Tim Hawkins (15.9)
Derbyshire, United Kingdom 
My Forum Posts and Comments
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My Reviews
Course review : Ramsdale Park Golf Centre
by Tim Hawkins on Dec 30 2011Excellent condition for the time of year (late Dec). Really enjoyable course
(Round played: 30-Dec-2011 - Score: 88 Handicap: 16.1)The Course
Course review : Kilton Forest Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Dec 11 2011Excellent layout although as a very public course the greens suffer quite a bit. Played early December and they were rough, but it looks like there is money being spent on it. It's actually a very good layout, but could do with a bit more danger.
Clubhouse is cosy and friendly.
(Round played: 10-Dec-2011 - Score: 88 Handicap: 16.1)The Course
Course review : Southwell Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Dec 3 2011Not a massive course, but with the high winds was a great test today. Front nine is very open with just enough water and OB's to keep you honest. Back nine is more parkland and a lot tighter. Fairways and tee boxes a bit rough, but the greens were absolutely superb for this time of year.
Great little course and very friendly members on the course and in the clubhouse.
(Round played: 03-Dec-2011 - Score: 89 Handicap: 16)Value for money
Course review : Flamborough Head Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Nov 10 2011Played this course a few times and really enjoyed it. It's perched on the cliffs on Flamborough head and as such is neither a links or a parkland course but a strange hybrid of the two, and all the better for it. Some spectacular holes and uses the prevailing wind as a defence as well as the usual bunkers. Both times I've played there the greens have been quick, if a little bumpy. Generally the course is well presented and well worth a visit if you're in the area.
Very friendly clubhouse and members. Possibly the best fish and chips I've had for lunch - ever.
Course review : Chevin Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Nov 10 2011Finally got to play this course last winter even though it's only a few miles from where I live. Not for the faint hearted or unfit! Starts off fairly flat and then climbs steeply to Everest like heights and then drops down again. Has got everything you could ask for in a course. Has got greens and tee boxes perched precariously on the sides of the hills, a huge par 3, long downhill par 4's where you can really open the shoulders and vicious sloping fairways. Home of possibly the nastiest little par 3 I've ever played, a tiny thin green - miss left and it's an impossibly steep chip down and miss right and you're 50 yards down in the valley! Brilliant.
Lovely clubhouse and really friendly pro-shop.
Course review : Wychwood Park Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Nov 10 2011Played this monster a few times, the pro describes it as challenging rather than hard! Rolls up and down through a gated housing estate and is generally well prepared. Greens can be rock hard in summer but are generally pretty good, difficult s they are mostly heavily bunkered. Feels very much a corporate course, a bit soulless but enjoyable with it's very own amen corner at 14, 15 and 16 - all tricky holes.
Have never managed to get round it in less than 5 hours though....
Course review : Heythrop Park Resort Golf
by Tim Hawkins on Nov 10 2011Strange place. Huge course with some lovely holes and some pretty dull ones. The first few are just back and forward, then some lovely holes that swoop around the water. The last 3 holes are fairly dull and the 18th is possibly one of the dullest I've played with it's only saving grace being the view to the country house directly ahead. Greens were good but the course suffered from water-logging in places.
Clubhouse appears to be made from a random collection of Portakabins, although the main hotel is spectacular.
Course review : Nottingham City Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Nov 7 2011A bit rough and ready and the first couple of holes have had work done which means that the right hand of the fairways are just rubble. However, for a municipal it's great value for money and a well laid out course with a good mix of long and short holes. Not the prettiest of courses but well worth it for a quick, cheap game.
Course review : Leeds Golf Centre (Wike Ridge)
by Tim Hawkins on Nov 7 2011Played the 12 hole and then the 18 hole in the afternoon. 12 hole is entertaining enough - especially the 65 yard (yes, just 65 yard) 10th which provided everyone with a great laugh.
18 hole course is just spectacular, great condition considering it's only a few years old. A couple of more years and it'll be serious competition for the nearby course. Great mix of holes although the first few holes are a bit backwards and forwards.
Course review : Sitwell Park Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Nov 7 2011Spectacular in places, a well laid out course with a great variation of holes in some rolling countryside. Generally well presented but a little boggy in places when we played. Lots of blind shots where course knowledge definitely helps. Greens were fast and true but the bunkers could have had a bit more sand in them. Certainly well worth a visit
Course review : Minchinhampton (New Course) Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Nov 7 2011Lucky enough to play both courses in a day with a member for a measly £25. Both are beautiful, well laid out and in excellent condition, only small gripe was that the greens had been spiked on the Avening so were a bit bumpy, but that's only compared to the Cherington which were fast and true.
