Golf

[Mike Oxlong]

On 02/12/2022 at 07:42, Ric Flair said:

North Berwick is an amazing place. Love that boozer, was in there a lot when I was up there at Muirfield for The Open in 2013. 

If there’s a heaven (ok there isn’t) North Berwick GC would definitely be on its map 

[tom27111]

On 04/12/2022 at 08:07, Mike Oxlong said:

If there’s a heaven (ok there isn’t) North Berwick GC would definitely be on its map 

 

I preferred Dunbar.

 

Both absolutely spectacular. 

 

That view of Bass Rock and across the Firth of Forth is to die for.

 

When you hear commentary on TV that "The wind is really gusting", you think, ah, it ain't that bad...it's actually worse. A million times worse!

[Mike Oxlong]

1 hour ago, tom27111 said:

 

I preferred Dunbar.

 

Both absolutely spectacular. 

 

That view of Bass Rock and across the Firth of Forth is to die for.

 

When you hear commentary on TV that "The wind is really gusting", you think, ah, it ain't that bad...it's actually worse. A million times worse!

Does Dunbar have one part of the course with quite an industrial skyline and another where the green is pretty much right next to the sea ? 

[tom27111]

Just now, Mike Oxlong said:

Does Dunbar have one part of the course with quite an industrial skyline and another where the green is pretty much right next to the sea ? 

Yes, thats the one! There's a power station, with billowing smoke coming out of a couple of chimneys!

 

It's like a cross between playing in Eden and Chernobyl 

[tom27111]

For my next trip north of the border, its got to be east side to play Troon and Prestwick, with the view of Ailsa Craig.

 

Or, preferably, I'll be on the North side of the Firth of Forth...Kingsbarns, and the holy grail, the Old Course.

[Izzy]

41 minutes ago, tom27111 said:

For my next trip north of the border, its got to be east side to play Troon and Prestwick, with the view of Ailsa Craig.

 

Or, preferably, I'll be on the North side of the Firth of Forth...Kingsbarns, and the holy grail, the Old Course.

Check these dudes out on YT if you haven't seen them mate. A group of US golf bloggers/journos who travel the world playing golf and making superb quality documentaries of their experiences (called tourist Sauce)

 

Season 2 is all about their trip to Scotland where they play all the courses you've mentioned. Season 4 in Ireland is my favorite and they're in the middle of Season 8 in Scandinavia atm.

 

 

 

Edited 7 December 2022 by Izzy

[tom27111]

15 minutes ago, Izzy said:

Check these dudes out on YT if you haven't seen them mate. A group of US golf bloggers/journos who travel the world playing golf and making superb quality documentaries of their experiences (called tourist Sauce)

 

Season 2 is all about their trip to Scotland where they play all the courses you've mentioned. Season 4 in Ireland is my favorite and they're in the middle of Season 8 in Scandinavia atm.

 

 

 

What would be your bucket list courses?

 

My immediate 2, the obvious 2, would be Augusta National and the Old Course.

 

But others would be what I mentioned earlier in Scotland.

 

Royal St George's would be on the list too, probably because I went there to watch The Open.

 

Kiawah Island, Sawgrass (especially for the 17th), Pebble Beach, Royal Portrush and Carnoustie would be others.

 

 

Edited 7 December 2022 by tom27111

[tom27111]

I've just seen that this year, North Berwick is rated the 23rd best golf course in the world by Golf Digest. Above some on my bucket list.

 

I think I've peaked 

[Izzy]

8 hours ago, tom27111 said:

What would be your bucket list courses?

 

My immediate 2, the obvious 2, would be Augusta National and the Old Course.

 

But others would be what I mentioned earlier in Scotland.

 

Royal St George's would be on the list too, probably because I went there to watch The Open.

 

Kiawah Island, Sawgrass (especially for the 17th), Pebble Beach, Royal Portrush and Carnoustie would be others.

 

My list is endless mate!

 

All those you've mentioned plus...

 

Royal County Down

Adare Manor

Ballybunnion

Turnberry

Royal Melbourne

Pine Valley

Cypress Point

Pinehurst no 2

Whistling Straights

Oak Hill

Bethpage Black

Valderama

 

Just need to win the lottery first and then we're all good!

 

[Mike Oxlong]

6 hours ago, Izzy said:

My list is endless mate!

 

All those you've mentioned plus...

 

Royal County Down

Adare Manor

Ballybunnion

Turnberry

Royal Melbourne

Pine Valley

Cypress Point

Pinehurst no 2

Whistling Straights

Oak Hill

Bethpage Black

Valderama

 

Just need to win the lottery first and then we're all good!

 

Not played Royal Melbourne. Looks a great track. 

[tom27111]

10 hours ago, Izzy said:

Just need to win the lottery first and then we're all good!

 

 

Apart from Augusta...

 

One of us would need to make the World's top 50, then win the Masters and invite 4 mates 

 

I've been looking if it's at all possible to play there, in short, it's virtually impossible. 

 

If you get press accreditation for The Masters, you can enter a ballot to play on the Monday of championship week.

 

Time to put my Sports Journalism degree to use 

[tom27111]

Playing on Monday again. Need to get a few orange balls if it's going to be this frosty!

 

Might just bite the bullet and whizz round in a buggy. The temperature is forecast to peak at 2 degrees.

 

Need to get my cards in for my official handicap so I can't be accused of being a bandit 

 

 

[The Bear]

I'd love to go out and play but just can't drag myself out in this freezing weather, along with muddy, boggy courses, and in some cases temporary greens. 

[tom27111]

12 minutes ago, The Bear said:

I'd love to go out and play but just can't drag myself out in this freezing weather, along with muddy, boggy courses, and in some cases temporary greens. 

Well I'm hoping the freezing temperatures will give me extra bounce and longer shots, but the greens won't be receptive at all!

 

Can see it almost like playing a links.

 

And thankfully, my course is fully open all year round.

 

Winter tees, I can just about stand, but winter greens can fvck right off!

Edited 9 December 2022 by tom27111

[Ric Flair]

On 07/12/2022 at 21:19, tom27111 said:

For my next trip north of the border, its got to be east side to play Troon and Prestwick, with the view of Ailsa Craig.

 

Or, preferably, I'll be on the North side of the Firth of Forth...Kingsbarns, and the holy grail, the Old Course.

You ever read the book Preferred Lies? An exceptional book that I'd one blokes journey to rediscover the love of the game and life in general. He goes and plays loads of links courses all round the British Isles. 

[Ric Flair]

What's everyone's favourite golf course in the Midlands?

 

I think the Midlands is severely underrated when it comes to golf, OK some areas in England have an embarrassment of riches but we've got some very good tracks.

 

Luffenham Heath, Little Aston, Beau Desert, Hollinwell, Sherwood Forest, Coxmoor, Edgbaston are all courses that hold their own and then there's obviously The Belfry (Brabazon and PGA), Forest of Arden and JCB.

 

Any hidden gems? I love Finham over Coventry and Ladbrook Park in Solihull. In Leicestershire I've always enjoyed Lingdale the best, ahead of my club Hinckley.

[Izzy]

1 hour ago, Ric Flair said:

What's everyone's favourite golf course in the Midlands?

 

I think the Midlands is severely underrated when it comes to golf, OK some areas in England have an embarrassment of riches but we've got some very good tracks.

 

Luffenham Heath, Little Aston, Beau Desert, Hollinwell, Sherwood Forest, Coxmoor, Edgbaston are all courses that hold their own and then there's obviously The Belfry (Brabazon and PGA), Forest of Arden and JCB.

 

Any hidden gems? I love Finham over Coventry and Ladbrook Park in Solihull. In Leicestershire I've always enjoyed Lingdale the best, ahead of my club Hinckley.

I enjoyed playing the Warwickshire a few years ago. Also a big fan of Hawkstone park in Shropshire.

 

Played the Forest of Arden twice and really liked it there. 

 

My Dad's course is Lutterworth and it's always in great nic whenever I play there. 

 

Edited 12 December 2022 by Izzy

[Ric Flair]

13 minutes ago, Izzy said:

I enjoyed playing the Warwickshire a few years ago. Also a big fan of Hawkstone park in Shropshire.

 

Played the Forest of Arden twice and really liked it there. 

 

My Dad's course is Lutterworth and it's always in great nic whenever I play there. 

