UK off the beaten path

[MoaningM]

Geoff, you wil love Nefyn, are you definately playing the peninsula holes, they are sometimes closed off as you will fimd there is a public right of way right thro the centre of the holes. But they are spectacular, the par three you hit off from the mini lighthouse down to the green, another you cut as much of the corner (corner = ocean) as you dare but dont go left :). The best holes are the 2nd thro to the 6th 7th holes, that run along the coast very pebble beach in style.

 

An absolute must play course.

 

And dont forget the obligatory pint in the ty coch after the 15th hole...... :)

[scruffynick]

Funnily enough I am playing Nefyn in two weeks time ... in a Golf Pairs tournament that is sponsored by Mizuno.

 

Three courses - one per day ... Nefyn & District is first, then Royal St David's and finally Aberdovey ... would love to play hickory or classic kit, but alas this event is "R&A conforming" ... should be a good crack though !

 

 

 

Here's the money shot of Nefyn :

 

 

 

And the scorecard for that nine:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think part of the appreciation of the course comes from walking ... I think you miss out on alot of that in the USA where so many courses mandate that you take a golf buggy ...

 

Nefyn has the pretty views but Harlech and Aberdovey are proper golf courses. Enjoy.

Yeah, harlech is the toughest course I've played. A real test at par 69. The finishing 4-5 holes are really tough especially the 16th (I think) which has the green set into a huge sand dune shaped like a horse shoe

[MoaningM]

 

Nefyn has the pretty views but Harlech and Aberdovey are proper golf courses. Enjoy.

 

Yes indeed ! Am really looking forward to Harlech (that's Royal St David's for the USA crew) as not played that before, but Aberdovey will be third time overall and second this year :)

 

I have a hefty Tom Stewart Mashie Niblick stamped Maitland J Walker R St D GC Harlech ... always wanted to "take it home" for a round ...

 

Harlech is a tuff little devil off a course, they had the Gold Cross there a couple of weeks back, i think level par won the event.

 

It is the gem of the North there golf wise. Conwy is worth a visit all the same.

[Golf Monkey]

Plus 1 for Conwy. The Llandudno courses are also well worth a visit if you are in that area.

[mahonie]

Funnily enough I am playing Nefyn in two weeks time ... in a Golf Pairs tournament that is sponsored by Mizuno.

 

Three courses - one per day ... Nefyn & District is first, then Royal St David's and finally Aberdovey ... would love to play hickory or classic kit, but alas this event is "R&A conforming" ... should be a good crack though !

 

 

 

Here's the money shot of Nefyn :

 

 

 

And the scorecard for that nine:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think part of the appreciation of the course comes from walking ... I think you miss out on alot of that in the USA where so many courses mandate that you take a golf buggy ...

 

Those three courses are on my bucket list! Playing all three in three days will be fantastic...hope you have a great time!

[Blade Junkie]

 

Those three courses are on my bucket list! Playing all three in three days will be fantastic...hope you have a great time!

 

Thanks mahonie ! They do this event on those three courses every year ... https://golfpairs.com/events/

 

Good value at £330 per pair I think .. (obviously accommodation etc is on top of that).

 

Bookmark it and sign up for 2017 !

[mahonie]

 

Those three courses are on my bucket list! Playing all three in three days will be fantastic...hope you have a great time!

 

Thanks mahonie ! They do this event on those three courses every year ... https://golfpairs.com/events/

 

Good value at £330 per pair I think .. (obviously accommodation etc is on top of that).

 

Bookmark it and sign up for 2017 !

 

BJ, that looks great thanks. I will ask my buddy if he fancies it...he's already played Nefyn and says how great it is!

[Blade Junkie]

And while we are "beating the drum" for golf in The Principality, MoaningM's home track at Tenby is well off the beaten path but highly recommended, especially as part of a 'Links' Tour of South Wales, that could also include Ashburnham, Pennard, Royal Porthcawl and Pyle & Kenfig.

 

http://www.tenbygolf.co.uk/

 

http://www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk/

 

http://www.pennardgolfclub.com/

 

http://www.royalporthcawl.com/

 

http://www.pandkgolfclub.co.uk/

[duffer987]

And while we are "beating the drum" for golf in The Principality, MoaningM's home track at Tenby is well off the beaten path but highly recommended, especially as part of a 'Links' Tour of South Wales, that could also include Ashburnham, Pennard, Royal Porthcawl and Pyle & Kenfig.

