Goodwood

[chasm]

Recently renovated James Braid classic

I recently joined Golf at Goodwood (as it's known - wish they had just called it the Goodwood Golf Club, which sounds a bit less pretentious) and played it for the first time a few weeks ago. I joined because it has just been elevated by Golf World (UK) magazine to top 100 status, seemingly from nowhere, and there was no waiting list, no joining fee and you pay for as much golf as you are likely to play. Sadly, in my case, that means not often enough, but overall the membership model was ideal for someone like myself who needs an official handicap (14 currently) without laying out massive amounts up front. It has just undergone extensive renovation work - the course was originally designed by James Braid (5 times Open winner, designed Gleneagles, Brora, Boat of Garten, pro at Walton Heath etc etc) a century ago. I was somewhat sceptical before I played that it was worth a top 100 rating but I thought it was a superb course and can't wait to get back - not least because I'm sure my strategy will be a lot better next time and I couldn't putt any worse than I did. It has some stunning views - from the top of the 7th you probably have a 30 mile view of the south coast of England and from there it swoops up and down the Downs before you return to the last two holes by the clubhouse which feel like they are on the edge of a forest with tall pines and oaks.

Overall a really good track, with some excellent risk/reward shots and good strategic bunkering. The turf, as you would expect on downland, is nice and springy. It was a maintenance week when I was there, with the greens having been spiked and dressed so I expect they will be in better shape next time I play. Highly recommended and something of an undiscovered gem.

[63Brummie]

I would recommend a Mizuno T-Zoid forged (the blue one).

There quite old now but you can still pick them up on eBay in new or very good condition at around £50.00

Another one I really liked was the Taylor Made 300 series.

"May you be straight, long and and never three putt" :russian_roulette:

63Brummie.

[63Brummie]

This sounds really nice; does the course have a website?

[chasm]

http://www.goodwood.co.uk/site/content/golf/

 

Enjoy - I'm off to play there tomorrow!

[resist_hard.]

My uncle is a member at goodwood and took me up there to play with him a month or so back. Both the course up there are amazing and great fun, Ontop of that the grounds/clubhouse are nothing short of amazing.

[Grum]

Nice looking course, where the hell is it though?

[chasm]

Nice looking course, where the hell is it though?

 

Sussex, just north of Chichester

[Gareth]

Glad you like the course/club chasm but after playing a few times now (Downland course) I have to say I think it's place in the GW Top 100 is not totally justified.

 

For me-and the guys who have played there with me-the course is lacking in conditioning and some of the rough is far too punitive. IMO you can't have rough that is 2 feet deep (=lost ball 9/10) next to the first cut and within 6 feet of the (narrow in many cases) fairway. For example on holes 9,10 and 11 if you're not on the fairway there is very high chance your ball is lost and you are playing another tee shot and wrecking a card.

 

The greens were far too hard and when we last played (2 weeks ago) but there was all kinds of other grass sprouting through that spoilt the look and roll.

 

I really, really wanted to like this course (the club side is superb and innovative membership is a great idea) but was so disappointed so really hope that Lord March can invest more in the course side of things maybe.

 

How's the course playing now after all the warm weather of late??

[harkerbob]

I agree with Gareth, I was the assistant pro while it was being rebuilt and still think it was such a shame to lose some of the great holes on the original course. There have been some great additions though enjoy playing 2 and 3 however it can get a bit silly in places. The 7th green is so undulating that I think that it leaves only a couple of viable pins. It will be very popular though especially when it beds in and starts to look at bit older. If you come to play this course I highly recomend a detour up the coast to Littlehampton you could probably do both in a day.

[Gareth]

[quote name='harkerbob' post='1805958' date='Jul 8 2009, 09:46 PM']I agree with Gareth, I was the assistant pro while it was being rebuilt and still think it was such a shame to lose some of the great holes on the original course. There have been some great additions though enjoy playing 2 and 3 however it can get a bit silly in places. The 7th green is so undulating that I think that it leaves only a couple of viable pins. It will be very popular though especially when it beds in and starts to look at bit older. If you come to play this course I highly recomend a detour up the coast to Littlehampton you could probably do both in a day.[/quote]



The 2nd hole is a "Mickey Mouse" hole of the highest order

If in the area the best course to get on is West Sussex

[resist_hard.]

I played the Down's course again a week or so ago and it was in FANTASTIC condition. The green's were rolling true and everything about the course screamed excellence.