The big name courses, are they all that ?

[Imurg]

I haven't played many "Top" courses but I have played some. Woburn, Sunningdale New to name a couple. Both of these were club matches or feebies but when I looked at the actual cost of the day I gulped.
I find it unreal that courses like Lytham, Hoylake, Belfry, et al can get away with charging the money they do. £150+ for a round of golf? £90 twilight at The Grove - get real.
Obviously many do pay these prices but 150 quid for 3-4 hours doesn't float my boat much. Add in the cost of travel and food and there's no change from 200 quid - for 3-4 hours...??? And as for those charging more than 200 for a round - well, they'll never see me. I can't justify that sort of money for 1 round when I'm paying subs at my home course and the cost of living rising as it is.

Sadly these courses are out of reach for me.

 

[algar5]

Agree re the holes you mention on the PGA Jezz,some cracking holes but after about the 8th? It goes very much the much for me.

Take your wellies for the Queens,I was there a fortnight back and it was drookit,greens were like sponges,hell I was even getting screwback with a 5 iron!

My Mate played it a couple of weeks ago as well and made exactly the same comment. Couldn't believe how much backspin he was getting on the sponge like greens.

 

[JezzE]

Agree re the holes you mention on the PGA Jezz,some cracking holes but after about the 8th? It goes very much the much for me.

Take your wellies for the Queens,I was there a fortnight back and it was drookit,greens were like sponges,hell I was even getting screwback with a 5 iron!

Thanks for the advice Allan! Fingers crossed for a dry couple of weeks in Perthshire then, although I quite like the idea of some artificially flattering screwback, especially if I can get a couple of irons just a bit 'clean'.

I do understand what you're saying about the PGA, although I think some of the holes on the back nine have been tweaked - or in fact, were being tweaked - last time I was there, so will be interesting to have a look at them now even if I can't play them this time.

And I will concede that holes like the long par-5 9th - doglegging right round water I think - are perhaps a little incongruous within the Perthshire landscape.

However, overal, I enjoyed my round there and would still maintain it is far better than many are prepared to give it credit for.

 

[thecraw]

I'd have to agree with a lot of the comments on "2nd tier" courses comments. I was lucky enough to play at Prestwick St Nicholas yesterday with Fabian. St Nicholas will often get over looked by guys eagre to play Ayrshires "classic" links. I don't think I'm doing St Nicks a disservice when I say people will even play the likes of Irvine Bogside, Kilmarnock Barassie and Glasgow Gailes which to be honest are better known.

That in my opinion is a mistake, St Nicholas has some cracking holes and the greens yesterday were as good as anywhere I've played all year, they were fabulous. Brilliant conditioned course and I'd advise staying out of the bunkers after visiting them off of the 13th,14th and 15th tees.

St Nicholas may not not even be classed as a 2nd tier course but it certainly punches above its weight.

 

[Dodger]

Thanks for the advice Allan! Fingers crossed for a dry couple of weeks in Perthshire then, although I quite like the idea of some artificially flattering screwback, especially if I can get a couple of irons just a bit 'clean'.

I do understand what you're saying about the PGA, although I think some of the holes on the back nine have been tweaked - or in fact, were being tweaked - last time I was there, so will be interesting to have a look at them now even if I can't play them this time.

And I will concede that holes like the long par-5 9th - doglegging right round water I think - are perhaps a little incongruous within the Perthshire landscape.

However, overal, I enjoyed my round there and would still maintain it is far better than many are prepared to give it credit for.

I am up there next weekend and may go for a game but if we do it'll be the Kings which always tends to be the driest of the 3.That said we have been quoted £20 each at Crieff which reduces to £15 with me getting courtesy so we may plum for there instead although dampness is my major worry as I don't enjoy clatchy courses.As you say hopefully we can get a dry spell with some drying winds but remember this is Scotland!

 

[wrighty1874]

Agree ,the Belfry vastly over priced and overrated.

Disappointed with the Belfry. Loved the 9 holes I played at the Grove and the Old Course is awesome. I guess it depends how high your expectations are and how you judge a course

 

[Snelly]

Whoever said Loch Lomond, was vastly over rated needs to have a long hard look at themselves. Its simply awesome, the expewrience, surrounding and service is second to none. The course is simply exquisite.

That would be me then. I think it is far from awesome. It is an ordinary course in an awesome location. I would not care if I never played it again and it is certainly not in the top ten courses I have played.

