Oddsocks
Ryder Cup Winner
Suppose I better get up
Surrey Golf Tour
- Thread starter rikkitikk
- Start date
JPH
Q-School Graduate
Ha ha lazy get
Sybez
Challenge Tour Pro
Good luck today peeps!
jimbob.someroo
Journeyman Pro
Just got here and having the breakfast of champions. Bacon and diet coke. The place looks awesome and the guys very friendy and welcoming on arrival! Just building up the energy to go and practice.
jimbob.someroo
Journeyman Pro
Just got home after braving the M25 at rush hour on a friday ... may be the only downside with this tour malarkey!
The Tour / Organisation of event
Great. There was plenty of guys to greet you on arrival and show you the ropes. More than that, they actually seemed genuinely interested in meeting the people playing. Not simply a 'go to that tee at this time'. They were told that we were to be sent off the back 9 first about 30 mins before we were due out and dealt with the lack of notice from the club well (from here on I'm gonna refer to the 9's in the order we played them.) Overall, the gents were top drawer.
The Course
I'd never played The Drift before and I'm not sure if I will again, other than in something of this ilk. It was a nice enough track but the greens were VERY soft and there were footprints everywhere. It really hasn't dealt with the water well and the damage that has been done by leaving the course open will take months to repair in places. I've genuinely had football matches called off when pitches were in a better state than some of the areas on the course. One of our group lost a ball in the middle of a fairway on a lay-up to a par 5 and it wasn't particularly coming down with any ridiculous height. There are some good 'thinking' holes but in hindsight the correct way to play 90% of them would have been 6 iron, wedge - the novelty of which wears off after the 5th or 6th short par four. A good track though, and perhaps I'm being a tad harsh, but it is supposed to be £65 ish to play usually and I don't think it is close to justifying that based on the way it played today.
Our Round
I got off to a bad start when I realised I'd lost my putter after the first hole?!
Was on the 2nd green and it wasn't in my bag, ran all the way back down the first and still couldn't find it so decided to play on using my hybrid on the greens. Carried on in this vein for the rest of the front nine and shot a measly 11 points. The putter thing unsettled me a bit and I really didn't have my head on right. After the 9th I went into the pro shop and it still hadn't turned up. I borrowed a spare and cracked on with the back 9 which got off to a much better start. Got shots on the first 3 and parred all of them plus the next to equal my front 9 tally in the first four holes. Went on to shoot 20 on the back and was level par gross until I knocked one in the trees on last. Was pretty happy with 31 off 3/4 handicap and no putter for half a round. I know there were quite a few lower than that and the leader when I left was 38 so reckon I finished about half way.
Overall
Really enjoyed the day. The organisation and format is great. Far better than a day at work and the chance to play a new course and meet new people. The condition of the course wasn't great but not enough to ruin the day. The guys also did a lucky dip as promised for one of the forumers to win free entry to another event which was very generous (as they also gave a free round to Duncan for finishing highest). I was lucky enough to win that so will definitely be playing again, although had I not won, would still be playing in a couple more over the summer!
Anybody that can get down to the next event, or one of their other tours, I'd highly recommend giving it a go! :thup:
The Tour / Organisation of event
Great. There was plenty of guys to greet you on arrival and show you the ropes. More than that, they actually seemed genuinely interested in meeting the people playing. Not simply a 'go to that tee at this time'. They were told that we were to be sent off the back 9 first about 30 mins before we were due out and dealt with the lack of notice from the club well (from here on I'm gonna refer to the 9's in the order we played them.) Overall, the gents were top drawer.
The Course
I'd never played The Drift before and I'm not sure if I will again, other than in something of this ilk. It was a nice enough track but the greens were VERY soft and there were footprints everywhere. It really hasn't dealt with the water well and the damage that has been done by leaving the course open will take months to repair in places. I've genuinely had football matches called off when pitches were in a better state than some of the areas on the course. One of our group lost a ball in the middle of a fairway on a lay-up to a par 5 and it wasn't particularly coming down with any ridiculous height. There are some good 'thinking' holes but in hindsight the correct way to play 90% of them would have been 6 iron, wedge - the novelty of which wears off after the 5th or 6th short par four. A good track though, and perhaps I'm being a tad harsh, but it is supposed to be £65 ish to play usually and I don't think it is close to justifying that based on the way it played today.
Our Round
I got off to a bad start when I realised I'd lost my putter after the first hole?!
