Looking forward to the weekend.

[HotDogAssassin]

Jon,

As you know I'll be very interested in hearing your thoughts on the course and the facilities in general. Hope you have a good weekend.

 

[Aztecs27]

Jon,

As you know I'll be very interested in hearing your thoughts on the course and the facilities in general. Hope you have a good weekend.

I will report back after the weekend for sure. Might try and get some photos too.

Monty - Good call mate! I'll remember that lot, want to make sure the 1st impressions are good!

Tone - don't worry, it's Swinger's stretch pole, if anyone sees me I'll just say I fell on to it by accident!

 

[Robobum]

Aztec - Just been flicking through some old posts, please say it's not Gloucester you're planning on going to?!!!

Sorry if it offends but it is a horrible, horrible course. really horrible. I've played every course in Gloucestershire over the last 10years and this is the only one I really hated having to go to.

It's bulit next to a dry ski slope and the terrain follows the same. One really poor par 3 to get up the hill (4 iron required, 7 iron trajectory) followed by 2 comedy par 5s the first of which nearly always has to be played driver, wedge, wedge as there is nowhere to go!!
The 18th then takes you back down the ski slope, terrible terrible hole to end a crap round of golf. Probably 3 average holes (at best) on the whole course and they're 1,2 & 3!!!

Unless they are paying you to join, I'd give it a wide berth. Go have a look at Stinchcombe, Cotswold Hills, Cirencester, Lilleybrook........... christ, even Tewkesbury and Painswick are better!!!

 

[Aztecs27]

Aztec - Just been flicking through some old posts, please say it's not Gloucester you're planning on going to?!!!

Sorry if it offends but it is a horrible, horrible course. really horrible. I've played every course in Gloucestershire over the last 10years and this is the only one I really hated having to go to.

It's bulit next to a dry ski slope and the terrain follows the same. One really poor par 3 to get up the hill (4 iron required, 7 iron trajectory) followed by 2 comedy par 5s the first of which nearly always has to be played driver, wedge, wedge as there is nowhere to go!!
The 18th then takes you back down the ski slope, terrible terrible hole to end a crap round of golf. Probably 3 average holes (at best) on the whole course and they're 1,2 & 3!!!

Unless they are paying you to join, I'd give it a wide berth. Go have a look at Stinchcombe, Cotswold Hills, Cirencester, Lilleybrook........... christ, even Tewkesbury and Painswick are better!!!

It is Gloucester, but that's why I'm playing it first! And I'm not even paying to play it this weekend, so it's all good!

Plenty of the courses you mention above, I would join in a heartbeat, but they're all REALLY expensive. As an under 30, joining Gloucester will cost me £300 a year for a full day membership and their new practice facilities are supposed to be pretty good, so we shall see.

My mind isn't made up yet, don't worry. That's why I'm going this weekend. But even if the course is average, it has a lot of plus points (really close to my house, every other one you mentioned is at least a 20 minute drive. Cheap, new practice stuff etc..)..So I'm going with an open mind. But I appreciate you letting me know! Always good to have opinion from someone who's actually played it. Plus I'll have another opinion from Steve.

Also, if I do join, I'll make sure I don't invite you down

 

[Robobum]

Hahaha, only played there in league matches, paying money to play there would be like them stealing!!!

Good luck, enjoy the 5hr+ round

 

[Bratty]

Shame you couldn't make it up to Woodhall Spa though, mate!

I'll be playing the Bracken at Woodhall Spa at 11am with Viscount17. Anyone fancies joining us, sure it'll be okay to just turn up.

Enjoy your golf this weekend everyone!

 

[Aztecs27]

Hahaha, only played there in league matches, paying money to play there would be like them stealing!!!

Good luck, enjoy the 5hr+ round

If it turns out to be rubbish, I'll probably stay at Thornbury or end up just doing pay and play this year as I can't afford to fork out for a membership at the likes of Lilleybrook/Cotswold hills etc.

Played at Brickhampton last week and wasn't particularly enamoured with that, so Glos is the only one in the vicinity that's left.

As I said, it's a free round of golf, the sun will be shining, and Swinger is generally good for banter so if it's slow, we'll keep ourselves occupied. If it turns out to be a horrendous course, then I've not lost anything.

 

[Aztecs27]

Shame you couldn't make it up to Woodhall Spa though, mate!

I'll be playing the Bracken at Woodhall Spa at 11am with Viscount17. Anyone fancies joining us, sure it'll be okay to just turn up.

Enjoy your golf this weekend everyone!