Brilliant clubhouse, friendly people and an excellent breakfast. Can be a little trick to find...
Course review : Morley Hayes Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Nov 4 2011Tougher than it looks. Suffers a bit from the amount of traffic it gets but usually in pretty good condition all year round. Greens can be a bit bumpy and bunkers suffer after rain.
Course review : Bondhay Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Oct 13 2011Long (especially of the whites) and pretty tough - the prevailing wind is just as much a defence as the layout. Usually very good greens, although not the fastest in the area usually pretty true. Some superb holes, 9, 10 & 11 all with water in play. 18th is a real gem to finish as well.
Clubhouse is a bit tatty, but everyone is very friendly.
Well worth a look. Possibly the worst driving range in the UK though
Course review : Bradley Hall Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Oct 13 2011The conditions didn't help when we played here, drizzle turning to torrential rain towards the end and very strong winds made it a very tough course. Having said that the course was in really good condition, the greens were superb and apart from a bit of waterlogging on the last couple of holes stood up really well. And despite the rain they were fast and very true. The layout itself was good, lots of tricky hanging lies and risk and reward holes, I particularly liked the 13th where a long drive leaves a lovely 150 yard shot over a gully. Very difficult par 3 to finish as well.
Clubhouse was a lovely old place, with friendly staff. Only downside was maybe lack of practice facilities.
Definitely worth a visit in better weather
Course review : Marriott Forest of Arden Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Sep 14 2011Played here in a society day when we got a very good price, and this made it exceptional value for money. Played the Arden, marginally the better of the two courses. Some excellent holes and some OK but generally a better back 9. All the greens were in superb condition, not particularly fast but very true could pinged from a distance with some grab - considering it was August this was pretty good.
Loved the 8th and 18th par 3's both over water, and would have been a bit more enjoyable if I could have got the driver to work!
Usual eye-watering prices from a Marriot clubhouse. Top tip though, the bacon rolls from the halfway house (just a stones throw from the clubhouse) are half the price!
Course review : Frodsham Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Sep 20 2010Had a matchplay competition here, mid-September and the weather could have been better - showery and overcast. The course, however, was in great condition, despite the recent rain.
Much more undulating than I imagined, the course has been sculptured into the landscape really well and the vantage point from the clubhouse means you can see quite a bit of the course with a drink afterwards.
Starts off with a couple of relatively simple holes to uphill greens - until you actually get up onto the second and the you're faced with a humped putting surface where (with our pin position) an over-hit put will end up off the fringe. And that trend continues, with a mix of huge and tiny greens, all of which were fast (slowed with a bit of rain towards the end), true but with vicious and sometimes unreadable breaks.
Stand out holes for me were the 4th (blind shot over the trees for the right hand dog-leg), 7th (lovely tempting green well below the fairway but with a nasty slope back to front), 16th (a 200+ yard carry over the ravine will leave a short iron to the green below - don't cut the corner and you can't even see the target!) and the spectacular 18th (two good woods and you've got a downhill lie and a pond to carry to hit the green for your 3rd).
All in all a very good course, well worth a visit.
Course review : Tapton Park Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Jun 10 2010Played Tapton Park for the first time last night during a rare break in this years July rain. What a cracking course! The work on the greens that previous reviews mentioned has really paid off, very receptive, true running and pretty fast given the conditions - but don't expect any easy putts because they are cunningly contoured. The course itself is a mixture of traditional parkland and heathland type holes, some massive par 3's and short, tricky par 4's. Not easy to plot your way round for the first time so playing with someone with a bit of course knowledge is helpful. Try and score well on the first 3 holes, they lull you into a false sense of security!
Course review : Chapel-en-le-Frith Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Sep 10 2009Played here in an open competition recently and the course was in excellent condition despite having heavy rain in the preceding week - so much so that the course was closed for a couple of days.
Very much a course of two halves - the newer front nine (across the road) runs beside a reservoir and is gently rolling, the back nine flatter. The front nine has some of the nicest scenery I've come across on a course.
Front nine calls for accuracy and in some cases distance too, the 4th (sharp dog-leg left) being a great example. Back nine is more open with a bit more of a margin for error except on the fiendish 14th with a tiny green hidden behind a pond.
Overall the course was beautifully presented, good tee boxes (because we were off the whites?), tight fairways and soft but fast, true greens. Only minor gripe would be the margins of some of the bunkers which looked a bit tatty. Great clubhouse, good chips and very friendly staff made the whole experience thoroughly enjoyable.
