Sherfield Oaks - how's it playing?

[dufferman]

Hi all,

Booked a round at Sherfield Oaks next weekend, anyone played it recently? Got the pick of the 2 courses, pro recommended the shorter one. Is it coping in the wet?

 

[delc]

Hi all,

Booked a round at Sherfield Oaks next weekend, anyone played it recently? Got the pick of the 2 courses, pro recommended the shorter one. Is it coping in the wet?

It was OK last time I played there, but that was a few weeks ago. Can't imagine it's any worse than any other parkland course in Southern England at the moment. There are two courses there. The longer and slightly more difficult Wellington course, and the shorter and generally more open Waterloo course. Both have a reasonable number of water hazards. I personally prefer the Wellington.

 

[dufferman]

Well, the course was not great at all!

We played the longer of the 2 courses, and honestly, there were parts of the course which were so muddy and chewed up, it was dangerous to walk on. The paths were absolutely knackered, and on more than one occasion me & my PP's almost took a tumble negotiating our way down muddy chewed up slopes to get to fairways & greens.

Best to avoid if you're thinking of playing there any time soon!

 

[delc]

Well, the course was not great at all!

We played the longer of the 2 courses, and honestly, there were parts of the course which were so muddy and chewed up, it was dangerous to walk on. The paths were absolutely knackered, and on more than one occasion me & my PP's almost took a tumble negotiating our way down muddy chewed up slopes to get to fairways & greens.

Best to avoid if you're thinking of playing there any time soon!

Slightly unfair comment, because most of the parkland courses in England are in a similar state after rather a lot of rain recently. Although it is not my home course, I play quite often at Sherfield Oaks and usually enjoy it. If you want dryish conditions at the moment, find a links or heathland course!

 

[dufferman]

Slightly unfair comment, because most of the parkland courses in England are in a similar state after rather a lot of rain recently. Although it is not my home course, I play quite often at Sherfield Oaks and usually enjoy it. If you want dryish conditions at the moment, find a links or heathland course!

It's not really an unfair comment. I've played a number of courses over a number of winters, and this is in the top 5 worst. Traditions in Pyrford was better and that course is notorious for being wet. Then you have the likes of Pine Ridge which is bone dry.

I don't think saying "Well it's winter so you can expect an unplayable course" is fair. Plenty which are still very playable. I played your course in between Christmas and New Year last year and it was in great shape.

 

[delc]

It's not really an unfair comment. I've played a number of courses over a number of winters, and this is in the top 5 worst. Traditions in Pyrford was better and that course is notorious for being wet. Then you have the likes of Pine Ridge which is bone dry.

I don't think saying "Well it's winter so you can expect an unplayable course" is fair. Plenty which are still very playable. I played your course in between Christmas and New Year last year and it was in great shape.

Pine Ridge and my home course Batchworth Park are essentially heathland courses which drain pretty well, so they have a big advantage in the Winter over courses built on clay.

 

[delc]

Pine Ridge and my home course Batchworth Park are essentially heathland courses which drain pretty well, so they have a big advantage in the Winter over courses built on clay.

Several courses in our area are closed altogether at the moment due to excessive wetness after rather a lot of rain recently. Even my course Batchworth Park, which is built on a well drained piece of land called Batchworth Heath, is starting to get a bit boggy. I did a fair impression of 'Bambi on Ice' trying to walk across a muddy cross slope this morning! Being a Crown Group course, as is Sherfield Oaks, it won't be closed unless it becomes totally unplayable, due to the bottom line! Generally only lying snow closes it! Sherfield Oaks is really no worse than you might expect at the moment, and at least it's open!