Was on the 2nd green and it wasn't in my bag, ran all the way back down the first and still couldn't find it so decided to play on using my hybrid on the greens. Carried on in this vein for the rest of the front nine and shot a measly 11 points. The putter thing unsettled me a bit and I really didn't have my head on right. After the 9th I went into the pro shop and it still hadn't turned up. I borrowed a spare and cracked on with the back 9 which got off to a much better start. Got shots on the first 3 and parred all of them plus the next to equal my front 9 tally in the first four holes. Went on to shoot 20 on the back and was level par gross until I knocked one in the trees on last. Was pretty happy with 31 off 3/4 handicap and no putter for half a round. I know there were quite a few lower than that and the leader when I left was 38 so reckon I finished about half way.Overall
Really enjoyed the day. The organisation and format is great. Far better than a day at work and the chance to play a new course and meet new people. The condition of the course wasn't great but not enough to ruin the day. The guys also did a lucky dip as promised for one of the forumers to win free entry to another event which was very generous (as they also gave a free round to Duncan for finishing highest). I was lucky enough to win that so will definitely be playing again, although had I not won, would still be playing in a couple more over the summer!
Anybody that can get down to the next event, or one of their other tours, I'd highly recommend giving it a go! :thup:
richart
Major Champion
Did anyone drown ? I did mention that it gets very wet.:mmm:
Glad you had a good day though jimbob, and hopefully the next course you play will be a bit dryer. Nice to get a freebie.
Glad you had a good day though jimbob, and hopefully the next course you play will be a bit dryer. Nice to get a freebie.
jason6r
Assistant Pro
+1 to that. I enjoyed the first round of the Essex Tour last week and I'm looking forward to Round 2 on the 8th of March
Oddsocks
Ryder Cup Winner
Just back from an awesome day put together but the guys at empire golf and the Surrey golf tour. Despite mother natures best effort to kill this first event it went ahead as planned with the only hick up being the club not notifying the guys which 9 we were playing first, that said I understand their logic about us going off 10 first as the front 9 was noticeably wetter underfoot.
Anyway, on with the day and upon arrival the organisers were friendly and very welcoming with a profession display all in place to great you, I sat down and had breakfast with the guys and Ben, Sam, Graham and Jason ( hope I got that right ) were all very welcoming and down to earth guys, that all showed and genuine interest in your game, how you were playing etc. after a bucket of balls on the range it was off to the first tee where I was paired with with fish and Duncan.
Both players were great company and despite a damp course were full of banter in the spring sunshine.... Yeah you heard it, it was t shirt weather for a lot of the round. Some good solid golf was seen from all three in our group at various times, but for me watching Duncan dance he's way to a solid second was a joy, that man has some solid short game and for an old codger took great please in nailing he's driver past me on a regular basis..... Swine.
The course played tough with a lot of dead wet bounces and bobbly greens but that was expected given the weather in recent weeks, what I did like was it didn't favour long or short hitters, you had to play for a lot of positions on dog legs and short par 4s which meant it wasn't a driver festival , you could take from a 5i to drivers off many tees just for position. A good choice of course I feel for a first round.
The organisation of this event gave a very laid back feel and the camera guys put that little extra in when your about to duff 4 wedges in front of the camera.... Cheers guys..... Thanks a bunch. :thup:
On a closing note I'd suggest anyone to come along and try one of these events, it was relaxed, professional and very enjoyable golf, what I did like most of Is the fact that haven't opted for top 100 courses, they have gone at a price point making it accessible to all, and the prize fund wasn't to be sniffed at either.
This was the first round with an entry of about 21' but with 12 new entries in for round two I can seriously see this tour going from strength to strength .
In summary.
Profession, cheap fun golf.
Great value for money
Fish - doesn't get two shots on any holes.
Duncan - old codger that rips a mean ball
Odd socks - will never make a porn star as he crumbles when the camera is on him......
Lads, thanks for a great day and Ben,,,,,, when chatting up the Danish ladies.... Pull ya pants up man,
Anyway, on with the day and upon arrival the organisers were friendly and very welcoming with a profession display all in place to great you, I sat down and had breakfast with the guys and Ben, Sam, Graham and Jason ( hope I got that right ) were all very welcoming and down to earth guys, that all showed and genuine interest in your game, how you were playing etc. after a bucket of balls on the range it was off to the first tee where I was paired with with fish and Duncan.
