Glorious GOSWICK: 2023-24 Winter Tour

[Mark Pearce]

The secretary mentioned that they are looking at changing the course to address the cramped area around the clubhouse.  There are no clear plans yet, and they are considering appointing an architect but they have in mind removing the existing 9th, moving the 1st tee and adding a new par 3 on the land North of the 6th green/7th tee.  It will be interesting to see what, if anything, they decide to do.


I was delighted that the Pests seemed to like Goswick as much as they did.

[Ulrich Mayring]

I totally underestimated the course from reading about it versus playing it. I thought it would be a competent links course, but didn't expect such a smooth and elegant flow of holes. The routing is superb, it changes directions often enough to provide great variability - who wants to play five holes in a row into a 3 club wind? I hit a lot of different clubs and, despite occasionally playing poorly, spent little time wading through hay. I think in our foursomes match Mike Malone and I finished on the first ball.

While I'm sure not many would lament seeing the 9th hole go, I'm not sure what "cramped space around the clubhouse" entails. The first hole is superb, don't change it. The 18th is a great match decider and matches that end earlier can easily forego it. The 10th hole starts right at the clubhouse - nothing wrong with that!

Perhaps a little more quirk here or there - akin to #12, #13 and #15 - would be nice. Bring in a world-class golf architect and I'm sure the members could get a world class golf course, if that is their ambition. Leave it well enough alone and it's still pretty damn good.

Ulrich

[Jason Topp]

The secretary mentioned that they are looking at changing the course to address the cramped area around the clubhouse.  There are no clear plans yet, and they are considering appointing an architect but they have in mind removing the existing 9th, moving the 1st tee and adding a new par 3 on the land North of the 6th green/7th tee.  It will be interesting to see what, if anything, they decide to do.


I was delighted that the Pests seemed to like Goswick as much as they did.

It was a fabulous venue Mark.  Thanks to you and the club for sharing it.  We were lucky to experience two different winds on the two days we played and it worked well both days.


I would be more inclined to change the 18th than the 9th.  9 is on boring ground but struck me as a solid golf hole.


18 was fine on Friday into a heavy wind but on Sunday it seemed like a choice between a layup and a random crapshoot at the green.  The finishers at St. Andrews and N. Berwick present interesting strategic decisions.   I did not decipher such subtlety at Goswick. 

[Sean_A]

I am not keen on a long walk from 8 to 10 should the 9th be removed. I wonder if the club thought to reduce the length of the 9th? The practice area to the right would then become less troublesome and therefore the trees could be removed. Of, course, it may be possible to redesign the practice area which would make the current 9th work.

Ciao

[John Mayhugh]

I totally underestimated the course from reading about it versus playing it. I thought it would be a competent links course, but didn't expect such a smooth and elegant flow of holes. The routing is superb, it changes directions often enough to provide great variability - who wants to play five holes in a row into a 3 club wind? I hit a lot of different clubs and, despite occasionally playing poorly, spent little time wading through hay. I think in our foursomes match Mike Malone and I finished on the first ball.

While I'm sure not many would lament seeing the 9th hole go, I'm not sure what "cramped space around the clubhouse" entails. The first hole is superb, don't change it. The 18th is a great match decider and matches that end earlier can easily forego it. The 10th hole starts right at the clubhouse - nothing wrong with that!

Perhaps a little more quirk here or there - akin to #12, #13 and #15 - would be nice. Bring in a world-class golf architect and I'm sure the members could get a world class golf course, if that is their ambition. Leave it well enough alone and it's still pretty damn good.

Ulrich

I agree with Ulrich.  The course exceeded my expectations based on photos and reading.


I don't really mind the "cramped" area where 9/1/10 intersect. There's an opportunity to practice a bit of courtesy there, and doubt there are many problems.

I'm not sold on the 18th. Probably better as a par 3, but I'm sure there is reluctance to have a par 3 finishing hole. As a par 4, traffic is an issue. The hole is so short that people on the 18th tee are waiting until the green is clear, but by that time a trailing group is probably on the 17th green that you have to hit over.

Love the look of the 12th from Braid's day.

[Mark Pearce]

ON Sunday, as we waited to play our tee shots to 18, members playing the 1st pointed out that golfers on 18 green are asked, by a sign, to stand aside and let the group behind play their tee shots, then start putting.  I suspect that would ease flow issues significantly.  They need a bigger sign!

[John Mayhugh]

ON Sunday, as we waited to play our tee shots to 18, members playing the 1st pointed out that golfers on 18 green are asked, by a sign, to stand aside and let the group behind play their tee shots, then start putting.  I suspect that would ease flow issues significantly.  They need a bigger sign!

I tend to notice signs, but failed to see that one.

[Sean_A]

18?  A long walk back to the tee to be left with a less than compelling tee shot?  It doesn't do much for me...and a sign in no way excuses the mediocre architecture.  Its a pitiful way to finish Goswick, but thats life.

Ciao

[Mark Pearce]

18?  A long walk back to the tee to be left with a less than compelling tee shot?  It doesn't do much for me...and a sign in no way excuses the mediocre architecture.  Its a pitiful way to finish Goswick, but thats life.

