Pedham Place

[Holty]

How do all. First post but I've been a bit of a lurker for the last couple of weeks.

I'm trying to get into the game at the moment, and following rounds at The Grove and West Hill, which weren't brilliant demonstrations of skill, but didn't result in me destroying the course, and a few blasts around Pachesham and Richmond Park I'm starting to look for a regular round somewhere slightly more local.

To that end, has anyone had a crack round Pedham Place near Farningham in Kent? The set up seems ok - pro very helpful, fairly small clubhouse etc, staff friendly and practice facilities all there - just interested in others perceptions, or if there are perhaps better courses around for a beginner?

Cheers

 

[Oddsocks]

Pedham is great, I really like it but for a starter it can be difficult and demoralising. It can play hard on blowy days being do open, alot of holes play long in general, where are you located?

I'd "personally" look slightly further west at cray valley or lullingstone, I'm sure the later is doing 7 day membership at 800 pee year

 

[Holty]

Cheers for the info on pedham - I'm in Greenhithe, so just down the road really - I'll have a look into Cray Valley and Lullingstone too then!

 

[Oddsocks]

Austin lodge at aynesford ( just down the road ) is nice, plenty of elevation changes, and woodlands manor at west Kingstown is meant to be ok

 

[Holty]

Cheers again for more suggestions - will try and give them all a bash and see how I get on!

 

[chrisd]

I agree with Oddsocks and his suggestions. I played Wrotham Heath in the summer and found that a real treat too and Redlibbetts is a good track as well

Welcome to the forum by the way!

 

[Foxholer]

I played Pedham on Saturday with another bunch of 'internet axe murderers' - it's a regular November venue.

I wouldn't discount it as a place to start, though - little real trouble (a bit of OB, some of which is internal), a few blind holes and a bit open to the breeze (not really a bad thing imo) but you shouldn't get beaten up on every hole like you can at some courses.

One of the guys moved there from Lullingstone and has since progressed to another course - actually 2! One of my playing partners described it as a 'great learner's course - tricky enough but not overly difficult'. 16th is certainly a memorable par 3. Short Par 5 (6th?) is the only hole with anything to object to - fine by me though. And maybe a couple of SIs?

 

[Holty]

Sounds like I'm lucky enough to have a few places to have a punt round nearby - I'm not overly concerned if something gives me a bit of a beating, fortunately enough I'm at the stage where I'm able to divorce each shot/hole from the last so don't get too downbeat if I have a couple of nightmare holes, so I'm going to give Pedham a crack next weekend (hopefully) and then venture out to the other suggested courses as and when I can!

 

[49neil]

I hate the place.... 90 degree doglegs, not a driver off the first tee, the par 5 dogleg with the green hidden behind a large tree.....

there are much better courses in the near vicinity IMHO, Red Libbetts, Lullingstone, Broke Hill, Kings Hill (i'm a member there, quality golf all year round), Westerham, Park Wood.....

 

[spongebob59]

Southern Valley, the otherside of Gravesend might be worth a look as well.

 

[Holty]

Cheers again guys, I'll be sure to have a good crack at them and find a decent challenge for me!

 

[Doon frae Troon]

The Wilderness is nice [well it was 40 years ago!]

 

[cookelad]

I hate the place.... 90 degree doglegs, not a driver off the first tee, the par 5 dogleg with the green hidden behind a large tree.....

there are much better courses in the near vicinity IMHO, Red Libbetts, Lullingstone, Broke Hill, Kings Hill (i'm a member there, quality golf all year round), Westerham, Park Wood.....

Is Pedham the one where they stop you from cutting the corner on doglegs?

 

[duncan mackie]

The Wilderness is nice [well it was 40 years ago!]

still 'nice' but a slightly different golf experience to those being discussed! Think Royal Troon v Dundonald....

 

[Fader]

Not played Pedham yet, but hoping to get up there at some point soon if any forumers fancy it after out Princes meet up.

Plenty of courses not far from Greenhith, you have Dartford GC to which is on Heath Lane in Dartford. A very nice course imo, its tight and not overly long but a decent challenge. Not sure of the membership fees and requirements though.

You've also got Mid Kent at Singlewell in Gravesend, Southern Valley at the very next exit after that and Rochester & Cobham (though that is a bit pricey). I would recommend Cray Valley over Lullingstone as its got more interesting holes and a better layout, but i'd avoid Ruxley Park in Orpington which is next too Cray Valley as Ruxley is no better than a pig field from my own experiences there.

 

[Bratty]

I would avoid Ruxley and Cray Valley! And I prefer Pedham to Broke Hill if I'm honest.

I really like Pedham as a course. It makes you think about your shots and not just blast away with a driver, it dries really well and the greens have always been good for the green fee. Now they've a proper clubhouse it's even better.

One course not yet mentioned that I used to really enjoy was Darenth Valley (Shoreham) but haven't been there for years. Horrific par 3 to finish (in that it's difficult!), right in front of the clubhouse and carpark... rather be short than long!

 

[Bratty]

Is Pedham the one where they stop you from cutting the corner on doglegs?

Yes and rightly so. Other fairways are far to close to allow that.

 

[cookelad]

Being new to the area these places are all on my list for next year will be keeping an eye on websites for opens!

 

[Sybez]

Any reviews on Austin Lodge GC?

 

[Foxholer]

One course not yet mentioned that I used to really enjoy was Darenth Valley (Shoreham) but haven't been there for years. Horrific par 3 to finish (in that it's difficult!), right in front of the clubhouse and carpark... rather be short than long!

Seem to remember that being quite a pleasant society course but can't remember many holes (though you reminded me of the last!). Think memory was all used up by the fact that there was a Porn Vid being shot in the hall across the road from where I (and the cast and crew!) was staying!