unheralded english golf courses

[Ally Mcintosh]

Would be nice to hear about certain classic courses that we hear nothing of...

For instance, I sent a group of 16 to Herbert Fowler's West Surrey a few years ago (unfortunately I couldn't make it) and most had it at the same level as Woking and Liphook, the other two they played.

There must be a few gems from Abercromby, Fowler, Park, Colt, Simpson or MacKenzie that we hear nothing about... Or some of the others from the time...

[Sam Krume]

Mark, love Crowborough and Knole Park...also love Royal Ashdown in that neck off the woods even though you couldn't class it unheralded.

[Sam Krume]

Paul,
Get down to woking, its an absolute cracker but also have a go at west byfleet whilst you're in the area. we are also coming down to your neck of the woods in a couple of weeks to sample the delights of Hayling Isalnd once again.

[Brent Hutto]

I'm thinking back through my "day of arrival" courses, the places I've played directly after getting off the plane from my overnight, TATL flights from USA to England.

2006 [no golf on day of arrival]
2007 Formby
2008 [no golf on day of arrival]
2010 Crowborough Beacon
2012 Reddish Vale
2013 Wilmslow
2014 Delamere Forest

Maybe those are a cut above "unheralded" but there's not a one of them I wouldn't return to at the drop of a hat. It seems to be true in England that one can ask "Where's a good place to play within an hour of the airport" and get recommendations far superior to the courses one might find near any given major airport in USA.

[Ally Mcintosh]

What about Ipswich / Purdis Heath?

http://www.top100golfcourses.co.uk/htmlsite/productdetails.asp?id=194

EDIT - Just noted Paul's post about this course

[Thomas Dai]

Sean,

I don't think we're that far apart. I'd only fancy 'unheralded' or thoroughly decent provided the conditioning is of a good or better standard. Generally the more quirky a course the more I can accept a lower standard of conditioning, even poor conditioning for a way out the back of beyond rustic course, otherwise standard of conditioning is important. One of the reasons I like playing in Open Comps is because the conditioning is normally bumped up a bit for the day.

Here's an example of a very fine largely unknown course, 'unheralded' but with excellent conditioning and a distinctly tough test of golf - South Staffs at (unheralded!) Wolverhampton.

Atb

[Sean_A]

atb

Well, speaking of unheralded...If the weather is decent for a tin man, I ma planning on playing Stiff's Cumberwell Park (Orange & Blue) on Friday.  We are only two so you (and anybody else) are more than welcome to join us.

Ciao

[Paul Gray]

Paul,
Get down to woking, its an absolute cracker but also have a go at west byfleet whilst you're in the area. we are also coming down to your neck of the woods in a couple of weeks to sample the delights of Hayling Isalnd once again.

Ah yes, it was you that I suggested visit Hayling. Oh, and it's a VERY small point but you wouldn't want to get shot by a member when you're down here: The place is called Hayling Island but the club is simply Hayling Golf Club. There is a presumably long died ex-secretary who could quite possibly pop out of the grave if he hears talk of Hayling Island Golf Club. It's blasphemy!

I haven't played Woking for years. Last time I was there I was in a junior competition so it has been a long time! The list of courses is just too long.

[Paul Gray]

I didn't get the chance to venture any real distance from Ipswich whilst working there and therefore can only comment on Purdis Heath and Woodbridge. Had the evenings allowed I would have loved to have ventured to Aldeburgh, Thorpeness, Felixstowe Ferry and, of course, Royal Worlington & Newmarket.

That's a reputable little list and yet the whole of Suffolk tends to remain under the radar.