Living in Ruislip

[dejf]

Hi again!

After tedious weeks and months of moving to UK and then changing the place to live around London couple of times, we have finally ended in Ruislip. If you want, check my months old first post to get some info about me.

I can see there are quite many golf courses around, but which one is the best one and where it is best to train?

First thing that shocked me quite a bit is that it seems here that rarely a golf course comes with driving range and short game practice area.

I have found a driving in Ruislip and it is not bad, but it is quite short (200m) and the practice green is only good for very short chips, no chance to get 30m-80m short game session there. Then I have found West London Golf Center in Northolt, which has lovely driving range (300y); it is quite expensive unless 100 GBP card is purchased; but again, the practice green is only good for short game up to ~35 meters max. Other resorts and courses seem not to have driving range at all or at least their web pages do not mention that.

As for the courses and clubs, I have not played anything here yet. From web info, I think I won't really like most of the courses for the real practice as they are very short. I like more challenging, longer, 18 holes courses. I found Pinner GC, which seems to be good in its parameters; and I also found Northwood GC, which also seems quite good. Both are nearby and they both offer 5day (which is what I will probably be looking for for the next season) memberships for reasonable price (and 1100 GBP and 1235 GBP). Everything below 1350 GBP is OK for me. But these are information from web only. The reality might be different, so this is why I am writing this post ...

So, any ideas? Any tips? Anyone for a training session or a game?

 

[golfdub]

Northwick park golf centre has a very good range and practice area, the course is always in terrible condition though which is a shame as it has won best 9 hole course in the country 4-5 years ago.

Wexham park has an 18 hole course, 2 X 9 hole course, a driving range and a decent practice area and it's cheap. It's about 15-20 min drive from Ruislip.

Also check out ealing gc as it just 5 min up the a40 and it always in good nic, good practice facilities but no range.

 

[dejf]

Thanks! Looking at Northwick - their pricing is just crazy (for me). If I read it well, their best offer is 100 balls for 8 GBP. I admit the range looks fantastic, but for that price ... not for me - unless there is some special offer that I do not see. Ruislip range's best offer is 100 balls for 4 GBP. The best range offer so far for me is West London - £100 WLGC Card and that should be for ~ 2690 balls - i.e. 100 balls for ~3.72 GBP.

Ealing GC looks good, seems to be of similar propositions as Pinner and Northwood. So this is another course that I should consider.

 

[golfdub]

I love pinner but the club house is rubbish, it looks grand from the outside but in truth it's just been left to rot.

Pinner course is my favourite in the area.

 

[Foxholer]

Pinner, Ealing and Hendon (no particular order) would be my recommendations, though I haven't played all that many in the area. I've enjoyed Grimms Dyke the couple of times I've played it, but it's quite short so probably not for you!

It's the huge cost of land that restricts length and facilities in the London area! Many clubs actually sold off chunks for development in order to survive/prosper and many council courses are in danger of closing for development!

 

[delc]

My club, Batchworth Park in Rickmansworth, has a decent 18 hole course with a driving range, a short game practice area and a practice putting green. Not the cheapest club in the area, but built on gravel and drains very well in the Winter months, so very rarely closed, unlike some other nearby clubs.

 

[delc]

Have you played Ruislip muni? Not too bad, but unfortunately under threat from the HS2 rail project. May be reduced to 9 holes, or redeveloped for housing.

 

[dejf]

My club, Batchworth Park in Rickmansworth, has a decent 18 hole course with a driving range, a short game practice area and a practice putting green. Not the cheapest club in the area, but built on gravel and drains very well in the Winter months, so very rarely closed, unlike some other nearby clubs.

Hi! Thanks for mentioning Batchworth Park, I have somehow overlooked it. I just can't find the pricing info. Could you please tell me what is the cost for 5day there? I can see on their web that practice areas including driving range is members only. So I am interested to know the membership pricing there ...

