Latest Course Reviews
Parkstone Golf Course: best greens of 2012
Area: South West Golf Courses
Comment: In my course review of Parkstone Golf Course I have found the course has improved a lot from when I last played, best greens in dorset. Its not a long course and for the better player you can score very low but if you miss fairways it will be tough as most holes have heather. The course is in good condition most of the time and has a good views. Has a new clubhouse which is great and the Pro shop staff are friendly. Its a nice day but not a challenge.
Remedy Oak Golf Course: Great setting
Area: South West Golf Courses
Comment: In my Golf Course Review of the Remedy Oak Golf Club I would say this is the best setting of any course in Dorset. Its a good challenge from the all tees, the course is just over 7000 yards from the back tees. Its in good condition in the summer but not great in the winter its wetter than most courses and is closed most of the time if it rains hard. The greens were good condition last summer, can be difficult to read as they have a lot of grain on them. The locker room is done well but very small. The clubhouse is great for food and is good value but no atmosphere feels all a bit to much like people are there for work meetings more than the golf but staff go out of there way to help you with everything. I would only play in the summer months only
Broadstone Golf Club: Best in Dorset
Area: South West Golf Courses
Comment: In my Golf Course Review I would have to say that this is the best course in Dorset, a great heathland course. I played there a lot last and have never seen the course look so good with some proper rough. Its not a long course but with the rough up last year it meant you had to hit fairways, it could do with some new fairway bunkers as the ones they have are not in play for the good player. A good example is the par 4 16th the bunker can only be 160 yards from the tee, what's the point. The first hole is the only hole were the bunkers come into play, its the only fault the course has. Greens were in great condition most of the last year. The Members and staff make you feel welcome. The Course is a must play the best in Dorset.
Ardglass Golf Course: A must play course for all visitors.
Area: Northern Ireland Golf Courses
Comment: A must play if you visit Ireland.
Ryton Golf Course: Ryton Clara Vale
Area: North East Golf Courses
Comment: flat course but you need to hit it straight to shoot a low score. not the longest course but still a few challenges
Area: North West Golf Courses
Comment: This course sits, classically, around an old railway line and the sea. You drive past exclusive homes in the village of Caldy to get to this track. The age of the foundation of this course belies it’s very ‘new’ feel which is present on most of the holes. We discussed in our 4-ball what type of course it was but found it very difficult to place. Although styled like a links it is not. Although it has heathland characteristics it is not. But anyway to the track itself. Very open so wind takes a big part in protecting it. Fairways were very soft when we were there so there was no ball run off drives. Wind was up around 20 mph and some short par-4’s were a struggle to get there in 3, so was a stiff test in wind. Green fee high compared to other better value tracks in area.
Delamere Forest Golf Club: Heathland wonder
Area: North West Golf Courses
Comment: This hillside heathland course is tucked away. Tiny sign just visable off the main road that leads you down a narrow private road to an ample car park. Friendly pro who was most helpful. Excellent clubhouse with kitchen open on arrival! Had rained heavy overnight but course drained very well. Visitors have their own changing rooms which were first rate. The course is hilly so take a buggy if you're not fit. Don't let the 'forest' bit of their title lead you to believe that this is tree-lined for it is not. The hills are open. Long rough and heather beds are fairly placed on each hole. Wonderful selection of hole layouts with an excellent variety. The 15th is short but what tough hole. Best value course we played on our mini-tour of the area. Highly recommended.
Wallasey Golf Course: Dunes and more dunes
Area: North West Golf Courses
Comment: Wallasey GC is, we discovered, where Dr Frank Stapleford in 1931 invented that marvellous scoring system thus stopping a deluge of 'N/R' in the cub's medals. The clubhouse sits virtually on the main road within a few minutes of the motorway. Shame the clubhouse did not provide kitchen facilities upon arrival which one would expect for an £80 green fee. Anyway moving from the car park to the front of the clubhouse we see the 18th green and the sea of sand dunes speading out before us. Wow! Members were very friendly, with everyone saying hello - nice touch. The course is a great challenge - it is an Open qualifier and justly deserves to be such. Each hole is wrapped in blankets of dunes with impossible rough. Take plenty of balls because if you are off line then finding your ball is pure luck. Marvellous course and well-worth the green fee.
Grantown on Spey Golf Club: Mountains and a very nice wee town
Area: Scotland Golf Courses
Comment: The clubhouse lies just off the High Street of this smart town. The clubhouse was well attended (very few were on our visit to the area) but a nice cup of coffee and we were off. The course is wonderfully looked after - you should be very proud. Even though we had had plenty of rain the course took the water although its neighbour (Boat) didn't so well. Not too difficult and an ideal openning course for our holiday. Nice ladies in clubhouse who sorted us with drinks and food. Excellent views. Odd hill here and there.
Boat of Garten Golf Course: In the mountains
Area: Scotland Golf Courses
Comment: Not too far from Inverness and in to the mountains we went. The small village of Boat of Garten (Osprey) holds a very nice track called Boat of Garten Golf Course with a clubhouse just by a steam railway. We could call this a heathland course. Great variety of holes but there is not a single flat lie any where. It is a tad hilly so if you have a bad back or heart problems then make sure you book a buggy. Views of surrounding mountains and fast flowing salmon rivers abound.
