News:

Welcome to the Golf Club Atlas Discussion Group!

Each user is approved by the Golf Club Atlas editorial staff. For any new inquiries, please contact us.

Pages: [1]   Go Down

Chris Kane

  • Karma: +0/-0
Which one should I play?
« on: March 20, 2006, 02:26:41 AM »
There are a number of clubs in the UK which I hope to visit during 2006-07 which have two courses.  At some of them there is a clear #1 - Troon and Dornoch with their championship courses for example.  

However, there are three which come to mind where I've been unable to ascertain which is the better course.  Sunningdale, Walton Heath and Saunton all appear to have two highly-regarded courses each.  While of course I'd like to play both the courses, time and budget considerations (Sunningdale is ₤165 without a member) may mean I can only play one.

For those three clubs (and any other clubs I havn't thought of), which course do you recommend I play?
Logged

Tony_Muldoon

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Which one should I play?
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2006, 03:00:25 AM »
Chris if budget is an issue then Walton Heath offers both courses for £115 a veritable bargain and saves a 45min (minimum) transfer between clubs.
Logged
Let's make GCA grate again!

Ed Tilley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Which one should I play?
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2006, 03:47:16 AM »
Saunton is, I think, £80 for a round on both courses plus lunch. It's £55 for one round on either course. The East course is widely considered the stronger and is definitely longer and more challenging. The West is shorter but definitely worth playing as well. Saunton has two top class links.

Sunningdale is as good as it gets, and priced to match. The Old course has a special atmosphere about it. It's too short for the pros but it packs plenty of challenge for mortals with great charm. The New course is classic heathland golf. The club has cleared a great number of trees in teh last few years to restore it's heathland character. It's longer and tougher than the Old and is fantastic. The halfway hut is brilliant too - great sausage sandwiches. If I had to choose one course it would be the Old.

I've never played Walton Heath so can't comment. The Berkshire also has two highly rated courses and is very close to Sunningdale. likewise Wentworth although that is even more expensive than Sunningdale.
Logged

Mark_F

Re:Which one should I play?
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2006, 04:34:39 AM »
Chris,

Sunningdale Old is a great old course, but honestly, as you regularly play the Sandbelt, I can't see it being worth it - there's not really any holes better than what you will play most days in Melbourne.

You wouldn't want to miss West Sussex, which is absolutely first class, reasonably priced by Heathland standards, and not that difficult to get to.

If you don't want to go that little distance from London, stick with Woking and The Addington - you'll get a hell of a lot more out of those two than you will any of the others.

Unless you can wangle your way onto Swinley Forest, of course.  :)
Logged

Chris Kane

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Which one should I play?
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2006, 04:52:28 AM »
Mark, I should be able to get onto Sunningdale with a member, but  I imagine it will only be for eighteen holes, so the issue is which course I should play - I'll definitely be going there.  Sounds like the Old is the pick.

I hope to play as many of the heathland courses as I can - whether they're better what I play here doesn't bother me.  I'm looking for courses that are different to what we have in Melbourne, and what I've seen in Ran's course reviews has whetted the appetite.

Swinley Forest is my "project" for the year!  
Logged

Mark_F

Re:Which one should I play?
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2006, 05:05:21 AM »
Chris,

That's just it, I don't think they are all that 'different'.

Obviously the bunkers are different, as well as other factors - they tend to be a bit more heavily treed than the Sandbelt - aside from Commonwealth, of course  :D - but there is a similarity there also.

One good thing is, similar to the Sanbelt, a lot of them are reasonably close together.

Good luck with Swinley...

Tip: Change your name to Chris Kane-Ffinch.  May work wonders.
Logged

Chris Kane

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Which one should I play?
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2006, 05:12:41 AM »
Quote from: Mark Ferguson on March 20, 2006, 05:05:21 AM
Tip: Change your name to Chris Kane-Ffinch.  May work wonders.
Mark, I was thinking of presenting as C. Michael Kane IV.  
Logged

Pete Lavallee

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Which one should I play?
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2006, 12:21:24 PM »
Chris,

At Saunton I wouldn't bother with the West course, a modern Steele links it's good but not great; the East is miles better with classic architecture from Fowler. The courses at Walton Heath are very comparable; with the New being just a bit shorter from the Members tees, both are brutes from the tips. A day ticket with lunch in between your 36 is the ideal golf day there.
Logged
"...one inoculated with the virus must swing a golf-club or perish."  Robert Hunter

Tommy Williamsen

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Which one should I play?
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2006, 01:10:06 PM »
It is sometimes difficult to play two courses at the same club.  Usually one course is for two-ball and one for four-ball.  It is possible to get around this if you play one early and the other later in the day.  Surrey has wonderful courses in the area.  Sunningdale is my favorite of the heathland courses followed by Walton Heath and the Berkshire.  Wentworth is a little disappointing.  Sunnindale and the Berkshire are close together as is St. Georsges Hill and Swinley Forest.
Saunton East is good but in my mind overrated.  It is sometims tauted as a possible open venue but it is not nearly good enough.
But when you get down to it picking the course is like choosing a dinner entree.  There are ten best and you won't be disappointed in your choices.
« Last Edit: March 20, 2006, 01:11:07 PM by tommy Williamsen »
Logged
Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Mark_F

Re:Which one should I play?
« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2006, 04:05:36 PM »
Chris,

Even better.  You're a walk up start.

Are you planning on taking a camera?
Logged

Chris Kane

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Which one should I play?
« Reply #10 on: March 20, 2006, 04:14:27 PM »
Mark, my butler will certainly be carrying a camera.
Logged

Mark_F

Re:Which one should I play?
« Reply #11 on: March 20, 2006, 04:27:54 PM »
 ;D ;D ;D

Chris,

If you get onto Swinley, expect my job application forthwith.
Logged

Paul_Turner

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Which one should I play?
« Reply #12 on: March 20, 2006, 05:47:49 PM »
Chris

Sunningdale is doesn't matter, the courses are about equal in quality.  The most thrilling point on the Old is the 10th tee and I think for the New it's the 6th tee.

Walton Heath I don't know the New, other than seeing parts of it from the Old and seeing plenty of pics too.  But I've never heard anyone claim it to be better than the Old.  The New does have one incredibly long 9.

Saunton East is comfortably better than the West.  East is much more polished around the greens.

« Last Edit: March 20, 2006, 05:49:18 PM by Paul_Turner »
Logged
can't get to heaven with a three chord song

michael_j_fay

Re:Which one should I play?
« Reply #13 on: March 20, 2006, 07:13:20 PM »
I played both courses in one day at Walton Heath and it was a true treat. I was not as fond of Sunningdale. I would love to see Saunton some day.
Logged

Gerry B

Re:Which one should I play?
« Reply #14 on: March 20, 2006, 08:13:19 PM »
have not played saunton
walton heath old is fantastic
sunningdale is also fantastic -would choose this one if i could only play 1 of the 3
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
Tags:
Tags:

An Error Has Occurred!

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()
Back