What makes for a good charity golf day?

1. First things first is to decide on a location.

Coupled with the plethora of online golf tee times platform that have driven down the price of some tee times green fees, now is the time to look at joining an Online Golf Club. There are number of platforms and apps available to join – just search ‘Golf Groups’ in Google and you will see many options but what is the criteria for judging which Online Golf Society to join?

Here’s ten top tips for choosing which golf website platform or app is right for you…

1. Is the site being used and are there any active forums?
2. Is the site easy to navigate and use?
3. Does the Online Golf Society have a list of upcoming events?
4. Is there a messaging system within the App?
5. Can you build a Golfers Profile and grow your numbers of golf contacts?
6. Is there a ‘Society’ options in which you can promote your events?
7. Can you track your golf handicap and get a handicap certificate?
8. Do they offer discounted Green Fees to members?
9. Can you add photos, society results and your society handicaps?
10. Does it allow you to meet with other golfers in your area?

Each Social Network for Golfers offers its own unique way or presenting its layout and functions but as with all these things, simplicity is key. Try to find a website or platform that is quick and efficient and of course one that does not sell your data or bombard you with email promotions.

There is no doubt they in the future this is the way that many golfers with connect with other golfers and with the technology constantly evolving, there is no reason why anyone, rich or poor should ever play golf alone again!

How many golf Clubs are there in Essex?

As far as we know the first golf club in Essex date back to the 19th Century including some of the more well-known clubs such as Royal Epping Forest Golf Club (1888), Chelmsford Golf Club (1883), Malden Golf club (1893), Romford Golf Club (1894) with others being establish in the early 20th Century such as Thorndon Park Golf Club (1920).

Of course, the 1990’s saw a huge amount of course being built and but the turn of the millennium there was reported as many as 82 golf course in Essex. This figure has since reduced with estimations now standing around the 70-sh mark.

Many Essex based golf course suffer from a clay base which can sometimes means the courses struggle with wet weather in the winter but those that maintain their course, have proved that it doesn’t have to effect golfers in the colder months.

One of the Older Club is Clacton Golf Club, which was established in 1892 and at the time of writing had just celebrated it 125th anniversary.

The course was designed by Jack White, when a small band of enthusiasts leased 40 acres of grazing land close to the town centre and roughly laid out nine holes.  After four years the land was taken back for residential development and the club moved to the other side of town where it leased, initially, 50 acres to provide nine holes, then a further 50 acres in 1909 to give 18 holes. Much of that land is still part of the present course, though there have been many changes in boundaries and layout since then.

The course now covers 110 acres and runs alongside the sea wall and inland to West Road. It is flat, part wooded and part open, and comprises five par 3s, nine par 4s and four par 5s. Total length from the competition tees is 6448 yards and the standard scratch score is 71. For ladies it is 5526 yards (SSS72).

There is an excellent practice ground of 10 acres, which is accessed by carefully crossing the 18th fairway. Two practice putting greens and a chipping area together with two practice nets are located close to the clubhouse. Practicing on the course is prohibited. The course is well bunkered and fleets, which cross fairways or form boundaries, are a peculiar feature providing many water hazards.

So, for those old and new to golf, there is plenty of variety and golfing option available to the golfer!

Golf Clubs in London and inside the M25

Using TheSocialGolfer.com course directory mapping tool*, we located approx. 100 golf courses can be found within the London Orbital Motorway, the M25. These consist of a combination of Private Members Clubs, Proprietary owned club and Public Golf Courses.

These include some of the more well-known courses including The Grove, The Addington, The Shire, The Richmond, The RAC Club (Royal Automobile Association) at Woodcote Park and Hampton Court Golf Club. This list also includes in the list is Royal Blackheath Golf Club, which in 2008 celebrated it 400th year in existence and is THE oldest golf club in London, and widely recognized as the Oldest Golf Club in the World….

 
By the late 16th Century, golf had been reported played in Scotland for some 150 years, and James I (James 6th of Scotland) entourage was rumoured to include several golfers and, by climbing to the higher ground at Blackheath above the palace, these courtiers could see an area on which they could pursue their sport. In addition, the Prince of Wales and James I's son is known to have started golfing in 1606. This was the first record of golf in Blackheath, and while many of these golfers belonged to Scottish nobility, Royal Blackheath was considered a Scottish club! But this golf club is in London?

The Club's own artefacts date back to as early as 1745, and the Edinburgh Almanac which has listed the dates of formation of the leading golfing societies since the early 1800s - records Blackheath as having been established "prior to 1745" from as long ago as 1830. Bernard Darwin, grandson of Charles Darwin, golf correspondent of The Times for 46 years, past Captain of the Royal & Ancient and the most revered of all golf writers, began his introduction to a guide to the Club published in the 1940s with the following words…"The Royal Blackheath Golf Club, as all the world knows, is the oldest golf club in the world."

So, if you’re looking for a golf club in London and inside the M25, why not give some of these historical and prestigious golf clubs a try!

*The Social Golfer website is an online golf club, golf society and course review site.