 

http://www.tenbygolf.co.uk/

 

http://www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk/

 

http://www.pennardgolfclub.com/

 

http://www.royalporthcawl.com/

 

http://www.pandkgolfclub.co.uk/

 

Pennard is awesome! Played 27 holes (front 9 and then the full 18 during their 'open week') and could have hung around for days playing it. There isn't a hole without interest out there :) Just be careful to miss the cows, horses, and their 'contributions' to the course ;)

 

I'd add Southerndown to any list for that neck of the woods. Proper test and fun!

[MoaningM]

And while we are "beating the drum" for golf in The Principality, MoaningM's home track at Tenby is well off the beaten path but highly recommended, especially as part of a 'Links' Tour of South Wales, that could also include Ashburnham, Pennard, Royal Porthcawl and Pyle & Kenfig.

 

http://www.tenbygolf.co.uk/

 

http://www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk/

 

http://www.pennardgolfclub.com/

 

http://www.royalporthcawl.com/

 

http://www.pandkgolfclub.co.uk/

 

Id also add in Cardigan and Southerndown into that mix, you will be sick to death of links golf after that little lot ;)

[MoaningM]

And while we are "beating the drum" for golf in The Principality, MoaningM's home track at Tenby is well off the beaten path but highly recommended, especially as part of a 'Links' Tour of South Wales, that could also include Ashburnham, Pennard, Royal Porthcawl and Pyle & Kenfig.

 

http://www.tenbygolf.co.uk/

 

http://www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk/

 

http://www.pennardgolfclub.com/

 

http://www.royalporthcawl.com/

 

http://www.pandkgolfclub.co.uk/

 

Pennard is awesome! Played 27 holes (front 9 and then the full 18 during their 'open week') and could have hung around for days playing it. There isn't a hole without interest out there :) Just be careful to miss the cows, horses, and their 'contributions' to the course ;)

 

I'd add Southerndown to any list for that neck of the woods. Proper test and fun!

 

Its interesting you say Pennard, I read your report and you put Pennard ahead of some top courses, down this way Pennard is regarded as a decent course (i personally really like it), but nothing more. If you played in their open did you play off the back blocks? There is a huge difference in Tenby for example of playing from the yellows (Mens tees) to the white or blues (championships.) and the. Course looks and more importantly plays vastly different.

[duffer987]

 

Pennard is awesome! Played 27 holes (front 9 and then the full 18 during their 'open week') and could have hung around for days playing it. There isn't a hole without interest out there :) Just be careful to miss the cows, horses, and their 'contributions' to the course ;)

 

I'd add Southerndown to any list for that neck of the woods. Proper test and fun!

 

Its interesting you say Pennard, I read your report and you put Pennard ahead of some top courses, down this way Pennard is regarded as a decent course (i personally really like it), but nothing more. If you played in their open did you play off the back blocks? There is a huge difference in Tenby for example of playing from the yellows (Mens tees) to the white or blues (championships.) and the. Course looks and more importantly plays vastly different.

 

Good question. I'm embarrassed to say I don't remember :blush2: It was definitely off the 'regular' markers the previous day for my 9 holes, but it was blowing the opposite direction, so from a club selection POV it doesn't help me remember. For instance, the 4th was get there in two and the 5th a wedge one day, D-3W-7I, 5 iron the next.

 

Ya I guess I just really enjoy these natural courses like Pennard, North Berwick, etc... that for me anyways still provide a 'proper' test of golf. Maybe some get tired of the walk or think too many greens in bowls or the other side of a stone fence is silly, but not me. That said I count Saunton East and Carnoustie amongst my favorites - so not sure what that says - no one would confuse them for a place like St. Enodoc. Of course for me, put me on springy turf and I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt to the course everytime :)

 

Ya the back markers at Tenby were definitely some ways back from where I was on a bunch of the holes, sitting on different dunes altogether - I'm not a big hitter so I'd not be venturing back there anyways. When I played there, I passed a group of 20-something guys on a stag do that were using buggies... I'm guessing their hangovers prevented walking?

