OT - Golf

Used to play as a kid and had lessons etc. but not played for a long while but looking to get back into playing. Does anyone on here play that could recommend somewhere to get some good clubs that are a fairly reasonable price? Some sets are mega expensive and above my budget, but don't want to go super cheap and end up with a set that is no good.

Also, which courses in the South Yorks area are best to try that are not super expensive to go to, are there any around that you can play on without being a full member.

 

I've just picked up my clubs again after a 20-year hiatus - redundancy & semi-retirement in March means I've now got the time and funds to give it another crack. First of (many) trips to the range last week and I think I connected properly with around seven of the 30 balls, so some work to do. Also looking at some new irons, as mine are a little tired. Not planning on spending a fortune - the Cobra Fly XL look a reasonable set for around £300, or the Wilson Staff D9 for a bit more. Thoughts appreciated from any of you regular hackers.....

 

Like you I've not played for a long time but played Sandhill a few weeks back. I've been told some of the courses that allow non members have fallen by the way side as a result of covid and the lack of funds coming in but Sandhill was in cracking condition. Its fairly flat with big open fairways so a great course if you've not played in a while. Went during the week and think it's was about £18. Hope this helps

 

Saw a Callaway set of Irons for under £200 the other day which I thought looked a good deal, no golf expert having had so much time away but Callaway are a brand I know of as being fairly well respected.

 

Not sure if these are still available if you can get to a Costco

 

Actually watched that video the other day, been watching some of his stuff over the last few weeks since I decided to give golf a go again

 

I'm sure they're not! Long gone.....

 

Yeah, I've watched a few as well.

I used to play quite a bit, but was never really any good - I use one of my brothers old sets that are actually really good, the pros I've had lessons with say don't get rid of them!

My brother is really into it and keeps upgrading his clubs. He stopped watching footy years ago to play golf instead - well he is a Wednesday fan you can't blame him.

So I stopped playing when I had a bad back and had to have an operation about 12 years ago, but I still play once a year with a group of mates when we go away for a weekend and play over 3 days. This year's trip has made me want to start playing again and I might join a club again next year - not local to Barnsley though so can't help you out there.

 

I used to play a few years ago and played to a reasonable standard (single figure handicap) . My personal recommendation would be to buy second hand clubs or perhaps a half set of clubs. I've played with Titleist and King Cobra clubs - it really does not make that much of a difference. The biggest obstacle to overcome is what's going on in your head - for example if there is water on the right then unless you know how to swing a club correctly then 9 times out of 10 you'll end up in the water and on the tenth occasion you'll duff it 20 yards.....

 

I've played since my teens on and off and got to a decent standard once (about 12 handicap). Only play about half a dozen times a year now and am off about 20 these days. Agree with the previous poster about getting a decent set of second hand clubs. There are so many good clubs out there now you can't really go wrong. Try American Golf Discount near Meadowhall they usually have a few second hand sets and you can try them out in a practice net.
The Limes on Wakefield Road in Barnsley is probably the cheapest course in the area for a membership but someone I know who's just retired has joined a Play More Golf scheme that a few clubs in the area support (Silkstone, Wortley, Low Laithes at Ossett). Think you pay £325 for the year and have an amount of points to use which if used to best value would probably equate to a couple of dozen rounds for the year.

 

My advice as a crappy golfer myself is to do a google search about the clubs and then whittle the options down. As to the courses if you sign up to the Golfnow website you can sometimes find some good deals for many courses all round our region. Depends how far you are willing to travel but on their website you can set some distance parameters and then see what comes up.

 

Yes, there's also a website called Teeofftimes where you can get good deals to play some of the best courses in the area.
Off peak in midweek is best.

 

Hi, 4 handicapper here.

Depends whether you want used clubs or brand new. Expect to pay decdnt money for new clubs. Avoid American golf, there's a lot of good websites such as scottsdale, Snainton golf, hot golf where you can pick up deals if you look hard enough.

Alternatively, if you don't mind buying used, golfbidder has loads of used stuff and you can get a bag full for 400 quid.

Barnsley golf club is a good place to start, council course and pretty relaxed. Then build up to more challenging courses from there.

Hope this helps.

 

thanks, don't mind having second hand providing they are in decent condition, I currently live in Worksop area but have mates that still live in and around Barnsley so would probably end up playing there.

 

Agree that second hand is best. Try to see them rather than buying blind. Make sure grip size is OK for you.

Then get lessons so you can stand and most importantly hold the club properly. Don't waste time playing without lessons, especially if you're keen. Don't watch YouTube for golf lessons, it's a, rabbit hole of advice that can be correct, if you know what you are doing wrong. Again, get lessons from a pro.

As for playing.... Chipping and putting is massive when you first start and is an easy way to save shots early on. Learn to hit a 7 iron well and you can play most 6000 yard courses in a decent score.

Lastly 90% of golf is between the ears. Course management is important
Driver might be fun, but it's often the wrong choice, especially as a high handicapper.

Enjoy, for me it's the greatest game. Endlessly different and challenging, always something else to learn and improve on, and so many great courses to play.

 

In terms of courses, assuming you don’t want to join somewhere, College Pines and Bondhay are over your way and take pay on the dayers. Not played College Pines (but heard it’s good) and Bondhay is nice but quite difficult (far too many trees and last time I played it felt like I hit all of my second shots out of a bunker).

There are three in Sheffield (Beauchief, Tinsley and Birley) and Tapton in Chesterfield that are part of Sheffield City Trust. You can either pay on the day or get a yearly membership for £55 a month that lets you play as much as you want. They’re all decent courses: Beauchief’s probably the most picturesque, Birley’s the easiest, Tinsley and Tapton both good too.

The Grange is also a good one - up near the Peter Cowan driving range just off junction 35 on the M1.

Lindrick is over your way if you fancy splashing out. Lovely course but I think it’s £75 quid a head if you’re not a member or playing with a member.

Would echo comments about clubs - better getting a good secondhand set than an average new set.

 

Try eBay mate for second hand clubs......as others have said look for a municipal course or if not ‘Play more golf’ is a good cheap option if you play at ‘off peak times’

 

i was a member at College Pines for years and a couple of my mates still play there. Pretty basic clubhouse but good value, course playable throughout the year as it drains incredibly well in wet weather. I taught my ex to play on the 9 holer at Bondhay but the main course there is stupidly hard for the level of players it attracts.
Like you say, Lindrick is lovely and there are excellent courses at Coxmoor and one of my all time favourites, Sherwood Forest.
i haven't played since I moved to Ireland but still get the itch to get the clubs back out. There's a lovely little 9 holer links at Castlegregory. Maybe next Spring.

 

Buying good quality second hand clubs will save you a fortune but make sure the grips don't need replacing as this would be an added expense.