Golfers Thread

[mynameisearl]

Has anyone used Castle Golf Range in Johnstone and if so is it any good? Looking for a new range as been using the one at Mearns Castle due to it being relatively nearby but it's pretty poor. Any suggestions for ranges located within a shortish drive from the southside of Glasgow or Paisley would be appreciated.

[IrishBhoy]

Has anyone used Castle Golf Range in Johnstone and if so is it any good? Looking for a new range as been using the one at Mearns Castle due to it being relatively nearby but it's pretty poor. Any suggestions for ranges located within a shortish drive from the southside of Glasgow or Paisley would be appreciated.

I've used it before. It's OK, quite dated. Downside is you are hitting on to an upslope so don't get a true distance of how far your hitting the ball.

World of Golf at Clydebank is only 5 minutes over the Erskine Bridge from Paisley, if you were looking for something more modern. 2 tiered driving range and an American golf built into it. Also has quite a large chipping area to the side if the range.

Edited January 29, 2014 by IrishBhoy

[mojito]

First gol trip of the new year is planned.

Making the stonking trip from fife to machrihanish. Hopefully we are treated to some nice weather down in Kintyre.

[Stevie Les]

First gol trip of the new year is planned.

Making the stonking trip from fife to machrihanish. Hopefully we are treated to some nice weather down in Kintyre.

Me too mate, early July me and the old man is going for his birthday. I don't know much about the course, but I know he is really excited about it so should be good.

[YHallSaint]

Played this morning for the first time this year. Played 9 at kingsfield and went round +4 so was more than happy. I'm still not happy with my putting and I seem to always go back to my ping zing putter which is about 20 years old but I've tried so many and none feel right. Needing a new 3 and 5 wood this year though as my old Taylor Made ones aren't working anymore, I tried a mizuno clk hybrid last year but didn't like it even though on the range I was hitting it sweetly I just couldn't get used to it on course. Gonna go up to american golf later on and hit a few and see what takes my fancy. Anyone with any reccomendtions? I use a Mizuno MP600 driver which I love but don't particularly like there fairway woods.

[mojito]

Me too mate, early July me and the old man is going for his birthday. I don't know much about the course, but I know he is really excited about it so should be good.

My first time playing the course but it looks fantastic.

The opening tee shot see's you teeing across the beach and water onto the fairway! Not the place to duff one of the first.

[AberdeenBud]

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/jan/29/royal-and-ancient-lasers-golf

Lasers approved by the R&A for amateurs.

[mynameisearl]

I've used it before. It's OK, quite dated. Downside is you are hitting on to an upslope so don't get a true distance of how far your hitting the ball.

World of Golf at Clydebank is only 5 minutes over the Erskine Bridge from Paisley, if you were looking for something more modern. 2 tiered driving range and an American golf built into it. Also has quite a large chipping area to the side if the range.

Cheers for the response. I don't know when you last used it but it seems to have had an upgrade last year. Think I'll give it a try.

I've used World of Golf in the past and it's a decent facility but with the Erskine Bridge works at the moment it'd be a bit of a pain trying to get there straight after work. I know it's open late but if I head home first by the time I let the rush hour traffic quieten and have dinner I'll not be bothered to head over there.

Played 9 at kingsfield

Is Kingsfield a decent wee course? There's a few of us got a voucher on Itison recently for it; 100 range balls and 18 holes plus 18 holes on the putting greens. £16pp but with their buy 3 get 1 free deal it worked out at £12 each.

[Stevie Les]

My first time playing the course but it looks fantastic.

The opening tee shot see's you teeing across the beach and water onto the fairway! Not the place to duff one of the first.

Oh dear. I am the biggest bottle merchant youll ever meet. Auld Man plays this to his advantage. I guarantee walking up to the tee I will hear, "whatever you do don't hit the beach" only one place its going after that. 1down after 1. Lovely.

[mojito]

Oh dear. I am the biggest bottle merchant youll ever meet. Auld Man plays this to his advantage. I guarantee walking up to the tee I will hear, "whatever you do don't hit the beach" only one place its going after that. 1down after 1. Lovely.

You'll be alright if the tides out, the beach is still in play.

It's likely to be blowing a gale when I play next week.

[bubbs33]

Machrihanish is 5 minutes from where I stay, great course. Opening hole was voted the best opening hole in the world a few years back. Not as daunting as it sounds and plenty room to bail out right.

If you're playing Machrihanish you should play Machrihanish dunes as well. New course opened about 5 years ago but was made the old fashioned way out of the existing land. It's longer and tougher than the original author tremendous course as well. Quite often special deals on green fees as well.

There's also dunaverty at Southend. Course is a lot easier but great to play and always in great nick.

[YHallSaint]

Is Kingsfield a decent wee course? There's a few of us got a voucher on Itison recently for it; 100 range balls and 18 holes plus 18 holes on the putting greens. £16pp but with their buy 3 get 1 free deal it worked out at £12 each.

Excellent wee course, always in great condition and pretty tricky. They've just added the new tees so 18 seems different as the two par 3's are 200 yards + and some of the par 4's are pretty tricky. I left deer park to join there as the driving range is good and they have plans for a par 3 9 hole course. No winter greens either. For £12pp you'll struggle to get better value for that anywhere, their isn't a bar though only downside

[mojito]

Machrihanish is 5 minutes from where I stay, great course. Opening hole was voted the best opening hole in the world a few years back. Not as daunting as it sounds and plenty room to bail out right.