[scruffynick]

Plus 1 for Conwy. The Llandudno courses are also well worth a visit if you are in that area.

Conway is a cracking course, but my dad said pre the a55 road the last 3 holes were just brilliant. Still very good now but they lost the last few holes because of the dual carriageway.......plus Amy bouldon is from Conway golf club, cracking player doing very well on tour

[Blade Junkie]

I have two fond memories of playing Pennard ... one the aforementioned 'contributions' LOL. Only course I've ever played where I had to wait for wild horses to move off the tee before hitting my shot. I then hit one drive which came to rest in some dung of some sort, and the local chap I was playing with told me that the local rules were you had to play eveything as it lies ... :) .... so ... I did ... :) ... and fortunately my particular patty was dry all the way to the bottom, much to the disappointment of said local who had started chortling uncontrollably about one inch before impact point.

 

It was also the first time I can remember having to hit a driver on a par 3 of 150 odds yards. Hit it perfectly, pin high centre of the green. Would have been a 240+ in normal wind conditions :)

[stevemcgee99]

I think part of the appreciation of the course comes from walking ... I think you miss out on alot of that in the USA where so many courses mandate that you take a golf buggy ...

I hate carts. Unless the course was designed to fit in between spec houses they actually seem to slow down the pace of play. I walk all the time.

[scruffynick]

I think part of the appreciation of the course comes from walking ... I think you miss out on alot of that in the USA where so many courses mandate that you take a golf buggy ...

I hate carts. Unless the course was designed to fit in between spec houses they actually seem to slow down the pace of play. I walk all the time.

Last time I used a cart was on a stag do.....not a good idea! The driver didn't even play golf, just drank about 10 cans of Stella while we played! Stag dos and golf carts don't mix

[Skipperation]

oldschoolrocker, I haven't had a chance to read all the responses but I'd say have a search of this website and the discussion group for the best advice;

 

http://golfclubatlas.com/

 

Do a little search in the discussion group and you'll find plenty of threads with good advice on UK golf.

 

There is plenty of variety so it massively depends what you want in style and cost. You could play the really off the beaten honesty box 9 holers in Scotland for a few pounds or the less off the beaten track but fairly unknown outside the local area courses like your Notts/Ganton/Beau Desert's etc that are actually world class golf in some cases for between £50-100 a round.

 

Links or Inland? Both?

 

How much travelling/driving is wanted?

 

For links I'd suggest one of three areas in England if you've already seen Scotland;

 

South East - Cinque Ports(Deal), Princes, Rye, Royal St Georges (expensive option).

Devon/Cornwall - St Enodoc, Saunton, Royal North Devon etc (Cheaper)

Lancashire Coast - Formby, Wallasey, Hillside, St Annes and then north to SIlloth via Cumbria and The Lake District (still quite expensive but not too bad for the quality)

 

For inland;

 

Surrey/Berkshire/Hampshire - Either top end Sunningdale/Swinley/Berkshire etc or a little cheaper but virtually as good Woking, West Hill, Worplesden, North Hants, Liphook, Hindhead, Blackmoor

Dorset - Broadstone/Ferndown/Parkstone/Isle of Purbeck and you can see the beautiful Dorset Coast.

Midlands/Yorkshire - Easy access from Nottingham for Notts (Hollinwell, a sublime golf course), Sherwood Forest, Coxmoor, Lindrick, Worksop, Cavendish (bargain & fun) then up to Woodhall Spa and onto Yorkshire for Ganton, Alwoodley, Moortown etc

 

For really off the beaten track in England and quirky as hell I'm told Gloucester area for Kington, Painswick and Cleeve Cloud are the ones but not been myself. Can get to south Wales easily too for Pennard etc.

 

Aberdovey is beautiful too for all the Wales votes but a long drive.

[Divot License]

My wifes just booked us in for 2 nights to Roxburghe for my Birthday. 3 rounds of golf, an old castle and a sightseeing trip to Endinburgh wife my golfing partner sounds like a great birthday to me. Should be a fun time and Sergio Garcia holds the course record with a 66 apparently.

[stixman]

Ah, Dave Thomas (Peter Alliss's mate) at his brutal best!

