Sale Golf Club

Played yesterday and was pleasantly surprised, having played all of the "Mersey" 18-hole courses in the area but Sale, and found them all to be pretty mundane. Very well kept course, excellent greens, and whilst the course was fairly busy, there were no hold-ups. Some long par 4's and the 4th and 6th holes need well executed approach shots. All in all a pleasant round of golf. Played on a two for one basis, I would consider the full charge of £40.00 per round over the top, in my opinion.

a warm welcome and a fantatic course, the changes made to the 6th make this 1 of many signature holes. the greens were like glass and the fairways too. Anyone complaining about this course must find it a challenge and would have left over their handicap. A hidden gem!

A windy day greeted us to Sale with forcast of heavy rain on an already damp course. The drainage is clearly an issue as there was standing water on many of the fairways. The fairways were however well maintained, the greenkeepers had been out and marked areas of concern, showing they were aware of the problems. The course has some long par 4s which for the average golfer are not really in range of two well hit shots. The 2nd was huge! The par threes are excellent, all well protected with deep bunkers. Favourite was the 17th - short but tough. The pro shop was well stocked, just not too sure how pleased he really was to take our money! However a fourball for £70 on a smart course which they clearly invest time and effort in, is certainly worth it.

When I found out my Company had a corporate membership at Sale, of which the free 8 rounds per month were rarely used, I was understandably happy at the prospect. Unfortunately, all my visits to Sale (around 6 up until the membership ran out) were less than happy. The course itself is very run of the mill, with no signature holes or character of any sort to distinguish it, and is covered in faeces from the menacing looking Canada geese which roam freely all over the place. The greens are OK, however are not consistent between holes, and drainage is a big problem, with large patches water lying in the middle of some fairways and bunkers. The pro shop staff, bar staff and members always seemed to go out of their way to be unfriendly, with the general facilities also leaving a lot to be desired, given the fees they charge. Unfortunately, all of the above points, combined with a glut of other excellent courses in the area, means I won't be visiting Sale again.

Played in the Mixed Open Comp. this weekend. The layout of the Course was pleasant with a good variety of holes. I was told that there are a number of new holes, but all were bedded in nicely. The Greens were in good condition with about half fairly flat but again a good variety (the 18th is a huge green). There was only one Temp. green (4th) following the vandalism. This shows the amount of effort that must have gone in to repair the greens as I could not tell which other greens were affected. The Course itself was in good condition and well defined with the majority of fairways being tree-lined. The 13th sticks in the mind, as my wife nailed the ‘T’ shot to be in perfect position and all I had to do was hit a 160 yard shot over this bloody big tree protecting the green …. good hole. There are plenty of fairway bunkers @ Sale (I went in a few !!) and all bunkers were in great nick and the sand consistent in each. The Clubhouse & Staff were very welcoming and facilities were very good indeed. All in all we had a very pleasant round of Golf and relaxing couple of hours in the bar afterwards. Will return with my mates on a 2-4-1 and give it another go.

Initial impressions were not that good as we drove through inner-city Manchester in pouring rain (what else) and over a motorway bridge to a clubhouse that seems almost on the hard shoulder of the M60! However, the day brightened up and once out on the course we actually found it very enjoyable. Sale is a parkland course which has subtle undulations rather than anything too cardiac-inducing, yet is pleasant nontheless. The members were all very friendly too. Praise should also go to the greenstaff who have dealt with a spate of vandal attacks recently to get the course into good condition. Two greens will sadly remain on temps for a while but I can't mark them down for that can I? The clubhouse is a white building, almost like a stately home or old country house. Inside it somehow doesn't feel all that much like a golf club, but it's relaxing and the catering is very good. Don't be put off by the fact that it's basically in the middle of Manchester and by a motorway. This is a decent course and what's more they serve Boddingtons afterwards!

Although generally flat Sale does have some interesting and distinctive holes. The 300yd, par 4, 4th is not for the fainthearted and there are many longer 4s requiring good shot making. I have always enjoyed my visits to Sale and am looking forward to seeing the new holes completed. ( 8 handicapper member at Stockport and Formby )