JohnnyDee
Tour Winner
Our group's had a bit of an old conflab and decided to scrub our trip. Just doesn't seem worth it anymore. But hey, it's only money after all. 
Old Thorns Trip
- Thread starter JohnnyDee
- Start date
User20205
Money List Winner
.....User20205
Money List Winner
Our group's had a bit of an old conflab and decided to scrub our trip. Just doesn't seem worth it anymore. But hey, it's only money after all.
Probably for the best. :thup: at least you missed out on the 5+ hour round.
If you're at a loose end, and in the area, liphook do a decent twilight deal. That will put old thorns into context.
ab1v
Medal Winner
used to play the course with a society. Ended up dropping it from the calendar. Go up in the middle of August and looked in a worse state than our local council courses!
Couple of nice holes but a lot better out there.
Couple of nice holes but a lot better out there.
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
I first went down there about 25 years ago, and because I hadn't really played that many different courses I thought it was a quite nice.
Group of 8 of us visited two or three times and stayed for the week-end.
As we started to explore more and more quality courses, it dawned on us that Old Thorns wasn't really that special.
As mentioned, there are a couple of decent holes, but the vast majority are nothing to write home about.
The par 3's in particular are weak.
Last time I bothered to go down there the course should never have been open.
Won't bother again.
MendieGK
Tour Winner
The 3rd and 5th are great holes as are 16 17 18.
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
5th is a joke! Agreed it's a great view from up on the top of that tee, but you can hit a superb shot off of there and be blocked out by trees.
MendieGK
Tour Winner
5th is a joke! Agreed it's a great view from up on the top of that tee, but you can hit a superb shot off of there and be blocked out by trees.
Obviously not a great tee shot then is it?!?
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
JohnnyDee
Tour Winner
Just back and our group had a brilliant time.
Odd this thread has developed a sort of my xyz is better than your xyz feel to it.
In my OP I never once suggested that it's the best, or one of the best courses around. For what we want as a group it is:
A) Not our home course.
B) Perfectly playable like most are with a mixture of good and ordinary holes.
C) Its leisure facilities are well above average.
So I really don't get the disparaging comments or indeed any need for them. I was not trying to sell it as a venue.
My advice to anyone thinking of going there is go ahead and knock yourselves out!
Odd this thread has developed a sort of my xyz is better than your xyz feel to it.
In my OP I never once suggested that it's the best, or one of the best courses around. For what we want as a group it is:
A) Not our home course.
B) Perfectly playable like most are with a mixture of good and ordinary holes.
C) Its leisure facilities are well above average.
So I really don't get the disparaging comments or indeed any need for them. I was not trying to sell it as a venue.
My advice to anyone thinking of going there is go ahead and knock yourselves out!
It's a funny old forum. Glad you had a good time. How was the golf
JohnnyDee
Tour Winner
Sure is.
Played pretty well Sunday in nice conditions although yesterday morning weather was dire for first 5 holes. Today we dodged our way through the squalls but overall didn't get too wet.
I suppose that's what happens when you go to play on a rather poor course though. The gods of golf show their displeasure at your dreadful judgement
Sure is.
Played pretty well Sunday in nice conditions although yesterday morning weather was dire for first 5 holes. Today we dodged our way through the squalls but overall didn't get too wet.
I suppose that's what happens when you go to play on a rather poor course though. The gods of golf show their displeasure at your dreadful judgement
That's funny. Where do all your group come from. Are they all local? Wondering about logistics for a different venue next year but there again lots to be said about if it ain't broke don't fix it
JohnnyDee
Tour Winner
We're all from Reading area and are mostly the same club. We've done Old Thorns now two years on the spin but in the bar last night agreed that next we'll do a new place. Not because we had a bad time, quite the contrary really, it's just that variety keeps things fresh.
However wouldn't rule O T out again in a few years.
Sounds like a plan. Loads of options around no further than Old Thorns. Would you consider further afield?
JohnnyDee
Tour Winner
Yes in the past we've been to Cardiff (The Vale) and Hawkstone Park, The Costas and many others.
One thing though is we are the most unlucky group when it comes to the weather. It always rains - almost without fail (except The Costas naturally)
Raingods