[elwhippy]

North of England, Borders and South of Scotland. Parkland. Carlisle (my track) is an excellent inland course. Penrith has great views and very small greens. Appleby is superb and set on a Moor so very interesting. Silloth is a great links and has some stunning scenery. Powfoot is a combo of links and parkland and very tough in a wind. Lanark is a serious test. If you can really play try Southerness. A tad out of the way but a genuine championship level course. Hexham is a lovely parkland course. If you are near the border at Berwick then Goswick is a belter.

[scruffynick]

North of England, Borders and South of Scotland. Parkland. Carlisle (my track) is an excellent inland course. Penrith has great views and very small greens. Appleby is superb and set on a Moor so very interesting. Silloth is a great links and has some stunning scenery. Powfoot is a combo of links and parkland and very tough in a wind. Lanark is a serious test. If you can really play try Southerness. A tad out of the way but a genuine championship level course. Hexham is a lovely parkland course. If you are near the border at Berwick then Goswick is a belter.

I second silloth.....top course!

[joeshmo]

Port Patrick in SW Scotland

OK golf course with nice views and a great little town.

[Divot License]

North of England, Borders and South of Scotland. Parkland. Carlisle (my track) is an excellent inland course. Penrith has great views and very small greens. Appleby is superb and set on a Moor so very interesting. Silloth is a great links and has some stunning scenery. Powfoot is a combo of links and parkland and very tough in a wind. Lanark is a serious test. If you can really play try Southerness. A tad out of the way but a genuine championship level course. Hexham is a lovely parkland course. If you are near the border at Berwick then Goswick is a belter.

 

Goswick is a stunning course and a great challenge. I played Powfoot in a gale once, never seen the ball move so much in the wind.

[scruffynick]

Thought I would revisit this older thread as I'm camping in Wales with the sticks. Played Conway yesterday before camping down in snowdonia.... It's Porthmadog today before heading to Harlech. Will try a few others (st denial in Bangor) will I visit a few pubs. Good fun!

[mahonie]

Thought I would revisit this older thread as I'm camping in Wales with the sticks. Played Conway yesterday before camping down in snowdonia.... It's Porthmadog today before heading to Harlech. Will try a few others (st denial in Bangor) will I visit a few pubs. Good fun!

 

Playing Conwy, North Wales and Nefyn in September...can't wait. Have a good trip!!

[Blade Junkie]

Adding Machrihanish Championship and Dunaverty on Kintyre to the list of "UK off the beaten track". Both great courses (especially the former) and so far off the track that I drove for 4 hours on the way home before I got a mobile phone signal ! Bliss !!!!

[scruffynick]

Thought I would revisit this older thread as I'm camping in Wales with the sticks. Played Conway yesterday before camping down in snowdonia.... It's Porthmadog today before heading to Harlech. Will try a few others (st denial in Bangor) will I visit a few pubs. Good fun!

 

Playing Conwy, North Wales and Nefyn in September...can't wait. Have a good trip!!

Played nefrn on a stag do in March so I missed it out. Played St denial in Bangor....short but there's no rough, it's Rock outcrop and if you miss the fairway you're utterly knackered! Bloody hilarious watching my ball fly off in all directions... Sheep ducking for cover ha ha

[mahonie]

Thought I would revisit this older thread as I'm camping in Wales with the sticks. Played Conway yesterday before camping down in snowdonia.... It's Porthmadog today before heading to Harlech. Will try a few others (st denial in Bangor) will I visit a few pubs. Good fun!

 

Playing Conwy, North Wales and Nefyn in September...can't wait. Have a good trip!!

Played nefrn on a stag do in March so I missed it out. Played St denial in Bangor....short but there's no rough, it's Rock outcrop and if you miss the fairway you're utterly knackered! Bloody hilarious watching my ball fly off in all directions... Sheep ducking for cover ha ha

 

Bangor sounds like fun...one to add for a future trip methinks.

[oldschoolrocker]

Lads,

The dream is not dead, just have to sort this divorce mess and property division thing out, then it'll be back on track.

[moony_12]

Sorry to hear.

 

Frilford Heath just outside of Oxford is a good set of Heathland tracks, (54 holes). I would be more than happy to host you if you plan on visiting the Oxfordshire area.