Both players were great company and despite a damp course were full of banter in the spring sunshine.... Yeah you heard it, it was t shirt weather for a lot of the round. Some good solid golf was seen from all three in our group at various times, but for me watching Duncan dance he's way to a solid second was a joy, that man has some solid short game and for an old codger took great please in nailing he's driver past me on a regular basis..... Swine.
The course played tough with a lot of dead wet bounces and bobbly greens but that was expected given the weather in recent weeks, what I did like was it didn't favour long or short hitters, you had to play for a lot of positions on dog legs and short par 4s which meant it wasn't a driver festival , you could take from a 5i to drivers off many tees just for position. A good choice of course I feel for a first round.
The organisation of this event gave a very laid back feel and the camera guys put that little extra in when your about to duff 4 wedges in front of the camera.... Cheers guys..... Thanks a bunch. :thup:
On a closing note I'd suggest anyone to come along and try one of these events, it was relaxed, professional and very enjoyable golf, what I did like most of Is the fact that haven't opted for top 100 courses, they have gone at a price point making it accessible to all, and the prize fund wasn't to be sniffed at either.
This was the first round with an entry of about 21' but with 12 new entries in for round two I can seriously see this tour going from strength to strength .
In summary.
Profession, cheap fun golf.
Great value for money
Fish - doesn't get two shots on any holes.
Duncan - old codger that rips a mean ball
Odd socks - will never make a porn star as he crumbles when the camera is on him......
Lads, thanks for a great day and Ben,,,,,, when chatting up the Danish ladies.... Pull ya pants up man,
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Well I'm refreshed now after a long day yesterday finished off with something that resembled Wacky Races on the M25 & M40 home.
The Tour / Organisation of event
Very professional. You were greeted with a prize table as soon as you walked in and I noticed the lads putting up the banners on the first tee, which was quite amusing at one point It was obvious as soon as you were welcomed these guys (Sam & Ben) loved what they were doing and were more enthusiastic than us, and they didn't play! Stood on the 1st tee and then had to walk across to the 10th, no big deal and no fuss from anyone concerned. Very well organised and confident in their approach to everything. Photo's taken on the 1st and around the course at times, more about that to follow
The Course
I'd never played The Drift before and don't want to judge it too harshly because the weather was the enemy but I think if it was my course, it would have been closed! I will play it again in summer conditions as it will obviously play completely different and is very much a thinking man's course, knowing your distances for some blind dog legs was the order of the day, not spanking the drives down the fairway as long possibly, which I did at times anyway In fact, sometime being on the fairway wasn't good enough, you needed to be far right (first cut) for some approaches in or you were blocked out if you couldn't hit 260 yards plus! The greens were very soft and bobbly with previous foot marks and were very soft & fluffy so even short puts were a lottery as Duncan found out. The walk and conditions from green to the next tee box resembled a yomp across Dartmoor at times in thick mud and pools of water! It was that soft just off the fairway in the first cut that Oddsocks lost his ball on the opening hole! Similar stories were being told in the bar afterwards as balls embedded themselves so deep that the ground above covered them back over! I think with the conditions we faced, my 3 ball performed very well and were upbeat all the way around, great company
Our Round
I got off to a decent start with 11 points from the first 5 holes and thought, here we go, 3/4 handicap, I'm in here. But then I suffered a blob on the 15th and allowed it to get to me and so carried the blob on to the next hole also
Something I need to work on. Duncan was striking the ball very all around the course, hence his 2nd place, and Oddsocks & Duncan were very consistent off the tee and on their approach shots into the greens. If you want to beat Oddsocks in Matchplay, carry a camera, every time the chuckle brothers showed up on a hole he crumbled lol. Although I didn't do as well as I would have liked, I was generally pleased with my tee shots on some extremely tight fairways and some approach shots where I found the greens in regulation and holed some decent puts, grabbed myself some decent pars' and was birdie putting for a few also, I didn't get them but I was in position for them I just let myself down at times taking on a wrong shot with a wrong club, lesson learned. Duncan played a very disciplined game, when he drove into the tree's at times he came out and recovered superbly to still make net pars. Don't believe him when he says before a game he's having a tough time, he's a very steady striker and golfer and will take the spoils. Oddsocks is also a very competent golfer and hit some excellent drives and approach shots, the conditions (and camera's) didn't help his short game which cost him a few shots but you can see he can punch well above his weight. Using the 13* 3w (cheers Gibbo) on the 9th I landed 3ft from the hole Why wasn't that nearest the pin 
Overall
I really enjoyed the day and company and was well worth the 2 hour drive each way. The organisation and format is great for all levels of handicap and I didn't feel out of my comfort zone once off 3/4's on a strange tight course. The chance to play another new course and meet new people is always a plus point what ever the outcome of the competition. The condition of the course wasn't great but certainly not enough to ruin my day. Well done to Duncan for winning the GM group prize and coming 2nd overall in the comp and for James being drawn for a freebie in another Tour event. With such a small field overall the generosity from the organisers was outstanding :clap:
I will be looking to attend a couple more Tours across the country as they are such great value for money, that is if I can fit them in-between my already hectic golfing schedule
Thank you to everyone concerned.
