Living in Ruislip

[dejf]

I have checked Sandy Lodge before, it is just above the price I am looking for, and honestly, I don't think I have a chance to become a member there due to the process conditions - so far I have met only 1 golfer while living in Bracknell.

 

[delc]

Forgot to mention the 'Rolls Royce' of golf clubs in the area, Moor Park. It has two 18 hole courses as well as tennis courts. Believe it is rather pricey though.

 

[dejf]

Forgot to mention the 'Rolls Royce' of golf clubs in the area, Moor Park. It has two 18 hole courses as well as tennis courts. Believe it is rather pricey though.

Have checked this already before. There is a "golden rule" that works most of the time ... it says "if there is no declared price, you could not afford it anyway". Will see if Batchworth can break this rule, but won't even try with Moor Park

 

[delc]

I have checked Sandy Lodge before, it is just above the price I am looking for, and honestly, I don't think I have a chance to become a member there due to the process conditions - so far I have met only 1 golfer while living in Bracknell.

I am sure that if you have, or can get, an official handicap and you are a decent sort of chap (I assume you are male), then they will find a proposer and seconder for you and welcome you with open arms. Like many clubs in the area (apart from Northwood) they are short of members. By the way, when I moved down to the London area in the 1970's you would have to be on a waiting list for several years to get into a golf club, and even then you had to go through an interview with the club committee, where any member of it could blackball you. Golfers don't know they're born these days!

 

[North Mimms]

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.

I've recently moved Clubs (from Batchworth) to a club with a waiting list and the Proposer /seconder thing.
However we were still able to apply (and eventually join) despite not having anyone to propose us.
We had to supply references though!

 

[dejf]

What are these references about? Is it about golf or social status or general reference on being non-criminal individual, or what ?

North Mimms: So, what was the reason for leaving Batchworth?

delc: Do you like Batchworth? If so, why? In other words, why you are member there and not somewhere else?

 

[delc]

delc: Do you like Batchworth? If so, why? In other words, why you are member there and not somewhere else?

Yes, it's a good course that is playable for most of the year, it has good practice facilities, nice clubhouse, nice changing rooms with fantastic showers and free towels, good pro shop, and generally nice people as members. Only downsides are that it's slightly expensive and the course is very exposed to the prevailing wind, being on the side of a hill overlooking the Colne valley. Nice views to compensate for this though!

 

[dejf]

Thanks for a quick review, it sounds really great. I will see what they write to me once they are back in the office (received out of office autoreply).

As for the wind ... well, we are golfers, and golf is tough, wind and rain is just making it more interesting

 

[Foxholer]

...being on the side of a hill overlooking the Colne valley. Nice views to compensate for this though!

The view from the patio area in the late afternoon is one of the best golfing views I know!

 

[dejf]

I have received an invitation today to come and visit Batchworth. I must say it looks quite good and the offer I received was also very good indeed. As I assumed, it was just over my budget, but that does not mean I won't take it

Only two-three things were not perfect there. First of these was that most of the competitions played on weekends and with 5days membership I would not be able to join them. Second thing was that the lovely long yardage from blue tees is not available for training and only can be played in competitions. And third was the fairways seemed to be somehow imperfect, but I am not sure if that was only on the parts we go through or if this is the state of fairways on the whole course.

Everything else seemed to be great and the offer is really tempting. I did not believe I could be back in Ruislip in just 10 minutes in car, which is also great.

Really lovely resort.

 

[USER1999]

Very few golf courses in the UK will let you play off the back tees at any time other than a competition it's just the way it is.

 

[dejf]

Did not know that, thanks for info! I would suppose one would like to train from the tees the competition is played so that the best possible result can be achieved. But now I know and this is what I have to ask on other courses about. E.g. not being able to play from whites on Pinner Hill would probably be a deal breaker for me.

 

[Mitchell89]

I'm a member at Ealing and although I've only been a member there 2 years and it's the only club I've been a member of so I'm not sure if im qualified to recommend it over another club. However, I'm really enjoying it.

The course is very well maintained, everyone always comments on the high quality of the greens. One of the negatives is the holes are quite close together but I think this is the case for a lot of courses in the area.

The club has a putting green, a separate chipping green, warmup nets and a short game practice area. For the short game area you have to take your own balls and pick them up after. To be honest I've never used it but if you're looking for somewhere to practice 30-80 yard shots this would be ideal.

Hope this helps

 

[dejf]

Thank you Mitchell.

The quality of greens is an important factor and I would love to hear a comparison of Batchworth, Pinner and Ealing.

 

[lex!]

Suggest you get out and play? Why don't you try a few? You are blessed with many good courses to choose from.

 

[dejf]

I certainly will. At least in Pinner case. Can't play Batchworth since it is members only.

 

[lex!]

Try the muni's.

Also, FYI, Pinner hill used to have a special visitor day, think it was Thursday, where if you booked an early start you could get a special reduced green fee.

 

[dejf]

I will play Ruislip GC tomorrow, but not looking for a membership there. I have contacted Pinner today and waiting for an appointment to be arranged.

 

[lex!]

Great, will look forward to hearing what you think of it. Have not been there in years.

 

[delc]

I certainly will. At least in Pinner case. Can't play Batchworth since it is members only.

pm me and you can play as my guest. If you are interested in joining they will probably let you play one round at guest rates, refundable if you join, anyway. At least they did for me.