Just back from a weekend away in Bristol, playing the above two courses. A car was needed, both were about 40 minutes away.
Kingsdown is a members club, on top of a hill, with views across to Bath, if we got our geography right. The course was very dry, parched, hard (take your pick), and at times it felt more links than the parkland I presume it is. Not anyone's fault, it's just been dry. The first 6 holes were a bit bland. Not bad, just fairly generic. You then cross over to another part of the course and it stepped up a gear. A couple of holes with what I'd describe as moguls as fairways, and an improvement in shape and design for the remainder. Very enjoyable and I'm pleased we played it. I wouldn't rush back, other options are out there and it wasn't impressive enough to prevent us from trying other courses.
Next up was the Montgomery course. First up, what an impressive set up Celtic Manor is. An imposing hotel, it's huge, 3 courses, 2 clubhouses, tiered driving range, nice shop. All beautifully done. Criticism number 1, the signage is woeful. Seriously, how hard is it to point people in the right direction? All that money spent and they skimped on signs
.
The Ryder Cup course, 2010, is entirely separate and at the bottom of the hill. We drove there, looked all very splendid, course and clubhouse.
We were up the hill, the Montgomery. I don't know where it sits in terms of the 3. I'm guessing 2nd, with the Roman Road course 3rd? I'll be asking that in a different thread.
The course, as all three looked, was beautifully kept. Boy, they must employ a lot of greenkeepers and they are well trained. All of the greens were huge and immaculate. That doesn't do them full justice. Immaculate, huge sloped, layered, a massive challenge but not silly.
As for the holes, it isn't a bombers course, you need to plot your way around. It isn't long but you do need to be precise. You can't knobble one, you can't knobble your approaches either. The tee shots test you, the approach shots test you. Then you have to putt......... It's a course you need to concentrate on for every shot. The holes I messed up were the ones I didn't think about individual shots, my fault.
I'd say there are one, maybe 2 okay holes but the rest were all ones that either impressed or just made you smile. We came off beeming, hugely enjoyed it.
The other negative, after the signs
, buggies. They've got you there. The GPS on my watch stated 8.44 miles at the end 
. Most courses I play are 5 miles, biggest about 5.2. This has some huge distances between holes and there are a good number of hills. You need a buggy. Buggies are £55 
. That's obscene imo, but they've got you. Next, it's cart paths only so you have the huge inefficiencies of crossing a fairway with 2 clubs, hit your shot, walk back. I understand why but it's still annoying.
Ultimately though, we had a great time and we both agreed we'd go back there like a shot. Sometimes these big complexes get a bad name. On this experience, Celtic Manor shouldn't. Go and play it
Kingsdown is a members club, on top of a hill, with views across to Bath, if we got our geography right. The course was very dry, parched, hard (take your pick), and at times it felt more links than the parkland I presume it is. Not anyone's fault, it's just been dry. The first 6 holes were a bit bland. Not bad, just fairly generic. You then cross over to another part of the course and it stepped up a gear. A couple of holes with what I'd describe as moguls as fairways, and an improvement in shape and design for the remainder. Very enjoyable and I'm pleased we played it. I wouldn't rush back, other options are out there and it wasn't impressive enough to prevent us from trying other courses.
Next up was the Montgomery course. First up, what an impressive set up Celtic Manor is. An imposing hotel, it's huge, 3 courses, 2 clubhouses, tiered driving range, nice shop. All beautifully done. Criticism number 1, the signage is woeful. Seriously, how hard is it to point people in the right direction? All that money spent and they skimped on signs
.The Ryder Cup course, 2010, is entirely separate and at the bottom of the hill. We drove there, looked all very splendid, course and clubhouse.
We were up the hill, the Montgomery. I don't know where it sits in terms of the 3. I'm guessing 2nd, with the Roman Road course 3rd? I'll be asking that in a different thread.
The course, as all three looked, was beautifully kept. Boy, they must employ a lot of greenkeepers and they are well trained. All of the greens were huge and immaculate. That doesn't do them full justice. Immaculate, huge sloped, layered, a massive challenge but not silly.
As for the holes, it isn't a bombers course, you need to plot your way around. It isn't long but you do need to be precise. You can't knobble one, you can't knobble your approaches either. The tee shots test you, the approach shots test you. Then you have to putt......... It's a course you need to concentrate on for every shot. The holes I messed up were the ones I didn't think about individual shots, my fault.
I'd say there are one, maybe 2 okay holes but the rest were all ones that either impressed or just made you smile. We came off beeming, hugely enjoyed it.
The other negative, after the signs
, buggies. They've got you there. The GPS on my watch stated 8.44 miles at the end . Most courses I play are 5 miles, biggest about 5.2. This has some huge distances between holes and there are a good number of hills. You need a buggy. Buggies are £55 . That's obscene imo, but they've got you. Next, it's cart paths only so you have the huge inefficiencies of crossing a fairway with 2 clubs, hit your shot, walk back. I understand why but it's still annoying.Ultimately though, we had a great time and we both agreed we'd go back there like a shot. Sometimes these big complexes get a bad name. On this experience, Celtic Manor shouldn't. Go and play it
