Wimbledon Common, so I joined...

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TheJezster

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As the title suggests, I joined my first ever golf club this weekend, having plumped for Wimbledone Common.

Went round with my mate first, and then sat down with the pro (Jeff), who was very welcoming. The course is quite challenging I have to say, especially for a short course, but I think I will really enjoy it there. Sat in the clubhouse after the round for a drink and a bite to eat and the members were extremely welcoming and friendly.

We went round, following 4 old boys in a comp round, and they were great, showing us the way to the next tee etc and when we caught up to them on some holes they were always open for a brief chat. In the clubhouse afterwards too, they were a right friendly bunch, telling us a few stories etc.

Went round in 100 dead, so for my first round I'm quite happy with that, especially after carding a 10 on the 1st hole!! :-(

Thats my 4th round this year now, and 3rd day running, after playing Hawkstone Park on Thursday and Friday, so well into this game. Bought a set of clubs in August last year and havent really looked back!

Got a tee time for next Saturday and Sunday, so hopefully the next few weekends can see me actually get a handicap to play the comps, which I'm really looking forward to. I'm under no illusions, I know I'll get a 28, but its all about my game improving and playing for me.

Got to say also, that whilst most of my rouns was with Dunlop balls (picked them up cheaply from sports direct), I did start using a titlest i found at HP a couple days ago, and my word, there really is a difference!! I was staggered, even I could feel it! Might have to buy some different balls going forward, I like the sound of the AD333's, they seem fairly popular on here. Can anyone else offer any opinions on balls to go for? I'm not going to pay over the odd's for the PRO V1's etc tho, I'm not good enough to justify that, just a middle of the range ball I guess.

Thanks

Jez

ps: Homer, now Im a member, give me a few week's and I'll invite you down to your old haunt for a game then :-)
 
Wimbledon Common is no push over so just play within yourself and you'll be fine and I reckon you'll easily be off less than 28. Just give me the nod and a few dates and I'll be up for a game like a shot
 
Is this the course where yu always have to wear red or is that just a myth ?
 
Is this the course where yu always have to wear red or is that just a myth ?
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Yes - and the ranger will chuck you off if you don't wear red or even if the 'shade' of red is not quite right!
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It is true. It is part of the original by-laws allowing golf to be played and is designed so the public will recognise the golfers. As they have right of way (and boy don't they know it) it seems a little out of date but them is the rules

I think the rangers tend to take a slightly more liberal view on the shade of red these days but I know plum or purple doesn't cut it.
 
I'm going to write out a 'ball plan' for you. (wish someone had done it for me)

Handicap 28-22: use Dunlop locos. They are very low spin and as being the cheapest won't cost you a fortune as you'll lose lots...really...lots.

Handicap 22-19: Srixon AD333. You're losing less now so the step up in price won't matter. They're softer and slightly spinnier than the Loco's because at this point you should be starting to get a feel of the ball for your short game (They're also closer to a premium ball than all the other 2 piece balls-there's a reason they're the biggest selling golf ball).

Handicap 19 and below: Tileist Pro V1/ Srixon Z-Star. You're onto your premium balls now, you're at the stage you should be 'settling' for 'your ball', you'll play others Bridgestone/Callaway etc. and make a choice as to which feels best for you. And you'll always keep a few AD333's around for those times when your swing is misbehaving and you want to cut back on the spin a bit.


The above brands can all be swapped out for other brands (you can always try a tube of three) but the main premise is that you have:

1) a beginners ball nice and cheap, slightly harder for extra distance and less spin to gain confidence.

2) a intermediate/fallback ball for when you've got the gist of the swing and your short game skills need a little extra 'touch' to develop

3) your favourite - you know how it flies and works in various temperatures, you need a ball that will stay with you for the rest of your career.
 
All the best Jezster, although personally I think you should've joined London Scottish - a much tougher course :D :D

It's a cracking course up there - loved my time playing it as a member of London Scottish.
 
All the best Jezster, although personally I think you should've joined London Scottish - a much tougher course :D :D

It's a cracking course up there - loved my time playing it as a member of London Scottish.
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I always preferred the LS starting hole to ours. No OB for the snap hook and the big gorse and the slope behind the bushes for a slap right. With the LS 1st there was plenty of room left or right although I've disturbed a few picnickers up on the slope to the right in my time
 
As said before my father was a member at Wimbledon Common for many years. The first used to be the par 4 which is now the 2nd, and what is now the 1st was the 18th. I dont know why they changed, but that this why the putting green is near the 2nd tee box.

I used to walk round and caddy for my father and remember the big drop into the revine and the pulling of his trolley up the other side.
 
I always preferred the LS starting hole to ours. No OB for the snap hook and the big gorse and the slope behind the bushes for a slap right. With the LS 1st there was plenty of room left or right although I've disturbed a few picnickers up on the slope to the right in my time
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Funny as I always thought the WC opening 4 or 5 holes were slightly easier than the LS ones! We were obviously members of the wrong clubs Homer! Either way, whichever club you are a member of up there, opening up with a par 3 in excess of 200 yards is always going to be tough!
 
Thanks for the advice and help guys. Brilliant stuff on the ball plan too! That will help me out enormously, so thanks for that :-)

Cant wait for Saturday now, I'm itching to get playing again..
 
I always preferred the LS starting hole to ours. No OB for the snap hook and the big gorse and the slope behind the bushes for a slap right. With the LS 1st there was plenty of room left or right although I've disturbed a few picnickers up on the slope to the right in my time
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Funny as I always thought the WC opening 4 or 5 holes were slightly easier than the LS ones! We were obviously members of the wrong clubs Homer! Either way, whichever club you are a member of up there, opening up with a par 3 in excess of 200 yards is always going to be tough!
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Definitely. Your opening 200+ par 3 was easier than ours. Big Ravine was always a driveable par 4. 10 was a drive and a wedge and it was only when you hit Queensmere all 245 yard par 3 of it did it get interesting.

From the WC side the 2nd was always a hard 4 to hit and hold with the big slopes on either side of the green. The 3rd was driveable but you had to move it in the air a bit. The 4th was an almost blind par 3 but the 5th was driveable.

I guess its swings and roundabouts. You had to play them all at some stage
 
Jez, what was a 7 day membership?
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I paid £201 all-in, to take me to April, when their year begins. £60+VAT joining fee and £65 each for Feb and March (they have given me Jan free), so all my january rounds are bonuses!! :-) Thats Saturday, this coming weekend (2 rounds) and the following weekend too, so should get 4 if not 5 rounds in during Jan, which will effectively save me £100+ on green fee's

Bonus eih? :-)
 
Sorry if I wasnt clear above. That £201 is me as a full member until April 1st, when I would have to renew for the full year. I dont pay freen fee's, the example used above was just because I have January free, so every round I play in Jan is free, hence, if i HAD to pay green fee's, i would be saving myself £25 a round.. Or more acurately I suppose, I'm saving £65 which is the pro rata rate for each month.
 
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