Golf In The London, UK Area

[Lou_Duran]

With my apologies extended in advance to those who find requests for contacts through this site offensive or inappropriate, my 20 year old son started a 10-week internship with a Citigroup affiliate on Canary Wharf today.  He is a decent golfer (70-85, depending on how much he has been playing), and well mannered.  While he will be working hard, he has his clubs with him to play some golf.  If anyone reading this message would like to help Alex get on some of the courses where he can get to through public transportation, please contact me by E-Mail or instant messaging.  He will be limited somewhat further by budget issues as his living expenses will take well more than 50% of his income, but I am sure that he will splurge from time to time, and, hopefully, some clubs will have a junior or student rate.  Thanks in advance to anyone who wishes to respond.  

[Lou_Duran]

Just bringing it back up.  Thanks to those who've responded.

[Lou_Duran]

Bringing it up one last time.  Thanks again to those who've responded privately.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Lou you know he can play almost anywhere and there are a lot of great courses in the area. Will he be able to pass himself off as a local. That will save alot of money. John

[Lou_Duran]

JB,

We've never played in the UK, so I am unaware of the customs on getting on around London.  Frankly, I don't know the geography nor the courses of note, other than the ones suggested by the few respondents to this thread.  I will encourage him to go play Rye based on Shivas's earlier recommendation, and if I can make it out there in late July, we may try to spend a weekend at St. Andrews.  Alex does speak much better than I do, but there is no mistaking him for a native.  I am hoping that some of the courses offer a student or junior rate, and that he splurges some of the time to play a few really good ones.  If you can suggest some courses in the area, please do so.

[Scott_Burroughs]

Swinley Forest may be a tough one to get on, but I'd guess in the immediate London area, Sunningdale (both) would top the list, then perhaps Walton Heath.  Usually letters to the club ahead of time do the trick in UK for visitors.

Here's visitor info for Sunningdale:

http://www.sunningdale-golfclub.co.uk/club/visitors.php

and Walton Heath:

http://www.whgc.co.uk/general.htm

[Bill_McBride]

Lou, I used to have partners in London in a former life, and would pop over there a couple of times a year in the early 90's.  There are literally dozens of local courses just outside London where you can walk up and play.  I'm thinking of a real fun one in Blandford Forum down southwest of Salisbury in Dorset, a hilly nine holer.  Played a few others as well.  The problem was I didn't take clubs with me and they typically didn't have rental clubs.  But somebody would eventually take pity on you and loan you a set, and then the locals were happy to scoot around the course with you.  It's a whole lot different from here.  John D is correct, you can get on Sunningdale and Woking and Wentworth, but it takes some advance planning and a letter to the secretary and pretty expensive green fees.  

So I guess the game in Austin with our sons is on hold for a while?

[michael_j_fay]

Lou:

 After the Open he should try to get to St. Georges', if he cannot he should try Cinque Ports next door.

[Lou_Duran]

Thanks for the input, gentlemen.  Alex has joined a "golf club" in London, which is really just an organized group which gets together on a semi-regular basis to play various courses in the area.  He says that the folks in London are very friendly, and he is adapting well to his new surroundings.  To be 20 again!

[Paul_Turner]

Lou

Probably the best book as a factual guide to golf in Britain and Ireland is:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0600603725/qid=1054327090/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2_2/026-9243758-9770862

A useful website:

http://www.thelondongolfer.com/

I've never heard of a student discount for green fees; at my local club, I was asked to cough up the full membership after my 18th    

Just like everything else in London, golf ain't cheap.  Although not bad when compared with the most populous parts of the US.  (Addington is a fine day out, for £50)