Golf course recommendations

[embob]

I'm a keen but quite bad golfer. I used to play at the public course in Beckenham but with its closure and the end of last year I am looking for an affordable, local alternative.

Any recommendations?

[DrinkingBuddy]

Bexleyheath has a very nice public course with decent facilities.

[embob]

Thanks Drinkingbuddy. Great thing about Beckenham was the easy access form public transport. I will give Bexleyheath a try.

[Dulwich61]

Aquarius Golf Club, Marmora Road:

www.aquariusgolfclub.co.uk/pages.php/index.html

9-hole course laid out around a covered reservoir hence the name. ?540 a year for full membership.

Friendly place, if a bit quirky.

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Mitcham is good. Right beside the train station as well. Have to cross over tram lines but a good enough 18 holer.

ED to Mitcham Jct on train. 34 mins.

[Guest]

I use to do the same until I found out Beckenham closed. I recently went to Bromley. It's 9 holes and fairly short holes. Not as good Beckenham but I found it the closest with reasonable availability.

I just had a look at Bexley Heath and they don't have any slots in the morning and hardly anything on weekends.

http://www.mytimeactive.co.uk/bromleygolf

[Clifton]

You could try the Orpington Golf Centre. http://www.mytimeactive.co.uk/orpington

Two courses, Cray Valley and Ruxley.

From where you've played before I suggest you try Ruxley. It initially seems to be a very short course (five par threes in the front nine, par 32), but then goes off into the country in the back nine, which is par 37 with only one par three. Not great condition, but some challenging holes, and normally not busy.

[CG1001]

My partner recommends Darenth Valley, two minute walk from Shoreham train station which is on the thameslink from Herne Hill - 'quite challenging, 18 hole public course, ?32 on weekends or ?23 on weekdays - less for 9', he says.

[embob]

Thanks so much for the responses. Lets hope the weather holds so I can try them all out.

[clockworkorange]

The oaks in Carshalton. Decent 18 hole, enough challenge to keep it interesting....

[B&G]

Dulwich and Sydenham is lovely. Amazing views, nice course.

[rendelharris]

D&S is a beauty (only played there once) but with joining fees of ?2K plus ?1,700 per year membership - or ?50 a round as a guest - not sure it would fall into many people's definitions of "affordable"!

[uncleglen]

Sundridge Park- is very close to the station

[Guest]

Similar to D&G, unaccompanied visitors only on weekdays and price starting at ?50.

[Chocoholic]

Aquarious Golf Club Marmora Road SE22

[paulipedia]

High Elms

Chelsfield Lakes

Lullingstone

[paulipedia]

Coulsdon Manor

[Jamma]

Aquarius all the way. It's fine for less good golfers (like me), cheap, nice little clubhouse, friendly bunch and the best views in London. Not many courses where you aim for the Shard on the first tee!

[Mick Mac]

I think the Addington area has some good public courses too.

In terms of members clubs, you should define "quite bad" - if you can play to say a 30 handicap or better you would be happily received at Dulwich and Sydenham. You could play without a member during the week and probably less busy times at weekends, but call in advance to check. But is a different standard to Beckenham.

[red devil]

Banstead and Cuddington courses are very close to Banstead train station, south of Sutton. Coulsden mentioned above is nearby too...

[Stevey_B]

I too miss the convenience and price of Beckenham. Dulwich and Sydenham has fantastic views but you might be better going a little further if you want something a little kinder on the wallet. Mitcham is probably the closest to Beckenham prices that I have found so far.

[Holmdeneresi]

A bit further out but Pedham Place golf club near Swanley (i'd describe it as an inland links) or Birchwood Park golf club near Ruxley. Both very good. That failing save on travel costs and just play at D&S - twilight golf is a bit cheaper or find a member to play with and the green fees drop to ?30 i think.

[annabel42]

Selsdon Park golf course is very popular.