Oddsocks
Ryder Cup Winner
Croham hurst.
Still there as of last MarchSorry Oddsocks. Only just seen this. Have played all many times but generally in warmer and drier weather.
Shirley Park. It's got a few very nice holes including a very tough par 3 but in my view a bit bland. Not sure about winter golf there but would imagine it gets a bit claggy. Very good socially I believe and, if he's still there, a good Pro Mick Taylor. Don't think it has much in the way of practice facilities.
Addington Palace. One of the toughest opening 9/10 holes you will find in the area. Little bit more open after that although still some interesting holes. Again not sure about winter use but would imagine that some of the higher parts of the course might drain OK. The greens are usually superb. I think that it has lost some of it's stuffy attitude and the few guys I know there are quite sociable. Better practice facility but not good.
The Addington. Quirky. Interesting. Built on gravel (Gravel Hill nearby might be a clue) so should drain well. Clubhouse a bit "clinical" for me if you know what I mean. Practice facilities again a bit better. I enjoy playing there 2 or 3 times a year but definitely would never consider joining.
Croham Hurst. You've seen it in the winter. Normally greens are pretty good. Really the only thing that spoils the course is the 3 holes that have already been mentioned but although short, they are not a walkover by any means. Practice facilities are quite a bit better than the others. Again, the guys I know there are a good bunch and if you have a better half who wants to play golf, they have a good academy system for ladies. I know of 2 have gone through the system one of whom became ladies captain. I enjoy playing there and if I were joining a club in the area, this would be my choice. Unless of course I really wanted to splash out and join Sundridge Park. Fantastic place with possible the best practice facilities anywhere around. Does suffer a bit in very wet conditions though.
Hth
Still there as of last March
Ours starts at 8:30 and there's one that goes out at 8 ( containing the slowest players in the club ?)Well it looks like croham may be out, their weekend swindle starts at 10am!!!!
Ours starts at 8:30 and there's one that goes out at 8 ( containing the slowest players in the club ?)
I’d expect them to be between 8 & 9, my old one used to start at 8 during the winter and 7.30 in the summer when the swindle was busier and it got lighter early.
The thing is Sam one day a week doesn’t matter an I get their thinking in respect that the swindle rolls into 3 o’clock kick off and a lot of members stay in the bar and watch footy.
For me if I’m playing that late I’ll be getting home at 4 so playing Saturday and Sunday after working a 50hr week is not going to happen. At least with an early start I’m back by 1-2pm and that sits a lot better with HID
the obvious answer is ditch HID!
but she’s makes an awesome beef stew
Just to add my (confirming?) tuppence on the 2 possible courses that I've played...
The Addington is definitely a 'Marmite' course! Great to play occasionally, but I could imagine could be frustrating as a member - not that mine (The Shire) isn't similarly describable! I'm not sure that irrigation will 'solve' any criticism of 'cruel bounces' that never bothered me too much (except maybe on 8). The bar/food area did seem to be somewhat limited for 'atmosphere', but it has been quite a while since I last played it, so, apart from some work in Bar/Member's area, the effect of Noades's ownership hadn't really been noticeable.
Addington Palace has never really inspired me and could definitely get soggy in Winter. As a course, it would seem a backward step!
Thanks foxholer. Agree on the Addington couldn't play there every week. It's a nice day a couple of times a year but those greens always get in my head (and the ridiculous downhill par 5). I haven't played at the Shire since I left North London a decade ago and didn't every particularly enjoy it the two or three times I played there but not sure I ever played well which does tend to cloud my view of a course
have you guys played it since they have performed loads of tree removal and course re-working? It looks phenomenally better, and I think the Noades ownership is really starting to pay dividends. Obviously there is still a lot of work to go, but improvements are certainly there!
If finances allowed it / allow it in the future I'd go to Sundridge Park for the 36 holes option over The Addington but not likely for at least a few years.