New to south Essex need a pro recommendation

[james_banks]

Hi, first post so hello to everyone.

I have just moved into the leigh-on-sea area and am looking for a few pointers
1) can anyone recommend a good pro for lessons? I don't mind a reasonable drive for a good one
2) a good driving range in the area with decent bays and balls
3) any recommendations on the best local courses and which one you would join? prefer a longer course

thanks all

 

[andycap]

Hi James , I am near to you and there is lots of choice in the area, both for pay and play or membership . Ballards Gore is a good long course worth looking at , I have used Gary the pro for lessons and he helped me . They have a practice area (bring your own balls) but other ranges are better ,Garons,the Rayleigh club or the range at carpenters arms Rayleigh . I was a member at Ballards but went back to pay and play because I was not playing enough at the time to get value for money .I play most public courses in the area if I can be of help let me know

 

[james_banks]

Andy

thank you for your input, i took a trip over to Rayleigh club and thought the driving range was good. also like the look of the multiple course options. looks like a good contender for a membership.

 

[Essex_Stu]

Played rayleigh in the final of the jubilee cup last year. Wasn't blown away by it but it was a pleasant set up. The clubhouse was nice but the course wasn't special. Where insouth essex are you as it may open up some other options such as orsett.

 

[james_banks]

I'm in Leigh-on-sea

 

[lex!]

Hi James, I can recommend the facilities at the Essex at Earls Colne. Good driving range, good balls, practice bunker, chipping and pitching areas, and I can highly recommend the pro who teaches me if you decide to give it a try as it might be a bit too far away for you. It's a long course too!

 

[Essex_Stu]

There is a small driving range behind Leigh on sea station but its not great. As for courses I can recommend Thorpe Hall.

 

[Mark_Aged_42]

No contest I'm afraid. Alan Mullen is your man. He is in Leigh-on-Sea. Contact me if you can't find his number.
Even Mrs Mark Aged 42 was gently coached in to having a half decent swing!

And welcome to the land of claggy fairways which are perfect for a few hours each year, and then they bake hard in the summer!

 

[Mark_Aged_42]

Oh, and Belfairs is in Leigh-on-Sea, but is short, and is pay and play with all that entails. Ballards Gore is a members course and is about 15 mins drive away and is a way longer course (except for an 90 yard par 3!).
I was a member at Rochford Hundred for a while. Nice course, but not super long.

 

[andycap]

Rayleigh, is my nearest course , the big course(not sure what it's called as they have had several owners over the last few years , and each one changes the course names) is a nice course , bit pricey for P&P , and membership is a bit higher than others, the short course is very short and a bit mickey mouse in places , it is having money spent on it now and is getting better but has been neglected in the past ,
There has been a fortune spent on facilities there in the past few years , with a new club house , that also holds a lot of functions including weddings , a small hotel , supposed to be a spa/health club in the pipeline , seems a good atmosphere there and i believe the new owner is someone who has been a member there for some years.