Intro to the forum...

jonesuk

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Hi all,

I have been viewing and using the good advice on here for a while now on an occasional basis so thought it was about time to introduce myself!

I am fairly new to golf. I have played for about a year but not as often as I would have liked due to other commitments. With this in mind I would class myself as an ‘advanced beginner’! I have definitely caught the bug and I'm starting to develop a more consistent swing.

I have recently being playing slightly more and I am having some lessons, which have really improved my consistency in my shots. I generally only spend time on the driving range and play on local 9-hole courses (mainly only a little better than pitch and putt unfortunately) due to time and money constraints.

Going forwards I should be able to spend a little more time and I am definitely keen to progress onto more testing courses and 18 hole ‘full’ courses.

I am currently between careers and also renting so not fixed in location and so I do not want to attach myself to any club (apart from lessons and closest driving range) and so I would welcome any suggestions for pay and play courses in North/West London that are good value/friendly/good for beginners-intermediates?

I also generally play on my own, apart from the occasional partner, I am definitely keen on getting involved with the various meet-ups and games between members on here in the future once I’ve had a bit more practice!
 

HomerJSimpson

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Welcome to the forum. I'm originally from SW London so probably not best placed to advise you on course that way. However if you come south of the river Wimbledon COmmon is a cheap and challenging little course.

Good to have you on board and hope you stay around.
 

minty18

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Welcome mate,

Where are you in north london? Growing up in edmonton I know quite a few tracks in north london.
 

jonesuk

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Thanks for the welcome!

I'm further over West than Edmonton - nearest driving range where I practice is in Hendon, NW London.

Someone has mentioned Trent Park near Southgate to me as a course that wouldn't be too challenging to start at - do you know anything about that or have any others to recommend?

Medway - I'm neither actually as not originally from the area and more of a rugby man!
 

USER1999

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Bushey golf and country club is worth a look. 9 hole course, but ok, with driving range and shop. Not sure about friendly etc, as only played there once.
 

minty18

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Jones,

Trent park is decent mate, its owned by crown golf as is my course. It's a great challenge, the first is a real tough one. As far as pay and play goes though, you wont get much better.

Whitewebbs is a decent enough one in enfield, the greens are not great but its a superb course for beginners.

We'll have to arrange a meet one day.

Oh, try Bushey Hall in Bushey (nr. watford) not easy but a lovely golf course.
 

HTL

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I like you already! Rugby is the game of true gent.

I am in Surrey if you fancy a game any time. You have the Seve course near you?

What clubs you using?
 

jonesuk

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Thanks for the advice Minty - I'll defintely give Trent Park a go and have a look for the others suggested.

I actually had a tee time and partner lined up for Trent Park a few weeks ago when I had a day off work but then came the first snow in London in October for however many decades!!

Yeah will be up for a meet in North London/Herts area one day - need a bit of practice first though!
 

jonesuk

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I have some Golden Bear clubs - a beginners style set from American Golf which seemed good value for me at the time and gave me everything I needed to get going (clubs, bag, headcovers, etc.).

The irons I'm really happy with and the pro that I'm having lessons with says they are a really good cavity set for the money I spent and were probably better than they were intended to be.
The woods are fine for now but will probably need replacing once I get a bit better but I gather thats typical for a 'complete set' (?).
 

HomerJSimpson

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They are a good set of irons and definitely over and above out and out beginners clubs. My advice would be to stick with them over the winter and continue to get lessons and practice and then look at what is out there in the new year. You may get some good bargains on 2008 stock X20 etc once the newer models come out
 

jonesuk

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Cool, that matches up with what couple of other people have said to me and I'm definitely happy with the irons at the moment so thats good to hear.

The lessons are definitely helping as I played for a bit off and on before starting them and I'm so much more consistent now. I've only had 4/5 so far so will continue with them for as long as I can afford through the winter/spring.
 

medwayjon

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Great news that you are having lessons. As a beginner without guidance it is very easy to pick up bad habits which then become ingrained into the players technique and subsequently are very difficult to rectify.

You are doing everything right and I wish you all the best.
 

RGuk

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Welcome jonesuk,

I hope you enjoy the forum.

As an ex-Londoner (N/W) I can recommend....

Brent Valley (Hanwell) and West Middlesex on "public" day. Right next to each other as well. Never found anywhere else better (for the money) although I played as South as Wimbledon and as North as St. Albans (Batchwood).
 

ricardodaintino

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The lessons are a great start! My only wish is when I was starting out I could afford a series of tuition, as it was I only had one lesson. Now I have so many little bad habits that when I do get to apoint of affording a set of lessons there will probably be allsorts to work on!
 

Twire

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Welcome to the forum.

That was a better intro than mine....I just jumped in feet first and asked for advice :o

But everyone was friendly and I think I got away with it. ;)
 

Sneds

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Welcome mate, just echoing the views of some other posters, that Trent Park is a nice course. (I love the first hole around the range) and whitewebbs a nice cheap and simple track - also they take 2fore1 through out the week iirc.
 
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