Top 10 exclusive golf clubs

[vkurup]

Saw this link about top 10 exclusive clubs..
http://www.yourgolftravel.com/19th-hole/2011/10/04/top-10-exclusive-golf-clubs/

While I want to play all of them... realised that 4 of them are less than an hour away!!
Wisley
Queeswood
Bearwood Lakes
Swinley Forest Golf Club

Not sure if I can ever get into Wisley or Queenswood.. but definitely want to try Bearwood & Swinley

 

[duncan mackie]

I think you mean Queenwood....

I like Wisley but have yet to get to Queenwood - I've established a possible route in but it will take time! Have been advised it's 'rather nice', but then again there are lots of rather nice courses in that area.

 

[USER1999]

Why is bearwood lakes on the list. You can just buy a day ticket.

 

[BTatHome]

Why is bearwood lakes on the list. You can just buy a day ticket.

I'm assuming that in the 2 years ago since the article was written that things have relaxed somewhat.

 

[vkurup]

Why is bearwood lakes on the list. You can just buy a day ticket.

I looked up Bearwood.. looks like a 100 quid for a day pass. So it is a yes at some stage
Also Swinley FGC looks like they do visitors.
That leaves the Wisley & Queenwood...

A GM forum meet at Bearwood or Swinley anyone?

 

[Foxholer]

I think you mean Queenwood....

I like Wisley but have yet to get to Queenwood - I've established a possible route in but it will take time! Have been advised it's 'rather nice', but then again there are lots of rather nice courses in that area.

Another one on the Queenwood style supposedly opening July 2015 - at Cherkley Court near Leatherhead - planning appeals notwithstanding.

Several of the ones on that list are not really 'exclusive' - just difficult to get on at a moment's notice. I've played several of them several times.

 

[duncan mackie]

Why is bearwood lakes on the list. You can just buy a day ticket.

I think the article (I've not read it!) will be using membership criteria as it's exclusive element, rather than simply access (although in some cases both apply!).

I believe the 4 listed involve debentures as an example - some more than others!

 

[vkurup]

Another one on the Queenwood style supposedly opening July 2015 - at Cherkley Court near Leatherhead - planning appeals notwithstanding.

Several of the ones on that list are not really 'exclusive' - just difficult to get on at a moment's notice. I've played several of them several times.

How does one get into the Wisley.. i would love to get out there sometime..

 

[scratch]

It's a load of nonsense, the Old course is on the list and that is a municipal!!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Bearwood Lakes and Swinley are relatively easy to get on, if you have some cash. Swinley is a little quirky but when the rhodedendrums are in flower it is stunning. Bearwood Lakes is a joy from start to finish and they make you feel welcome unlike the way some clubs treat visitors

 

[MGL]

Swinley is great. Played it as part of a society from another golf forum site last year and I know they set aside a reasonable amount of dates for them. We played 36 holes, with food before, lunch, food afterwards in February for about £115 IIRC.

Lovely place.

 

[Snelly]

I have played 6 of these and had invites to two others. I declined one to Archerfield and am playing at Queenwood in July hopefully. I have never heard of the Renaissance Club?

Of these, I think only Queenwood and Wisley are really for members guests only.

 

[Ethan]

Bearwood Lakes used to be members and members' guests only, but the 'day member' thing was introduced because it was pretty quite some weekdays and the club is keen for other players to see and enjoy the club. It is meant to be a better experience than just pitching up as a green fee visitor. I agree that the staff are very welcoming of visitors.

There are at least 2 BL members here, and I hope we can organise a few 4 balls of GM forum members over the summer.

Be sure not to confuse Bearwood Lakes with Bearwood Golf Club, which is a nine holer around the corner, and visible across the lake from the 13th and 14th on BL. Monty pitched up at the wrong one for a corporate day once.

In terms of other courses mentioned, Swinley Forest can be played on a society day (e.g. the European Amateur Golf Tour, formerly Nike Tour) and individual approaches are also often successful. I haven't played Queenwood or The Wisley, but I hear you need to get on those through a member.