The Tour / Organisation of event
Very professional. You were greeted with a prize table as soon as you walked in and I noticed the lads putting up the banners on the first tee, which was quite amusing at one point
It was obvious as soon as you were welcomed these guys (Sam & Ben) loved what they were doing and were more enthusiastic than us, and they didn't play! Stood on the 1st tee and then had to walk across to the 10th, no big deal and no fuss from anyone concerned. Very well organised and confident in their approach to everything. Photo's taken on the 1st and around the course at times, more about that to follow The Course
I'd never played The Drift before and don't want to judge it too harshly because the weather was the enemy but I think if it was my course, it would have been closed! I will play it again in summer conditions as it will obviously play completely different and is very much a thinking man's course, knowing your distances for some blind dog legs was the order of the day, not spanking the drives down the fairway as long possibly, which I did at times anyway
In fact, sometime being on the fairway wasn't good enough, you needed to be far right (first cut) for some approaches in or you were blocked out if you couldn't hit 260 yards plus! The greens were very soft and bobbly with previous foot marks and were very soft & fluffy so even short puts were a lottery as Duncan found out. The walk and conditions from green to the next tee box resembled a yomp across Dartmoor at times in thick mud and pools of water! It was that soft just off the fairway in the first cut that Oddsocks lost his ball on the opening hole! Similar stories were being told in the bar afterwards as balls embedded themselves so deep that the ground above covered them back over! I think with the conditions we faced, my 3 ball performed very well and were upbeat all the way around, great company Our Round
I got off to a decent start with 11 points from the first 5 holes and thought, here we go, 3/4 handicap, I'm in here. But then I suffered a blob on the 15th and allowed it to get to me and so carried the blob on to the next hole also
Something I need to work on. Duncan was striking the ball very all around the course, hence his 2nd place, and Oddsocks & Duncan were very consistent off the tee and on their approach shots into the greens. If you want to beat Oddsocks in Matchplay, carry a camera, every time the chuckle brothers showed up on a hole he crumbled lol. Although I didn't do as well as I would have liked, I was generally pleased with my tee shots on some extremely tight fairways and some approach shots where I found the greens in regulation and holed some decent puts, grabbed myself some decent pars' and was birdie putting for a few also, I didn't get them but I was in position for them I just let myself down at times taking on a wrong shot with a wrong club, lesson learned. Duncan played a very disciplined game, when he drove into the tree's at times he came out and recovered superbly to still make net pars. Don't believe him when he says before a game he's having a tough time, he's a very steady striker and golfer and will take the spoils. Oddsocks is also a very competent golfer and hit some excellent drives and approach shots, the conditions (and camera's) didn't help his short game which cost him a few shots but you can see he can punch well above his weight. Using the 13* 3w (cheers Gibbo) on the 9th I landed 3ft from the hole Why wasn't that nearest the pin Overall
I really enjoyed the day and company and was well worth the 2 hour drive each way. The organisation and format is great for all levels of handicap and I didn't feel out of my comfort zone once off 3/4's on a strange tight course. The chance to play another new course and meet new people is always a plus point what ever the outcome of the competition. The condition of the course wasn't great but certainly not enough to ruin my day. Well done to Duncan for winning the GM group prize and coming 2nd overall in the comp and for James being drawn for a freebie in another Tour event. With such a small field overall the generosity from the organisers was outstanding :clap:
I will be looking to attend a couple more Tours across the country as they are such great value for money, that is if I can fit them in-between my already hectic golfing schedule
Thank you to everyone concerned.
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JPH
Q-School Graduate
Sounds like a great day out
Oddsocks
Ryder Cup Winner
Get involved jp, it's a great day out
duncan mackie
Money List Winner
a bit late with the comments, but please excuse duplications with points already made -
this is the first time I've entered a commercially set up event since a Society Golf event at the Belfry in the late 80's ie a long time! the enthusiasm was good, the team had got everything set up on arrival and their wearing of Loudmouth trousers marked them out immediately (next time I'll know them anyway!).