 

The Warwickshire is a good expanse with two courses that are in great condition but I think they are quite similar to many big golf venues that put together a facility that's got a few courses, hotel, spa etc. 

 

It's definitely a reliable and quite modestly priced place if needing somewhere to arrange a game at. 

 

 

[The Bear]

Horsley Lodge near Derby is excellent. 

[Ric Flair]

3 hours ago, The Bear said:

Horsley Lodge near Derby is excellent. 

Never heard of it, will have a look.

 

Breadsall Priory up near there I've played before, half decent. Awash with people affiliated with Derby County looking at the registrations in the car park.

[Mike Oxlong]

Don’t like the Warwickshire. Just another american style track with plenty of water and greens the size of a supermarket car park. Not fussed about the Belfry (5 or 6 very good holes and a lot of blandness) or Forest of Arden (deer park 9 is nice but the other 9 is typical hotel course boring. My favourite in our county is Longcliffe. Further afield in addition to the classics named by Ric above I’ll chuck in Northants County and Frilford Heath

[tom27111]

I didn't get to play today, overnight snow meant the course was closed.

 

I have an unexpected day off tomorrow, so booked a round, just in case they're open.

 

As for courses in the Midlands, I've not played many. Tend to stay at one or two courses regularly. 

 

Collingtree in Northampton hosted the British Masters and other European tour events in the 90's.

 

Could be incredible, but went bankrupt and was bought by the members who sold off a load of land. So no range and the homeowners backing on to the course have forced certain holes to be closed, meaning temporary tees and temporary holes.

 

Their 18th is a spectacular par 5 with a green like the 17th at Sawgrass. See picture below.

 

@Mike Oxlongthe Northamptonshire is on my list to do, I've only been there to deliver with Amazon  Paul Broadhurst is the pro there.

 

The Northampton (Harlestone) is meant to be good too.

 

 

[Ric Flair]

2 hours ago, Mike Oxlong said:

Don’t like the Warwickshire. Just another american style track with plenty of water and greens the size of a supermarket car park. Not fussed about the Belfry (5 or 6 very good holes and a lot of blandness) or Forest of Arden (deer park 9 is nice but the other 9 is typical hotel course boring. My favourite in our county is Longcliffe. Further afield in addition to the classics named by Ric above I’ll chuck in Northants County and Frilford Heath

Some great shouts here. Longcliffe and Lingdale were always the two courses I most looked forward to in the junior open circuit as a youth.

 

Never played Frilford Heath but heard very good things about it and seems popular with the YouTube and social media golf pages. I've a pal who's a member at Northants County, in exemplary nick all year round.

[Robo61]

13 hours ago, Mike Oxlong said:

Don’t like the Warwickshire. Just another american style track with plenty of water and greens the size of a supermarket car park. Not fussed about the Belfry (5 or 6 very good holes and a lot of blandness) or Forest of Arden (deer park 9 is nice but the other 9 is typical hotel course boring. My favourite in our county is Longcliffe. Further afield in addition to the classics named by Ric above I’ll chuck in Northants County and Frilford Heath

Have to agree on The Warwickshire,  both course pretty bland,  as is the  Brabazon at the Belfry,  though it is a must play due to having held Ryder Cups there.  I always enjoy Forest of Arden though it is by no means the best course in the Birmingham area.  Maxstoke,  Robin Hood, Sutton Coldfield,  Olton, Moseley, Walmsley  all worth booking to play in their opens,  but the top of the tree for me has to be Little Aston.  In our own fare county,  I always love playing Hinckley,  Kibworth is always in great condition but Longcliuffe and Luffenham Heath are the stars for me.  Further field on this side of the Midlands,  ones that have not been mentioned that are worth playing include,  Coxmoor,  Stanton on the Wolds, Woolaton Park,  Worksop,  Burton on Trent, Chevin, Cavendish,  Lincoln,  Belton Park, Blankney,  but the top of the shop has to be between Hollinwell and Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin) with Hollinwell pipping it by a whisker.

Edited 13 December 2022 by Robo61

[Ric Flair]

Ordered myself a new 2 iron as a Christmas present, been watching this particular one on ebay for a while and it went and I was gutted. Anyway, it's reappeared so I felt its a sign and I deserve it.