Course review : Beauchief Municipal Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Aug 4 2009Looked stunning when we played there at the start of August, although out on the course it was a bit boggy in places but nothing compared to some courses that have had the same amount of rain in the preceding few days. It swoops up and down through some stunning scenery on the outskirts of Sheffield, the first doesn't look too bad from the tee but a second shot from the bottom of the valley may leave you in need of oxygen by the time you reach the top.
Fairways and tee boxes were in generally good nick, but the greens were variable in speed, which along with some subtle (and not so subtle) breaks made putting extremely difficult. Lots of par 3's, the 4th is particularly good, but some were in my opinion just too long (15th @ 191yds & 9th @223yds!) but only one par 5.
Looked packed when we arrived but that didn't seem to hold us up too much.
A particularly good example of a well run and well supported municipal.
Course review : Foxhills Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Jun 13 2009First time playing in Surrey and was blown away by this course. The experience was slighty tempered by downpours just before and during the round, some of the greens had large areas of standing water but this quickly cleared.
Had been warned that the Longcross was tight, but I didn't find it too bad if I was straight off the tee. The course sweeps up and down with mature tree lined fairways, immaculately manicured up to some of the biggest and best greens I've ever played (despite the water).
No real stand out holes, they're all pretty good, although I loved the feeling of hitting the green on the 200yd par 3 16th, off an elevated tee to a huge putting surface.
Brilliant course.
Course review : Conwy (Caernarvonshire) Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Mar 17 2009My first ever links course, looks benign from the comfortable clubhouse especially on a sunny(ish) day in Winter. Once out on the track you'll soon realise that the course has two ways of protecting itself, the prevailing wind and the small, vicious pot bunkers that litter the fairways like a WW1 battlefield. The course was in tip top condition considering the time of year - tight, well kept fairways, wispy rough and fast, true greens.
Well worth a visit, take some warm clothing and enjoy it.
Course review : The Nottinghamshire Golf & Country Club
by Tim Hawkins on Dec 31 2008Not the most polished of courses (the Open) but a fair test of accuracy and and plenty of opportunities to pick up a decent score. Doesn't play long but the percentage game is rewarded. Considering the time of year (end of Dec) the course was in good condition, but a lot of work building new tees meant that a couple of temporary tees were in use. Didn't really effect the course and all the greens were in play, albeit a bit on the bumpy side, and could take a shot.
Just as well we got off early (just pre-dawn!) because it was packed later.
Course review : The Belfry Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Nov 29 2008Well what can I say about the Belfry. Spiritual home of golf in England and it feels like it when you turn up. Certainly doesn't have the feel of a big corporate venue although it is, staff very friendly and helpful and the PGA National was in good condition considering the time of year (but for £20 on a 2 fore 1 - amazing) but still a huge cut above the big chain offerings. PGA is a links style course, blind tee shots, huge bunkers and sculptured greens and a real test of accuracy. Most of the fairways are lined with banks (for spectators) which means a stray tee shot is not lost but will result in an awkward shot. Greens are jealously guarded with steep bunkers (which I found with monotonous regularity). Greens are as good as expected, not particularly quick or responsive to breaks because of the moisture but true.
At times it feels a bit like you against the course, the feel of the place gives off it's own buzz, you need to be a real iceman not to be affected by it.
Course review : College Pines Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Nov 12 2008Well kept but rather busy course, drains beautifully and lives up to it's hype about it being the only all weather course in the area. No temp tees or greens despite heavy preceding rainfall and only the occasional fairway puddle.
The layout is well thought out, good mix of long and short holes with a choice of shots on most holes (gung-ho or percentage). Greens were true, soft and a good size, one shared green which makes for some interesting putting if you hit the wrong side!
Welcoming and friendly staff, the only gripe is the amount of 5 balls allowed, doesn't make for a speedy round but it didn't hold us up too much.
Course review : De Vere Mottram Hall Hotel Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Nov 6 2008Course of two halves, the front nine is reasonably flat but the back nine goes up and down a bit more. Quite an easy course to walk. In pretty good condition considering the amount of rain in previous days, small patches of waterlogged ground but nothing worse. Fairly wide fairways so quite forgiving off the tee, but the main rough was torturous - get a ball in there and basically forget it. Water on a few holes (3rd & 15th) makes for a bit more interest, and the 17th I found particularly tough. Greens were soft, so easy to stop on, but they were true - not particularly fast - but reliable.
Course review : Marriott St Pierre Hotel & Country Club
by Tim Hawkins on Oct 28 2008Played the Old Course one day and the Mathern the next on an October Golfbreak.
