The Belfry - Brabazon - 5hrs for 16holes.

[MendieGK]

Firstly, knock the golf course all you like, but its conditioning was exceptional and I think its a great track for a modern resort golf course (walks all over the 2010).

However, when i had been out on the course for 5hrs and had to walk in after 16 holes as it was dark, i was not too pleased.

Why do these place insist on packing the course so full of players that it there are two groups of players waiting on every tee!!

I was starting to construct my complaint letter whilst waiting on every hole!

 

[Deleted member 18121]

It's the way they make most money....and a place like the Belfry will be full because of its reputation.

 

[rob_golf1]

Firstly, knock the golf course all you like, but its conditioning was exceptional and I think its a great track for a modern resort golf course (walks all over the 2010).

However, when i had been out on the course for 5hrs and had to walk in after 16 holes as it was dark, i was not too pleased.

Why do these place insist on packing the course so full of players that it there are two groups of players waiting on every tee!!

I was starting to construct my complaint letter whilst waiting on every hole!

Seems like things don't change then!!

I went and played here before they had the refurb on the hotel/facilities and had a very similar situation to yourself where by we was paired up with two players that were exceptionally better than us and we were waiting for 15 mins + on each tee! Between the four of us we put it down to the fact that they were trying to get some money through the doors (because of the refurb) and so were offering a round on the Brab + Derby and one night stay for £99. Shame that they still seem to be very money motivated rather than customer focused where by they could let players go off in 2's and 3's, helping to make the round quicker and letting everybody enjoy their day!

 

[IanM]

The "packing them in" comment is an interesting thought....

Between proper contracts, I spent 2 months this summer working at Celtic Manor. I'll do a write up at some point, but that was a complaint I heard really often.

Some rounds were really, really slow. (on all courses)

Celtic Manor have 10 minute tee intervals, plenty of a gap on all courses. I think the slow round issue comes from several things... but mainly

Resorts fault - Anyone is allowed on, regardless of their playing ability. (only their ability to pay!) No way some of those folk would ever get round in a decent time!

Players fault - Bad play and etiquette from some players! Too many players are holing out for 10s, 11s and 12s (and worse!) etc etc etc

So, if you want a decent round time, head for somewhere that is more fussy about who gets on! (Sort of joking, but only sort of!)

 

[MendieGK]

The "packing them in" comment is an interesting thought....

Between proper contracts, I spent 2 months this summer working at Celtic Manor. I'll do a write up at some point, but that was a complaint I heard really often.

Some rounds were really, really slow. (on all courses)

Celtic Manor have 10 minute tee intervals, plenty of a gap on all courses. I think the slow round issue comes from several things... but mainly

Resorts fault - Anyone is allowed on, regardless of their playing ability. (only their ability to pay!) No way some of those folk would ever get round in a decent time!

Players fault - Bad play and etiquette from some players! Too many players are holing out for 10s, 11s and 12s (and worse!) etc etc etc

So, if you want a decent round time, head for somewhere that is more fussy about who gets on! (Sort of joking, but only sort of!)

I certainly wouldn't play there every week, but i like the course and partly accepted it would be a fairly slow round, but over 5hrs when its only 6300 off the yellows with limited walks between the tees is not acceptable.

From your experience of CM, do they have any 'free' tee times throughout the day, just to ease traffic?

At the Belfry, people going for the 10th green when they can barely reach it in 2 among over holes is something that annoys me. Just because you're playing a famous hole doesnt mean you suddenly find 30extra yards!

 

[IanM]

CM will fill any times folk ask for. They try and pair up to make 4 balls to even it up too. (That gets complaints )

You're dead right about hackers who haven't got a hope going for the green at 10th! Same happens on 2010 15th. So much so the rough has been cut back!

 

[Deleted member 15717]

Played at the weekend at The Essex Golf and Country Club. Not a patch on The Belfry, but when it had taken us about an hour to play 2.5 holes, something was up. It took just under 6 hours to play the full 18. I am not a golfing snob, but the evidence was clear from the tee shots of the proceeding 6 fourballs that there wasn't a single golfer between them. When we got put behind them again on sunday, I piped up and asked if we could go to the 10th. Funnily enough, it only took us 4.5 hours, with a break in the middle whilst we waited for the 1st to clear so we could go again!

 

[MendieGK]

Played at the weekend at The Essex Golf and Country Club. Not a patch on The Belfry, but when it had taken us about an hour to play 2.5 holes, something was up. It took just under 6 hours to play the full 18. I am not a golfing snob, but the evidence was clear from the tee shots of the proceeding 6 fourballs that there wasn't a single golfer between them. When we got put behind them again on sunday, I piped up and asked if we could go to the 10th. Funnily enough, it only took us 4.5 hours, with a break in the middle whilst we waited for the 1st to clear so we could go again!

i usually disagree when people say participation in the sport is declining due to the amount of time it takes (IMO play early and you wont have that issue), but after yesterdays round i can 100% see why.

 

[Imurg]

Don't these bigger courses have course Marshall's..?
Last time I played the PGA I'm sure there were a couple bombing around geeing people up..
Let's hope everyone reads this months magàzine piece on slow play....

