Tim Hawkins (21.4)
Derbyshire, United Kingdom 
by Tim Hawkins on 31st August 2008A ciourse of two halves. Front nine quite flat and a bit up and down - back nine very hilly (the holes run near a dry ski slope which should give you some idea of the elevation changes). This means some blind tee shots uphill and some booming, tempting downhillers. No real outstanding holes, but an enjoyable test all round. Greens were soft, reasonably true - would probably be quite fast if not for the weeks of rain before we played here.
Strangely difficult to find as it's not near the hotel it's attached too!The Course
Club Facilities and Services
by Tim Hawkins on 31st August 2008Played the weekend cup here, very enjoyable little course with a good mix of booming driving holes and shorter, technical holes. Difficult for me because of the strong wind, several tee shots over water into the teeth of a gale don't lend themselves to my high trajectory driving! The course is packed in a pretty tight space so greens and tees get a bit tight in places. Was in excellent condition.
Hotel is small and fiendly, nice food and reasonably priced.
by Tim Hawkins on 27th July 2008Overall a good course for a competition, can't really see anyone murdering it. Needs a bit more time to mature, a few water logged patches and ongoing groundwork but makes good use of the space. Fairways are wide and pretty forgiving of wayward drives but the greens were soft enough to hold pinged in mid-irons, although they were a bit bumpy and not as true as they could be so can be difficult to read for long putts. The surroundings are a bit scruffy in places but overall nicely kept. 18th definately not for the indecisive.
by Tim Hawkins on 25th June 2008I'd hestitate to join other reviewers in saying this is a good course for a municipal, I've certainly played worse private courses than this. A nice woodland course with interesting although not particularly spectacular holes, fast but slightly bumpy greens and a killer of a par 3 into the prevailing wind that I couldn't even reach with my driver! The cider drinking locals on the 3rd also had the decency to keep quiet during tee shots.
Good, solid meal after with a ludicrously cheap bar.
Great valueValue for money
by Tim Hawkins on 11th June 2008Visually stunning in places with wonderful views over moorland. Interesting mixture of wide open and claustrophobic holes, with spectacular holes like the 9th (Thompsons Retreat) and 14th (The Viaduct) dug into the countryside set against some pretty non-descript such as the 16th (Railway) which is basically a slog against the prevailing wind. Not a long course but demands accuracy and distance control off the tee to hit the fairways with some well placed bunkers, although what water there was was pretty insignificant (some of the ponds could be easily doubled in size to add a bit more interest). The fairways were in good condition but the rough was a bit too harsh, with balls being lost after rolling into the first cut, anything in the deep stuff then forget it. Greens were fast and true on the first round but some were ruined for the second after being spiked.
Another eye-wateringly expensive bar and indifferent food in the evening, wasn't sure whether to eat the new potato or tee it up.
by Tim Hawkins on 1st June 2008Flat and long, pretty wide in places and forgiving with only a couple of holes that punish wayward tee shots, consequently a lot of second/third shots are over (hopefully) water. Definately designed for the power player rather than the thinker. Although the greens were flat they weren't particularly fast or true, and away from the hotel/clubhouse area not the prettiest course you'll ever see. Slightly dissappointed with the overall experience although it's difficult to to say why, very corporate feel to the whole place.
Driving range ball dispenser wasn't working when we were there meaning a 'go and get your own from down the range' policy was the order of the day. Eye wateringly expensive bar.
by Tim Hawkins on 1st June 2008Cracking little course in excellent condition when we played today. Probably helped somewhat by being allowed to slot in at the lunch break of the Staffs v Notts county match so the course was in immaculate condition but I can't see it being much worse at other times. Only small gripe was a temporary tee on the 18th (not for the whites) but it seems to be for ongoing drainage work. Still £15 on a 2 fore 1 was excellent value.
This is a roller coaster of a course, I've never seen so many marker post for blind tee and second shots so having someone with a bit of course knowledge did help. Most of the course seems to be based around a deep gully which has to be played over or round on virtuallty every hole, which means lots of elevation changes. Greens were fast, responsive and very consistent, and almost impossible to read with subtle contours. Particular favourite was the 172, par 3, 12th with a massive drop from tee to green and water on one side. Although I wouldn't say you don't need to take a driver unless you're very accurate it won't help an awful lot, course management is the key to this place.
