St Mellion

[shivas irons]

Its always been on my list to play St Mellion ever since watching the european tour event there regulary on tv,it just looked like such an awesome track especially with that drop off a cliff par 3 so i'm planning a trip to play it this year.Any of you guys played it in recent years and is it still the course it once was?

 

[MendieGK]

Yes. Still a quality course. Love the down there and has been in good nick every time I've been

 

[PCWOX]

Both the Kernow and Nicklaus are good courses. You can usually get a very good deal there too (around £100 all in), which includes 2 rounds, room, evening meal and breakfast and use of the nice leisure facilities. What's not to like?

 

[Region3]

Last played it a couple of years ago and off there again later this year. In my top 2 or 3 favourites of all the courses I've played.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Last played it a couple of years ago and off there again later this year. In my top 2 or 3 favourites of all the courses I've played.

It had better be good eh Gaz

 

[Twire]

Played it at the end of last summer in the pouring rain, and still loved every minute of it. It's a cracking course and always in good nick. I wouldn't hesitate to play it again.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Love both courses but take plenty of balls for the Nicklaus. Found it brutal

 

[BristolMike]

Yeah I found it pretty brutal when I played it too. One of the holes, I think it was the 2nd or 3rd had a tiny area where tou could drive your ball and it not roll completely off the fairway.

Tough course but always enjoyable

 

[srixon 1]

It used to be rated as one of the hardest inland courses in Britain, if not the hardest. You need to be straight on most holes or the ditches will eat your balls. Don't top it off the 5th tee as there are about 150 yards of water to carry.

Always in immaculate condition.

 

[pendodave]

A mate of mine (7hcp) has played the Nicklaus several times. Loves it, but even he finds it painfully difficult.

It may make for a grim struggle if you are planning to play with any average/below average golfers. Playing a difficult course if you're not much good can be pretty miserable.

If you go to buzza golf on youtube, he played all 18 with James Pickard last year. Gives a good look at what's expected. The only thing is, they make it look a LOT easier than it really is !

 

[shivas irons]

Thanks for the info guys and great that its still the course it once was,was it the Nicklaus that was used as a European Tour Venue?

 

[Region3]

Thanks for the info guys and great that its still the course it once was,was it the Nicklaus that was used as a European Tour Venue?

Yes it was. The B&H if I remember right.

As others have said it is really tough, but the last time I went was with a group of 8 with handicaps up to 20 and everyone loved it even though nobody scored well.

 

[Liverbirdie]

I think it is one of the best inland courses in the UK, surprised it isn't in the top 100.

I enjoyed it more than flat old Woodhall Spa.

I played it twice, one were I finished 2nd in an open. I played with the winner who was a point behind me with two to play. he put one 6 iron to 18 inches, and on the 18th, he put another 6 iron to 12 inches., to pip me by a point.

 

[IanM]

Played the Mens' Open there a few times... and we had our Team end of season weekend there a couple of year back too...


Agree with the comments...great place, tough as heck, always well presented. Hotel on site... the second course is worth playing too...

 

[londonlewis]

I've played St Mellion every year for the last 7 years. And I absolutely love it.

Kernow Course - by far the easier of the two courses. The Kernow is absolutely fine as a course but pails in comparison to the Nickalus.

Nicklaus - it is a seriously challenging test of golf. It is tight, penalises wayward shots but it is in excellent condition.
I highly recommend not bothering with a buggy for the Nicklaus as you need to keep to the path. Get electric trollies instead and I absolutely guarantee you will not have to walk as much (I wear a fitbit so I can say this with full confidence).

Check out these two YouTube videos for a full round of the course with Mark Crossfield
First 9 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHqMssSLiCU
Back 9 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP4iKfNggqw


1 - accurate second needed to a green much below the fairway
2 - long but keep it in the fairway and you'll be fine
3 - tough tee shot. Fairway is a must or you'll be looking at a big score
4 - accuracy is important on this par 3 but it's a short iron in.
5 - 180 yards of water to carry
6 - plays long as it's all uphill
7 - narrow tee shot, opens up from there
8 - short par 3 playing downhill
9 - great hole - slam a drive over the bunker or hit a high fade around it. Nice second to the green
10 - I hate this hole - needs a good drive and an even better long iron with water down the right
11 - signature hole over water. Beautiful par 3
12 - hate this hole even more. Long. Water down the right and in front of the green. Fairway slopes towards the hole all the way down
13 - straight forward par 4 - hit it long and straight off the tee and you have a birdie chance with a good approach
14 - good par 3 with an elevated green
15 - should be that tough but needs a solid tee shot
16 - smash it as far as you can as the fairway is as wide as you like
17 - tough second with a long iron
18 - beautiful finishing hole. Can be a tricky second depending on the flag

Look at the accommodation they have around the course. There are villas near the 12 green / 13th tee which I've stayed in (they aren't the biggest but they come with good golf deals).

We stayed in the house near the 1st tee once. It is amazing but the guy that owns it wasn't renting it out anymore. It might be worth seeing if he does now as it is spacious and really convenient for the golf course.

another recommendation:
Eat at the Weary Friar. It's a short drive from the course. Excellent pub grub and the portion sizes are huge. You'd struggle to eat a 3 course meal in there.

 

[IanM]

Oi Lewis... you've missed out about 13 "narrows and really narrows!"

 

[Deleted member 17920]

I think it is one of the best inland courses in the UK, surprised it isn't in the top 100.

I enjoyed it more than flat old Woodhall Spa.

I played it twice, one were I finished 2nd in an open. I played with the winner who was a point behind me with two to play. he put one 6 iron to 18 inches, and on the 18th, he put another 6 iron to 12 inches., to pip me by a point.

You don't want that invite to the Alverstone then, I will pass it to a proper golfer :whoo:

Ha ha, you aint making me bite I am not Patrick

 

[woody69]

Ridiculously tough and challenging. Miss a fairway by much and you will struggle

Also they state the time for a round is 5hrs so don't expect a quick round.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

You don't want that invite to the Alverstone then, I will pass it to a proper golfer :whoo:

I didn't think proper golfers played off yellow tees :ears:

 

[Deleted member 17920]

I didn't think proper golfers played off yellow tees :ears:

They do when its a harder course than the whites :smirk: