FORE

RUMOUR HAD IT that golf had had its day with middle aged men leaving the sport in droves becoming MAM S (middle aged men in lycra instead, taking to their bikes and clogging up the country roads. But hang on a minute, this is not necessarily true. ossibly one good thing to come out of Covid and lockdowns is that golf has seen an upturn in popularity.

One of the first sports to be allowed to be played again once lockdowns eased, golfers ocked back to the courses in large numbers. t’s all very well riding a bike solo but playing golf with kindred spirits and enjoying company again proved, understandably, a huge attraction. And what’s even better younger people and more women have started playing too.

Stamford and the Welland alley has plenty of golfing opportunities ranging from the turn up and pay as you play to the members’ only courses. We’ve had a look at a few of them.

An 18-hole course, Priors Hall is set in the scenic Northamptonshire countryside just outside Corby

A DEMANDING CHALLENGE for all levels of golfer and accessible to the public via a pay and play o er, the course is open seven days a week. Tee o times can be booked a week in advance allowing plenty of time to plan your visit.

You can play nine or 18 holes and enjoy the wide fairways with generous light to rough margins, water features, mature trees, and bunkers all well placed within Hawtree’s challenging original design. Some bunkers have undergone recent renovations so enhancing your experience.

or a more regular player there is a loyalty card scheme available to purchase on an annual subscription, giving a generous discount for a year. Simply call into the pro shop to purchase yours and start saving.

Within the clubhouse the well-stocked pro shop has everything you would need. rom tees and balls to clothing and accessories to bags and trolleys. You can hire trolleys, electric trolleys, and a buggy (weather dependent should you need it. Buggys must be pre-booked to guarantee availability. Before teeing o there is a well manicured putting green overlooking the course to warm up on.

Once you have made the walk up the th fairway you can enjoy hot and cold refreshments from the bar and restaurant and enjoy stunning views over the putting green and course. There is a balcony for you to enjoy and inside you can play darts, pool, or simply rela while still taking advantage of the views.

The function room is separate to the bar and can be booked for private events and parties. There is also a meeting room which has a projector, screen and speakers. Catering and refreshments can also be made available.

Just five miles north of Stamford, up the A1, is Woolfox Golf which has recently been refurbished

OFFERING A CHALLENGING game on a beautiful parkland course, Woolfox has re-designed what it means to play golf. They have several memberships available ranging for the committed seven day a week golfer, down to a e ible membership with easy to top-up options. ro rata seven and five day memberships are available via easy direct debit payments and o er a variety of advantages from four week in advance bookings to discounted costs in the range and bar. Savings on buggy hire and guest rates are also on o er.

Woolfox welcomes beginners and professional players alike. It’s a modern club where golfers are welcome to just pay and play if they want, booking 14 days in advance, which is perfect for visitors to the area. You can do this by booking online or giving them a call.

Recent exciting development and refurbishment has improved all areas of golf at Woolfox. There’s a soon to open new 18-hole course layout situated around beautiful lakes and a covered 10 bay driving range.

The newly refurbished range is fully kitted out with new balls and AstroTurf mats so you can use your own tees. There are assorted yardage markers and it’s oodlit until 9.30pm so you can practice after work. The contactless ball machine means every aspect of practice is as smooth as your swing soon will be.

Junior lessons are held every Saturday morning with head pro Mark Underwood who has over 20 years international teaching experience. Ladies’ group coaching sessions are scheduled bi-monthly and Mark also o ers individual private lessons with e ible hours to suit you. Club and iron repairs are also available including regripping and loft and lie adjustments.

Society bookings are warmly welcomed with availability to play every day of the week. There’s a minimum booking of 12 people and prices are competitive. There are also options to enjoy co ee and bacon rolls on arrival at the range and bar, the perfect opportunity to eat and catch up before play begins. All enquiries for society bookings can be done by email or phone where one of the team will be happy to help.