Ciao

The walk is a pain.  The hole isn't a bad hole at all. 

[Sean_A]

18?  A long walk back to the tee to be left with a less than compelling tee shot?  It doesn't do much for me...and a sign in no way excuses the mediocre architecture.  Its a pitiful way to finish Goswick, but thats life.

Ciao

The walk is a pain.  The hole isn't a bad hole at all.

Not bad at all is not nearly enough praise to justify the walk. It's not a great par 3 either. The bunkering doesn't seem to make sense nor does it fit with the remainder of the course. For mine, this is Goswick's weakest hole.

Ciao

[Niall C]

18?  A long walk back to the tee to be left with a less than compelling tee shot?  It doesn't do much for me...and a sign in no way excuses the mediocre architecture.  Its a pitiful way to finish Goswick, but thats life.

Ciao

I don't know if it's that great a finishing hole as a short par 4 but I'd bet it was once a long par 3 with the tee further down the slope and probably a better hole for that.


Niall

[Ulrich Mayring]

I suspect Goswick is a match play club. Thus you'll either finish your match on the 17th and then don't bother walking up the hill to the 18th tee. Or the match is still on in which case the 18th is a better match decider than a long par 4, where almost everyone needs three shots to reach the green.

Ulrich

[Sean_A]

18?  A long walk back to the tee to be left with a less than compelling tee shot?  It doesn't do much for me...and a sign in no way excuses the mediocre architecture.  Its a pitiful way to finish Goswick, but thats life.

Ciao

I don't know if it's that great a finishing hole as a short par 4 but I'd bet it was once a long par 3 with the tee further down the slope and probably a better hole for that.

Niall

Niall

You could be right.  It does seem like the bunkers are designed for par 3 and 4 play.  I wonder if the OOB shouldn't be better used and more of a legger left around the 17th created?  Mind you, to me it makes sense to create a good par 3 from around the ladies tees. 

Ciao

[Sean_A]

I stopped by Goswick for a game last week. We had cold, but glorious weather. The subject of the 6th green came up  . It would seem the club is thinking of retaining that green and finding another solution for the new par 3 to be built. This is good news!

Previous Stops on the 2023-24 Winter Tour

Cleeve Hill
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49796.0.html

Huntercombe
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,32228.0.html

Minehead
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,72699.0.html

Westward Ho!
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,66480.0.html

Notts
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,33988.0.html

Planned 2023-24 Winter Tour Stops

North Berwick
Kilspindie
Renaissance

Ciao

[Mark Pearce]

I stopped by Goswick for a game last week. We had cold, but glorious weather. The subject of the 6th green came up  . It would seem the club is thinking of retaining that green and finding another solution for the new par 3 to be built. This is good news!

Previous Stops on the 2023-24 Winter Tour

Cleeve Hill
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49796.0.html

Huntercombe
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,32228.0.html

Minehead
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,72699.0.html

Westward Ho!
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,66480.0.html

Notts
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,33988.0.html

Planned 2023-24 Winter Tour Stops

North Berwick
Kilspindie
Renaissance

Ciao

Did you play the remodelled 4th green, or was it still on a temporary green?

[Sean_A]

I stopped by Goswick for a game last week. We had cold, but glorious weather. The subject of the 6th green came up  . It would seem the club is thinking of retaining that green and finding another solution for the new par 3 to be built. This is good news!

Previous Stops on the 2023-24 Winter Tour

Cleeve Hill
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49796.0.html

Huntercombe
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,32228.0.html

Minehead
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,72699.0.html

Westward Ho!
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,66480.0.html

Notts
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,33988.0.html

Planned 2023-24 Winter Tour Stops

North Berwick
Kilspindie
Renaissance

Ciao

Did you play the remodelled 4th green, or was it still on a temporary green?

Played the temp. I guess folks thought there weren’t enough hole locations. I liked the old narrow green, though the new version is still narrow. I did note a nasty fall off back left on the new green.


Ciao

[Mark Pearce]

Yes, lack of hole locations was the reason for the change but, like you, I really liked the old 4th.  I think the new green is now in play, so will be interesting to see it when I'm next up.

[Richard Fisher]

Went back to glorious Goswick on Friday, on the way home from St Andrews to Cambridge. It had been an amazing November week in the Kingdom of Fife, with bright skles and barely a breath of wind, but Goswick showed its teeth in a proper 3-club breeze...even off the yellow tees, several of the carries (notably at the 18th) were barely in range even for the two single-figure players in our party. Anyway it was a reminder of just what a tough course Goswick can be, as well as a glorious one: the rough is properly testing 'Harlech rough', in general (in marked contrast to St Andrews) and the newly amended par-five greens going out are now really challenging.


We all still wished the club could do something about the 9th, 18th, and perhaps even the first, but the other fifteen holes are absolutely top-class seaside golf, in the most lovely, remote location (save for the constant presence of the East Coast Main Line). The clubhouse has been upgraded a bit, and an absolutely packed car park on a November Friday suggests that Goswick is many things nowadays but 'hidden gem' it is not. Course condition was terrific, in the main, and at £70 for the 'shoulder rate' still excellent value, by modern standards.


