The Belfry (Brabazon) ***

Lichfjeld Road, Wishaw, B76 9PR

Nearest main town: Wishaw

 

Prior to the 2001 Ryder Cup, the Belfry's Brabazon course underwent some major surgery. The most significant change since the previous visit of America's best golfers is the 3rd hole, which is now a par-5 with a green tucked behind a lake that bites into the left-hand side. You can go for it in two, but, as with the approaches to some of the Belfry's more famous holes, you are dicing with serious danger.

The face lift cost £2.4 million, with other changes to the 4th, the 12th and the 14th combining to make this a greatly improved parkland test compared with the course that marked the return of Ryder Cup spoils to this country way back in 1985.

Much of the fun of playing the Belfry comes from its familiarity. Holes that you have watched on the TV come to life standing on the tee, and you track your progress down each one comparing your own shots to those of the professionals. The 10th and the 18th are the most famous examples, the former a short par-4 where it is possible to drive the green depending on the position of the tee and wind conditions, and the latter a dogleg par-4 where you can cross the water twice.

What's for certain is that you won't find the course set up in the same way as it was for the Ryder Cup. The thick rough will certainly be shorter and the course will not playas long. That's good news for amateurs, because the Belfry is no pushover, despite the professional scores that have been shot here in the past. Neither will the fairways and greens be in the same excellent condition. The Belfry is fairly exposed to the wind and you will need to take it into account on most days. Otherwise, everything is laid out in front of you and any difficulties you get into will be entirely of your own making. A very fair test.

 

Secretary: Mr R. Maxfield                       

Tel: 01675 470301 Fax: 01675 470178

Professional: Mr P. McGovern

 Tel: 01675 470301

Playing: Midweek: round n/a; day £90.00 (Brabazon), £30.00 (Derby). Weekend: round n/a; day n/a.

Facilities: Bar: 11 am-11 pm. Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner from 10am-10pm.

Comments: Everyone knows it but playing experience is top class. . .Redesign has improved course dramatically...18th is still one of the memorable holes in British golf...Its light may be fading but for average punter still a magic experience...One of the top courses and hospitality to match. . .As challenging as the TV suggests.

 

The Belfry (PGA National) ***

Lichfield Road, Wishaw, B76 9PR

Nearest main town: Wishaw

 

Secretary: Mr R. Maxfield

Tel: 01675 470301 Fax: 01675 470178

Professional: Mr P. McGovern                       

Tel: 01675 470301

Playing: Midweek: round £50.00; day n/a. Weekend: round £50.00; day n/a.

Facilities: Bar: 11 am-11 pm. Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner from 10am-10pm.

Comments: Completely artificial course...Unimpressive site with mounds everywhere...Exciting golf on a course for the pros...Designed purely for tournament golf...Could not get excited about it . . . Very unnatural but will appeal to lovers of modern design...Walked off a happy man.