More Local Knowledge Please - Blackley GC, Manchester

[Foliage Finder]

Evening all,

I've recently discovered a few clubs around me offer a student membership, at very competitive prices! The closest to me is Blackley, offering a full year membership for £165, absolute bargain. Over a 10 mth direct debit, it would be £18 per month, and I'm paying £15-20 in green fees per week alone, never mind paying for range balls.

So, all you Manchester golfers out there, what do you think? I'd be looking for somewhere winter-friendly that drains well so would be open through the colder wetter months with as little restriction as possible on play. Also, general thoughts on the course/club etc. would be handy.

On a side note, Walmersley is only £100 per year for students, but its a 25 minute drive as opposed to a 10 minute drive away. Less petrol money plus more likelihood of playing golf equals a happy student.
Over to you :cheers:

 

[louise_a]

Danny OT is the man to ask really, he was a member there last year, for me I would easily get bored with Blackley, The first nine isn't too bad but there are some very samey holes in my opinion.

Walmersley is a nice course albeit a bit quirky with being on the side of a hill, I would think that due to its altitude, it could suffer closures in winter

 

[DannyOT]

Blackley is a difficult one; it's not a particularly bad course and is never in particularly bad shape, it's just not brilliant. I joined on a similar membership last year, £165 as a student and for the money I couldn't really moan. The front nine is quite interesting and has a variety of holes but the back nine is basically up and down. It does stand up well in winter as it has USGA greens which do drain well but the fairways can be pretty soggy. I know you play at Marland a lot and truth be told, I would rather play there twice a week than Blackley, even though it is significantly shorter. The greens are also better at Marland. The clubhouse at Blackley is very nice though and there does seem to be quite a social scene, albeit most people I met were 40+.

If you do fancy a round there, I'm more than happy to join you as it's 5 minutes from me.

 

[Qwerty]

I've never played Blackley but I think Walmersley is a really nice quirky course. Its a good set up they've got there, I've played it 20+ times. You certainly won't get bored of the course,its pretty brutal in winter though.

 

[Odvan]

albeit most people I met were 40+.

And?

Ballbag

 

[Foliage Finder]

Thanks all. Danny, I'll be wanting to play a round to try before I buy, preferably a weekday to get the cheaper green fees and could do with someone who knows the course. I'll be in touch!

To be honest I think I'm almost certainly going to join up. I don't mind if it's a bit run of the mill, given my price range. Although run of the mill to an 11 handicapper is probably quite challenging to a barely-28 h'capper!

 

[DannyOT]

And?

Ballbag

It meant I never had anybody to talk about The only was is Essex and how much of a role model Kim kardashian is. :-(

Thanks all. Danny, I'll be wanting to play a round to try before I buy, preferably a weekday to get the cheaper green fees and could do with someone who knows the course. I'll be in touch!

To be honest I think I'm almost certainly going to join up. I don't mind if it's a bit run of the mill, given my price range. Although run of the mill to an 11 handicapper is probably quite challenging to a barely-28 h'capper!

By run of the mill, I don't mean easy by any means; just slightly lacking in variety. I can do 6pm onwards this week / weekend if you ever fancy an evening round.

 

[huds1475]

And?

Ballbag

Good spot Odders.

Invites to MGC and Stand promptly withdrawn! 😁