Only slightly bizzare aspect was the horse show at the adjacent racecourse - teeing off to the James Bond theme and 'the stripper' blasting over the tannoy is an interesting experience...
by Tim Hawkins on 23rd April 2008Now a real convert to these, the right combination of durability and soft feel (and price) for me. Can be spanked with a driver and flopped equally well, ideal for an improving game without the expense of premium balls.
by Tim Hawkins on 8th April 2008Picked a spin milled cobalt up in Scotand the other week for £20 brand new. Feels as good as a Vokey for a fraction of the price.
Not too keen on the cord grip as yet.
by Tim Hawkins on 3rd March 2008Just played in the Southern Cup here and was impressed with the course. Quite long and undulating but with big greens and some nasty strategically placed bunkers. Interesting the difference between the slightly fluffy Sunday greens to the freshly mown Monday greens, both ran true but the latter were much, much quicker. And many thanks to the greens staff for the different second day pin positions (not). Only gripe on the course side were the stones in the bunkers, but apart from that it was in spectacular condition for early March. Having said that, the treks over the motorway between the 1st & 2nd, the 8th & 9th and the hike from the 9th to the 10th were a bit of a pain. Hotel was small, friendly and charmingly decaying.
by Tim Hawkins on 8th February 2008Considering the recent weather the course was in pretty good condition. All temporary tees and fairway mats (when I hit one) when we played here, helped by warming winter sunshine. Excellent value at £15 with a member. Doesn't seem long but some of the par 4's looked more like par 5's especially with little run on the fairways. Nicely laid out course needing accuracy with decent size greens. Definately an old school golf club, but the members were very friendly.
by Tim Hawkins on 12th December 2007Played the Priory in the first week of December after 3 days of heavy rain and the course was in beautiful condition. Granted there were a few squashy patches in remote areas (I tend to go into strange places) and there were a few temporary tees, but that is the only gripes I had. The greens were damp but consistent, quite quick and firm enough not to plug lofted shots (some big pitch marks though).
Great value too, £10 each (with 2 fore 1) on a Monday. Round only spoilt by a corporate 4 ball slowing two 3 balls and a couple of pairs in front of us.
by Tim Hawkins on 29th October 2007Another foul weather comp, front nine almost all on temporary greens. Foggy most of the time, but cleared enough to be able to see the picturesque 18th, a lovely par 3 lob across a ravine and lake.
Worth revisiting in better weather.
by Tim Hawkins on 29th October 2007My first competition so don't remember much about this course, although the previous weeks of rain didn't do it any favours. Bunkers were almost all flooded (I spent a lot of time in them!). First has a massive oak tree in the middle of the fairway which I managed to hit as well as virtually every other hazard on the course.
Worth revisiting in better weather so I've heard.
by Tim Hawkins on 29th October 2007A course of two halves. Front nine is flat but decently laid out, no real stand out holes but do enjoy the par 3 6th with a big green well below the tee.
Back 9 is very hilly, always assuming you get up 'cardiac hill' - they sometimes have a buggy there to carry people up because it can be a bit of a workout. Some real tempting drives down onto fairways and a really tricky par 3 17th.
Usually in good condition considering it is at one of the highest points in Nottinghamshire. Have actually played when the greens have been completely frozen half inch below the surface!
by Tim Hawkins on 29th October 2007Doesn't score particularly well but don't let that put you off, it's a municipal course in a built up area, cheep and cheerful if a bit tatty. Considering this it's generally in decent condition during the summer but mostly temporary greens, muddy fairways and lots of leaf litter in winter.
Reasonably wide fairways but lots of trees make going off line a nightmare. No real stand out holes, but a pretty easy walk and ideal for an after work game. Selection of pick up balls always available from local urchins in exchange for cash or ciggies.
by Tim Hawkins on 29th October 2007Played here with a couple of members who knew the course, but omitted to let me in on their secrets. A bit plain for the first few holes gets more interesting on the hillier mid-section. Greens had suffered during the winter and weren't particularly true or consistent. Fairways defined by horrible long, wispy grassthat made it impossible to play out of, if you could find the thing in the first place.