Towards the end of summer 2022 Woolfox will open their new leisure development which includes a 20m indoor swimming pool, luxury gym, infra-red relaxation room and sauna, so there are very exciting times ahead. Visitors are welcome to continue to pay and play golf and dine in the new café, but the leisure facilities will only be available to leisure members. Membership details including a combined golf and leisure option will be released nearer the time of opening so keep an eye out for them.

Located on the edge of Peterborough these two courses offer something for everyone

FOR ANY GOLF enthusiast, from the seasoned professional to beginner, a trip to Nene Golf located on the outskirts of Peterborough should be on your ‘to-do’ list. Open seven days a week and easily accessible from the surrounding areas Nene Golf features two picturesque 18-hole courses.

Thorpe Wood is the more challenging 72 par course and Orton Meadows a par- course o ering visitors pay as you play golf and superb value for money.

A memorable round of golf can be found at the larger of the two courses, Thorpe Wood, which will challenge golfers of all abilities. At almost , yards o the back tees this is one of the country’s longest pay-and-play courses. It features a selection of good-looking and challenging holes with some running alongside the scenic River Nene.

For those looking to improve their swing or get a little extra practice Thorpe Wood also has The Thorpe Wood driving range - a covered oodlit bay range o ering visitors the chance to hone their skills, whatever the weather or time of day. For those all important score saving shots visitors will also find a short game practice area located in front of the driving range.

Thorpe Wood visitors will find a well stocked American Golf shop, golf repair shop, a Greene King Pub and The Thorpe Wood Golf Academy. Open to all, the Thorpe Wood Golf Academy is led by three GA rofessionals who o er a range of expert coaching utilising the latest shot monitoring technology. There are a number of di erent lessons available for adults, ladies and juniors, and for all skill levels and ages.

The second of the Nene Golf courses, Orton Meadows, while the smaller of the two, is no less challenging or pleasant for a round of golf. Home to two hugely contrasting nines and crossing the Nene Valley Heritage line Orton Meadows features an abundance of trees, a variety of challenges and includes water on at least 10 holes. isitors to Orton Meadows can also find the hole pitch and putt which is a very popular attraction appealing to players of all ages and levels. It provides fun for those who do not play golf, an introduction to the game for those who would like to become golfers and provides practice for the more established player.

Did you know that Stamford has a golf club right on its doorstep? Well you do now…

A HIDDEN GEM (you can drive right past if you don’t know it exists) set in the rolling landscape of Burghley’s historic parkland and less than a mile away from the centre of Stamford, Burghley ark Golf Club is one of the finest golf courses in Lincolnshire. It also has the honour of being the first golf club to open its doors to the public, back in 1890.

The golf course has seen a number of modifications in recent years which has taken the course to new heights following significant investment and a sustainability strategy from the Burghley Estate. This 18-hole parkland golf course can be enjoyed by golfers of all abilities. It is framed with mature tree-lined fairways, well-guarded greens, e ceptional course presentation and a fine balance of challenging and accessible holes. Extensive practice facilities include an all-weather driving range, chipping and putting greens and a brand-new academy course that is made up of three short holes, practice bunkers and a large putting/chipping green.

The club retains a competitive men’s section and a thriving women’s group, both of which enjoy a range of roll-ups, competitions and team matches throughout the year. There is also a vibrant and growing junior academy for boys and girls of all ages. Burghley is a members’ club but fully welcomes new members, visitors and society bookings to come and play all year round.

Away from the golf course you will find the warmest of welcomes and fine hospitality to meet the needs of both golfers and non-golfers. The modern and airy clubhouse o ers a superb and full range of menu options, served daily; from hot and cold snacks to light lunches and main courses. There is something for everyone including a selection of soft and alcoholic beverages to choose from. The venue also plays host to various weddings, private and social functions and is the ideal location for this.

If you would like to come and have a game at Burghley Park Golf Club or are interested in becoming a member, please contact clubhouse manager Samantha Halifax on 01780 753789.