Region3
Ryder Cup Winner
I played here in a matchplay competition yesterday, and had been told it was a nice course so was really looking forward to it.
I wasn't disappointed.
I can't comment on the service because our opponents sorted everything out for us. The clubhouse is nice without being snobby, although I was surprised to learn that it's only in the last few months that lady members haven't been confined to their own bar.
The course is tree lined and full of heather, mostly in front of the tees but some to the sides in the rough as well. It's not overly tight, but care has to be taken off the tee all the same as there are some very cleverly placed fairway bunkers, and some sloping fairways to contend with.
The condition of the course was superb with lovely tight fairways and very true greens. We were told the greens weren't as quick as usual due to all the recent rain, but they were still quicker than I was used to. Playing approaches into the greens was a bit like throwing darts as the summer we've had has made them very receptive. Again, not usual we were told. With a normal summer the greens are usually very hard and you have to think about where to land your approaches bearing in mind they will run on quite a bit.
If you want to score well at Sherwood Forest, you need to play well under handicap on the first 8 holes as starting with number 9, you have a succession of tough par 4's....
9. 469yds SI.10
11. 465 SI.7
12. 426 SI.3
13. 446 SI.13
14. 424 SI.1
If you've still got a score going after those, there is a par 3 of just over 200yds next, then if you're playing off the very back tees another par 4 of 471yds. Thankfully we were playing from the white tees and from 25yds further back it's a par 5.
My only slight criticism of the course is that quite a few of the holes are same-y. In no way did that detract from my overall enjoyment of playing the course because if you love the holes there's no reason to not want more of them!
My favourite hole (unusually for me) was a par 3, the 4th.
Playing downhill over nothing but trouble, the green 183yds away is surrounded by bunkers, and has the clubhouse as a backdrop.
If I lived nearby I'd be more than happy to play all my golf there, and will try to get back next year to see how much harder it is with running fairways and hard greens.
If you've never played there and get the chance, jump at it.
I wasn't disappointed.
I can't comment on the service because our opponents sorted everything out for us. The clubhouse is nice without being snobby, although I was surprised to learn that it's only in the last few months that lady members haven't been confined to their own bar.
The course is tree lined and full of heather, mostly in front of the tees but some to the sides in the rough as well. It's not overly tight, but care has to be taken off the tee all the same as there are some very cleverly placed fairway bunkers, and some sloping fairways to contend with.
The condition of the course was superb with lovely tight fairways and very true greens. We were told the greens weren't as quick as usual due to all the recent rain, but they were still quicker than I was used to. Playing approaches into the greens was a bit like throwing darts as the summer we've had has made them very receptive. Again, not usual we were told. With a normal summer the greens are usually very hard and you have to think about where to land your approaches bearing in mind they will run on quite a bit.
If you want to score well at Sherwood Forest, you need to play well under handicap on the first 8 holes as starting with number 9, you have a succession of tough par 4's....
9. 469yds SI.10
11. 465 SI.7
12. 426 SI.3
13. 446 SI.13
14. 424 SI.1
If you've still got a score going after those, there is a par 3 of just over 200yds next, then if you're playing off the very back tees another par 4 of 471yds. Thankfully we were playing from the white tees and from 25yds further back it's a par 5.
My only slight criticism of the course is that quite a few of the holes are same-y. In no way did that detract from my overall enjoyment of playing the course because if you love the holes there's no reason to not want more of them!
My favourite hole (unusually for me) was a par 3, the 4th.
Playing downhill over nothing but trouble, the green 183yds away is surrounded by bunkers, and has the clubhouse as a backdrop.
If I lived nearby I'd be more than happy to play all my golf there, and will try to get back next year to see how much harder it is with running fairways and hard greens.
If you've never played there and get the chance, jump at it.
