The lakes course at the Wiltshire is developing nicely and after a fairly sedate opening 9 by comparison, it really shows its teeth on the back 9, with a fairly demanding closing stretch. The water that gives the course its name, should be more decorative than hazardous on a number of holes but the game I took to the course recently meant it came into play far too often for my liking...
A nice little course and nice friendly atmosphere.
Lets face it they are the godfather of golf balls. A fact that sees many golfers using them on reputation rather than choosing a more suitable ball for their game as you need pretty deep pockets if you are anything but a solid ball striker.
I used these balls for a while and found them to be a good allround ball. You do sacrifice a bit of the feel around greens in getting the more solid distances but then you pay your money you make your choice.
Oake Manor is a really pleasant club with a nice mix of short and long holes. There are a number of hazards with water directly coming into play on 8 of the holes. The whole package at Oake Manor is of a very high standard with the driving range for pre round and the clubhouse facilities for post golf activities.
Definitely worth a visit and I will certainly look to visit again when I am back in the area.
Basset Down is a relatively new 9 hole course set just off of the M4 near Swindon. The course is bedding in very well with impressive conditioning on the greens which don't reflect their comparative infancy. The holes are carefully thought out around the natural hazards and landscape. The nine holes are ably complimented by a friendly clubhouse and an impressive driving range.
Set on the edge the Dartmoor this has some wonderful views across to the Moor. The course itself is fairly cheap and cheerful, but I played on a day when several more illustrious courses around were closed due to heavy overnight rain. This seemed to deter anyone else venturing out on a very blustery day as we had the course to ourselves. A friendly welcome from the staff who were quick to point out they thought we were mad to be heading out in such conditions and were quick to inform us that if we changed our minds due to the conditions after 2 holes we wouldn't get our money back. The greens were a little rustic but you get what you pay for. Not really worth detouring for but an enjoyable little course with enough to keep you interested until the closing hole.
I have recently added a 53% mizuno MP-Tseries to my bag and it has been a positive addition. The stiff shaft I have opted for gives me more confidence to attack the ball on the fuller pitches and I have found less of the steep down swings that led to the heavy shots slipping in. The smooth lines of the club head also help give a comfortable address of the ball.
I have recently replaced my old mizuno sand iron with a 56% version Taylor Made wedge. There is a really comfortable feel about this club and provides a good degree of control on both full pitches and chipping around the green. Paractise is always the difference to develop confidence around the greens but the feel of this club has helped my short game no end.
Henbury has the feel of a traditional style English golf club that has a friendly atmosphere to welcome guests. The course itself is a pleasant experience set amongst the woods adjoining the Blaise Castle estate. Catching the course on a sunny day in autumn time is a real treat with the splendid array of colours as the trees are shedding their leaves.
There is a curious layout to this course, one which I am told by a previous member has been experimented with in the past. The walk from the 2nd green to the 3rd tee is not inconsiderable but there is a clear challenge in the natural topography as the 2 parts of the course are split by a considerable gradient. The 10th hole played blind and directly up the hill is a test not just for your golf. These factors can form a little bit of a distraction so I'd recommend accepting it for what it is and just enjoy the challenge of the fine little course.
I really like what that they have done at Cumberwell Park in developing 4 rather individually styled 9 hole setups. The course established in 1994 and has is developing further land to add to its already impressive array of 36 holes, driving range, short game practice facilities and welcoming clubhouse. The 9 hole courses are colour coded from the links influenced orange course and the water challenges on the blue course.
The course are very well kept and the extent of the facilities mean that despite the popularity there are often the opportunity to turn up and get a game on one of the courses. It is difficult to rate this course on the same scale as other established and traditional 18 hole facilities but Cumberwell comes highly recommended for a game, lesson or practise session.
The blue course name is clearly linked to the involvement of water on the majority of the nine holes. A challenging 9 holes with resemblance to some more illustrious courses on several of the holes as the water hazards are certainly not just for show.
Woodsprings has 27 holes on site and a floodlit driving range. The three, 9 hole courses, are all of a similar nature and are generally fairly basic but there are some challenging and well thought out holes. There aren't too many hazards on the course but the water is imaginatively fitted into the hole layouts. At its relatively short yardages it is a very good facility for learning the game or to hone your skills.
Woodsprings has 27 holes on site and a floodlit driving range. The three, 9 hole courses, are all of a similar nature and are generally fairly basic but there are some challenging and well thought out holes. There aren't too many hazards on the course but the water is imaginatively fitted into the hole layouts. At its relatively short yardages it is a very good facility for learning the game or to hone your skills.
If you wish to rid yourself of the ignominy of discovering a lead less pencil to mark the scores of potentially the best round of your life or want to avoid the possibility of reaching into your bag only for the point of your pencil be forced up under your nail....then Pencilpal could be the perfect solution. It is easy to attach securely to your bag and the retractable line eliminates the possibility of it dropping from your pocket. It is a practical solution to the aforementioned problems and can be personalised with an emblem of your choice.
Windermere Golf Club is set within the stunning Lake District and the vistas from certain tees make a visit here a rewarding experience for golfers. The course itself is fairly short in distance but is clearly laid out to move the emphasis onto accuracy over length from the tee. There is little competition for visiting golfers in the lakes where the emphasis is understandably concentrated on other pursuits in the beautiful national park land. An enjoyable course and some interesting holes with differing challenges and hazards.
Entry Hill is a quaint little 9 hole and is very much a beginners track. A good place to start and develop your game, enjoyable little course and value for money.
