddsocks]

Jaffa cake please, or even a chic chip cookie lol

On a serious note I'm assuming if no red jumper is worn (ex summer) it must be red t shirt?

Not sure I'd want to be a member of a course I couldn't play after 2:30pm on a sunny summers Sunday, I do enjoy a late sunday tee off when it's baking hot on a summers Sunday

 

[Tiger]

Jaffa cake please, or even a chic chip cookie lol

Fresh out of Jaffa cakes and not sure a cookie containing fried potato can be described as 'chic'.

Fancy a jammy dodger....






.....I mean the biscuit not the forumer (Smiffy take your mind out of the gutter)?

 

[TheJezster]

I know Mitcham very well too but haven't played there in ages. The condition of the course went downhill as did the clubhouse and last time I was there it looked very jaded on and off the course. Once you get into WC we'll have to meet for a game. I haven't seen Jeff in a few years now so it'll be good to meet up (he still owes me some wages ). Don't be fooled by the total yardage. It is a tricky course especially the par 3's as the majority are 200+ yards of the whites. In my opinion, you can make some easy birdies (3, 5, 9, 10, 15 are all relatively short par 4's and some are driveable in summer) but then have to defend your scores when you play the par 3's.

It takes some learning especially the small greens which are mainly bowl shaped and have some interesting borrows. Not sure who is still up there but Phil Hales, and any of the Abberton clan are worth getting to know and are all good golfers but will help you with your game

Preciate that Homer, much obliged, as long as you dont mind going round with a beginner

Also, in answer to your other question later down, yes, Jeff said we could play a round first and then he would go through all the club details etc once we were done. If they dont usually allow non members through on weekends then thats pretty decent of him.

Im playing Hawkstone Park next week on Thursday and Friday with my cousin too, so that should prepare me nicely. I tell you, Im really getting the bug....

 

[AuburnWarrior]

I was a junior/full member at Mitcham from 1988 to 2003.

Many, many fond memories of the place.

When I was there, it was a great little course. You had to be very straight. Anything off the fairway could mean big trouble. The greens were something else!

Paul Burton is the pro there. He was my Junior Captain back in the day.

They've had some problems recently with staff on the pinch but they've all been got rid of.

As I say, a nice track when I was there.