Joining a new golf club

[The Timekeeper]

I am a member at Cottesmore Golf Club between Horsham and Pease Pottage, and have been for a few years now. They were owned by American Golf and last year were aquired By Crown golf. They have put the renewal fee up this year by 20% from £870 to £1040. This increase is way above the normal of about 2-3% and has pissed me and a number of members right off. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good golf club to join at a reasonable price - Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 2719]

How far would you travel and are you looking for a heathland or parkland course?

 

[The Timekeeper]

How far would you travel and are you looking for a heathland or parkland course?

Don't want to travel too far, would prefer parkland course.

 

[Bakesy]

I am a member at Cottesmore Golf Club between Horsham and Pease Pottage, and have been for a few years now. They were owned by American Golf and last year were aquired By Crown golf. They have put the renewal fee up this year by 20% from £870 to £1040. This increase is way above the normal of about 2-3% and has pissed me and a number of members right off. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good golf club to join at a reasonable price - Thanks.

Copthorne, Mannings Heath, Seaford(Blatchington),Worthing,.........to be honest, you probably know about all the courses any way.
Eastbourne has 3 good courses too, but probably further than you'd want to travel on a regular basis.

I had a couple of really enjoyable society days at Cottesmore, and after a downpour at lunchtime i remember the buggys being great fun in the afternoon. Colin McRae eat your heart out....

 

[Bakesy]

What about Chartham Park at East Grinstead......that is a gem, with sand based greens built on an american design.

 

[Deleted member 2719]

Wildwood maybe on the A281 at alfold it use to suffer from waterlogging during winter months but i think they have sorted that or maybe Rookwood ?


Sorry it's a bit out of my area if you wanted Guilford way i could be more helpful.

 

[Jello]

Gatton Manor is a great course, Manings Heath has 2 good courses but expensive and the members are twats. I hear Wildwoods better than it used to be but not played for couple of years.
If I was joining a club I'd go for one that has 2 courses but it all depends on your budget and location really

 

[tedebear]

typical - get yourself on the board of directors of the club and sort it out.....although in my experience once people get on the board - they want the fees increased anyhow.... makes the bar quieter and more personal on a Sat night

 

[Legend]

I played Ifield last summer. Good challenging course.

 

[chez]

Not far down the road is Hassocks, a lovely little course.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

Not far down the road is Hassocks, a lovely little course.

I haven't played Hassocks for about 8 years but my memory was of a featureless field with up and down fairways - green-fee golf. Pyecombe just down he road was miles better.

Around Cottesmore area - Mannings Heath was a very enjoyable course (but expensive green fees) - Slinfold was nice too if you don't mind water hazzards.

 

[Deleted User X18H]

Hollngbury and Waterhall are a bargain 450 quid for both I do love the Griffen course at Cottesmore though.

 

[chez]

I haven't played Hassocks for about 8 years but my memory was of a featureless field with up and down fairways - green-fee golf. Pyecombe just down he road was miles better.

Around Cottesmore area - Mannings Heath was a very enjoyable course (but expensive green fees) - Slinfold was nice too if you don't mind water hazzards.

Not a great deal of detail to it granted, but the greens are excellently kept and there are enough hazards etc to keep you interested.

 

[chez]

Hollngbury and Waterhall are a bargain 450 quid for both I do love the Griffen course at Cottesmore though.

Yeah that is a good price. I havent played Hollingbury but I do like most of Waterhall - the furthest away holes seem to have a severe problem with rabbits though. Not forgetting the 8th hole is it,where you tee off on top of the hill and the green is over on the next "mountain" along. If you dont green it with your tee shot your in deep shit!!!

 

[chez]

Talking of golf courses, has anyone played Seaford Head? The 18th tee has to be the best view from a golf course in person or on TV that I've ever seen. Absolutley breathtaking. Have to play there again soon.

 

[Jesus Gul]

Rookwood is quite an enjoyable track considering it's a municipal. Other gems in N Sussex - Mannings (obviously), Copthorne, Crowborough, Ashdown Forest. Holtye (9 holer) would be my choice as i rarely have time for a full 18 and was a very happy member of Brighton and Hove before moving away.

 

[Bakesy]

Talking of golf courses, has anyone played Seaford Head? The 18th tee has to be the best view from a golf course in person or on TV that I've ever seen. Absolutley breathtaking. Have to play there again soon.

I was a member there for 10 years, a lovely little course, but too short.
If there was any way it could be lengthened to over 6000 yards it would be a gem.
And as you say, that view from the 18th tee is amazing......

 

[Jello]

Hassocks is OK but gets wet and as its cheap to tend to get a few hackers who know nothing about etiquette.

Never played Pyecombe as non members can't play till after mid day at weekends, bit pricey but cabn't comment as never played it.

Hollingbury, it's on common land so tend to get lots of dog walkers wandering around and getting in the way, plus dog shit everywhere.

Waterhall, played a few times but it would be just too hilly for me to join. Gets affected by fog and gets boggy.

And the 18th at Seaford is great, its like smacking a driver of the edge of a cliff, but a short course.

I guess it all depends on how much you play and what your after.

I like the Griffen at Cottersmore but the other course (Phoenix) is dull, if I was paying my money I'd want 2 good courses for a bit of variation.

 

[Gully]

I know next to nothing about golf (apart from driving one), so probably not the best person to offer advice, but there is also a course at West Chiltington (near Storrington) that you might consider. It was built and run initially by Brian Barnes and his father in law (who was a better golfer but his name escapes me, might have been something like Ben Hogan), they wanted to create something without the snobbery and costs of many golf clubs which I think was aimed at the West Sussex GC in nearby Pulborough.

Might be worth checking out.

 

[Norman Baker suck my lozenge]

hassocks,about 550 quid,Hollingbury aint bad,you get membership to devils dyke in with that.