[Andrew Mitchell]

I go on an annual golf trip with a group from my club - usually about 24 of us in late September/early October.  We travel Sunday morning, play 18 on Sunday afternoon, have dinner, bed & breakfast and play another 18 on Monday morning - a package known in the UK as a "Sunday driver".  If you go to a resort type hotel (typically a Marriott or De Vere) you generally get a very good rate (circa £100 a head).

I've been lumbered with arranging the 2007 trip (I'm almost too modest to mention that this was my "reward" for winning the 2006 event ). I originally thought I'd try something different and introduce several of them to links golf. However having costed Southport with a hotel room and two rounds at the likes of Formby, S&A, West Lancs, Hillside etc it's impossibe to get anywhere near the prices quoted by the resort hotel groups.  Our group of golfers is probably typical of most UK golfers - architecture isn't a priority; getting what they perceive to be a good deal is

I currently have a short list of Forest Pines in North Lincolnshire or Belton Woods near Grantham. Has anyone played either of these courses and would care to comment on their architectural merit and other advantages/disadvantages?

Are there any alternative venues in the North of England I should be considering?  The budget will be in the region of £90 - £110 for 36 holes plus dinner, B&B .  In recent years we've played Slaley Hall, Carden Park, Ramside Hall, Breadsall Priory and Wychwood Park.  Generally we don't go back to the same venue.

All comments gratefully received.

[Geoffrey Childs]

I'm not sure about the resort aspect but the best golf I've experienced in Northern England was in Cumbria at Siloth on Solway. There is a quite adequate hotel just down the street in town and its convenient to head up to western Scotland.

[Bill_McBride]

How about Beau Desert with the Dormy House and nearby B&B?  Golf course is great.  

[Mark Chaplin]

Woodhall Spa does some pretty good deals

[Kevin Pallier]

Andrew

Have you thought about East England ? Royal West Norfolk, Hunstanton, Royal Worlington and Newmarket for starters ?

Agree with Mark C - Woodhall Spa + Notts would be a good double further North.

[Jason McNamara]

Lindrick & Hallamshire?
(Or Sitwell Park as a second to either, if the group doesn't mind a shorter course.)

Would have to be cheaper than Notts, Woodhall Spa, etc.

Jason

[Andy Levett]

Andrew,
I've played Forest Pines and I don't think your group would be disappointed, even if you personally would enjoy other suggestions on this thread more.
Though it only opened in the early 90s it was cut through existing plantations, so seems mature. All three nines are  pleasant if not particularly memorable, the USGA spec greens give some insurance against inclement weather and the onsite hotel is modern if not as grand as somewhere like Slaley.
You could probably bring in Silloth for the same money, though its a fair trek from Bradford and the Golf Hotel was looking a bit tired when I was there in 2004. Superb golf of course. Ditto Woodhall Spa, but winter rates don't start until November.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

A few alternatives to the very sound suggestions made already:

Penrith – very scenic, but you can get very wet.  The club will make your hotel reservations for you.  You could team it with Windermere, which is great fun. Or Brampton, which is a unique golfing experience!
http://www.penrithgolfclub.com/
http://www.windermeregolfclub.net/
http://www.bramptongolfclub.com/


If your friends are impressed by names you could try Carden Park, which has a Nicklaus Signature course:
http://www.devere.co.uk/landing/devere_cardenpark.aspx?EQID=01190186-9999999&gclid=CPiL04n01YoCFQwSgQodWT1abw
There are the obligatory lake holes and one or two ‘bite off as much as you can chew’ holes.  I like a number of holes on the ‘Cheshire’ course which enjoys some high-ground holes over the back nine with gorgeous views.

If you like scenic golf you could try Shrigley Hall, near Macclesfield, which is set on the first ridge of the Pennines and gives spectacular views.  The course, by Donald Steel, is fun, with a number of big descents and ascents.  The unfit would be well advised to take a buggy.  Unfortunately I have not been able to access their website (Paramount Hotels).  But you could team it with one on MacKenzie’s last British course designs, Cavendish at Buxton, which has some of the most interesting greens anywhere, and gorgeous scenery.
http://www.cavendishgolfcourse.com/

Alternatively, you could base yourselves in Buxton, a charming and unspoilt old spa town, to play Cavendish and then pair it with Sickleholme which is located in an area of considerable natural beauty:
http://www.sickleholme.co.uk/