I have not played Ruislip GC yet. I will next week. Actually, the next week will be my first week here where I might find some good time for golf. So far it has been endless caring about moving to new flat and solving many problems related to this flat. I am really looking forward to play Ruislip soon.

 

[dejf]

Pinner, Ealing and Hendon (no particular order) would be my recommendations, though I haven't played all that many in the area. I've enjoyed Grimms Dyke the couple of times I've played it, but it's quite short so probably not for you!

It's the huge cost of land that restricts length and facilities in the London area! Many clubs actually sold off chunks for development in order to survive/prosper and many council courses are in danger of closing for development!

Call me lazy, but Hendon seems too far for me

I am now considering Pinner, Ealing, Northwood and Batchworth.

I am happy to hear that Pinner is good golf course. Any other references to other courses?

Thank you all for any feedback!

 

[dejf]

I love pinner but the club house is rubbish, it looks grand from the outside but in truth it's just been left to rot.

Pinner course is my favourite in the area.

Thank you! This is valuable info for me. I care about the course quality more than quality of the club house. I am not the type of golfer who would spend a lot of time in club house, so if course is good and club house is not, I do not have a problem with that.

Another thing I care about are people. If there are happy people and welcoming, I can stand rot in the house

Being on a special diet, I also do not care about the quality of a restaurant, if any.

 

[delc]

Hi! Thanks for mentioning Batchworth Park, I have somehow overlooked it. I just can't find the pricing info. Could you please tell me what is the cost for 5day there? I can see on their web that practice areas including driving range is members only. So I am interested to know the membership pricing there ...

I have not played Ruislip GC yet. I will next week. Actually, the next week will be my first week here where I might find some good time for golf. So far it has been endless caring about moving to new flat and solving many problems related to this flat. I am really looking forward to play Ruislip soon.

Give Batchworth a ring on 01923 711400 and I am sure they can give you the prices. I think I pay about £1700 a year for 7-day membership (I pay by monthly direct debit), but this allows me to play for free at any of the other Crown Group courses, which I do quite often. Batchworth Park also has the advantage of no visiting societies.

 

[North Mimms]

Hi! Thanks for mentioning Batchworth Park, I have somehow overlooked it. I just can't find the pricing info. Could you please tell me what is the cost for 5day there? I can see on their web that practice areas including driving range is members only. So I am interested to know the membership pricing there ...

I have not played Ruislip GC yet. I will next week. Actually, the next week will be my first week here where I might find some good time for golf. So far it has been endless caring about moving to new flat and solving many problems related to this flat. I am really looking forward to play Ruislip soon.

Batchworth used to do range only membership.
The range is covered which is great

 

[delc]

Pinner, Ealing and Hendon (no particular order) would be my recommendations, though I haven't played all that many in the area. I've enjoyed Grimms Dyke the couple of times I've played it, but it's quite short so probably not for you!

It's the huge cost of land that restricts length and facilities in the London area! Many clubs actually sold off chunks for development in order to survive/prosper and many council courses are in danger of closing for development!

Grimsdyke is not a club I would personally chose to be a member of. Too short, holes too close together, and unreadable (without a lot of local knowledge) very sloping greens*. Having said that, it was in very nice condition when I played a match there a few weeks ago, and the clubhouse and food were good. I believe it can get rather boggy in the winter, despite lots of drainage ditches.

* Hint - the greens all slope down towards the main road, although they don't always look that way, The greens are the course's main defence!

 

[dejf]

I have sent a query to Batchworth Park, but I feel it will be just over what I am ready to spend. We will see. The photo gallery on their website suggest that this type of course is close to one I was always happy to play in CR. It was amazing. So, based on that and from what was said here, this course is very tempting for me.

It would be really great if someone could share their experience with the other options I have - Ealing, Northwood, Pinner. So far only Pinner was mentioned in a positive way. But others? Anyone know these courses?

Thanks a lot!

 

[lex!]