I know mate! I'm up next weekend, which is why we didn't go back this week. always enjoy playing there, I guess I'll have to wait for the Woodhall meet in a few weeks.

 

[fundy]

Winter knockout better ball match saturday, medal on sunday - off to the club in a bit to work on the short game confidence again (and try a put a small pre shot routine to my short game shots)

 

[pbrown7582]

Unless it's changed much in the last 5 years since I migrated north I hold the same opinion of Gloucester as robobun plus watch leaving anything on show in your car the locals can take a fancy too! They used to be quite partial to a pro v1 or 2 at top of cardiac hill too especially in school hols, hope it has changed as £300 is a great deal but....

Brickhampton a bit flat and uninspiring then?

Play well and enjoy the freebie.

 

[Aztecs27]

Unless it's changed much in the last 5 years since I migrated north I hold the same opinion of Gloucester as robobun plus watch leaving anything on show in your car the locals can take a fancy too! They used to be quite partial to a pro v1 or 2 at top of cardiac hill too especially in school hols, hope it has changed as £300 is a great deal but....

Brickhampton a bit flat and uninspiring then?

Play well and enjoy the freebie.

Matson isn't the worst part of town anymore, which is a bonus! So hopefully that shouldn't be a problem...Shame to hear that it's not well liked. £300 is properly cheap but I have to actually enjoy playing there.

Brickhampton is *ok* and has good facilities BUT for the price they're asking for membership, it's really not that great of a course. Granted, I played it during the 1st week in march and I'm sure it's nicer in the summer, but Thornbury is in better nick in the winter than this place was in March. It's very bland, and mostly uninspiring. Not as flat as I thought it would be, but ultimately, not somewhere I would necessarily consider unless the price was really right.

Ideally, I'd love to stay at Thornbury, but being an hour round trip to play, it's not ideal, especially as I play a lot of my golf post work (and was considering pre-work golf if I ended up at Gloucester)

 

[pbrown7582]

I did hear matson was better these days even have sheep grazing! .
Hope you like the course £300 is proper cheap 1/3 of my renewal just received!

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

First round for me for a few weeks on Saturday, but im sure I can keep going with my regular standard

I post on another forum that has a guy from Bearstead on there. By all accounts a very good player so you might know him, plays off Scr/+1 or thereabouts.

 

[Aztecs27]

Unless it's changed much in the last 5 years since I migrated north I hold the same opinion of Gloucester as robobun plus watch leaving anything on show in your car the locals can take a fancy too! They used to be quite partial to a pro v1 or 2 at top of cardiac hill too especially in school hols, hope it has changed as £300 is a great deal but....

Brickhampton a bit flat and uninspiring then?

Play well and enjoy the freebie.

Thought I'd bring this thread back up as I've just got back from my round at Gloucester with Swinger....

From the sounds of it, having spoken to the pro who has been there since the dawn of time, the course has changed considerably in the last 5 years.

It's no longer owned by the hotel across the street and was bought by an individual who has pumped some serious money into it. The greenskeepers have 3x the budget they've ever had and the new range and short game area look very impressive (the range is done, and looks awesome, they're just waiting for the grass to grow before it opens).

They're also starting work on the club house over the next 4 weeks to improve and extend it.

As for the course, it's certainly not the best course I've ever played, but even as it's still winter, it was far from the worst. A few bland holes, but all in all, enjoyable. Greens were true, if a little bobbly due to them being hollow tined last week, but overall were in a a healthy condition (and better than the greens at Brickhampton last week).

Cardiac hill is not cool, that's for sure, but the holes that follow are a good challenge IMHO and interesting enough to enjoy playing them. The course as a whole is a very good challenge.

Steve and I both agreed that it's not the best course we'll ever play, and that the front nine was a little "wet" under foot, but it's still march and has time to dry out... But for £300 a year, it would be worth every penny, especially with the money they're pumping into it (which seems to be plenty of it and often!). If the improvements continue, I'd be surprised if it wasn't one of the better courses in the area within the next couple of years.

I can see why it wasn't liked previously, and the pro agreed wholeheartedly (I told him about the negativity I'd heard of it)....But for the price I'd pay (which is at least £400 less than any other course in the area), it seems a no brainer. Members were friendly and the social side seemed good.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Still waiting on my 1st proper round of 18 holes since August last year! I have had plenty of 9 hole course exposure but not "proper" courses.

I cannot wait to get out and see where my game is at... Main goal is to enjoy the outing and have a good laugh.

