New Courses I played 2024

I'd think it could never get in good enough condition to charge top prices. But nor should it, it's on the Common, grazing animals and walkers. Part of the charm.
However at around £40 it is, to my mind, much, much better value for money than for example £110 for Pennard or £100 for Pyle and Kenfig which have both massively increased prices in the last few years.
 
However at around £40 it is, to my mind, much, much better value for money than for example £110 for Pennard or £100 for Pyle and Kenfig which have both massively increased prices in the last few years.

Completely understandable! (Although I am sure that was £20 no so long ago) Pyle has to be one of the most overrated course in these islands. We have a recip with them and a Seniors Match. There's no way on earth I'd pay £100 to play there. It isn't a bad course, but somehow it gets talked about in "Higher terms." Can't ever remember it being in good condition. There's about a 5 hole stretch on the back 9 that is good, but the rest is ok, but unremarkable. The great dunes are beyond the 13th. Some big names wanted to build a links there, but the areas is SSSI so "no chance!"

Pennard is a step up with sea views a plenty. £110 seems to be quite common these days, but stick it in Fife, and it would be £250;)
 
How was Alto @Bazz ?
I’ve played there a few times while holidaying in Alvor.
Really really slow, we'd already played a different course in the morning so we walked in after 12, I think. Course was nice though, not the best condition but I remember being pleased with it.
 
Really really slow, we'd already played a different course in the morning so we walked in after 12, I think. Course was nice though, not the best condition but I remember being pleased with it.
I had a similar experience once there. Got a game on my own, they put me out with 3 nice people.
Gave up after 9 as there was a stag group on the course, most of them had never played golf before.
About 3 hours for 9 holes. 😲
 
I had a similar experience once there. Got a game on my own, they put me out with 3 nice people.
Gave up after 9 as there was a stag group on the course, most of them had never played golf before.
About 3 hours for 9 holes. 😲

All of those courses were take your money and pack you in.
We had early tee times on other rounds and we flew round. Will be a bit more picky when booking our next trips.
 
Completely understandable! (Although I am sure that was £20 no so long ago) Pyle has to be one of the most overrated course in these islands. We have a recip with them and a Seniors Match. There's no way on earth I'd pay £100 to play there. It isn't a bad course, but somehow it gets talked about in "Higher terms." Can't ever remember it being in good condition. There's about a 5 hole stretch on the back 9 that is good, but the rest is ok, but unremarkable. The great dunes are beyond the 13th. Some big names wanted to build a links there, but the areas is SSSI so "no chance!"

Pennard is a step up with sea views a plenty. £110 seems to be quite common these days, but stick it in Fife, and it would be £250;)
The club was offered the opportunity to buy the links land beyond the back 9, believe it was in the 1960's. For some bizarre reason they turned it down. What a course that would have been.
 
The club was offered the opportunity to buy the links land beyond the back 9, believe it was in the 1960's. For some bizarre reason they turned it down. What a course that would have been.

That I didn't know. Crikey, that would have been the Trump Aberdeen of Wales! I know around 10-15 years ago Terry Matthews and helpers put out feelers about it. Got a swift "clear off!"
 
New courses for me were

North Berwick
Carnoustie
Anster
West Cliffs
Sherwood Forest
Swinley Forest
Monifieth
Blairgowrie Rosemont
Kilmarnock Barassie
Shiskine
Corrie
Goswick
Jubilee
Dumbarnie
Kittocks
Helensburgh
 
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Goswick
Alnmouth
Bamburgh Castle
The Hallamshire
Stratford Oaks

And in the Algarve;

Ombria
Pinheiros Altos

Enjoyed all of them, and also revisited a couple of old favourites which I haven’t played for over 20 years. Been a good year.
What was Ombria like? Booked there for round in April. Didn’t book Pinheiros Altos as had heard bad reports about course maintenance. Booked Ombria following a YouTube video as the group wanted to try something different! Staying at Quinta do Lago again and playing their courses too.
 
New ones in 2024, chronologically,

Tain, Blairgowrie Wee Course, Lundin Links, Moray Old, Loch Lomond, Delamere Forest, Burnham & Berrow, Perranporth, Trevose, St Enodoc, Royal North Devon, Saunton East, Pollok, Moortown, Swinley Forest, New Zealand, The Addington, Hankley Common, West Lancs., Formby Ladies, Silloth, Gleneagles Queens.
 
New ones in 2024, chronologically,

Tain, Blairgowrie Wee Course, Lundin Links, Moray Old, Loch Lomond, Delamere Forest, Burnham & Berrow, Perranporth, Trevose, St Enodoc, Royal North Devon, Saunton East, Pollok, Moortown, Swinley Forest, New Zealand, The Addington, Hankley Common, West Lancs., Formby Ladies, Silloth, Gleneagles Queens.
Wow!
How did you get onto Loch Lomond?
 
What was Ombria like? Booked there for round in April. Didn’t book Pinheiros Altos as had heard bad reports about course maintenance. Booked Ombria following a YouTube video as the group wanted to try something different! Staying at Quinta do Lago again and playing their courses too.

Absolutely first class. I’d put it up there with the best courses I have played in the Algarve.

It’s a tough layout, but thoroughly enjoyable. We weren’t given the option of playing from the white tees, but didn’t need to as it was tricky enough from the yellows. Some big changes in elevation, especially the front nine, makes club selection really quite difficult, and explains why a buggy is included in the green fee - you can’t walk it.

I’d happily go back.
 
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