NW of England/Scotland

[Chris Kane]

I have a week between attending the Open at Hoylake and playing in the Brora Open at the start of August.

I'd like to play a few rounds to get my game in sufficient shape to avoid completely humiliating myself at the tournament, and hope my learned friends here can point me in the right direction.  Bear in mind that the first course I play could be my introduction to links golf!  Criteria are:

Accessible by train/bus (hiring a car is prohibitively expensive for an u/23).
Cheap - the likes Turnberry, Troon and Western Gailes are out.
Fun!

Silloth-on-Solway looks like a sure thing - what else is there?
 
Thanks,
Chris.

PS - if you're somewhere between Liverpool and Brora, and are a chance to catch up for a drink/game, or will be at the Open, please let me know - ckane13@gmail.com

[Matthew Delahunty]

Chris,

I would have thought a few preliminary rounds at Brora would be the way to go. If you're staying up there, then you've also got Golspie, Tain and Dornoch's Struie to warm up on. All links and within the budget.

When I played at Brora a few years ago it was about 1.5 hours behinds the final of the Brora Open. They don't bother removing the electric fences or the cows or sheep for the event so expect something a bit different.

[Kevin Pallier]

Chris

What's your route do you plan on taking ?
 
West Lancs. and St Anne's (Old) I believe are reasonably priced in / around that NW England area.

From what I understand Siloth is difficult to get to  - but worth the effort.

Royal Dornoch would be a must for mine once you get up near Brora - worth much much more than the money you pay to play it.

[Chris Kane]

Kevin, the route I take depends on where the golf is!  Will look into West Lancs and St Anne's Old Links.  I'll stay in Carlisle and get a bus out to Silloth for the day.

My plan is to go to Dornoch a day or two before the tournament at Brora - practice round is on the 31st.  A mate is trying to arrange for me to play with a member, but if that doesn't work out Royal Dornoch is one of the few courses I'll pay top dollar for without hesitation.

Matthew, the idea is to play at Tain and Golspie etc. during my time off at the tournament - ie. shoot 100 at Brora in the morning, and unwind at Golspie in the afternoon.

[Kevin Pallier]

Kevin, the route I take depends on where the golf is!  Will look into West Lancs and St Anne's Old Links.  I'll stay in Carlisle and get a bus out to Silloth for the day.

My plan is to go to Dornoch a day or two before the tournament at Brora - practice round is on the 31st.  A mate is trying to arrange for me to play with a member, but if that doesn't work out Royal Dornoch is one of the few courses I'll pay top dollar for without hesitation.

Chris

The reason I ask is because there's plenty of ways to get from NW England to NE Scotland ! and plenty of golf courses + scenery + history in between.

Some time in / around Prestwick would be recommended and Glasgow Gailes is much less than it's neigbours. A ferry across to Machrihanish could be a possibilty ?

[Ed Tilley]

Chris,

I'm going on a trip to NW England next week. We'll be playing at Windermere on Wednesday, Silloth on Thursday, and Formby on Friday. I plan to take pictures and post them on here the following week.

I've played Windermere before, although I was only 12 and I can't remember much about it other than it's very short and very beautiful. We're playing it because it's a convenient place to play on the way to Silloth and a lovely place to stay - the Lake District is one of my favourite places in the world. I know you can get a train to Windermere but I'm not sure about connections on to Silloth.

I haven't played the others although I don't know anyone who doesn't rave about Silloth. At 35 pounds a day you'll struggle to find a better value course anywhere.

Ed

[Mark_F]

I'll stay in Carlisle and get a bus out to Silloth for the day.

Stay in Carlisle is an oxymoron if ever I've heard one...

[Kevin Pallier]

I've played Windermere before, although I was only 12 and I can't remember much about it other than it's very short and very beautiful. We're playing it because it's a convenient place to play on the way to Silloth and a lovely place to stay - the Lake District is one of my favourite places in the world.

Ed

"Short and sweet" is the essence of Windermere - I enjoyed it when I played it and I think it costs around 20 quid ? It's a nice course to play if one is ever in the lovely Lakes District region.

KP

[Ed Tilley]

I've played Windermere before, although I was only 12 and I can't remember much about it other than it's very short and very beautiful. We're playing it because it's a convenient place to play on the way to Silloth and a lovely place to stay - the Lake District is one of my favourite places in the world.

Ed

"Short and sweet" is the essence of Windermere - I enjoyed it when I played it and I think it costs around 20 quid ? It's a nice course to play if one is ever in the lovely Lakes District region.

KP

5,100 yards from the tips per their website!

[Paul_Turner]

Chris

Silloth-on-Solway is definitely the one.

As Kevin states Windermere is a treat:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=15182;start=msg258899#msg258899

I would make some time to walk in the Lake District too.

[Jon Wiggett]

Try Southerness, a little out of the way but not so far as to not make it worth while.

[Geoffrey Childs]

Siloth on Solway was clearly my favorite in the area.

A day at Seascale is certainly worth the effort as well. Its an interesting routing over some excellent topography and getting that close to a nuclear power plant and the warning sirens adds a strange flavor to the environment.

[Ed Tilley]

Chris

Silloth-on-Solway is definitely the one.

As Kevin states Windermere is a treat:

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=15182;start=msg258899#msg258899

I would make some time to walk in the Lake District too.

Thanks for this Paul - it's certainly whetted my appetite for next week.

Walking in the Lake district is fantastic - I go there with my wife for a weekend every year. Crinkle Crags is a particular favourite walk but anywhere in the Langdale area is great.

[Chris Kane]

Windermere looks spectacular and quirky - exactly what I'm looking for.  If the public transport angle works, its in!

Thanks to everyone for their advice, both here and by message or email.  I can't wait to get there in a few weeks and see it all for myself!