Golf Forums - The Belfry

I recent booked a weekend at The Belfry, with a friend. On arriving we commented on how congested the car park was and discussed the fact that we may be paired up with another 2 ball. After checking in and warming up we made our way eagerly to the starter at The Brabazon. I should inform that this was the first time we had managed to get on The Brabazon having played the PGA numerous times. The starter informed us that indeed we would be paired up. We were paired up with a friendly couple. We exchanged the usual pleasantries and prepared to tee off. My mate and me whacked 250 plus drives down the middle. The husband scudded one to the left about 100 yards. His wife after missing the ball 3 times hit one to the left about 30 yards. Anyway, 16 shots later we got to address our balls. Needless to say this style of play continued. The wife dropped out at the 10th, the husband continued till the end. The day was a total waste of time, the round took 5 plus hrs and involved numerous visits from course rangers encouraging us to speed up and even nearly ended in a punch up with the four ball behind us. It was disappointing to be subject of the fact that the people running this establishment are only interested in packing as many people on the course without checking abilities or handicaps. The next day we played the PGA with 2 golfers of similar handicaps and the trip was redeemed.

You brave boy I would told them to just play on their own that way they could enjoy each others company more.

 I played on the 14th August, and during play was told that we had to walk a hole to catch the group up in front, never mind that the group behind us was a complete hole back, the marshal told us he was only doing what he was told. For £140 a round you can play some good courses, and get a lot better service,

we also stayed over, again the service and the rooms all seem very tired. We made our feelings known and have been offered a free stay with breakfast, with out playing golf, I cant think of a reason to stop there without playing golf, and to have to play and be chased by marshalls,ike that again,  is not what golf is about. This company only wants your money, never mind what it says on their web site, I would strongly recommend, any one who is considering going thinks again.

v

-- 26/08/2008 09:59:42: post edited by TheSocialGolfer .

Always a bit late in hinsight but why didn't you just ask them if you could go off on your own once started.                                                It probably spoilt the day for all four of you - especially the lady who had to come off...She paid just as much as anyone else?

We all need to be patient of the higher handicappers and if you both hit 250 down the middle both the other two - who were probably just as unimpressed as you - were probably very nervous that they needed to keep up (which will have made things worse for them)

I agree the Belfry is very dated we stayed in the room above the clock by the 18th green (we loved it as the history of the room made it a great golfing holiday) But each to their own experiences - shame yours wasn't so great. (or the other two).

But as I said fine in hind sight but perhaps something to think of for the future...

Kevin

Some great points Kevin. I suppose we all started somewhere, and your totally right, their money was as good as mine, We just thought the requesting of handicaps (by the firm organising the trip) was to restrict this sort of thing happening.

By the way I've stayed inthat room, on a previous trip!

Buddy

Oh well perhaps next time book up Wentworth or St Andrews ~ (Although I wasn't that impressed with St Andrews when I went there earlier this year - seemed a lot of Hype about very little.. The golf shops were certainly a rip off.

I agree that some of the clubs ought to put like minded / same handicappers out (when you are on say a golfing holiday like yourself) it would make sense so that everyone enjoys the same standard. But flip the coin and you get the otherside where, how do higher handicappers get inspiration if we don't see some of those great shots? I saw Tiger last year and it set my game back years (thought I could hit like him) All I did was to get more frustrated at the trouble it got me into. lol.

Hopefully your next outing will be better.

All the best

Kevin

I have just put up a post stating that I would be booking a break at the Belfry around April of next year.

This is the first time I've heard any complaints about the place.

In this particular case you two should have played on once you had got out of sight of the starter.  That way you would have enjoyed your round of golf and they would probably enjoyed their round of golf better.  The course marshalls would then have only chased the other two and not you two.

Russ

Yep...the Belfry pretend to be a serious venue, but all they want is your cash!

Any marshall worth their salt should have sussed what was going on and diverted th poor couple to the Derby Course/Academy!

I.m going again in March 09, I hope there's nobody there to nick my stuff.