Associate
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You can hire clubs are a lot of driving ranges so I'd maybe start there and see what you think. Better than splurging out on clubs to find out it's not for you.
Golf Thread
- Thread starter Andr3w
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Good point, i'm going to do that now. I've found a local range that gives lessons and it seems reasonably priced. I'll let you know how it goes.
Thanks
Rich
Soldato
Should you be enticed enough to play golf on a regular basis I would recommend booking a few lessons so you don’t pick up too many bad habits.
Absolute dross this morning, the worst I've played since the first round of the club champs back in July and at least back then I had the excuse of strong winds and driving rain. Opened up with three doubles and a triple (6666)! I was mounting something of a comeback on the back nine, 16pts through the 16th, before blowing up on 17 and 18 carding a pair of sevens. A shame as I'd made a lovely up and down from 40 yards in the rough on 16 to save par. There were a couple of highlights during the round. First was my driving where I had a couple out at 210y on the 5th and 14th which given the damp, heavy conditions were probably as long as any I've ever hit out on course. Second was my 8i on the par 3 15th, got to my ball to find the pitch mark a yard in front. Admittedly its an elevated tee into a green that slopes gently back to front but that's the first time I've ever spun an iron back 
Like a few others here I need to find some water proof shoes. My socks were soaking wet by half way round. Hopefully my shoes dry out by tomorrow morning.
Like a few others here I need to find some water proof shoes. My socks were soaking wet by half way round. Hopefully my shoes dry out by tomorrow morning.
Soldato
Find a local course and give them a call, a lot of places offer “get into golf” sessions, usually a few group lessons with clubs provided and the like, and usually pretty reasonably priced too
Took a trip to my local AG this morning to look for some shoes. Came away with these: https://www.americangolf.co.uk/golf...ml?dwvar_395819_variantimage=grey/black/black
Having been out this afternoon I can report they were both extremely comfortable and kept my feet dry Also treated myself to a range finder, Shot Scope Pro L2. Dead easy to use and very useful for checking out required carries, layup distances beyond just zapping pins.
Having been out this afternoon I can report they were both extremely comfortable and kept my feet dry
Also treated myself to a range finder, Shot Scope Pro L2. Dead easy to use and very useful for checking out required carries, layup distances beyond just zapping pins.
Took a trip to my local AG this morning to look for some shoes. Came away with these: https://www.americangolf.co.uk/golf-shoes/under-armour-mens-hovr-fade-2-wide-spikeless-golf-shoes-395819.html?dwvar_395819_variantimage=grey/black/black
Having been out this afternoon I can report they were both extremely comfortable and kept my feet dry
comfy shoes - had some previously.
Yeah - upgrade my Rangefinder to a Bushnell V6. Sold old ping 3 wood and couple of wedges to Affordable Golf - they give you 20% uplift over the cash. So net trade up was around £120.
Played last comp today - nothing special. Hadn't hit a ball in 2 weeks. Nice to get out but pretty much the end of the season now. Just play some stableford over the winter and see what course we come back to in the new year as they are planning to change lots of stuff..... Not looking forward to it personally.
Par 71 to Par 69, 6 par 3's..... All in the name of adding a driving range which no one wants.... The joys of being under local authority ownership...
Investment | Golf South Ayrshire
A new era for Belleisle Golf Course Golf South Ayrshire is excited to be working with the talented team at Pangaea Golf Architecture, in association with Paul Lawrie, on our course renovations. Belleisle Golf Course has a rich history – opened in 1927 and designed by one of the world’s most...
www.golfsouthayrshire.com
Sad to see if it goes ahead... A classic James Braid designed course....
All for investment in the course - irrigation/bunkers etc - but to change the layout, change holes, go to par 69.... Sad times as I've played the course for 35 years+.......
^ driving range will probably bring in extra income, help the long term stability of the course?
Edit: which seems to be their line of thinking looking at the planned renovations. And looking at those season ticket prices I don't think you can have much to complain about
Incredible value for money.
Edit: which seems to be their line of thinking looking at the planned renovations. And looking at those season ticket prices I don't think you can have much to complain about
Incredible value for money.
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^ driving range will probably bring in extra income, help the long term stability of the course?
Edit: which seems to be their line of thinking looking at the planned renovations. And looking at those season ticket prices I don't think you can have much to complain about
Value for money is decent with season ticket - no question.
The main issue is the small changes made last year to the course, by the same people who have been employed again, was supposed to take 6 weeks, took 14 weeks so 2 holes were unplayable for 14 weeks last year. With a project this big, scale those timescales up again and it could be months without a playable/handicap course.
But the driving range will have no netting and runs along side the new second hole (old 12th), no floodlights so redundant from 4pm in the winter, no toilets, and again, my favourite one...honestly not a lie....
No provision has been made for a ball machine/range balls.... The council planners expect people to use their own balls....
This came out in a public meeting 2 weeks ago...... They have not put in place any plans for ball machine, pick up of the said balls etc etc.