We were the first group out on the Old Course after the Celtic Pro tour players went off so the course was in pretty sparkling condition but the weather, unfortunately, wasn't so good. Not as stiff a test as I expected, but well laid out and not just a test of power - although the occasional big drive is useful. Two temporary greens are still in use with the new greens nearly ready behind them, but they were up to the same standard as the permanent ones. Well drained so the occasional downpour effected putting, but generally the greens were big and true. Liked the 10th, a tricky 2nd shot into a water flanked green. 18th was a monster - 236yd par 3 - just out of my range but fun.
Mathern is flatter and tighter but suffered much more from standing water, especially after the torrential downpour and hail at the turn. Greens are smaller and not as good as the Old Course, a bit of a lottery when putting. Fairways are less well defined but still in pretty good condition considering.
Hotel is comfortable enough, but typical Marriot bar prices - although the food was much better than in previous visits to this chains eaterys.
Course review : South Winchester Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Oct 23 2008Very difficult course to play when it's windy! Well laid out, feels long but not too difficult to walk. Firm, tight fairways - hellish wispy rough and decent sized, true, fast greens.
Standout holes are the 9th and 18th, 2nd or 3rd shot over water towards the clubhouse. Difficult enough without being on a steep downhill lie as I was!
Helpfull friendly clubhouse staff and nice cold beer!
Course review : Ombersley Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Oct 23 2008Played here for the first time in a charity competition and must say I was quite impressed. Interesting and quite short, no booming power par 5's but a course to plot around - difficult in some respects for a first timer coupled as a lot of tee shots are blind, especially the 17th par 3. Some holes were difficult to judge because of a strange lack of perspective(?)
Overall in good condition considering the time of year, greens weren't fast but true enough. Fairways were firm and well defined with a good first cut and horrible rough. Liked the par 3's on the back 9 and beware of the water on the 18th, it's a lot bigger than it looks from the fairway!
Clubhouse was friendly and reasonably priced, did a good breakfast and the evening meal was pretty decent.
Well worth a try.
Course review : Patshull Park Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Aug 31 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.
Course review : Gloucester Hotel Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Aug 31 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!
Course review : Abbotsley Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Aug 31 2008Part of the Crown golf group, but doesn't feel too corporate. Makes good use of the terrain and tree lined fairways ranging from very wide to narow make accuracy pretty important here. Going in the trees doesn't necessarily mean a lost ball, but more usually a knock out sideways. The course was in pretty good condition overall with well defined, smooth fairways. Bunkers off the tee didn't seem to be set up to catch 200-220yd drivers. The greens were true, not particularly fast but were a strange lurid astroturf like green!
Wouldn't hestitate to go back, in all a very enjoyable test of golf.
Course review : West Midlands Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Jul 27 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.
Course review : Crookhill Park Municipal Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Jun 25 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 value
Course review : Marriott Hollins Hall Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Jun 11 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.
Course review : De Vere Belton Woods - Lakes Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Jun 1 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.
Course review : Uttoxeter Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Jun 1 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...
Equipment review : AD333
by Tim Hawkins on Apr 23 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.
Equipment review : Superstrong Players
by Tim Hawkins on Apr 8 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.
Course review : Donnington Grove Country Club
by Tim Hawkins on Mar 3 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.
Course review : Chilwell Manor Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Feb 8 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.
Course review : Marriott Breadsall Priory Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Dec 12 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.
Course review : Gosfield Lake Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Oct 29 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.
Course review : Sinfin
by Tim Hawkins on Oct 29 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.
Course review : De Vere Venues Staverton Park
by Tim Hawkins on Oct 29 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.
Course review : Ramsdale Park Golf Centre
by Tim Hawkins on Oct 29 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!
Course review : Hellidon Lakes Golf & Country Club
by Tim Hawkins on Oct 29 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.
Course review : Ormonde Fields Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Oct 25 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.
Course review : Horsley Lodge Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Sep 8 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.
Course review : Trent Lock Golf Centre
by Tim Hawkins on Aug 29 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
Course review : De Vere Venues Wokefield Park
by Tim Hawkins on Jun 25 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.
Course review : Breedon Priory Golf Centre
by Tim Hawkins on Jun 25 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.
Equipment review : Big Ben C455 5 Wood
by Tim Hawkins on Jun 13 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.
Equipment review : Superstrong
by Tim Hawkins on Jun 11 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
Equipment review : Big Ben CS3
by Tim Hawkins on May 8 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.
Course review : Grassmoor Golf Centre
by Tim Hawkins on Apr 23 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.
Course review : Derby Sinfin Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Apr 12 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.
Course review : Morley Hayes Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Mar 12 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.
Course review : Horsley Lodge Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Mar 12 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.
Course review : Maywood Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Mar 12 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
Course review : Allestree Park Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Sep 18 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.
Course review : Morley Hayes Golf Club
by Tim Hawkins on Jun 27 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.
by Tim Hawkins on Jan 16 2012