I played Wallsey on Monday past. In a word, it was delighful. I never expected a course of such high quality. Wallasey is rarely mentioned by list creators, but it should be. Golf World has failed to mention it as worthy of a spot in their recent top 200 in GB&I. Clearly a gross mistake.
1. The routing is superb and offers:
A. Two separate trips to the Irish Sea.
B. Two loops of nine.
C. A rythm which goes in and out of the dunes effortlessly. Playing the flatter holes is not at all disappointing because they are intermixed with dune holes.
D. Several uphill and downhill approaches.
2. A very good set of par 3s. The 16th is ball breaking into the wind. The 12th is a clever little hole hole ringed by bunkers. Somehow we all came up short and bunkered on this downhill and seemingly downwind hole.
3. Some lovely par 4s that have teeth, but don't bite too hard if the right club is chosen off the tee. (#s 1, 3, 9, 11 - possible the best hole on the course, the green was recently redone by Steel, 15 & 18).
4. A few ball breaker par 4s (#s 2 & 17).
5. A good and proper three shotter on flatter land in #13. This green was recently repositioned and designed by Steel.
6. Some "easier" birdie opportunities (#s 6, 7 & 14)
A negative aspect of the course is the extremely penal rough. It seems the club has "updated" in preparation for Open qualifying. I am finding nearly all links these days have horrible rough. It would be interesting to find out why clubs are choosing to do this.
Not necessarily negative, but a bit goofy are the mounds separating #s 7 & 14. These holes are on the flat edge of the course and the mounding runs for probably over a hundred yards. Not terribly attractive, but I am guessing it is a cheap solution to stop guys from blowing through the 14th fairway and still find safety on the 7th.
Despite these criticisms I am predicting that some Buda Cuppers will prefer Wallasey to Hoylake. It is definitely a course not to be missed when touring links in NW England.
Castletown was meant to be the star of the trip, but it was overshadowed a bit by Wallasey. None the less, Castletown was a joy to play. The course is fairly rustic, offers excellent strategic opportunities and lovely views. All at a much more enticing price than Wallasey. All day golf, B&B for £82 (Wallasey was £70 a pop).
There is a great stetch of holes from #2 - #6. Holes 4 & 5 are especially good. The 4th is a 90 degree dogleg left with a bunkering guarding front left and the rear. Hitting the wee pitch downwind is a great thrill. The 5th is called The Road. This hole doglegs right around a bit of an inlet. The land falls left to right toward the road and beach. This hole is very tight! Think as tight as The Island's 14th!
The back nine hugs the coast for a few holes. These holes aren't great, but with the invariable wind they will hold your interest. The finish is superb. #16 is a cracking par 3. Downhill with a front bunker. There are some fantastic pin locations including one tucked behind a dune. The 17th is the signature hole which requires a drive over a chasm. The 18th is a wonderful dogleg right with the hotel straightaway. If one chooses driver he should know that the hotel is reachable and ob. The approach is interesting as well. The green is large and runs a bit right to left away from the sea. To get close to the pin one has to fly over another chasm yet get the ball to settle. Great stuff.
Castletown also has several greens with unusual contours, but unfortunately they were rolling too slowly to get the full effect. The makings are there for a truly great course. Somehow, the course doesn't quite take full advantage of the site. This isn't to say Castletown was a letdown in anyway because it surely wasn't. Many will know that I particularly appreciate simple, rustic, rudimentary courses with subtle land movement. Castletown is precisely this type of course. I think it is wonderful and I have no problem placing this links in the 6 range of the SRA scale. Go and play it now. The respectably shabby hotel is destined for the dust bin. The owners want to build a luxury pile. The course is also to be "upgraded". I heard mention of 50 new bunkers and spat me dummie. I am happy with an affordable and what I think of as great golf. Such is the way of the modern world.
Ciao