14th is a cracker, get a long drive for a shot to the green over the water or lay up to the side for a safe 5. Got my first ever proper birdie on the short 17th.
by Tim Hawkins on 25th October 2007Just played here, no buggy, £15. What a little cracker of a course. Have driven past the entrance many, many times thinking it may be a little rough (the surrounding area is not the most affluent or picturesque) but couldn't believe what we found. As James said some of the greens were a little scalped and the remainder a little lush, but they were still receptive to a bit of backspin. It is late October afterall. The overall layout is excellent, if a bit confusing for a newcomer (no course maps and vague yardage markers) with some sweeping dog legs and tempting par 3's, but the locals were friendly and offered lots of advice. Well defined fairways lined with mature trees, some dangerous bunkers and hidden water hazards made for a very enjoyable round. Must try it in the summer, has the potential to be a real stunner.
by Tim Hawkins on 8th September 2007Just to confirm my previous review, superb course this time of year. Fastest greens I've ever played, undulating but as true as they come. Never seen so many putts overshoot. Only criticism I would make is that some of the bunkers are a bit tatty and, er, agricultural rather than sandy. Should have stayed out of them really.
by Tim Hawkins on 29th August 2007Not the most visually exciting course you'll ever play, it is after all on the Trent flood plain so is flat and prone to flooding and waterlogging, especially during the winter. Having said that it drains very quickly and is normally in very good condition, the greens are usually well kept, not wildly fast, but undulating. No real holes of note apart from the 9th and 18th, both short par 3's over water. The 8th dog legs right around a lake, leaving a longish shot to the green, very satisfying to ping it, and the 17th is short but demands accuracy.
Good pro shop (albeit a bit pricey) and club house, friendly atmosphere
by Tim Hawkins on 25th June 2007Nice, well kept course with some challenging holes. Well placed hazards with some tempting shots that will be punished if hit badly, high handicappers should play a percentage game to get a reasonable score. Bunker on the 2nd is the size of Skegness beach. Greens were quickish considering the amount of rain that had been before.
A bit soleless and corporate in the clubhouse/hotel.
by Tim Hawkins on 25th June 2007Pretty little course, a good mix of straight forward and completely blind holes. Slightly confusing layout for a first-timer not helped by lack of signage. Generally very well kept fairways and greens, bunkers are shallow, hard but quite small. Lots of ditches in play.
Nasty dog leg par 4 16th for a high handicapper, drive through a 15yd wide gap for 240yds for a 150 yd shot to the green (some hope!). Ideal landing area is about 30yds x 30yds.
Friendly members and small cosy clubhouse.
Quite difficult to actually find the carpark and clubhouse, but this sort of lends to it's charm.
by Tim Hawkins on 13th June 2007Picked this up second hand from the local golf barn, based purely on the fact that I already own the Big Ben CS3 driver. I think they have now been discontinued, I really can't see why, but are sometimes available on e-bay and the used Callaway website.
Equiped with the fantastic Aldila NV 70S - graphite shaft it gives a real discernable kick when you clip it just right. Felt at first like a tiny head (compared to my old Ram) but rarely fails to connect square. Not so keen with it off the tee, but off the fairway and out of the rough it rarely fails me.
Worth getting the 3, 5 or 7 wood versions if you come across one ata decent price.
by Tim Hawkins on 11th June 2007Bought the 3 wood (based on Dannys comments) because I couldn't get hold of a Ben Hogan CS3.
What can I say? For me it feels better from fairways or light rough rather than from the tee, but spanks off with a satisfying click and (for me) straight, long and fairly low.
Great value for money with the pro-launch shaft
by Tim Hawkins on 8th May 2007Great big mother of a driver (up until the introduction of the now fashionable square heads) with a lovely Aldila NV70 shaft that gives plenty of height on the ball. Would suggest going for a lower than normal loft, my 10.5deg launches the ball miles in the air so could have got away with a 9.5deg. Confidence inspiring club, easy to swing slow for 220 yd, accurate drives or give it some stick for 50yds on top of that. Hit it on the huge sweet spot and it is probably the loudest club you'll ever hear. Bit old now but can be picked up for under £100.
by Tim Hawkins on 23rd April 2007A strange mixture of a course, tightly packed in to quite a small area, but interesting. A decent test of your short game, only needing to resort to fairway woods or longer irons after a duff tee shot or wayward drive. Only one par 5 (sub 500yd) but some good par 3's. Not the most picturesque course around with views over the scrapyard, burnt out barns and scabby housing estate and not enhanced by what looks like major redevelopment work. Greens had just been heavily spiked (read tramlines) so couldn't say how they would play when in good condition, but they are mostly small and undulating and looked like they could be reasonably fast.