Massively overrated and as an experience, perfect for Premiership footballers or anyone from Cheshire. Still, each to their own I suppose.....

 

[Dodger]

That would be me then. I think it is far from awesome. It is an ordinary course in an awesome location. I would not care if I never played it again and it is certainly not in the top ten courses I have played.

Massively overrated and as an experience, perfect for Premiership footballers or anyone from Cheshire. Still, each to their own I suppose.....

I have not played it but walked it on many occasion and would also question your assesement.

Are you sure it wasn't the Carrick? Loch Lomond ordinary???

Nurse....Nurse!!!!

 

[Snelly]

I have not played it but walked it on many occasion and would also question your assesement.

Are you sure it wasn't the Carrick? Loch Lomond ordinary???

Nurse....Nurse!!!!

No it was the real McCoy!

If I am to be completely honest, I played that day with a famous person who is a member there. He was a complete and utter tool as it turned out and really took the shine off things. It may be that he clouded my judgement somewhat.

I would conceed it is in a magnificent setting and was in beautiful condition. Perhaps it would be much fairer to say it did not come up to my expectations as I was expecting it to be one of the best courses I have played and it fell some way short.

I still maintain it isn't in my top ten though and funnily enough, I have five friends who have played there too and they all say the same thing. Nice but not amazing.

It isn't my kind of place either. Too new money for me.. but I appreciate I am probably in the minority in not really enjoying the style of hospitality. The welcome is a little false somehow... too OTT and familiar.. not the easiest thing to articulate.

 

[Snelly]

And another point is that I played Loch Lomond and West Hill back to back on consecutive days last summer and that helped me to formulate an accurate opinion of the place. I had to make a speech at West Hill that day and remember saying that Loch Lomond wasn't as good as West Hill as part of it. Funnily enough, I played at West Hill on Friday too and still feel the same. Lovely track and certainly preferable to LL.

 

[Dodger]

And another point is that I played Loch Lomond and West Hill back to back on consecutive days last summer and that helped me to formulate an accurate opinion of the place. I had to make a speech at West Hill that day and remember saying that Loch Lomond wasn't as good as West Hill as part of it. Funnily enough, I played at West Hill on Friday too and still feel the same. Lovely track and certainly preferable to LL.

That will be West Hill that struggles to stay inside many well respected top 100 publications as opposed to Loch Lomond that is routinely top 10....

May I suggest your opinion is flawed?

 

[Snelly]

That will be West Hill that struggles to stay inside many well respected top 100 publications as opposed to Loch Lomond that is routinely top 10....

May I suggest your opinion is flawed?

Yes that West Hill!

And yes, of course you can say it is flawed! It is still valid though, because it is my opinion! However misguided or daft it may seem to others!

 

[thecraw]

Everyone can have an opinion.

I rate Western Gailes and Machrihanish ahead of Royal Troon and Carnoustie and both easily on a par with Turnberry. Again people will call that crazy Snelly but I personally really enjoy and rate both Western and Machrihanish.

 

[USER1999]

Snelly, you play golf on a different planet to me, in so many ways.

 

[Dodger]

Everyone can have an opinion.

I rate Western Gailes and Machrihanish ahead of Royal Troon and Carnoustie and both easily on a par with Turnberry. Again people will call that crazy Snelly but I personally really enjoy and rate both Western and Machrihanish.

Indeed they can.

Does not stop them being incorrect.

 

[richart]

The Old Course at St Andrews lived up to my expectations and a lot more. The most fantastic golfing experience, and already planning my next visit. Can't believe I left it so long to play there. The New Course is not bad either

Have played Sunningdale, Swinley, St Georges Hill, The Berkshire (Red and Blue), Hankley Common, Worplesdon, and most other top courses in this area, and they have not disappointed. The only course that I was slightly disappointed with was the West course at Wentworth. Just glad it was a freebie as it is not worth in my opinion £350, even if you do get a caddie.

 

[smange]

The Old Course at St Andrews lived up to my expectations and a lot more. The most fantastic golfing experience, and already planning my next visit. Can't believe I left it so long to play there. The New Course is not bad either

Seconded, add in the Jubilee Course and you have an incredible couple of days golf as well as a fantastic town with great bars where the atmosphere is incredible.

Definitely my favourite golf experience and one I cant wait to do again