Has anybody else heard any more about the changes Sean raised a few years ago? Couldn't see evidence of any plans or proposals on display in the clubhouse but GCA colleagues may know more....

[Mark Pearce]

Went back to glorious Goswick on Friday, on the way home from St Andrews to Cambridge. It had been an amazing November week in the Kingdom of Fife, with bright skles and barely a breath of wind, but Goswick showed its teeth in a proper 3-club breeze...even off the yellow tees, several of the carries (notably at the 18th) were barely in range even for the two single-figure players in our party. Anyway it was a reminder of just what a tough course Goswick can be, as well as a glorious one: the rough is properly testing 'Harlech rough', in general (in marked contrast to St Andrews) and the newly amended par-five greens going out are now really challenging.


We all still wished the club could do something about the 9th, 18th, and perhaps even the first, but the other fifteen holes are absolutely top-class seaside golf, in the most lovely, remote location (save for the constant presence of the East Coast Main Line). The clubhouse has been upgraded a bit, and an absolutely packed car park on a November Friday suggests that Goswick is many things nowadays but 'hidden gem' it is not. Course condition was terrific, in the main, and at £70 for the 'shoulder rate' still excellent value, by modern standards.


Has anybody else heard any more about the changes Sean raised a few years ago? Couldn't see evidence of any plans or proposals on display in the clubhouse but GCA colleagues may know more....

The good news is that the plan to move the 6th green has been shelved.  There's still, at some point, a plan to remove 9, move the 1st tee left, to straighten the hole and remove the internal OOB and put a new par 3 in (ideally from behind 6 green to behind 7 tee.  There was a plan to lengthen 8 but I don't know if that's still being considered.  The work this winter is to move the 6th tee (I think just lowering it).

[Sean_A]

I am still not convinced a long walk to the 1st tee is a wise move for Goswick. I think there are options to make the 9th better and safer. I am definitely not in favour of moving the 8th green. It’s a cool and slightly unusual hole as is. It seems to me, as is usually the case, it’s best to explore cheap options first. This is where a really good archie can make hay.

Ciao

[Mark Pearce]

I am still not convinced a long walk to the 1st tee is a wise move for Goswick. I think there are options to make the 9th better and safer. I am definitely not in favour of moving the 8th green. It’s a cool and slightly unusual hole as is. It seems to me, as is usually the case, it’s best to explore cheap options first. This is where a really good archie can make hay.

Ciao

I agree on 8, it's a really good hole as is, in the middle of a tough run of holes.  It should be left as is.  I don't know how you improve 9, as is.  It's on the flattest piece of land on the property.  To make it interesting you're going to have to move some earth.

[Sean_A]

I am still not convinced a long walk to the 1st tee is a wise move for Goswick. I think there are options to make the 9th better and safer. I am definitely not in favour of moving the 8th green. It’s a cool and slightly unusual hole as is. It seems to me, as is usually the case, it’s best to explore cheap options first. This is where a really good archie can make hay.

Ciao

I agree on 8, it's a really good hole as is, in the middle of a tough run of holes.  It should be left as is.  I don't know how you improve 9, as is.  It's on the flattest piece of land on the property.  To make it interesting you're going to have to move some earth.

I never thought 9 was bad. That said, I think if shortened, trees removed and some pizzaz added around the green it could easily be improved and made safer. I always felt 18 is the problem. Make it a par 3 finish and the safety issues with OOB are solved. It also eliminates a silly walk back which only helps longer hitters. But I am coming very much from PoV that adding long walks is a tough way to so called fix issues.

Ciao

[Mark Pearce]

If you made 18 a par 3, wouldn't the 18th tee be exactly where you'd want your drive to finish on 1, to give the best angle to that green. 


It occurs to me that the 1st at Goswick my be the best example I know of of angles mattering.  That green's nearly impossible to hit and hold from the left side of the fairway.

[Richard Fisher]

Thanks so much to Sean and Mark for the further intel and thoughts: completely agree about the current 8th, which is a terrific hole. And I too would support making the 18th a par three (as at Harlech and Lindrick), and adding interest to the 9th green (if you are not going to have a new short hole at the northern end of the links, spend more money, and do something more radical).
I hadn’t fully appreciated Mark’s excellent point about the 1st until now! In half a dozen goes I don’t think that I have ever come in from the left…
Goswick were advertising some Winter Specials over the weekend: hugely recommended to anyone who has never been. But you will need to wrap up well.

[Mark Pearce]

The problem with 18 as a par 3 would be that the green, as relatively small and well protected as it is, really suits a short iron/wedge approach, whereas a tee behind 17 green would be a long par 3.  Whilst the walk back to the 18th tee as is isn't ideal, I like Marmite and the current par 4 18th.  It's a genuine birdie opportunity for many but can very easily be a dropped shot if played aggressively.  A very good hole on which to finish a tight match, or a good round.