Silverstone Golf Club

[Warbur]

I've finally taken the plunge and, for various reasons, have left my old club.

I've been looking into alternatives in/around Northampton and quite like the look of Silverstone Golf Club. They run a joint membership with Cherwell Edge and it seems you can play either course (including comps at both courses). Silverstone is closer to me so I'd be playing there more.

The facilities look pretty good with a driving range etc (something that is lacking at my old place) plus it's in the country and there's little chance of hooking one into the houses or the local oiks pinching balls etc (something that happens all too often at my old place). I accept that it would be noisy at times due to the locality of the circuit but I'm sure I can live with that.

I'm going to go over to have a good look around but I was wondering if anyone has played there and what your experiences were - good or bad please?

Thankyou in advance everyone.

 

[fundy]

HI Warbur

I played there a couple of years ago, pleasant enough track without being anything out of this world, was in ok condition. Nice enough facilities, decent clubhouse (albeit the power was off the day we were there!), they seemed to be making a few changes to the course at the time too. Noise from the race track would be a big factor for me, not sure I could put up with it regularly, not to mention not being able to get to the course when there is a big meeting at the race track (I may be imagining things but sure part of the golf course used as car parking??? - may be worth asking about)

MKDave/MYoung used to be members there, not sure if either are posting these days, if they are Im sure theyll give you a better opinion.

Where are you leaving and where else have you considered?

 

[Warbur]

Hi Fundy

I've just left Kingsthorpe where I'd been a member for about 7 years. I've a feeling that you said you played there once? It's a decent track but the town centre location means it's tight, to say the least. I've never been over keen on the layout and only stayed there because of the group that I played with but I've decided to move on.

Good point about the weekend access and car parking - I'll make sure to ask about that. I think I'll aim to go up there for a mooch earlyish one Saturday to see what it's like.

I'm located just by J15 of the M1 and although very close to Collingtree it's not one I'm considering. I wondered about Brampton Heath for one plus Northampton (Harlestone not the county course). I've even wondered about Lutterworth as it's a straight run up the M1 and I've played there a couple of times.

I don't know why but looking over their website I'm drawn to Silverstone but that may be that I grew up in Towcester. They've done/are doing a lot of work on the course but I'm not sure if it might be a bit too open.

 

[fundy]

Yes played Kingsthorpe a couple of times, its a reciprocal for us so can play there for free. Could never be a member there though. Pleasant enough course and was in good condition but way too on top of itself on such a small acreage and wouldnt want to play on a weekend morning without a hard hat on (I expect its not that bad but felt like that as a visitor).

Why arent you considering Collingtree if its that local? Surely that would be a decent option (although I have heard a few rumours of late about potential development which I would want clarified before Id consider joining).

Brampton Heath struck me as a decent winter course but not the greatest in summer, next door is lovely mind (Northampton County) though I expect expensive/joining fee/traditional views etc rule that out? Never played Northampton at Harlestone or Lutterworth.

If considering Silverstone is it worth considering Whittlebury Park? Certainly the main 2 loops of 9 away from the track (yellow and red) were very decent albeit on the blue and the par 3 course again you had the track noise as a possible issue (again they have a driving range etc so full facilities)

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Would certainly look at Collingtree and Whittlebury as alternatives

How far is Buckingham. ? That's also a nice course

 

[Warbur]

Collingtree is okay in the summer but suffers badly in the winter, particularly as they went heavily down the corporate route a few years back and the course gets a bit of a hammering. I'm not certain of the details but I believe that a few of the opening holes are being used as part of a housing development and are being re-routed. It's always been rather pricey as well.

Northampton County is lovely but it's out of my price range unfortunately.

Whittlebury was the other one that I thought about and would still like to have a look at (apologies for not mentioning it before). I'm not sure of the club situation there with it being linked so closely to the hotel. I'll certainly get in touch with them and go for a look around. I'm a little concerned that it may not be quite as friendly as one of the smaller clubs though.

Buckingham is probably a little far I'm afraid. I've heard good things about it but want to limit to about 1/2 hour travel.

Ah, if only the pockets were a little deeper as there's a lovely little place just the other side of MK that would do a treat - Woburn, hmmm, lovely!

 

[fundy]

Collingtree the development stuff you mention Id heard similar rumblings, think it has been a bit better in winter of late than it used to be mind

Whittlebury the golf club and the spa/hotel whilst on the same site are separately run as far as Im aware, though as you say Im not sure how much of a "club spirit" there is there

Each to their own but Buckingham would be near the bottom of a long list imo, very short fiddly course, would drive me crazy being a member round there tbh.

As for that Woburn place, its not all its cracked up to be

Good luck in your search, if you're ever short of someone for a game when checking places out give us a shout and ill try and head up if a convenient date

 

[Warbur]

I've just been looking at the master plan for the Collingtree development http://www.northamptonsouthsue.com/pdfs/northampton_south_sue_consultation_mar_2013.pdf

The scale's a bit small on screen but it looks like quite an impact on the course - I think it's the range and the first few holes that are being affected.

