Since being attached at Woodsome I have seen the course and facilities go from strength to strength! They are a club going forward in a climate where a lot are standing still and trying to get by.
The practice facilities are some of the best in Yorkshire and allow me to get the most out of my game when home and in need of some quality practice.
The driving range now has a covered 6 bay area which allows members to practise all year and for John Eyre to teach whatever the weather. There is a decent chipping green that allows you to play a variety of shots with raised areas, and a good size bunker which is similar to those on the course.
The pitching area to the side of the 11th has fantastic turf and is ideal for working wedge yardages and playing pitching games as its sits slightly towards you so you can see each target.
Now, the indoor facilities are what take Woodsome to another level! A 40ft indoor putting surface running smooth at a stimp reading of 12 is fantastic for winter practice when the outdoor green is not good enough or you’re battling the elements.
More indoor teaching facilities with Vector Launch, GC2 Launch monitors and video cameras for swing work make it the perfect environment for improving anyone’s game!
And it’s not just the practice facilities that are getting better, the work on the course has improved Woodsome no end!
Employing +1 handicapper Chris Dyson as course Manager has been a great move. To have someone passionate about the golf course and putting his heart and soul into making Woodsome a better golf course, in my opinion, really has been seen to work.
The definition to the course is outstanding and the new improvements have made it play at least two shots harder to the members. New bunkers, and reshaping of bunkers has transformed the course and anyone who has not played the course in the last two years really needs to pay a visit.
My thoughts…
Hardest Hole: It has to be the 8th! A long drive is needed to a fairway that slopes slightly away from you. This then leaves an uphill shot on a hanging lie to a McKenzie green that is well protected by new bunkers.
Favourite Hole: I think the 4th is a great hole which would fit perfectly on any course on Tour! The new bunker up the right has made it a great driving hole, but play this hole into the wind and it’s a very tough 2nd shot to a small protected green. A par 4 is a great score!
Weakest Hole: For me personally the 12th is slightly weak. Ok, you do have to hit a good tee shot but I’m not a massive fan of having to hit a wedge off such an upslope. But with the lie of the land there is no other way to play this hole.
What change would I make (if any, from a Tour perspective): I am in favour of golf courses with exciting finishes, so people making birdies near the end of a round is great. But from my point of view 17 and 18 are good chances so to have such an easy par 5 on the 16th is too much especially after it follows a drivable par 4.
Personally I would cut a few trees down on the right corner making it more of a sweeping dogleg not 90 degrees and play it as a tough par 4! Maybe plant a few trees in the left corner to match the sweeping shape of the hole.
Stand out feature: Can you look past the clubhouse…. It’s amazing!!
Thanks…
I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Woodsome and the members for their continued support and for allowing me to host the Arrow Golf Day in July for my car sponsors. The feedback from the day – from the course to the catering – was brilliant and everyone involved said they looked forward to any future days I will run.
Regards
Chris