 

[Junior]

Last time I played the Brabazon , a few years ago now, we had a similar issue. The group infront of us were holding the course up to the extent that we waited on the first few tee's with the group playing behind us.

The marshalls in fairness were quick to act and after a warning, moved the group ahead a hole to allow a gap to speed up play. They got the message then, and played pretty swiftly, although, they were not happy at missing a hole.

 

[MendieGK]

Don't these bigger courses have course Marshall's..?
Last time I played the PGA I'm sure there were a couple bombing around geeing people up..
Let's hope everyone reads this months magàzine piece on slow play....

Yeah there was one, he kept telling us 'its clearing up'. Then on 14 he said you'll probably be able to play until the 17th green, and then if you want to make an 8 ball on 18 thats fine.

Great experience to have on one of the most iconic ryder cup holes there is!

 

[hovis]

As members we avoid the brabazon at all cost durring the weekend and anytime after 9 in the week. Its a joke.

My opinion on why it's slow is because people insist on having a photo taken on every bloody tee box and people decide to use there best balls on the brab and they're damned if they ent gonna find them.

As for the club Marshalls...... Piss up and brewery spring to mind

 

[North Mimms]

The "packing them in" comment is an interesting thought....

Between proper contracts, I spent 2 months this summer working at Celtic Manor. I'll do a write up at some point, but that was a complaint I heard really often.

Some rounds were really, really slow. (on all courses)

Celtic Manor have 10 minute tee intervals, plenty of a gap on all courses. I think the slow round issue comes from several things... but mainly

Resorts fault - Anyone is allowed on, regardless of their playing ability. (only their ability to pay!) No way some of those folk would ever get round in a decent time!

Players fault - Bad play and etiquette from some players! Too many players are holing out for 10s, 11s and 12s (and worse!) etc etc etc

So, if you want a decent round time, head for somewhere that is more fussy about who gets on! (Sort of joking, but only sort of!)

Having played Celtic Manor last autumn (and only just got in before it got dark), another fact is that people hear that there is a lot of walking between some tees on 2012so they get a buggy, but it's cart path only which is useless!

 

[IanM]

Carts on path only is a big sticking point for Celtic Manor. Especially on the Montgomerie, which has some daft gaps between holes. It really upsets many visitors.

At induction was told it's about safety due to the severe gradients.....

Marshalling is difficult as "no one is ever at fault for causing delays! "😅😅😅😅

 

[Three]

Marshalling is difficult as "no one is ever at fault for causing delays! "😅😅😅😅

Reading the other posts, I was going to comment that the marshalls obviously weren't doing their job, then I saw your post

Marshalling is only difficult if the wrong person is doing it. The marshall needs to remember who the customers are, but he's not there to be everyone's friend. After a couple of friendly prompts, he has to have the balls to force a group to play faster or miss out a hole, or even two.

Some people can do this, some can't. Those that can't shouldn't be marshalls at a busy resort such as those mentioned.

 

[IanM]

Ain't that the truth. ...


With exception that the behaviour of some groups is shocking

 

[Three]

Ain't that the truth. ...


With exception that the behaviour of some groups is shocking

And they need to be told.

However it then goes down to whether the marshalls will get backed up by their managers if there is a complaint from a badly behaved or very slow group who have been acted upon.

Quite often the poor marshalls will be a product of poor management.

My place as prime example, x10. :angry:

 

[shivas irons]

Played at the weekend at The Essex Golf and Country Club. Not a patch on The Belfry, but when it had taken us about an hour to play 2.5 holes, something was up. It took just under 6 hours to play the full 18. I am not a golfing snob, but the evidence was clear from the tee shots of the proceeding 6 fourballs that there wasn't a single golfer between them. When we got put behind them again on sunday, I piped up and asked if we could go to the 10th. Funnily enough, it only took us 4.5 hours, with a break in the middle whilst we waited for the 1st to clear so we could go again!

A few years back exactly the same thing happened to me at this course, when I asked the "golfers" ahead if I could play through (I had to explain the meaning of playing through) they threatened me!! Nice...

 

[Fish]

I've played quite a few iconic courses and I've still got a few I'd love to play, and although I live very close to the Brabazon, and with what I have consistently read about it, I'm not rushing to play it any day soon.

 

[Green Bay Hacker]

Carts on path only is a big sticking point for Celtic Manor. Especially on the Montgomerie, which has some daft gaps between holes. It really upsets many visitors.

At induction was told it's about safety due to the severe gradients.....

Marshalling is difficult as "no one is ever at fault for causing delays! "

I carried on there yesterday and didn't find it a problem. The other two guys (younger) were suggesting that I was mad for not having a trolley but I always carry. The biggest problem was the steepness of the hills and it was the guys that had the trolleys that were moaning as they struggled up and down them. Worst one was leaving the seventh green, the path is no where near the green (or even hole) and the only option is up the grass bank on the left of the hole. There is even a sign that warns you the bank is slippery when wet (really) and the guys with trolleys really struggled up there.

Regarding the pace of play we had GUW officials hurrying us along even though we were 10 minutes ahead of the time on the card and every par three you came to the group in front were still on the tee.