Winter golf course - Newbury area

[CheltenhamHacker]

Afternoon

Looking at booking a round of golf between Xmas and New Year in the Newbury area, and wondered if anyone could suggest any courses around there, that would normally (freak circumstances accepted) be on full greens and tees at that time of year?

I'm just looking to avoid booking now, then turning up to find it's been winter greens all month, or not booking and not finding a space to play nearer the time!

Preferably max of £35ish per person would be ideal!

Thanks

CH

 

[fundy]

Rooter your man for that area, expect he'll be along soon

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Lovely! I have seen a few Newbury posters on here occasionaly, hoping to tap into their collective grey matter!

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

One course that springs to mind is Hockley. It's 30 mins south just outside Winchester but built on a chalk hill so dry even in the wettest of weather. Is that within range?

 

[BTatHome]

My course don't have winter tees at any time, and winter greens are only in use when the very hardest of frost has visited (don't remember using them at all last year except when we had snow on the green.

Built on chalk we are dry all year long.

 

[Foxholer]

Donnington Grove.

A couple of slightly damp spots in the very low/sheltered areas, but Chalk based and I've never seen it on Temps.

Reasonable Green Fees too. 3 holes where there is a long walk green to tee. Some really good holes.

 

[El Bandito]

About 30 mins South on the a34, Tidworth, my place. Built on chalk. Very rarely any temp greens and then only a couple. Harry Colt designed course. Can get you on for 25 or less if you don't mind me tagging along and I'll sign you in....:whoo:

 

[Rooter]

If Newbury is your cup of tea, the Foxholer is bang on. Donnington Grove will be playing the best that time of year, My track can get a bit damp in places and there would be a chance you would be on one or 2 winter greens. Mikee247 is a member at Don Grove.

Anyway, i am slightly annoyed with DG, emailed them last week trying to organise a winter knock on the 27th for about 15 people and they have not replied!! looks like we will play at my track!

Other option would be West Berks, not as good a course, but you should get green fees for sub £20. (its better than a sub £20 course though!)

Let me know if you need any more questions answering!

 

[Rooter]

And BTatHome is bang on too, therod and I really enjoyed weybrook Park, its about 25 mins from Newbury, just outside of Basingstoke.

Sandford Springs will be a bog, Donnington Valley i would avoid, Newbury Racecourse is always playable! and you would get change from a tenner!

 

[Hallsy]

I can vouch for Donnington Grove. We played in march during the snow. Although the saturday was wiped out we managed to play the sunday and to be fair the course played well. No temps on greens or tees and the greens played very well considering the weather. They gave us a free round in may and the course was excellent. As said though there are some long walks between some of the holes.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

As said though there are some long walks between some of the holes.

Ain't that the truth!

I would estimate 300/400 yards from 1st green to 2nd tee, 600/700 yards from 8th to 9th and 400 yards 9th to 10th?? Buggies definitely recommended!!

 

[Hallsy]

Ain't that the truth!

I would estimate 300/400 yards from 1st green to 2nd tee, 600/700 yards from 8th to 9th and 400 yards 9th to 10th?? Buggies definitely recommended!!

They have actually changed the old front 9 to the back 9 now as a few of the members wanted to play just 9 holes.We used buggies in may

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Thanks for all the feedback!!

Donnington Grove certainly looks to be a good option. Just have to run it past everyone (including those walks!!) and see what they say.

Unfortunately, as I'm coming from above Newbury, those courses below it are just that little bit far! Plenty of friends in that area though, so will have to work my way around them!

Thanks again!

CH

 

[Which tree did that hit]

Whilst not as nice as the Grove, my course, West Berks in Chaddleworth plays all year round, only teeing off from the mats for 2 holes at the moment and no temp greens, nice enough course

 

[G.U.R]

Another vote for West Berks here, my Dads a member so play it occasionally, lovely course up on the Downs.

 

[Rooter]

the walks are not that bad, and as someone has said, they have changed the layout so first major walk is between 9-10 but you can stop for a drink etc past clubhouse. then you have a walk across newbury bypass between 10-11 then a treck back over the bypass and through the woods from 17-18. its not "that" bad, i wouldnt carry, but a buggy is not necessary, they have buggy paths you have to stick to and you can end up walking as far!! I reckon all the extra between holes walks add up to around 1000-1500 yards..

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

the walks are not that bad, and as someone has said, they have changed the layout so first major walk is between 9-10 but you can stop for a drink etc past clubhouse. then you have a walk across newbury bypass between 10-11 then a treck back over the bypass and through the woods from 17-18. its not "that" bad, i wouldnt carry, but a buggy is not necessary, they have buggy paths you have to stick to and you can end up walking as far!! I reckon all the extra between holes walks add up to around 1000-1500 yards..

Maybe I'm just getting old

 

[mikee247]

Yes Donnington Grove is playing pretty well at the moment as it does all winter tbh. Very dry and you wont have a temporary green in sight thank god. There's a seam of clay going up the 15 and 17th which gets a bit damp but thats it. Ive been a member there for over 10 years and its been closed less than a handful of times in extreme weather. Yes its a good walk between some holes take a trolley if you dont wont to carry and your be fine and earn your pint! Foods served all day and theres a hotel, sauna, steam room showers etc etc if you want it.

Its not as good as it was when the Japanese owned it( Its owned by the McDonald Group nowadays) but they spend millions on the greens and its paying off now and is arguably the best in the area.... dont get it mixed up with Donnington Valley however 2 miles donw the road which is a goat track!

Roots - Im sorry you didnt get a reply sometimes the "staff" can be a little crap on email as its a hotel as well. Do you want me to make a call to them and kick some ar**? Equally ask for Gareth Williams (Director of Golf) on 01635 551975 and let him know no one came back to you and Im sure he'll do something for you.

 

[mikee247]

They have actually changed the old front 9 to the back 9 now as a few of the members wanted to play just 9 holes.We used buggies in may

Actually they changed it back because it was the way Dave Thomas originally designed the course and if they didnt then he would take his name from it..... its a really tough 600 plus (off the whites) first hole which used to be ranked Stroke 1 which now is 8 !! Bloody card wrecker if you dont get the drive away!

 

[Rooter]

Actually they changed it back because it was the way Dave Thomas originally designed the course and if they didnt then he would take his name from it..... its a really tough 600 plus (off the whites) first hole which used to be ranked Stroke 1 which now is 8 !! Bloody card wrecker if you dont get the drive away!

The first is now SI8??!!! ouch!!! although to be fair, last time i played it, i did get a gross birdie for 5 points playing off 19!! LOL

No worries Mike, i will pop round and see Charlie. but to be fair, the next few weeks are looking fair weather wise, so will prob stay at my gaff, as 4 of the group are members here too. just fancied a change!