The Belfry

[Midnight]

Hi,
could someone please give me their review of all the courses on the Belfry.

Only asking as , have a chance to play PGA and Derby for £79 inc b&b , can upgrade to play The Brabazon . Can only do this up till Dec.

Cheers for help.

Midnight...

 

[Ethan]

If you have never played any of them, there is a certain thrill in playing holes you have seen on TV, but in all honesty, many people (including me) don't rate The Brabazon as a good course. I think that there are too many boring holes and a few memorable but not very enjoyable ones.

The PGA National is probably a more balanced course, but you won't have seen any of it on TV.

Others will have different opinions.

 

[pigmeister]

Totally agree, really don`t see what all the fuss is about.

 

[viscount17]

As they were set up when we visited in August, the PGA was far harder with punitive rough and lots of bunkers (not that they bothered GB').

The Brabazon is glossier, the rough didn't look at all difficult - until you got into it when the grass just closed over your ball. Lots of cuttings left behind.
There is more (surface) appeal in playing the Brabazon, you have the starter's briefing adding a sense of the dramatic, something you don't get on the PGA. Getting a good one away on the Brabazon first seems more important somehow, and the 18th has is own magic (I completely mucked up the 10th so can't comment).

Never played the Derby but it seems to be looked on as an everyday course. Play the PGA and Brabazon if you can.

 

[JustOne]

I think that there are too many boring holes and a few memorable but not very enjoyable ones.

These courses are made to accommodate 100,000 fans so they are actually fairly open and bland. Imagine the 12th at Augusta without 10,000 people sitting up there behind the tee... it's just an open space.

 

[Ethan]

I think that there are too many boring holes and a few memorable but not very enjoyable ones.

These courses are made to accommodate 100,000 fans so they are actually fairly open and bland. Imagine the 12th at Augusta without 10,000 people sitting up there behind the tee... it's just an open space.

Not an adequate excuse. There are many courses made for gallery viewing that accommodate just as many people and are much better courses.

Still, boring is boring, whatever the explanation.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

The brab' is a cracking course.
Deep rough, plenty of well placed bunkers, fast greens, water, famous signature holes and everything is of a high quality.

The PGA is tough, described by some as an inland Links, makes you think alot. As with the Brab' everything is of a high standard and you'll really enjoy them.

Personally I'd opt for the Brab' & PGA - but what ever you do, have fun.

 

[Up_Point_1]

Go for the Brabazon and the PGA courses if you can, the Derby course is rubbish.

UP1.

 

[vig]

Midnight, myself and TonyN did this earlier this year.
TBH for the price, you've gotta embrace it.

If you really want to play the Brabazon, then go for it but at these prices you'll enjoy whatever you play.

 

[Midnight]

Thanks for all the advice chaps. I have decided to let my mate choose and due to money I think the PGA and Derby for that price is what we will end up doing.

Thanks again.

Midnight...

 

[vig]

When are you planning on going as I have two rounds from my Christmas pressie to use up and need to use them before this Christmas

 

[Imurg]

The Derby's nothing special when you put it next to the Brabazon and the PGA but its a decent course if you look at it by itself - certainly not bad for the cost.

 

[USER1999]

I enjoyed the Brab when we played it. More than just a 2 hole course, and in good nick. Not in my top ten, but a solid test of golf none the less. If you get a good price, I would play it over the Derby.

 

[RGDave]

Unlike some on here, I haven't had the pleasure of playing the PGA national course. I know it's pretty good though.
The Derby is a fair course and although not like the other two (in stature), is typical Belfry style parkland.
£79 for the two is good, I reckon.....like £50 for one and £30 for the other, give or take.
I think the Brabazon IS worth a play, though it seems no matter how you "cook" the deal, you still end up paying rather too much for it.

If I was offered the Brabazon for £80 as a once-off, I'd probably say "no deal". It's the sort of course that you feel like you've played a £50-£60 course and then a pony for the privilege.

 

[mikepops]

I was at the forum meet, and was thoroughly impressed by both courses. I am only 24 and have only recently started taking golf seriously, and I have only played relatively few courses (Roman Road at Celtic Manor being the only other course of note), but I thought both were interesting, and fun courses to play.

The National did have overly penal rough, but I suppose that reflects the links aspirations. There were a couple of average holes, but the greens were all splendid, and most bunkers were in good nick.

I enjoyed The Brabazon immensely. I was obviously familiar with the 10th, but I couldn't remember much else of the course from TV coverage. It was rather open, but you still need to plot your way around. If you can resist the temptation to take on the champagne shots, it's possible to put a good score together, but it's easy to rack up some big numbers too.

I was playing off 18 at the time (down to 16 now), but I was struggling around my home course. I played both well both days, particularly on The Brabazon, which I think was mostly down to the extra concentration that the course demands, but like I say, if you plot your way around sensibly you can feel like you are on top of the course.

Perhaps by memory is tainted by the glorious weather, great company, some prizes (I managed 33 points both days) and being labelled Mr. Consistent in GM, but I would definitely recommend both courses.

Have a good outing...

 

[SandyBalls]

Play the Brab - it's a cracking course. I didnt play the Derby so cant comment - but it's a poor relation to both the others. The PGA was very samey and is set up as a links course - lots of coarse rough.

The only time I felt I had got my monies worth was when we were playing the Brabazon. It has some really good golf holes.

Have fun though

 

[vig]

Play the Brab - it's a cracking course. I didnt play the Derby so cant comment - but it's a poor relation to both the others. The PGA was very samey and is set up as a links course - lots of coarse rough.

The only time I felt I had got my monies worth was when we were playing the Brabazon. It has some really good golf holes.

Have fun though

If you haven't played it how can you make that statement. Not disagreeing but it's a bit like saying marmite is crap without tasting it first.

As for monies worth on the Brabazon. If you pay the full price, i'm not sure where monies worth comes into it.
Prestige, maybe but there are beter VFM tracks out there that give better monies worth