Stoke Park

[chrisd]

I played Stoke Park today in an HSBC comp. I'd wanted to play it since going there for Callaways Kings of Distance a couple of years ago. It rained steadily for much of the front 9 but cleared for the back 9. I have to say that having played BlueinMunichs home course of Cuddington yesterday there would be little to choose between the two except the £25 guest of a member fee at Blues place. Nice enough, with the iconic clubhouse and "james Bond" connection but nowhere near The Grove that I last played an HSBC event at but at well over £100 for a green fee it may be my first and last visit

I also picked up a drink in the halfway hut that at my place would be £1 and they wanted £3.20 for it - I'm not ashamed to say that I put it back in the cabinet! Decent track IMO but no wow factor. I'd rather do Cuddington again - a hidden gem!

 

[Mitchell89]

Which 9s did you play?

 

[chrisd]

Which 9s did you play?

1 to 18. The last 5 or 6 holes by the water were the most scenic I thought

 

[robbo]

I played it five years ago and I agree with you Chris. Great location and clubhouse but the course doesn't live up to the price. Which course (that you've played) do you rate highest so far? I'd put the west course at Wentworth up there but I've not played it since your 50th (!). If I had to choose one location as a base for a golf holiday I'd still take St Andrews.

 

[chrisd]

I played it five years ago and I agree with you Chris. Great location and clubhouse but the course doesn't live up to the price. Which course (that you've played) do you rate highest so far? I'd put the west course at Wentworth up there but I've not played it since your 50th (!). If I had to choose one location as a base for a golf holiday I'd still take St Andrews.

Hiya.

I'd say The Kings at Gleaneagles, the West at Wentworth (especially with you) and New at Sunningdale and Royal St George's would be hard to split

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Have to agree Cuddington is a hidden gem. I actually liked Stoke Park

 

[IanM]

I understand the sentiments... I have played Stoke Park a couple of times on Corporate Days, always enjoyed it but ad a feeling of "how much??????" when you see how much they charge for drinks etc.

Last summer my wife and I did a "mystery shop" of The Grove for a Service Company I do some work for. We had to get there for breakfast, play 18 holes , use half way house, buggies, and lunch after....... then bill the company!!! Without going nuts, we ran up a bill of nearly £500! Love the course, great condition, super service and food, but similarly thought, could have had a weekend in Portugal for that!

 

[chrisd]

Have to agree Cuddington is a hidden gem. I actually liked Stoke Park

Don't get me wrong I'm not saying I didn't like it even though it hosed down for much of the front 9, but it just didn't do as much for me as other top courses had. The last 5 holes were pretty good though

 

[PNWokingham]

nice course - not played for a few years - and the Clubhouse setting dominates and gives a special impression - But I think nearby Burnham Beaches is a nicer course. And value for money, Stoke Park is not as bad as Wentworth but not many others are worse. incidentally, I heard they dropped subs from 5k+ to 3.5k in the past year, which is more appropriate!

 

[chrisd]

nice course - not played for a few years - and the Clubhouse setting dominates and gives a special impression - But I think nearby Burnham Beaches is a nicer course. And value for money, Stoke Park is not as bad as Wentworth but not many others are worse. incidentally, I heard they dropped subs from 5k+ to 3.5k in the past year, which is more appropriate!

Yes, they had posters up giving the lower figure on many a wall yesterday