Twisted Stone Golf Club

Having played here as Traditions in the past, it's a shame what has happened to this course. Luckily the new manager, Gary, was telling us about the upgrade they were going to undertake through the Winter to make improvements. Don't get me wrong, it's still perfectly playable and a nice round but with a bit of TLC it will be super for all handicaps and I would recommend it. Fairways were a little sparse in places but the greens were in great condition and a real challenge. Plenty of water to test you as well. Ideal for a society day and good clubhouse facilities. Definitely worth a visit.

A lovely parkland/woodland course that Crown Golf did not maintain properly, did not invest money during their lease. The course is now back in the hands of its original owner (who also owns Pyrford) and he is going to restore TWISTED STONE to its former glory. Very similar story to Cottesmore, near Gatwick.

The course is a little gem near Woking, Surrey, but the neglect over the last few years is very apparent: tees boxes, fairways, greens and bunkers need to be resurrected. One can still enjoy a game if one is not scared of losing a few golf balls, between us 3 we lost about 2 dozens I think....

A Peter Allis designed course (opened in 1999) so expect a well designed course with a strong challenge. Every hole will get you plotting your way, lots of water, ditches, long carry over "wild areas" which must be avoid for obvious reasons, Some narrow holes borders by beautiful trees, at one point one get a glimpse of the Basingstoke canal & Marina, so not surprised to find so much water on the course. No hole resemble another, water comes into play on 13 holes I think, there are purposed built mounts in places, lots of diverse trees and wildlife in the woodlands.

A few favourite holes:

6th, short Par 3, water on the left to a slightly raised green with a deceiving/protruding arm of the adjoining stream, which cannot be seen from the Tee box.

8th, Par 4, slightly dog led left, sloping downhill with another sort of hidden stream before the green which is raised.

18th, sort Par 4, very technical. Lovely finishing hole: tee over a large pond, a huge wooden bank in the distance, preceded by a stream to an upper level for the fairway to the green guarded by a large bunker on the right and at the back a massive pond with a fountain which also comes into play on the 10th.

We had an early Tee time on a sunny Sunday morning, we were offered a reduction on the normal green fees, understandable in view the conditions & Norin F. using her European negotiation skills, maybe she could be an advisor to Mrs May/Mr Barnier....
The course was quite wet underfoot, making shots from the rough very tricky if you found your ball.

Warm and friendly reception in Proshop and Clubhouse alike.. Twisted Stone is starting to rebuild its membership and slowly visitors will return to this lovely challenging course. One can order a delicious and very reasonable sausage or bacon and egg bap from the 8th hole for collection on the way to the 10th (and a toilet stop, no ECO LOO on this course but lots of trees though.....)

I remember playing this course when I was quite new to TSG. David S. has organised a winter game and I remember finishing in the nearly dark with snow starting to fall and our feet and fingers started to freeze.........

For information:
Pyrford GC, sort of next door, is still under Crown golf but will eventually return to its owner.


THE END....
Brigitte

This is a nice course which is maturing well. It does suffer from drainage issues in the wet. However after a dry spell the fairways were in nice condition. The let down however were the bunkers, they were well positioned but had little to no sand. What was there was compacted, hardened and stony. There are some really nice eand testing holes and would like to play there again (when the bunkers are refilled)

Players course. Need to plot your way around.

Surprisingly quiet for a Friday (it is half term).
Course seems in good condition, a bit boggy in places due to recent melted snow. Greens quite good for this time of year.

Some of the greens had been scarified and nobody told us. The first was in a shocking state. The course was very waterlogged on a lot of holes, despite there not having been much rain? Had heard they had made some drainage improvements here, but no evidence of that, yet they had increased the price. Won't be going back, which is a shame, as there are some interesting holes on here, especially like the par fives and strategically placed water on a number of holes makes for a good challenge.