Looking to change club - Houghwood

[bluewolf]

As per the title, due to the inclement weather this year, my course has been shut numerous times. When it has opened, its been in a fairly poor condition. Now, I know that most clubs have suffered, so i'm not going to rant about my club, but I do resent playing 5-6 months on temp tees, winter greens and fairway mats. SO, i've started to look at other clubs in the area. The one that appeals at the moment is Houghwwod Golf Club near St Helens. Its only 10 minutes away from my door, they VERY rarely use temp greens and only have temp tees on the par 3's (they still use those horrible mats though). They've also only shut a handful of times this year.
I have played the course and found it to be a nice track with some very nice, tricky holes. The greens are usually good and the overall feel of the place is great. I've also managed to negotiate a decent deal with regards to the joining fee and first years subs. The clubhouse seems to fit well with my likes and dislikes and the competitions seem well organised.
Now, the big question. Does anyone have any experience of this club that would be necessary to help me make my decision. I don't want to take it lightly.:thup:

 

[Scouser]

Drove past the entrance a couple of times .... looks nice to me :thup:

 

[bluewolf]

Cheers mate.... Im guessing that a few of the guys at Caldy will have played it so I can ask around then...

 

[Deleted member 1740]

I've played it mate and its a decent enough track but I wouldn't enjoy playing there every week and the thought of using mats puts me off aswell.

I've heard haydock is a nice course too but I've never played there. Have you played grange park in St Helens?

 

[North Mimms]

I think 6inchcup was a member there but moved recently

 

[Karl102]

Stay away from the new north west national. Eccleston park is ok, quite a friendly club, but I think houghwood is the best course in the area. I do agree with stu c, Haydock is a really nice course, good nick and a lot flatter (and I think cheaper) than houghwood. The only one I haven't played is up by rainhill, Blundell hills. That is supposed to be nice as well.

 

[Scouser]

The only one I haven't played is up by rainhill, Blundell hills. That is supposed to be nice as well.

I went early this year it should have been clsed due to frost but all the holes were on temps and they were undertaking a lot of drainage work so we didnt play it. From what I could see it looked very nice. I still get there emails and there is a trolley ban at the moment!

 

[bluewolf]

I've played it mate and its a decent enough track but I wouldn't enjoy playing there every week and the thought of using mats puts me off aswell.

I've heard haydock is a nice course too but I've never played there. Have you played grange park in St Helens?

I assume that its the hilly nature of the course that puts you off mate. I actually don't mind that. I like the exercise and the challenge. Lets be honest, working off a few pounds wouldn't be the worst thing for me.

I think 6inchcup was a member there but moved recently

I asked 6inch and he said that he left because of some internal political wrangling. I'm going to ask a friend who plays there about that as he is well in with the committee.

 

[bluewolf]

I've played it mate and its a decent enough track but I wouldn't enjoy playing there every week and the thought of using mats puts me off aswell.

I've heard haydock is a nice course too but I've never played there. Have you played grange park in St Helens?

Stay away from the new north west national. Eccleston park is ok, quite a friendly club, but I think houghwood is the best course in the area. I do agree with stu c, Haydock is a really nice course, good nick and a lot flatter (and I think cheaper) than houghwood. The only one I haven't played is up by rainhill, Blundell hills. That is supposed to be nice as well.

I use the range sometimes at North West National, now that David Clarke has taken it over. It's not a course that I have considered due to it's murky past. I'll have a look at Haydock and Grange park and see if they are worth a visit over the next few weeks..

 

[Liverbirdie]

Grange park is a nice course, and can be tough.

I played in an open there the other year in strong winds. It seemed like I hit my 3 hybrid into every green. The par 3's were playing at 200 yards each, and most of the par 4's needed these in for second shots.

I liked it though. Worsley (not the marriott one) the other week was nice also,l but may not be close enough.

 

[6inchcup]

I use the range sometimes at North West National, now that David Clarke has taken it over. It's not a course that I have considered due to it's murky past. I'll have a look at Haydock and Grange park and see if they are worth a visit over the next few weeks..

and what is wrong with ROYAL ASHTON!!!!!!!!!!!! grange is a top course and a cracking layout,BLUNDELLS HILL is another good course but you cant just turn up and play as it has a booking only system and the owner leaves a lot to be desired,HAYDOCK is a good track but is shorter than what your used to have you tried HURLSTON HALL.

 

[6inchcup]

I assume that its the hilly nature of the course that puts you off mate. I actually don't mind that. I like the exercise and the challenge. Lets be honest, working off a few pounds wouldn't be the worst thing for me.



I asked 6inch and he said that he left because of some internal political wrangling. I'm going to ask a friend who plays there about that as he is well in with the committee.[/QUOTE ask him how many have left this year alone,must be close to 50

 

[Deleted member 1740]

I assume that its the hilly nature of the course that puts you off mate. I actually don't mind that. I like the exercise and the challenge. Lets be honest, working off a few pounds wouldn't be the worst thing for me.
.

No mate I enjoyed the walk and the course but it never excited me enough to go back and play it again.

Blundells is very nice but allows lots of societies on and has booked tee times which doesn't Suit me.

Eccleston is ok again not somewhere I'd play every week, but I had a hole in one on the 4th there

 

[6inchcup]

No mate I enjoyed the walk and the course but it never excited me enough to go back and play it again.

Blundells is very nice but allows lots of societies on and has booked tee times which doesn't Suit me.

Eccleston is ok again not somewhere I'd play every week, but I had a hole in one on the 4th there

and ASHTON??????

 

[bluewolf]

Ashton is a course I was looking at earlier in the year but they were pretty adamant about the 1k joining fee. With all due respect, its not worth that.
6inch, could you pm me with more details about why people are leaving. I don't want to be stuck at a club with problems again. This year has been frustrating enough.

 

[Birchy]

If you become a member at Houghwood i reckon you will lose at least half your body weight over the season. Its a nice course though and I enjoyed playing it for the one off but wouldnt do it every week.

 

[Karl102]

Grange park is a nice course, and can be tough.

I played in an open there the other year in strong winds. It seemed like I hit my 3 hybrid into every green. The par 3's were playing at 200 yards each, and most of the par 4's needed these in for second shots.

I liked it though. Worsley (not the marriott one) the other week was nice also,l but may not be close enough.

I drove to Manchester the other day and I think Worsley would be about 25 mins up the east Lancs away! Ormskirk is supposed to be nice as well!

 

[louise_a]

Worsley is near me, its not as good as ours in my opinion, except maybe the clubhouse, and you have to carry a bunker rake around with you.

 

[Birchy]

Worsley is near me, its not as good as ours in my opinion, except maybe the clubhouse, and you have to carry a bunker rake around with you.

Seriously? A bunker rake? Whats that all about?

 

[louise_a]

There are a lot of public rights of way across the course and the rakes apparently get stolen, so by the first tee there are a load of them for you to take one.