Brayton Park Golf Club

Played this 9-hole course 4 times while on a week's holiday in the area recently (9-16th Oct 2010). It's a pay-as-you-play course, no bookings, and green fees are paid by means of putting your money in an envelope with your name and date on it and into an honesty box!! Random checks are carried out. It's £10, but you can play as many holes as you want! There are no changing facilities or a proper clubhouse, although refreshments can be had in the pleasant Lakeside Inn next to 9th green. Due to this unusual arrangement i wasn't sure what to expect, but i was impressed to find a very well kept course, especially for the time of year - although we were blessed with a week of good weather. The greens in particular are kept very good. There are a number of bunkers and 2 water hazards to keep you on your toes. The biggest challenge is the length of certain holes. The first 3 holes are par-3s, and the first 2 in particular are quite long - over 200 yards from yellow tees. The 6th again is fairly long for a par-4 - you need to be a fairly big driver to hit the green in 2. For the typical amateur like me this course is a nice wee challenge. For more serious players it will be probably seem quite straightforward, but with good conditions and just enough variation to be interesting. Add the nice surroundings, and great value-for-money, and its well worth a visit.