I like the format of economical courses, make your own catering decisions on the day and a simple approach to prizes on the day - there is an element of 'winner takes the spoils'; but then again the rest get points for the bigger prizes later in the year (only 5 entries needed) as well as the usual pick of golf bits and pieces.
In the usual non-competitive approach I take to things my priorities were to win the GM section, out drive anyone not using TM gear and aquire a pair of Loundmouth trousers - in that order :fore: Sadly I wasn't able to get the trousers
Definitely a course that exemplified course management, even down to pin positions on the day - never hit so many different clubs of the tees with D, H3, H4 and 4i all being played more than once. I had also forgotten what a short par 4 was after months of home course only; and we don't rally have any!
The greens were terrible; both Fish and Oddsocks had to dig their ball out of them within 3 ft of the flag on occassion - way too much organic matter in them that had the feel of soaked peat...the only good bit was that approach shots stayed where they landed - anything elase was a lottery.
The organisers bought us all a pint afterwards too - not likely at avery event given the budgets I suspect, but very welcome on the day
I will certainly play again, even if I can't make the necessary 5 to take things further this year, a convienient way to visit a few courses through the year :thup:
this is the first time I've entered a commercially set up event since a Society Golf event at the Belfry in the late 80's ie a long time! the enthusiasm was good, the team had got everything set up on arrival and their wearing of Loudmouth trousers marked them out immediately (next time I'll know them anyway!).
I like the format of economical courses, make your own catering decisions on the day and a simple approach to prizes on the day - there is an element of 'winner takes the spoils'; but then again the rest get points for the bigger prizes later in the year (only 5 entries needed) as well as the usual pick of golf bits and pieces.
In the usual non-competitive approach I take to things my priorities were to win the GM section, out drive anyone not using TM gear and aquire a pair of Loundmouth trousers - in that order :fore: Sadly I wasn't able to get the trousers
Definitely a course that exemplified course management, even down to pin positions on the day - never hit so many different clubs of the tees with D, H3, H4 and 4i all being played more than once. I had also forgotten what a short par 4 was after months of home course only; and we don't rally have any!
The greens were terrible; both Fish and Oddsocks had to dig their ball out of them within 3 ft of the flag on occassion - way too much organic matter in them that had the feel of soaked peat...the only good bit was that approach shots stayed where they landed - anything elase was a lottery.
The organisers bought us all a pint afterwards too - not likely at avery event given the budgets I suspect, but very welcome on the day
I will certainly play again, even if I can't make the necessary 5 to take things further this year, a convienient way to visit a few courses through the year :thup:
V
vkurup
Guest
Good to know it all went well.. also glad that all of you enjoyed the weather that I had ordered for you as a Valentine gift...
No wonder I've only picked up 82 points, they played me of 12 
http://www.golfdaysuk.co.uk/surrey-tour-2013-leaderboard
Not found any pictures from the day yet though...
http://www.golfdaysuk.co.uk/surrey-tour-2013-leaderboard
Not found any pictures from the day yet though...
jchubs
Assistant Pro
No wonder I've only picked up 82 points, they played me of 12
http://www.golfdaysuk.co.uk/surrey-tour-2013-leaderboard
Not found any pictures from the day yet though...
Oops.. just realised that and now changed it...
Working on YouTube now...
Cheers.
Anyone up for Lingfield, new link in correct area http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/showthread.php?51262-Marriott-Lingfield-Park-Surrey-Tour
Anyone up for Lingfield, new link in correct area http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/showthread.php?51262-Marriott-Lingfield-Park-Surrey-Tour
Some pictures from the day.
The Team, Me, Oddsocks & Duncan
Fighting back the conditions, those wet trousers were clean on that morning!
The End.
The Team, Me, Oddsocks & Duncan Fighting back the conditions, those wet trousers were clean on that morning! The End.
Oddsocks
Ryder Cup Winner
Well me entry is in for lingfield hoping to better the 7th from this event.
The wedges are working again so I have half a chance
The wedges are working again so I have half a chance
grazza1
Newbie
Great to see everyone had a good time at the first Surrey Tour event, Jason and I where very pleased with event, apart from the course conditions. With Lingfield coming up fast and the weather improving we are hoping for a few more in the field. See you there.
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