You are very fortunate, that's where I grew up and first played. Wish I still lived over there. There are a number of superb, mature, muni courses to choose from, Ruislip, Brent Valley, Rickmansworth, Farnham Park, Haste Hill and Harefield place, but I think that the latter has been ruined by a gas pipeline project. Pinner Hill is a good choice for a members club.

 

[delc]

You are very fortunate, that's where I grew up and first played. Wish I still lived over there. There are a number of superb, mature, muni courses to choose from, Ruislip, Brent Valley, Rickmansworth, Farnham Park, Haste Hill and Harefield place, but I think that the latter has been ruined by a gas pipeline project. Pinner Hill is a good choice for a members club.

Of the Municipal courses, Haste Hill is probably the best. Rickmansworth is known locally as Tricky Ricky, because of its slopes, bumpy fairways and small greens. If you don't mind travelling a bit further, then Wexham Park and Farnham Park are both good.

 

[dejf]

Today, I have been training on Ruislip's DR. I have found out that they have even better offer than I saw last time. So, I have bought 10x 100 balls for 35 GBP, which was no hard decision - simply the best offer I have found out in this part of Greater London. I can train all my irons there. Only pity that they do not have short game and enough space for woods and driver.

This year, I will probably check local muni courses and I will not probably go for a club membership this year. For the next year, I will have to choose where to go. So far, Pinner Hill is slightly favorite, but will see what Batchworth Park will come with, or if any recommendations are given regarding to Ealing or Northwood.

delc: I think I want to spend as much time as possible on golf and not on the road. From time to time, I might be happy to go somewhere farther, but for my home club and main practice area, I want them within 15 minutes radius.


Will be very happy to hear more about courses here, so do not consider the topic to be closed please
Will be more than happy to find a member of Pinner Hill to get some more information on this one.

 

[delc]

Today, I have been training on Ruislip's DR. I have found out that they have even better offer than I saw last time. So, I have bought 10x 100 balls for 35 GBP, which was no hard decision - simply the best offer I have found out in this part of Greater London. I can train all my irons there. Only pity that they do not have short game and enogh space for woods and driver.

This year, I will probably check local muni courses and I will not probably go for a club membership this year. For the next year, I will have to choose where to go. So far, Pinner Hill is slightly favorite, but will see what Batchworth Park will come with, or if any recommendations are given regarding to Ealing or Northwood.

delc: I think I want to spend as much time as possible on golf and not on the road. From time to time, I might be happy to go somewhere farther, but for my home club and main practice area, I want them within 15 minutes radius.


Will be very happy to hear more about courses here, so do not consider the topic to be closed please
Will be more than happy to find a member of Pinner Hill to get some more information on this one.

I believe that Northwood GC currently have a waiting list for membership. You might also want to consider Sandy Lodge GC, which has a lovely course (used as an Open Championship qualifier this year). Not an expensive annual sub, but they do have a joining fee.

 

[Foxholer]

I believe that Northwood GC currently have a waiting list for membership. You might also want to consider Sandy Lodge GC, which has a lovely course (used as an Open Championship qualifier this year). Not an expensive annual sub, but they do have a joining fee.

Sandy Lodge also has that other old-style golf club trait....the need for a Proposer and Seconder! Not necessarily a bad thing, but perhaps adds to the difficulty for we foreigners!

Northwood seems to have recovered from the notoriety exposed in the (1994) film 'The Club'! Not played it, but I understand it's relatively flat, so quite popular with Seniors. I have met someone who started at Batchworth, moved to Moor Park, then to Northwood, so it must have some attraction.

 

[delc]

Sandy Lodge also has that other old-style golf club trait....the need for a Proposer and Seconder! Not necessarily a bad thing, but perhaps adds to the difficulty for we foreigners!

Try joining Denham Golf Club! They asked me for 12 personal recommendations from existing members, which was a bit awkward as I didn't know any! I do have some friends who are members of Sandy Lodge GC though.