SE London Membership Options

[Blue in Munich]

Two not mentioned - Dulwich and Sydenham and Chislehurst. Don't know much about D & S although there is a member on this Forum and Chislehurst is OK but at about 5100yds with 7 par 3's it is rather "compact" and a hard hat is recommended with all the crossing holes.

Chislehurst was the closest private club to home when I was a boy (Royal Magpie was the closest course), and the Uncle that introduced me & encouraged me was a member there (and at Littlestone, hence my love of links golf, but that's for another day), so I may be a little biased, but I enjoy Chislehurst. Compact is a fair description but I feel it makes the most of the land it has. It's tight, but I don't remember that many crossing holes (1st & 15th?). The par 3's are very varied and the clubhouse is lovely. No idea on the social side, but I enjoyed my rounds there, with or without Uncle Harry.

and I must put High elms on the list for a return visit next year, it is a nice layout and another I played regularly as a lad.

 

[Blue in Munich]

I’ve driven past the addington since the deforestation and along with the new irrigation and practice ground the place will be awesome! I reckon it’s a 2yr recovery but it’s going to be something special, I can see memberships costs rocketing once it’s done.

Might explain why the society has got a good deal there next year...

 

[Dando]

Chislehurst was the closest private club to home when I was a boy (Royal Magpie was the closest course), and the Uncle that introduced me & encouraged me was a member there (and at Littlestone, hence my love of links golf, but that's for another day), so I may be a little biased, but I enjoy Chislehurst. Compact is a fair description but I feel it makes the most of the land it has. It's tight, but I don't remember that many crossing holes (1st & 15th?). The par 3's are very varied and the clubhouse is lovely. No idea on the social side, but I enjoyed my rounds there, with or without Uncle Harry.

and I must put High elms on the list for a return visit next year, it is a nice layout and another I played regularly as a lad.

I’ve not played high elms for about 20years

 

[Blue in Munich]

I’ve not played high elms for about 20years

Forum mini meet?

 

[Dando]

Forum mini meet?

Sounds like a plan

 

[Oddsocks]

Still can get a decent score on that uphill p3 with ob up the left… bloody hole.

 

[Dando]

Still can get a decent score on that uphill p3 with ob up the left… bloody hole.

Surely you just hit driver and lay up to about 100 yards ??

 

[Bratty]

Forum mini meet?

I'm in!

 

[Oddsocks]

Surely you just hit driver and lay up to about 100 yards ??

Harsh!

 

[Dando]

I'm in!

I’ll make some enquiries while I’m “working” tomorrow

 

[spongebob59]

You've got Shooters Hill just down the road, it'll keep you fit if you carry ?

 

[chrisd]

I'd be keen too

 

[Dando]

You've got Shooters Hill just down the road, it'll keep you fit if you carry ?

My local course but I’ve never played it despite living within 10mins of it all my life

It has a tendency to shut during the winter if it’s been really wet. Apparently it’s quite slopey ?

 

[spongebob59]

It has a tendency to shut during the winter if it’s been really wet. Apparently it’s quite slopey ?

I was a member there for a few years and don't remember it being shut that often but they winters have got wetter.
I loved the course really enjoyed the variety of holes. Spike bar was quite lively ?

 

[spongebob59]

The other course you might consider is Dartford, it's quirky so you need to play it, but it's a very friendly course with lots going on (was there for 4/5 years)

 

[Dando]

The other course you might consider is Dartford, it's quirky so you need to play it, but it's a very friendly course with lots going on (was there for 4/5 years)

Played it a few times as a good friend is a member there

 

[BigPhil14]

Firstly a huge thank you to all of you who have posted a response!! Very much appreciated and didn't expect such thorough responses, but has helped a lot!

It definitely feels like a choice between Sundridge Park or Westerham (Altonwood Courses) as I like the idea they have good practice facilities and the various courses to play. I will most likely play weekends 95% of the time also, so if Westerham is mostly busy during the week with societies that is less of an issue. The Addington was probably always slightly out of price range, and it would have needed rave reviews to justify it, plus there's a slight concern that it might start steeply increasing in a few years once all the works are complete if it ends up being as good as expected.

Another main kicker is the distance, SP has the big benefit of only being a 20-25 min uber away and near to a train station (added fun of currently not having a car!). Guess I have to see whether I can justify the significant extra cost for that, and obviously need to see if I can actually go and play them a few times before making any decisions.

Thank you very much for the offer @Bratty and it would be great to come and have a knock around Westerham at some point. Let me know when you are typically playing and I'd be very keen to join.

 

[Oddsocks]

If it helps,

Croham hurst - 6 stops from east Croydon station covered by two buses running every 5 mins. Bud stop is 200 yards from club house door.

Addington palace - 5 stops by tram (approx 10 mins) from east Croydon and the stop is about 200 yards from club house.

Shirley pk -about 5-6 stops on the bus covered by 3/4 different buses, stop is about 150 yards from clubhouse doors.

all courses within 15 mins of east Croydon station, or you can go via west Croydon and add 10mins to get from west to east Croydon via two stops on a tram (the same one that runs you to addington palace)
Like bratty I’m happy to offer you a round as a guest.

 

[BigPhil14]

If it helps,

Croham hurst - 6 stops from east Croydon station covered by two buses running every 5 mins. Bud stop is 200 yards from club house door.

Addington palace - 5 stops by tram (approx 10 mins) from east Croydon and the stop is about 200 yards from club house.

Shirley pk -about 5-6 stops on the bus covered by 3/4 different buses, stop is about 150 yards from clubhouse doors.

all courses within 15 mins of east Croydon station, or you can go via west Croydon and add 10mins to get from west to east Croydon via two stops on a tram (the same one that runs you to addington palace)
Like bratty I’m happy to offer you a round as a guest.

Thanks Oddsocks, useful to know. It would be great to come and test out the course, thanks for the offer. Please let me know when you typically play and we can try and figure something out.

 

[Canary Kid]

Someone mentioned Dulwich and Sydenham Hill. My school old boys golf society is based there … it’s a nice course, but it can get very wet during the winter.