If dates work I'll let you know when I'll be looking around. I might even aim to go when there's a race meet on to see how it is.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

There are two hotels at Whittlebury

You have the Spa etc and the golf club also has the Paddocks connected to the club

It has a decent pro shop and bar but it's not really a members club and it has that felt of corporate play and pay

 

[fundy]

Thanks for that, interesting to see. Cant say Id be too chuffed if I was a member and would certainly deter me from considering there if looking

 

[wrighty1874]

Cherwell Edge is a lovely course.

I've finally taken the plunge and, for various reasons, have left my old club.

I've been looking into alternatives in/around Northampton and quite like the look of Silverstone Golf Club. They run a joint membership with Cherwell Edge and it seems you can play either course (including comps at both courses). Silverstone is closer to me so I'd be playing there more.

The facilities look pretty good with a driving range etc (something that is lacking at my old place) plus it's in the country and there's little chance of hooking one into the houses or the local oiks pinching balls etc (something that happens all too often at my old place). I accept that it would be noisy at times due to the locality of the circuit but I'm sure I can live with that.

I'm going to go over to have a good look around but I was wondering if anyone has played there and what your experiences were - good or bad please?

Thankyou in advance everyone.

 

[hacker_al]

Not played Silverstone but had the pleasure of playing Cherwell Edge at the weekend. Lovely course (not sure how it copes in winter though) and the members seem like a good bunch.

 

[Warbur]

I did a bit more looking last night and thought about clubs towards Bedford (I'm that side of Northampton).

I liked the look of Bedfordshire Golf Club's set up and spoke with them this morning. It sounds pretty perfect for what I'm after so I've gone for their 3 month trial membership to see how I get on.

It's a bit of a gamble as I've never played there (I know, foolish boy) but then I've only committed to 3 months at the moment and at least it means that I can play in comps and roll-ups. Really looking forward to getting stuck in and meeting new friends in the coming weeks.

 

[need_my_wedge]

I did a bit more looking last night and thought about clubs towards Bedford (I'm that side of Northampton).

I liked the look of Bedfordshire Golf Club's set up and spoke with them this morning. It sounds pretty perfect for what I'm after so I've gone for their 3 month trial membership to see how I get on.

It's a bit of a gamble as I've never played there (I know, foolish boy) but then I've only committed to 3 months at the moment and at least it means that I can play in comps and roll-ups. Really looking forward to getting stuck in and meeting new friends in the coming weeks.

Is that The Bedfordshire at Stagsden? It's an OK course, bit exposed and quite windy, even on bright summer days. I've played there three or four times (it's a reciprocal for us) and always competed against a two club breeze.

 

[Warbur]

Is that The Bedfordshire at Stagsden? It's an OK course, bit exposed and quite windy, even on bright summer days. I've played there three or four times (it's a reciprocal for us) and always competed against a two club breeze.

It is, I read a review where someone had said about it being a bit of a windy course. Fingers crossed it won't be too bad, good job I stocked up on balls a while ago as it looks like there's a bit of water there as well.

What did you think to the course itself and the setup there?

 

[fundy]

I did a bit more looking last night and thought about clubs towards Bedford (I'm that side of Northampton).

I liked the look of Bedfordshire Golf Club's set up and spoke with them this morning. It sounds pretty perfect for what I'm after so I've gone for their 3 month trial membership to see how I get on.

It's a bit of a gamble as I've never played there (I know, foolish boy) but then I've only committed to 3 months at the moment and at least it means that I can play in comps and roll-ups. Really looking forward to getting stuck in and meeting new friends in the coming weeks.

Good luck and hope you enjoy it. Feels a bit exposed and a bit on the side of a hill there, albeit only played it once in pretty grotty conditions a while ago. Hope it works out for you, if not its not like you'll have lost anything in trying it

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Bedfordshire - think the set up is really good , pleasant membership , nice clubhouse , lovely food

The course is a tough one - yep it's exposed to the wind a lot but once the trees mature it will be a very very good course. The greens are lovely - some cracking holes

If you are that side of Bedford then I would strongly recommend Beds and County - cracking course , great clubhouse !

 

[Warbur]

Bedfordshire - think the set up is really good , pleasant membership , nice clubhouse , lovely food

The course is a tough one - yep it's exposed to the wind a lot but once the trees mature it will be a very very good course. The greens are lovely - some cracking holes

If you are that side of Bedford then I would strongly recommend Beds and County - cracking course , great clubhouse !

That's really good to hear, thankyou. I'll be the first to admit it was a bit of an impulsive thing but as Fundy said, I didn't think there was much to lose by going for the trial membership.

I'm going over there at the weekend to pick up the member pack and have a good look around. Won't get to play for a couple of weeks unfortunately as I'm looking after the kids quite a bit but can't wait to get out there.