Which courses to play?

[Britishshooting]

As part of renewing my golf membership I get 5 free rounds of golf at some nice tracks, I currently have project meetings in Newport, South Wales so literally drive past the Belfry and Celtic Manor every Tuesday both of which are courses I can play for free so that knocks 2 off the list.

There is a restriction however that you can only play at each facility once for free so I get one round at the Belfry and one round at a Celtic Manor course, any suggestions on which to play? I don't mind paying extra to play PGA or Brab as its highly discounted. I'll probably hang off a couple of months or so until spring before I play some of the courses so I enjoy the courses a little more.

Belfry:
Derby is the only free course however I can also play PGA National or Brabazon for half price.

Celtic Manor:
Montgomerie or Roman Road?

I have three more tickets to use so which of the following would be best to visit, i'm all over the country with stop overs so can make most options work for me.

- Herons Reach
- Aviemore Highland Resort (2 courses)
- Cardona Hotel and Country Club
- Hill Valley (2 courses)
- Linden Hall
- Portal Hotel
- Breadsall Priory
- Forest of Arden
- Hanbury Manor
- Lingfield Park
- St Pierre
- Tudor Park
- Worsley Park
- Aldwark Manor
- Belton Woods
- Dunstan Hall
- Forest Pines
- Mottram Hall
- Oulton Hall
- Slaley Hall
- Telford
- Shrigley Hall
- Cameron House (Carrick or wee demon)
- Rockliffe Hall

 

[Colonel Bogey]

You can ignore Shrigley Hall. Not good course. Although you may get a chance to see a very impressive male deer.

 

[huds1475]

Of those I've played...

Carrick is a fairly decent track with amazing views.

Mottram Hall - Dull front 9, half decent back 9.

Shrigley Hall - Doesn't start well, bit quirky later. Wouldn't play again.

Forest Pines - bland golf course in trees

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Play Rockcliffe Hall, nice all round set up, plenty of money put into it. Unless you hit it miles play it off the yellows as it can be a long course. Kept very well, not a hotel course in the normal way of things. It has aspirations to be a major player but it wont get there. It means us amateurs get a nice course and clubhouse though.

Slaley Hall. You don't mention which course. If it is the main one, Huntsman, then I would happily recommend that. Smashing course that has lost its lustre up here since Close House came along but that doesn't mean it is not worth playing. Good set up, nice scenery, strong holes. Avoid in winter, drainage again, but otherwise a good choice

If the weather is good then Linden Hall is a very nice place to play. I was a member there for 2 years. The lay out is very good, some really strong holes. I left as I missed a golf club atmosphere but the course itself is very decent. Avoid in the winter or if wet, drainage, particularly between holes, is not great.

I can't comment on the others on your list but those 3 NE courses are all very decent and you should enjoy each of them if you choose to play them. (I forgot, I have played Forest Pines. I agree with Huds above. Don't bother, there are better on your list)

 

[upsidedown]

Worsley Park is a pretty good track and I'd avoid Telford in the winter

 

[patricks148]

As part of renewing my golf membership I get 5 free rounds of golf at some nice tracks, I currently have project meetings in Newport, South Wales so literally drive past the Belfry and Celtic Manor every Tuesday both of which are courses I can play for free so that knocks 2 off the list.

There is a restriction however that you can only play at each facility once for free so I get one round at the Belfry and one round at a Celtic Manor course, any suggestions on which to play? I don't mind paying extra to play PGA or Brab as its highly discounted. I'll probably hang off a couple of months or so until spring before I play some of the courses so I enjoy the courses a little more.

Belfry:
Derby is the only free course however I can also play PGA National or Brabazon for half price.

Celtic Manor:
Montgomerie or Roman Road?

I have three more tickets to use so which of the following would be best to visit, i'm all over the country with stop overs so can make most options work for me.

- Herons Reach
- Aviemore Highland Resort (2 courses)
- Cardona Hotel and Country Club
- Hill Valley (2 courses)
- Linden Hall
- Portal Hotel
- Breadsall Priory
- Forest of Arden
- Hanbury Manor
- Lingfield Park
- St Pierre
- Tudor Park
- Worsley Park
- Aldwark Manor
- Belton Woods
- Dunstan Hall
- Forest Pines
- Mottram Hall
- Oulton Hall
- Slaley Hall
- Telford
- Shrigley Hall
- Cameron House (Carrick or wee demon)
- Rockliffe Hall

Spey Valley (Aviemore Highland resort) is one of DT better lay outs its a stunning scenery an lay out, but condition wise you would be best served playing mid summer, there are two courses but the other is nothing more than a pitch and putt

 

[MendieGK]

Forest of Arden is a good course. back 9 is great.

Derby at Belfry is pants, pay the extra

Hill Valley is alright, greens were some of the slowest i've ever played in my life and that was in August

 

[User2021]

Avoid Lingfield Park as well

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Avoid Breadsall Priory, it's not in the class of some of the others on the list.
Unless you are going in winter, in which case the Moorland course is generally ok, condition wise.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

You may get your answer here by process of elimination. Tick off the ones getting the thumbs down and then see what is left. The forum is useful on this sort of thing.

 

[NorwichBanana]

Sounds like GolfCare insurance free rounds?

 

[IanM]

And I can sign you in at Newport when I am working from home

 

[Wolf]

Definetly avoid Lingfield and I'd also not bother with Tudor Park a hugely unexciting course that often gets boggy.

I'd go For St Pierre and Forest of Arden.

 

[Britishshooting]

Good to know which to pass as well as those recommended so it all helps.

Can

Avoid Breadsall Priory, it's not in the class of some of the others on the list.
Unless you are going in winter, in which case the Moorland course is generally ok, condition wise.

I've played it a few times in junior and scratch matches, so won't be playing there, couldn't agree more with what you said really.

i'm slowly scrubbing out courses so i'll eventually have my play list. Thanks for the comments/feedback.

 

[Grant85]

The Carrick is a nice track and in great nick.

The Wee Demon could potentially be a nice wee 9 holer, but when I played it (2014) it was in dreadful condition. Bunkers being left with weeds and grass growing in them. Amazed a premium venue like Cameron House would allow their property to get like that.

 

[GB72]

Belton woods is just a bit Meh. OKish courses, typical hotel course, but would not recommend playing in Winter, the holes near the club house and at lower levels turn in to bogs.

 

[Jacko_G]

The Carrick is a nice track and in great nick.

The Wee Demon could potentially be a nice wee 9 holer, but when I played it (2014) it was in dreadful condition. Bunkers being left with weeds and grass growing in them. Amazed a premium venue like Cameron House would allow their property to get like that.

I have never played The Carrick in "great" condition. Its always been bang average, wet under foot and evidently overplayed going by the divots and plug marks. There are some fantastic holes, first three holes are ok then the 4th is a brutal par 4 with water all down the left and trees right with a narrow fairway. This is where the course really wakens up and becomes an enjoyable test of golf. After that there are a few weakish holes but a lot of really good fun holes and some great views of Loch Lomond.

I prefer Spey Valley over The Carrick if i am being honest, just think its a nicer course and a better test of golf plus as strange as it may sound a better location.

 

[fundy]

Forest of Arden only if the Arden course, Hanbury Manor but in summer and St Pierre only if the old course would be my 3 choices having played just over half of that list

 

[Dando]

Forest pines is nice but once a year in june the great unwashed descend on the place.
There’s a strong smell of sterident, ralgex and wee!

 

[louise_a]

Forest Pines is a good choice, Worsley Park is decent, The Premier at Portal is nice, Aldwark Manor is ok too