Next year at Woodhall Spa

[bobmac]

I went up to play the Bracken with Teegirl (Jan) yesterday as a bit of a recce for the lucky ones who are playing both courses next spring.
And what a lovely day it was.
10.50 tee time so arrived just after 10 for a mooch around the putting green (Hotchkin)

Then a short walk through the forest to the Brackens' firt tee

1st tee

The 7th is a par 3 over water but not a serious threat to the big hitters on here

The 16th is a bit more tricky (I hit a 4 iron )

A view back down the 17th

And finally, Jan about to launch one down the 18th

I make no apologies or the size of the pictures as it shows what a stuning course it is.
The course was immaculate with lush grass everywhere but watch out for those slopes in the greens

As a wee brucie bonus after the game, we met up with the England under 18 squad at the practice area (which is awesome btw) and their coach, Graham Walker.
What could I do? He begged to see the V-Easy so I reluctantly showed it to him.
The England coach now has my card and a brand new boxed V-Easy to play with and to show around to the other squads.

A good day in all and thanks go to Jan for finding my sun glasses and to the guy who found Jans' lob wedge.

Finally, about 400 yards along the road from the clubhouse towards town is the Golf Hotel.
Enjoy

 

[Leftie]

Appetite definitely whetted Bob

 

[Smiffy]

It looks really, really easy and a bit more open than I imagined.
I hope it tests my abilities

 

[richart]

Do they not go in for fairways ?

 

[bobmac]

They have beautiful fairways like carpets which you must hit as the greens aren't huge and are like upturned saucers.
If you miss the greens, there are many streams and bunkers waiting to gather up your wayward second shots and even if you do hit the greens, a 2 putt isn't guaranteed .........Smiffy
Yes it will test your game and your decisions when to lay up and when to carry the water.
The Hotchkin is a bit flatter like a traditional English heathland course so a good balance

 

[robbest3offthetee]

Bob,can you tell me where it is if im thinking of coming from cardiff....

 

[bobmac]

Bob,can you tell me where it is if im thinking of coming from cardiff....

Head for Birmingham then turn right
It's about 15 miles south east of Lincoln

 

[jammydodger]

Nice one Bob that brought back a few memories from when I played there quite a few years back. I remember there being plenty of doglegs with big old isolated trees catching your eyeline. Lovely greens and fairways iirc too

Tough challenge if youre even only slightly off your game

 

[Aztecs27]

Bob,can you tell me where it is if im thinking of coming from cardiff....

M5 > M42 > M6 >M69 > A46 >B1188 > B1191

Done.

If you want detailed directions, PM me. I live near Gloucester and do the trip 15-20 times a year (both mine and my GF's parents live in Woodhall).

Great pictures Bob!

 

[Wildrover]

I'm playing there on Friday, hope the weather's as good as you had Bob.

 

[viscount17]

that's just plain cruel to post that just when I've had to pull out!

 

[robbest3offthetee]

Aztec,many thanks,how long are we talking time wise to get there....

 

[Aztecs27]

Aztec,many thanks,how long are we talking time wise to get there....

No worries.

Time depends on traffic. Cardiff is around 45 minutes from me (on a good day) so I would say, best case, just over 3 hours. Worst case, you're looking at about 4 and a half hours.

The trouble with Woodhall (and Bob will back me up) is that it's pretty much out in the sticks and there's NO main roads (i.e. dual carriageways) anywhere near it because all the surrounding area is farmland.

Also, you have the problem of the massive roadworks happening on the A46 between Leicester and Newark.

Click here: Route to Woodhall Spa

That's a customised route to Woodhall and the one that I use every time I go home. It looks like it might be a bit wind-y (it is) but it's the quickest route.

If you're not comfortable navigating the roads of Lincolnshire, stick to the main roads, just try not to hit them at peak times (especially the A46, it's a nightmare and has a 40mph speed restriction for over 20 miles and it's painful if there's alot of traffic).

 

[bobmac]

Click here: Route to Woodhall Spa

You almost drive straight passed my house.
Turn left at the post office in Cranwell and I'm just down the road

 

[Aztecs27]

Click here: Route to Woodhall Spa

You almost drive straight passed my house.
Turn left at the post office in Cranwell and I'm just down the road

Know exactly where you mean! I'll pop in for a cuppa next time I'm back!