Lofthouse Hill Golf

Strange how we often have differnebt views of a course. And sometimes just sometimes this may be influenced by how we play on the day. At Lofthouse Hill i had my best round of the year and really tore the front nine in particular to bits (I think to be fair this is the shorter and easier half). But I could not have done that unless the greens held approach shots beautifully and putted very well (they may not have been the quickest but they were very consistant and true with not a bobble in sight). This is all a far cry from Roy the poster from 2008 - and i was playing right at the end of the season in late October. Yes there are a few stoney bits here and there but I would regard this as more of a moorland then parkland track and that is par for the course on moorland courses. And to be fair none of the stoney bits are on lines you should be playing along. The courses meanders up and down hill without any really severe climbs. There are a few blind drives (but for once the markers were all in the right place for these!). The next hole markers are very clear for visitors and the place by and large has afriendly feel. Yes there were a number of very birdieable short holes but this was mixed with some tough holes like the par 3 12th which was a little belter from the back of the tees. The previous day I had paid a newish course measuring 7,700 off the back tees and designed for pro competiotns. The place was very expensive and immaculate but unremittingly hard for a club golfer - this place was a fraction of the price ( £7.50 as a 2 for 1 on a Thursday!!!) and was more sporting and fun to play. Yes there were some issues - the temporary greens which were marked out looked very ropey so i would aviod in winter.Another thing was as I came down the first a group of youngsters were playing the 9th in a sixball. A couple of members told them off but the lads just let them play through and continued as a 6 ball (is the club not telling juniors how to play). But then later on I also saw some very burly men palying in a 5 ball - is this commonplace here. Really the club need to sort this out. And my final gripe would be that there was not much sand in the bunkers - not that i went in one, I told you I played well!!!

Like the previous reviewer, I agree the quality of the fairways leaves a lot to be desired. I know we've currently been experiencing months of little rain so it is expected that they should be on the dry side however they are rocky and bare in places. The greens have been well looked after however and I suspect they are a vast improvement on what the previous reviewer found in 2008. They were well watered, rolled and consistent over the course. You can get a round for £10 by booking through one of the discount websites that are out there and for this price, I don't feel like I've wasted money. I wouldn't want to be paying any more however unless the fairways were drastically improved. Until then, we won't be rushing back I'm afraid. N.B. Some holes are quite unimaginative with a series of 4 long, straight Par-4 and Par-5s that are more or less identical.

What a poor excuse for a Golf Course. The clubhouse leads you to think that maybe you have landed upon a real gem...how wrong can you be! The course itself is built upon what can only be described as bricks and rubble and the grass barely covers it on several holes. Indeed, several shots literally flew in a 90 degree direction after hitting rocks and rubble in the middle of the fairway!...no exaggeration!! The greens are absolutely shocking. Clearly not rolled, not cut and not cared for. All in all, the members clearly deserve better than this. The pro and clubhouse members are very welcoming and accomodating but i can only imagine what they must think when they play other courses in the area and indeed what other visiting clubs make of such a course in comps etc. The course needs a dramatic revamp...there are too many holes fitted into too tight a space. The area itself probably does have some potential but deary me, it really is a shocker.