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The Director's Cut - where do Golfbreaks.com's top dogs play in the low season?

Posted by: Vicky Bruce on Fri 21 Oct 2011

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We're lucky enough at Golfbreaks.com to have four directors who love their golf. With decades of experience organising (and going on) golf breaks they really do know their stuff. This week Andrew Stanley, Daniel Grave, Guy Proddow and Steve Hemsworth took time out of their busy schedules to tell us where they like to play in the low season. If it’s good enough for the godfathers of golf breaks, then it’s probably going to be pretty special.

The Belfry – Andrew Stanley, CEO

Why I loved it: The first time I went to The Belfry I couldn’t help but get excited walking through the hotel, seeing the European and USA team rooms on either side of the corridors, complete with Ryder Cup memorabilia everywhere you look.

Why it’s great for the low season: The owners have spent millions over the last 3 years on upgrading the golf courses and we’ve had some excellent customer feedback during both the winter and summer months.

Recommend: I love sitting outside the main bar watching golfers playing up to the 9th and 18th greens over water, following in the footsteps of their heroes.

Lasting memory: The 10th hole on the Brabazon has to be one of the best risk-reward holes in the world; I love teeing the ball up, getting the driver out and trying to drive the green, it’s always fun.

The Belfry 4*, Warwickshire

1 night's dinner, B&B at The Belfry and 2 rounds of golf (PGA National, Derby)

From £85

Enquire now and save £34 at The Belfry

St Andrews Old Course – Daniel Grave, Commercial Director

Why I loved it: A trip to the home of golf is a must for any golfer, the feeling when you're walking down the 18th at St Andrews is simply incredible.

Why it’s great for the low season: Links courses are perfect for the low season; because they’re sand based they are never wet, the green fee is about 50% cheaper (as is the hotel) and you’ll pretty much have the course to yourself.

Recommend: Add a round of golf at Crail to your trip; a classic links course just outside St Andrews.

Lasting memory: The approach to the 18th green is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. A green that slopes towards you allows you to carry the ball all the way to the flag in front of an ever present town centre gallery. Stride up to the green with your putter in hand and you’ll feel like an Open Champion, for a few minutes at least.

St Andrews Old Course, Scotland

1 night's bed & breakfast at Macdonald Rusacks Hotel and 1 round of golf (St Andrews Links - Old Course

From £179

Enquire now and save £179 at St Andrews

The Grove – Steve Hemsworth, Managing Director

Why I loved it: Playing golf at The Grove truly is a 5 star experience from the moment you arrive at the club; your golf bag is taken and placed by the first tee where you are offered a range of accessories, from tees to course planners, all free of charge. Upon finishing your round your clubs are then cleaned and put outside the clubhouse, all before you even have chance to change your shoes. The Grove manages to offer this 5 star service whilst making you feel very welcome and relaxed; playing here is a truly pleasurable experience!

Why it’s great for the low season: The Grove is probably the best conditioned parkland course in the UK during the low season; you would be hard pushed to find a course with greens as quick and as true as The Grove’s between October and April.

Recommend: If you are in and around the London area and want to experience 5 star golf then I would certainly recommend you play The Grove.

Lasting Memory: On the 9th hole there are 3 plaques in the fairway where Tiger Woods hit his drives (it was his 18th hole) and went on to make eagle all 3 days. My drive landed 12 inches from one of these plaques, and although I wasn’t able to make Eagle, I was very happy with my birdie and walked to the 10th tee having just gone 3 up in my match against a certain Mr Andrew Stanley.

The Grove 5*, Hertfordshire

1 night's bed & breakfast at The Grove and 1 round of golf

From £160

Enquire now and save £85 at The Grove

Prince’s Golf Club and The Lodge at Prince's - Guy Proddow, Director

Why I loved it: The course is maintained to an incredible standard; having played there recently I was particularly impressed by the bunkers which have been completely rebuilt in early 2011.

Why it’s great for the low season: As with all links courses it’s in fantastic condition all year round plus this is the first year you can stay in the onsite lodges, an absolute bargain...

Recommend: There’s 3 loops of 9 – make sure you play all three, plus don’t miss out on a pint of Spitfire in the clubhouse after your round.

Lasting Memory: Being able stay on site at a former Open venue with incredible views over Prince’s and the 14th of Royal St George’s is a truly memorable experience. It’s a great base for links golf in Kent.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent