English Golfapoloosa

[FLOG4]

Just got back from 11 round in 10 day trip to mostly SW England. Have never traveled over there this time of year. Had a few buds go this time last few years and they would rave about weather. So off I went with just one good bud. 11 rounds and not a drop of rain. Average was 55 degrees with 15mph winds...Wore shorts about half the rounds and ski cap almost all rounds. Just a fabulous trip. The area we covered mostly is a vacation spot for Londoners. So off season mostly except it was a bank holiday last weekend in Porthcawl. The courses...

Burnham and Berrow- It is on way from London to the SW...Just a great course quite hilly with a few blind shots.

Saunton East/West- One of our 2 days 36. Nice that carts available for 2nd round. Overall we walked 10 of 11 and bag on back for 9 of those for me. Saunton very nice. East rates higher but both quite good as they gently meander thru small hills valleys. Very dynamic membership. The place was packed on a Monday.

Royal North Devon- Westward Ho....Oldest club in England. Had great expectations here. Nice but not special. A few great holes. Many that navigate marsh grass which defines the routes.

Trevose- Classic Colt course which feels new. Course has very nice conditions almost depicting non links. Massive dunes next door and great views on crashing waves on rocky terrain near by.

Perranporth- This is the diamond in rough...Crazy nice. Crazy blind hilly and a big walk. 7 blind teeballs. Massive hills and fantastic views of village and beach as this sits atop about a 500 foot hill overlooking.

St Enodoc- This was the magnet which drew me to this area. And it did not disappoint. Wow. Special place with many great holes. Must play.

Royal Porthcawl-Two Sr British Opens here in past 5 years. This place is special. True championship seaside links with many great holes. Fantastic little town with great restaurants.

Pennard-One of Tom Doak favorite places...Mine too now. Called Links in Sky. Special views sits atop hill. electric fences to protect greens from cows that roam. Fabulous course.

Sunningdale Old/New- Our last day with 36 and two courses ranked in top 50 of world. Just special place. This was the biggest expense place but well worth it. Possibly best 36 hole club in the world. Dynamite use of heather to define playing areas. Mild hills/valleys. Perfect conditioning.

Only 3 of the rounds were over $100. All told just over $100 average per round. 

Eng pix.zip 

[dennyjones]

Very cool.   Thanks for sharing.

I believe everyone would enjoy seeing your pics instead of having them in a .zip file.   You can just upload them here.

Edited May 12, 2019 by dennyjones

[FLOG4]

[Herkimer]

Wow!  What a great trip.  I'd love to do the same one day.  From what I've seen in pictures and videos, England has some of the greatest courses -- even public courses.  

[FLOG4]

2 minutes ago, Herkimer said:

Wow!  What a great trip.  I'd love to do the same one day.  From what I've seen in pictures and videos, England has some of the greatest courses -- even public courses.  

Even their very private places allow outside play. If you did the trip described and eliminated just Sunningdale which was about $500 for the day. You could play the other 9 for about $800. I have done 20 trips to British Isles...There are several spots where you can get great value. SW England and S Wales are both great rotations at good value. 

[iSank]

Very cool trip! Thats some fun looking holes in the foto’s, thank you for sharing. 

[FLOG4]

[pganapathy]

If you could let us know what each course cost, it would be helpful in planning any future itinerary, as budget is sometimes a consideration.

Out of curiousity, where did you stay.  Was it always in the same place and commute for the games, or was it in the place where you were playing

[FLOG4]

7 minutes ago, pganapathy said:

If you could let us know what each course cost, it would be helpful in planning any future itinerary, as budget is sometimes a consideration.

Out of curiousity, where did you stay.  Was it always in the same place and commute for the games, or was it in the place where you were playing

It would not be prudent to stay in one spot for this itinerary. I broke it down to 3 spots. From Heathrow first day played Burnham&Berrow about $100 US to play. Then made way to Seagate in Appledore...Pub/Hotel about $100 a room a night..If do double 1/2 of that. Was there 3 nights from there played Royal North Devon again about $100. Saunton East and West day for 36 about $120. Then made way to Molesworth Arms pub/hotel about $80 a night. played Trevose $90, Perranporth $60, and St Enodoc $100. Then spun up around bend to play Royal Porthcawl $200, Pennard $70, stayed at Fairways in Porthcawl. Last rounds at Sunningdale which both ranked in top 50 of world....$500 for 2 rounds. There is a great golf tour company called Countrywide which has great packages. I used them to set up.www.countrywidegolfholidays.com