If you're playing Machrihanish you should play Machrihanish dunes as well. New course opened about 5 years ago but was made the old fashioned way out of the existing land. It's longer and tougher than the original author tremendous course as well. Quite often special deals on green fees as well.

There's also dunaverty at Southend. Course is a lot easier but great to play and always in great nick.

Lucky man! Got some great courses round your way.

Next Sunday is just a day trip but the guys normally pull together a weekend away which normally takes in the dunes and Dunaverty.

[Nutz_the_Squirrel]

So, new year, new club for me having moved back to Ayrshire.

Looking forward to this season as I've finally started to hit the ball quite well and after many swing changes in 2013, I'm not looking at tweaking anything.

I've turned my slice into a draw and my driving has changed from being the worst to the best part of my game. I only hit around 230 carry but it should be enough, considering I'm just coming down from 20hcp. Was 28 this time last year, so progress is good.

I've finally worked out how to hit my irons perfect every time (i.e. no thins or fats) and it involves a slow and steady body swing rather than an armsy swing. It really has cost me some distance though- 130 yards with a 7 iron really won't cut the mustard. I have mega high-launching irons though. I'm seriously considering Rocketbladez as they are cheap, forgiving and the lofts are cranked so much that I'd be able to restore my ego. Thoughts appreciated.

I have no short game but have wisely spent time this month practising my chipping/pitching (vital as I'm not likely to hit many Greens in Regulation) and have attended a putting clinic today which was excellent.

New gear in the bag- Ping Tour S wedges (52 and 58 degree). Got the two of them in really good nick for £70. I love them.

Got myself a laser rangefinder too- just need to learn my distances now!!!

Good luck this season folks- if you're in Ayrshire any time and fancy a game drop me a message.

[Distant Doonhamer]

So, new year, new club for me having moved back to Ayrshire.

Looking forward to this season as I've finally started to hit the ball quite well and after many swing changes in 2013, I'm not looking at tweaking anything.

I've turned my slice into a draw and my driving has changed from being the worst to the best part of my game. I only hit around 230 carry but it should be enough, considering I'm just coming down from 20hcp. Was 28 this time last year, so progress is good.

I've finally worked out how to hit my irons perfect every time (i.e. no thins or fats) and it involves a slow and steady body swing rather than an armsy swing. It really has cost me some distance though- 130 yards with a 7 iron really won't cut the mustard. I have mega high-launching irons though. I'm seriously considering Rocketbladez as they are cheap, forgiving and the lofts are cranked so much that I'd be able to restore my ego. Thoughts appreciated.

I have no short game but have wisely spent time this month practising my chipping/pitching (vital as I'm not likely to hit many Greens in Regulation) and have attended a putting clinic today which was excellent.

New gear in the bag- Ping Tour S wedges (52 and 58 degree). Got the two of them in really good nick for £70. I love them.

Got myself a laser rangefinder too- just need to learn my distances now!!!

Good luck this season folks- if you're in Ayrshire any time and fancy a game drop me a message.

Plenty of very decent players out there who don`t hit it much more than 130 with a 7 iron. It`s about consistency not how far you can hit it.

Edited February 8, 2014 by Distant Doonhamer

[dazwesty89]

Hey,

A group of us are going across to Portgual in September for a couple of days of golf, basing ourselves at Penina Golf Resort. Due to the hassle, we have decided to hire clubs over there instead of taking our own.

Has anyone had experience of hire companies across there? Any recommendations/warnings?

Cheers

[bubbs33]

We're going out to Portugal in August golfing. We're hiring clubs from http://www.algarvegolfclubhire.com/clubs/

My mate did all the organising and got a good deal. We've paid it up front and think it's €45 for four days. Choice of ping, callaway, Ben sayers or Taylormade. The women phoned my mate to let him know they're just ordering brand new ping g25 irons and woods and for Taylormade the choice is rocket ballz or r11. Clubs being dropped off and picked up from apartments. When they're dropped off, will be able to choose from different putters and any specialist clubs like job wedges, 1 irons, etc for no extra cost

[Nutz_the_Squirrel]

Superb! Shame none of my mates are so into golf that they'd be willing to jump abroad for a few days...

Enjoy fellas.

[elmo-bcfc]

Anyone else started this year yet? Had my first 18 on Saturday at Brechin. Starting off the season at handicap 8 so determined to keep it up throughout the year. Not sure when Saturday medals start up so looking to get a good rhythm going before they do!

Shot 77 around Brechin off the winter tees (nett level par), so not much of a challenge length wise, but was good to get a swing going again. Got myself a new driver as well, the Cobra ZL Encore which seems to be far more forgiving than my old Cobra driver, really nice club to hit. Really looking forward to the start of the season now, anyone else starting to warm up?

[dazwesty89]

Moved courses this year. Previously a member at Rothes Golf Course but the CSS was a killer and effecting my ability to get my handicap cut. So moved across to Kinloss GC after talking to a few mates who are members there.

Have played a couple of winter opens there this year - a stableford where I scored 30 points and a team scramble.

My short game has been horrendous this year so far - i have duffed all but one of my first shots under 100yrds. Think I'll need to get a lesson or two because confidence has been shot big time.

On the plus side, my drivng has been immense. I bought a Callaway X-Hot towards the end of last season and its been going long and straight ever since.