Have you tried North Wales?  There are various packages available involving the trio of Conwy, North Wales and Maesdu, but there is also a dormy house at Holyhead (a genuine links) and I would recommend you pair it with Bull Bay.  Bull Bay is a tough WH Fowler course of great individuality with some really challenging holes.  It is on incredibly bumpy rocky site with any number of nob-to-nob holes.  The views over the Irish Sea are splendid.  Get a copy of ‘Wales – Golf as it should be’ from the Welsh Tourist Board, which lists lots of packages and deals and has many a wonderful photo to inspire you.  
www.golfasitshouldbe.com
http://www.conwygolfclub.co.uk/
http://www.northwalesgolfclub.co.uk/
http://www.maesdugolfclub.co.uk/
http://www.holyheadgolfclub.co.uk/
http://www.bullbaygc.co.uk/

[Andrew Mitchell]

Gents

Thanks for your varied suggestions - many of which appeal greatly to me.  Unfortunately several of my group live up to the Yorkshireman's reputation for being careful with their money, and will not see that you are getting far better "value" for paying extra to play at the likes of Woodhall Spa, Lindrick , Beau Desert etc when you can stop at a De Vere/Marriott and get everything thrown in for £100!

Andy's recommendation of Forest Pines is comforting and will probably be my compromise proposal!

[Andrew Mitchell]

Just bumping this back up.

Last year we went to Forest Pines, which turned out to be a very pleasant surprise.  For a modern course it seemed very mature as it was cut through existing woodland.  Whilst there are better courses of this nature around (Woodhall Spa is not a million miles away) for a resort course offering cut price golf and accommodation, its probably the best one I've played (excluding Turnberry).

This year's trip is this weekend to Slaley Hall.  A round of golf on Sunday and Monday on the two courses there, finishing early enough on Sunday to watch most of the final day of the Ryder Cup.  From a quick search I sense little love on here for Slaley, anyone care to comment further?

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Andrew, There are some good holes. They are very friendly and the scenery is lovely.

[Jonathan Davison]

Andrew
If you are staying at Slaley Hall, Hexham is an interesting course. Not to far away is Tyneside a Harry Colt gem. Further North is Linden Hall.
If you are travelling up past Durham, Brancepeth Castle, Bishop Auckland are two other interesting places.

[Ally Mcintosh]

For what you're looking for, Slaley fits the bill perfectly... As Mark says above...

[Tony_Muldoon]

Andrew if you're still looking for a links for future events this would offer a perfect introduction.

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/seacroft1.html

25 mins from Woodhall, and a nice friendly club.  A couple of years ago they were charging £35 a round at weekends so maybe a deal for Sun afternoon and Monday (usually quiet) could be negotiated.

Then all you have to do is persuade them the best dinner is wrapped in paper and eaten on the seafront, find a friendly B&B and your budget should be safe.


While I can see the benefit of a resort hotel for socialising before and after a meal, you also have to put up with the constant cries of "Daylight robbery, £*.** for a pint!".  (There are a lot of pubs in Skegness


(Enjoy the Ryder Cup.  4 years ago I was at Wensum Valley Hotel, near Norwich.  Despite it being crammed full of golfers a large vocal sub group persuaded the bar staff to put the Chelsea game on just when the final day's play was starting.  The silent majority were out manoeuvred by the argument "Don’t worry the golf will still be on later".)

[Mark Pearce]

Andrew,

My firm has corporate membership at Slaley.  I have played there once this year.  The Hunting course always plays long.  With the rain we've had recently it will be monstrously hard.  I prefer the Priestman course (I think the Hunting has two or three good holes and more bad ones), it's less tricked up and more fun.

I think I dislike Slaley more than most, so I'll be interested to see what you make of it.

Mark

[Kevin Pallier]

Andrew

I really enjoyed the F9 at Slaley Hall (Hunting) but did not like the B9 at all - save for a couple of holes. The Priestman is a reasonable second course though.

The accomodation is top notch and you should have a good w'end - hope the weather holds up for you !!

[Andrew Mitchell]

Gents

Thanks for the various comments.  I will report back next week.  I think we are playing the Priestman on Sunday morning and the Hunting on Monday.

Tony - Although the weekend was planned around watching the Ryder Cup I had wondered whether our wishes would be overridden by a group of football mad Geordies.  Having checking Sunday's Sky schedule Chelsea - Man Utd has a 2pm ko which is OK as it appears the singles do not commence until 5pm UK time.

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