There are some other courses nearby well worth a game. Sunningdale, Walton Heath, Wentworth (East and Edinburgh), The Berkshire, the three 'W's - Worplesdon, West Hill and Woking, Hankley Common, Camberley Heath, Stoke Park and others.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I played golf with a guy who was at the time the "Food and Beverage Manager" and he told me as an employee, he is allowed to play the course 3 times a year, and on one of those occasions he is allowed to invite one member of his immediate family. It's not one I expect to find myself playing anytime soon unfortunately

 

[NWJocko]

I have never heard of the Renaissance Club?

Just outside Gullane next door to Muirfield. I believe it was the Renaissance Club that was involved in the land swap with Muirfield?

 

[scratch]

Just outside Gullane next door to Muirfield. I believe it was the Renaissance Club that was involved in the land swap with Muirfield?

I think Renaissance and Archerfield share the same entrance from the main road iirc? I drove in to have a look but can't remember the setup.

 

[Tommo21]

I think Renaissance and Archerfield share the same entrance from the main road iirc? I drove in to have a look but can't remember the setup.

Yes they do....

 

[Adi2Dassler]

Played all of the 'exclusive' courses in Scotland except one...the carnegie club..all the rest are pretty easy, but Carnegie you can forget given how hard I've tried.

 

[stevek1969]

Played all of the 'exclusive' courses in Scotland except one...the carnegie club..all the rest are pretty easy, but Carnegie you can forget given how hard I've tried.

Played the Carnegie Club years ago a fantastic track and setting, we were the only ones there that day, we were looked after like kings.
The day we were there the wind was blowing in the opposite direction from which the course was set up and was seriously difficult. If you watch the Couples vs Norman Shell wonderful World of Golf you'll see what i mean.

 

[Fader]

Queenwood is a bit special and is a heathland style course with lots of gorse the entrance is literally right opposite Foxhills.

My little 207 was massively out of place in the car park there. Managed to get myself a job caddying there last summer as advertised in a magazine at my dads club, did it from May to Sept last year when I was out of work, still got my caddy outfit, Queenwood caddy cap and course planner.

Massively exclusive you can only play as a member or guest of a member but the fee for the guest is paid for by the member. The driveway leads right up through several holes on the course and the clubhouse then just appears as you go over the brow of the hill between the 1st & 10th tees. Impressive clubhouse that also has a penthouse apartment on top floor regularly frequented by Adam Scott so I was led to believe by the caddy master.

Every single sprinkler on the course has yardages to front, middle & back of the green on them and new pinsheets are given to caddies every day so you can give exact yardages to players. Some really impressive holes there and the greens are massive and severe. It was a regular thing to go out on the greens early before picking up work to have a putt to get reads and speeds.

Some really cracking standout holes that really offer several ways to play them like the 1st which is a par 5 with a ditch crossing about 95yards from the green. My personal favourites were the 3rd a short but severe par 4 no more that a drive & short iron from medal tee but any spin on the approach and the ball will come back to your feet. Also the 5th superb dog leg par4 with a lake that opens up at driving range and a green that's a good 150feet wide that is 4 tiered.

Could go on about all the holes but for me the 16th was the best down hill tee shot oob right and massive bunkers left in driving range down to a slight dog leg left fairway coming into a green massively slopped back to front with a huge lake in front that cuts into the whole front and right of the green with no fringe to stop the ball going back towards water.

Lots of famous members there to like Lineker, Hugh Grant, The Redknapps etc but the tightest was Alan Hansen always refused to play his partners for money incase he lost. Also the practice facilities are as good as any tour venue. Got lucky to play it August after doing 4 months there which was minimum criteria for playing on a Monday (caddy day). I was the highest handicap caddy playing off 9 and as such never got the big guys bags only members that were Cat 2 or worse but a great experience.