Derby

Hi Guys,

Anyone from derby who fancies a round contact me [email protected] or leave a msg on here, im relativly new playing off 26 - 28 depending on the hangover

Paul

I'll probably be up for a round or two when it gets a bit warmer. Any reason you play out at Ratcliffe? Lots of good courses in and around Derby depending on how fit you are (or think you are in the case of Allestree)Tim

I'm in Draycott, couple of miles from Trent Lock. Mostly play at Morley Hayes but do Trent Lock, Allestree, Sinfin and Maywood (before being blackballed) for a change. Only do 18 holers now , only 9 hole I've don't in recent years is Bramcote Hills

Sinfin is OK, but depends on a number of factors.  It's cheap, being a municipal especially if you have a central Derby postcode when you get a discount.  Major drawbacks are that it can be a bit tatty, concrete like bunkers and forget proper greens anytime during the winter, they'll be waterlogged.  You also have to keep your eye on any long drives because they can be nicked by the local kids.  Having said that I bought a couple of Pro-V's off a kid for 50p (but beware, the little buggers know their stuff and know which balls are worth what).  On the plus side it's flat and long but not dull with undulating fairways that make second shots interesting.  Lots of trees and nasty hazards.  In the summer it's a good test.

Now Allestree is something else.  Again a municipal but generally in better condition than Sinfin, slightly confusing layout but a true test of stamina.  I've said it before, but if Allestree was in private hands it would be in the top 10 courses in the country (but us mere mortals would probably not be allowed on it).  It has got some beatiful, challenging holes, a hit and hope par 3 blind over a tree, and the greens are usually in pretty good nick.  Gets crowded at weekends and playing ettiquete is a bit hit and miss, once saw a father and three small, snotty kids doing a round complete with baby buggy doubling as a golf cart.

Overall both decent courses in their own way, but don't expect too much in other facilities.  Both better in condition and presentation, I would add, than certain private courses in the area (just because I've been blackballed from it for criticising the course).

Can't make 27th of March am afraid but it seems we have enough Derbyish golfers for a mini Derbyish competition! How about Sat 21st April at Allestree?

Completely agree with Tim H's comments re Sinfin and Allestree. Sinfin in Summer can be quite a laugh (but not if you tend to hit right as at least 6 of the holes have out of bounds in that direction). Allestree is an excellent challenge with possibly 6 or 7 holes that would qualify as "signatures" on other courses.