Senior Masters - Woburn

[viscount17]

Anyone else going this weekend? I'll be there 07.00.
Not been to Woburn before. It's the Duke's Course so any tips as to good viewing holes (preferably also where I can get a few pictures without a lot of hassle!)

 

[Vincent]

Viscount,

I think Woburn is a brilliant place to watch golf.
I used to go there all the time when they held the British Masters on the Dukes.
Their signature hole is the second which is a par-3 from a significantly elevated tee. There is good viewing from the back of the hole.
My favourite hole on the course is the next one, the third. Its a dog-leg left and has good viewing all up the right hand side and round the back of the green.
The good thing about Woburn is that there are plenty of good viewing areas as there is natural banking along a lot of the fairways and around the greens.
Strangely one of the lasting memories of Woburn is the smell. It has a fantastic aroma of pine (as its built through a pine forest that isn't a surprise really!), which is even better after some rain.
Have a great time.

 

[mushroom]

I've been seeing the AA signs for this on the way to work everyday. I might take a wander down.

 

[peteward15]

I am lucky enough to be a member at Woburn and can confirm that as stated the 3rd or might be the 2nd depending how they set the course up is a great viewing spot for the signature par 3 hole. However if seeing lots of golf from a central location is your plan you should head for the corner of the course where you will be able to watch the tee shots to the par 3 6th, approachs to the par 5 5th (often going for it in 2), approaches to the par 3 9th, tee shots from the 10th.

All of these viewing spots are within 100 yards from each other. It's where I'll be!!

I have complimentary tickets / invitations here is anybody wants one. They admit two people on any day. I am in Toddington, just off junc 12 of the M1. PM me...

The club give them to the members, but my pals won't be able to make it as they are going to see Liverpool at Villa on Sunday.

 

[TonyN]

I would of snapped your hand off if i wasn't working. Good effort for dishing them out though. Welcome to the forum!

 

[peteward15]

Thanks Tony

I've been a lurker for a while now and only come out every now and again!

 

[viscount17]

got other things to do later today, so I went early and left about 2.30.

The 3rd is a great little hole, 134 yds. What the guys didn't say is the tee shot is over 'jungle', into a green which is pushed up against more of the same. The green also slopes quite steeply toward you, which can't be seen from the tee.

Since they had already had the practice days and the first round I was suprised at how many were landing short of the pin with backspin, guaranteed a long uphill putt - closest anyone got from there was 2 ft. For the time I was there, pars were rare. (Sam Torrance barely made the front of the green - didn't have a good day at all.) very few got the ball to stick on the green and none nearer than 12 ft, a couple closer but off the edge requiring chips - both very well executed.

Much friendlier bunch than those on the main tour.

Followed Canizares, his putting was the best of the three but lost out on the odd wayward shot.
Rivero, his putter was cold, he also found the sloping edges of greens too often.
and Delroy Cambridge (from Jamaica), his driver got him in so much trouble but he played some really good rescues, especially the one out of the bracken. Couldn't have bought a putt either.

Overall I was amazed at how many putts were being left short, by all the groups. always thought that was a cardinal error.

oh, and beat this if you can, 15 - 20 ft up

 

[TonyN]

Who's ball was that???

 

[Cernunnos]

Bet it would cost an arm & half a leg to play any of the Woburn courses. Seen that course numerous times on the telly & it looks fabulous.

 

[viscount17]

tbh, I don't know. Rivero hit the same tree and richocetted backwards 20 yards; both he and Delroy had some mixed experiences with the timber all day.

the odd thing was that all of their clubs had a very dead sound, sort of flat smack when I was expecting that clear tone you can get from some clubs when struck well.
Delroy had Clevelands (in a very tatty bag)
Rivero had Taylormade (caddy was using an electric trolley but the gearbox sounded rough)
Canizares had Titleist I think.

 

[peteward15]

Bet it would cost an arm & half a leg to play any of the Woburn courses. Seen that course numerous times on the telly & it looks fabulous.

Not as much as you would think actually. Playing in the week with a member you can play 18 on the Dukes and 18 on the Duchess for £50. Obviously without the member it's a lot more.

If 3 forum members wanted to have a day up there in September I wouldn't mind being the member....

 

[viscount17]

petew' you have a really good looking club. my society is looking into one of the winter packages for early next year.