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Soldato
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That’s a lot of dumb going on.
Associate
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Are they maybe going to add a machine and range balls at some point down the line? If not, that's absolutely wild!Value for money is decent with season ticket - no question.
The main issue is the small changes made last year to the course, by the same people who have been employed again, was supposed to take 6 weeks, took 14 weeks so 2 holes were unplayable for 14 weeks last year. With a project this big, scale those timescales up again and it could be months without a playable/handicap course.
But the driving range will have no netting and runs along side the new second hole (old 12th), no floodlights so redundant from 4pm in the winter, no toilets, and again, my favourite one...honestly not a lie....
No provision has been made for a ball machine/range balls.... The council planners expect people to use their own balls....
This came out in a public meeting 2 weeks ago...... They have not put in place any plans for ball machine, pick up of the said balls etc etc.
Are they maybe going to add a machine and range balls at some point down the line? If not, that's absolutely wild!
crazy stuff indeed. FOI request also asked how much Paul Lawrie was getting paid to put his "name" to the redesign.... Confirmed that he has not seen the plans, visited the site, and it was simply a marketing name thrown on to make it seem more "valid"
Even the fact the current plans for the changes do NOT require any planning permission etc - However the second phase which includes the building of the driving range/bays etc DOES need planning permission.
Second phase is due next year after they apply for planning permission. However, they are making the new hole/clearing the trees for the driving range BEFORE they have even applied for planning. But I guess since you are applying to your own planning department for planning permission, it's a done deal...
Also there is a 40 bay trackman range at the Affordable Golf 15 minutes drive away.... Why would you go to a range with no flood lights, no trackman, no balls, no toilets....
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Associate
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Is it being marketed more as a warm-up range or an actual driving range? I could understand taking a a dozen or so crappy balls that you're happy to lose just to get somewhat of a warm-up.
I wouldn't be too sure on the planning permission bit. Fife Council applied for planning permission to build new sheds for grit/salt and to park the gritters right beside the M90 a few years ago, and it got rejected.
So Fife Council rejected Fife Council's request to build new Fife Council facilities on Fife Council owned land...
Associate
The practice range at Glenbervie used to be like that years ago with members hitting their own balls from both ends, it was a complete and utter free-for-all and tbh pretty dangerous as well.
They changed to a range dispenser and dedicated range balls and collection about 6 or 7 years ago and it's been a good success for the club, members pay a token fee £1.50 for 30 balls
They changed to a range dispenser and dedicated range balls and collection about 6 or 7 years ago and it's been a good success for the club, members pay a token fee £1.50 for 30 balls
yeah - A driving range (260 yards long i believe)....But again in the middle of the course with no nets... Health and safety nightmare....
South Ayrshire council owned so could be the same situation....
Currently going through a public consultation but all the changes (except the building of the bays/range) do NOT require planning. So they are going ahead with all the course changes, to fit the driving range/bays in, but are yet to apply for planning for the bays.... Doesn't make sense unless you feel it's a done deal.
Interesting times but my main concern is just that we won't have a measured/playable course for up to 2 years....They claim all the work will be done during winter 24 and winter 25, but that just won't happen. Building anything in the winter time on a golf course is just a bog most of the time.
Dropping to a par 69 feels wrong as well, from Par 71.
Soldato
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@booyaka look like your course was par 71 6490 yards which is a really good and pretty much exactly as mine.
What's the yardage going to be when they convert it to a Par 69?
What's the yardage going to be when they convert it to a Par 69?
down by around 250 yards.... But 6 par 3 will be part of the new course, including 3 of them over 200 yards from medal tees. I don't mind the yardage but considering a large number of season ticket holders are older ladies/gents and can't reach them already - what's the point in adding in another "new " 210 yard par 3....
Par 3's above 200 yards are my #1 hate on a golf course.
Think of the upside, one stellar round and you'll be able to say you've broken 70
This does appear poorly thought out from what you've said. You can't get to the other courses included in your season ticket while the work takes place?Think of the upside, one stellar round and you'll be able to say you've broken 70
I like the idea of breaking 70!!!
yeah - we can play 6 other course.... in reality 2 other courses in the Season ticket grouping are on a similar level of difficulty/par etc (other 3 or 4 are ones you would not want to play weekly!! not great but fine for a quick knock round)
The main issue is - they are already full to bursting with their own clubs/members etc - Booking times is hard enough on our own course, but then moving say 20/25 groups that regularly play/tee times to another course would be a disaster for them as well.....
I'm all for drainage / new bunkers / new tees / greens etc - and if that closes a few holes for 4-6-8 weeks span etc - I see the long term benefit in that. But to make changes to a course on the grounds of a driving range being added that no one has asked for, makes zero sense to me.
They've tried to build "golf academy/golf development centre" 3 times over the last 10-12 years at various places around here - every time it's been rejected..... Hoping that's the same this time....