Cheap, cheerful but a bit tatty. Worth a go.
by Tim Hawkins on 12th April 2007Doesn't score particularly well but don't let that put you off, it's a municipal course in a built up area, cheep and cheerful if a bit tatty. Considering this it's generally in decent condition during the summer but mostly temporary greens, muddy fairways and lots of leaf litter in winter.
Reasonably wide fairways but lots of trees make going off line a nightmare. No real stand out holes, but a pretty easy walk and ideal for an after work game. Selection of pick up balls always available from local urchins in exchange for cash or ciggies.
by Tim Hawkins on 12th March 2007I play here quite a lot (on the 18 hole Manor) and it's quite challenging. Plays very long for a high handicapper with a few cardiac challenging holes.
Never known it to be closed throughout the winter (except after snowfall) and only ever had one temporary green (the sunken 15th) and considering the use it gets is in amazing condition. Greens are mostly big and flat, a bit bumpy in winter, but very consistent throughout the year. No particularly outstanding holes, inconveniently placed water, especially on the 5th, 8th, 10th and 18th.
Pay as you play course with no membership means it can be busy at weekends and course etiquete is stretched sometimes.
Good driving range (auto-tees, grass area and bunker) and good beer and food in the spike bar. Restaurants are also very good.
Can be slightly off-putting when a large wedding party starts to take interest in shots to the 9th green, but I suppose it's the nearest thing to a gallery I'll ever get to play in front of.
by Tim Hawkins on 12th March 2007Played here with a member recently after a long period of wet weather, muddy but not too waterlogged, still had to play off tees from the fairways which was odd.
The course itself is very picturesque, hilly and in very good condition. The greens were fast considering the recent weather, very undulating and will be a real challenge when dry. Generally well laid out with a lot of tempting second shots to downhill greens. The 15th (Bills Revenge) very tricky and appears to have been built deliberately to foil my game. The 4th, 7th and 11th (and the 18th when they use the competition green) are dangerous temptresses. 7th made slightly more awkward because of the horse on the green.
A bit pricey, but a very good course which I will definately revisit in the summer.
by Tim Hawkins on 12th March 2007What can I say about Maywood? I was a member here in 1980 and the course hasn't progressed or matured since. I last played after a dry spell and the tee boxes and fairways were bone hard, the greens rough, variable over the course and scalped in places. It just isn't very well maintained, which is a shame.
If you play there, the first is hard work, the 4th is a tempting drive, but it gets a bit flat after that.
Not a very good review, take it with a pinch of salt and try it for yourself (on a 2 fore 1 if poss) and see what you think. I can't because I'm not very welcome anymore.The Course
Club Facilities and Services
by Tim Hawkins on 18th September 2006On paper a shortish course, but lots of changes of elevation make it pretty hard work. A municipal course kept in good condition despite it being a public park. Suffers from the lack of refinements, ball washers, yardage markers and the like and it can get very muddy. Having said that, I'm convinced that if this course was in private hands it would be one of the best in the country (but therefore inaccessable to most of us hackers). Try it, but take plenty of balls.
Overall rating
by Tim Hawkins on 27th June 2006Love this course, last played on a sunny Saturday evening. Well worth the £15 round. Very tricky for a 22 handicap duffer like me (although my brother, ex 14 handicap, shot 88!), especially with the rough rolled away from the greens, but the course is really well maintained.
A well kept secret.Overall rating
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In my bag
Driver : Ben Hogan Big Ben CS3 10.5 deg draw weighted
Sand Wedge : XKR200 Maraging heads with NS Pro 950GH steel
Pitching Wedge : XKR200 Maraging heads with NS Pro 950GH steel
Lob Wedge : MD Superstrong Players 60deg
Putter : Ram Zebra
3 wood : Ben Hogan Big Ben C455
5 wood : Ben Hogan Big Ben C455
Rescue Club : MD Golf Players Prolaunch
Bag : Skymax Concept MPB Standbag
Balls : Srixon AD333
Shoes : Footjoy AQL
Gloves : Footjoy Weathersof
by Tim Hawkins on 31st August 2008