Wherever my game is I am sure I will have fun, there will be a game plan but no targets or goals. Just safe gameplan based round my strong wedge play... Keep it straight, get within 120 yards in 2 shots less than par then let the short game do the work...

 

[ScienceBoy]

Forgot to mention I am always looking for a sunday knock in the hampshire area. Generally available every other weekend.

 

[User20205]

Forgot to mention I am always looking for a sunday knock in the hampshire area. Generally available every other weekend.

Let me know your plans for the next few Sundays. I'm away for the next two, but you are more than welcome to join me (and maybe Simon) at Brokenhurst on a Sunday afternoon.


Back on post, convenience has a big part to play, you can't always be a member of the best course ever! I should know. I'd like to ask Swinger, You have to choose 1 place to play for the rest of your like. Gloucester or Iford ??

 

[pbrown7582]

Thought I'd bring this thread back up as I've just got back from my round at Gloucester with Swinger....
From the sounds of it, having spoken to the pro who has been there since the dawn of time, the course has changed considerably in the last 5 years.
It's no longer owned by the hotel across the street and was bought by an individual who has pumped some serious money into it. The greenskeepers have 3x the budget they've ever had and the new range and short game area look very impressive (the range is done, and looks awesome, they're just waiting for the grass to grow before it opens)They're also starting work on the club house over the next 4 weeks to improve and extend it
As for the course, it's certainly not the best course I've ever played, but even as it's still winter, it was far from the worst. A few bland holes, but all in all, enjoyable. Greens were true if a little bobbly due to them being hollow tined last week, but overall were in a a healthy condition (and better than the greens at Brickhampton last week).Cardiac hill is not cool, that's for sure, but the holes that follow are a good challenge IMHO and interesting enough to enjoy playing them. The course as a whole is a very good challenge.
Steve and I both agreed that it's not the best course we'll ever play, and that the front nine was a little "wet" under foot, but it's still march and has time to dry out... But for £300 a year, it would be worth every penny, especially with the money they're pumping into it (which seems to be plenty of it and often!). If the improvements continue, I'd be surprised if it wasn't one of the better courses in the area within the next couple of years.
I can see why it wasn't liked previously, and the pro agreed wholeheartedly (I told him about the negativity I'd heard of it)....But for the price I'd pay (which is at least £400 less than any other course in the area), it seems a no brainer. Members were friendly and the social side seemed good.

Glad you had and good day and it's a positive move having a new owner. All seems good and value for money is fantastic good luck with the new club and thanks for the update.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Had to break cabin fever. Had an intensive physio session on Friday and so knocked it round in the medal. Played like a donkey and felt it on a few shots but was manageable although I wasn't swinging properly or 100%. I think the painkillers before and after nine helped but it has stiffened up badly. Another 0.1 back so not sure if it was worth it. Hold on - round of golf, tee short weather - course it was

 

[Monty_Brown]

Thought I'd bring this thread back up as I've just got back from my round at Gloucester with Swinger....

From the sounds of it, having spoken to the pro who has been there since the dawn of time, the course has changed considerably in the last 5 years.

It's no longer owned by the hotel across the street and was bought by an individual who has pumped some serious money into it. The greenskeepers have 3x the budget they've ever had and the new range and short game area look very impressive (the range is done, and looks awesome, they're just waiting for the grass to grow before it opens).

They're also starting work on the club house over the next 4 weeks to improve and extend it.

As for the course, it's certainly not the best course I've ever played, but even as it's still winter, it was far from the worst. A few bland holes, but all in all, enjoyable. Greens were true, if a little bobbly due to them being hollow tined last week, but overall were in a a healthy condition (and better than the greens at Brickhampton last week).

Cardiac hill is not cool, that's for sure, but the holes that follow are a good challenge IMHO and interesting enough to enjoy playing them. The course as a whole is a very good challenge.

Steve and I both agreed that it's not the best course we'll ever play, and that the front nine was a little "wet" under foot, but it's still march and has time to dry out... But for £300 a year, it would be worth every penny, especially with the money they're pumping into it (which seems to be plenty of it and often!). If the improvements continue, I'd be surprised if it wasn't one of the better courses in the area within the next couple of years.

I can see why it wasn't liked previously, and the pro agreed wholeheartedly (I told him about the negativity I'd heard of it)....But for the price I'd pay (which is at least £400 less than any other course in the area), it seems a no brainer. Members were friendly and the social side seemed good.

Glad you liked it Aztec and sounds like a good deal. I've never understood how much snobbery there is about other golf courses. People seem to delight in having a pop. I can enjoy any course if the company is right.