SA 'heaps good' Course thread

[Hatchman]

I wouldn't say the trees are big at North Lakes apart from the gums RHS short of green on 4. The rest are medium to small but are tightly clustered making it hard to go forward much. The ones on RHS of one are medium.

[coalesce]

Cross post from SAF, but as there are more people from SA here, I thought I'd repost. If anyone has any additions/corrections/suggestions, please let me know - I'll be keeping tabs on this until at least I join somewhere!

As I've been looking to join somewhere myself, I've been looking into membership fees for courses around Adelaide. I'm comparing 7 day full membership prices and using standard prices from the clubs websites.


Inbetween those in terms of distance, courses tend to fall into 3 pots:


$3000+ pa:


Royal Adelaide: $8250, annual fees $3690.4
Kooyonga: Entrance fee $8000, annual fees $3234, catering levy $260, other levies ~$50
The Grange: Entrance fee $6000, annual fees $2741, house levy $240, other levies ~$50
Glenelg: Entrance fee $7165, annual fees $3022.15


$1500-$3000 pa:


Mt Osmond: Entrance fee $1500, annual fee $1583.50, house levy $200, other levies ~$120
Vines of Reynella: No entrance fee, annual fee $1845.50, house levy $100, other levies ~$200
Tea Tree Gully: Entrance fee $550, annual fee $1780, house levy $110, other levies ~$50
Blackwood: Entrance fee $50, annual fee $1559, house levy $100, other levies ~$170
Flagstaff Hill: Application fee $150, annual fee $1541.90, house levy $150, other levies ~$250


Under $1500 pa:


Thaxted Park: Entrance fee $60, annual fee $1332, other levies ~$50
Adelaide Shores (Westward Ho): Entrance fee $660, annual fee $200 plus $1131 playing right ticket, bar levy $60, other levies ~$50
Stirling: Entrance fee $495 (currently being waived), annual fee $990, bar levy $150, other levies ~$50
North Adelaide: No entrance fee, annual fee $930
Belair: No entrance fee, annual fee $890
BTM Golf (Marion, North Haven, Salisbury Green, North Lakes, Lochiel Park - combined): No entrance fee, annual fee $830
Mawson Lakes: No entrance fee, annual fee $640 including levies
Echunga: Annual fee $470


Further out from Adelaide (North):


Kapunda: No entrance fee, annual fee $325 (info from @HatchmanSS76)
Gawler: No entrance fee, annual fee $1290 (currently on special at $995)
Mount Pleasant: No entrance fee, annual fee $550
Barossa Valley: No entrance fee, annual fee $815


Further out from Adelaide (South):


Fleurieu (Mount Compass): No entrance fee, annual fee $1060, bar levy $60
McCracken: No entrance fee, annual fee $1570
South Lakes: Entrance fee $55, annual fee $976.31, other levies ~$80
Links Lady Bay: No entrance fee, annual fee $350 + $10 per round
Wirrina: No entrance fee, annual fee $540


Further out from Adelaide (East):


Murray Bridge: No entrance fee, annual fee $506, other levies ~$50


However, after all this, I'm no closer to knowing which one to join.

[Chilled]

You missed West Lakes in the tier 2 category, or $1500-$2000 group.

[thecollective]

Coalesce: you can add Tanunda Pines to the list: entrance fee $450 (currently being waived if you're nice to Chris!) annual fee $1000 7 day membership.

In terms of joining a club it comes down to where you are based and your budget more than anything.

IMO Grange is a fantastic deal, 36 holes, both top designers (Mac, Sharkie) + they normally discount the joining fee as well by about $1500. Two courses around top 30 with Grange West under-rated IMO. This is a top shelf club that I would consider serious value for money. + the facilities are top notch.

Blackwood is also a good deal as well considering the no joining fee (other than the $50 app) and the reciprocals are very good. Course itself is a good layout with some noteworthy holes.

I am currently a member of Tanunda Pines, its about 35 minutes drive but for 1k is a good deal. The course has an excellent layout; some exceptional Par 3's to note. Give this club another 5 years with good investment and the club could be a serious player in S.A. It has some cashed up owners - one noteworthy winery owner to boot.

TC

[coalesce]

Thanks. Not sure how I missed West Lakes as it is on my to be considered list!

Didn't know about Tanunda Pines. Might be a bit far out for me as I live on the south side.

[nadg63]

'Further out South' - Victor Harbor.

Depends a lot on where you live? Also, some of the above courses are OK during the summer BUT turn into boggy quagmires in winter: Osmond, Blackwood, Belair, (though that's crap any time of year!), Stirling, Echunga.

Also need to weigh up extra travel costs vs fees ........................

[thecollective]

Coalesce: depending on how far South I would personally join Links Lady Bay: for $350 and $10 per round you cannot beat this value, top 100 course.

TC

[coalesce]

Can't believe I missed that one as well.

Victor Harbor: No entrance fee, annual fee $1068, house levy $50, other levies ~$130

I certainly wasn't saying all courses are equal - your point about quagmires is absolutely right - spoiled the round I had at Echunga a few weeks ago for example.

I have a few criteria aside from the course being in decent condition and not being boring (which rules out a few). It needs to be not slow, i.e. not stupidly busy, and within 30-45mins of where I live (near Marion). On that basis, Fleurieu is my current favourite, but there are a lot of courses I haven't yet played.

The other thing complicating things for me is whether I can get on them either before or after work in summer for a twilight round - and I work near the airport, which counts against the courses in the south. However, I can't work out exactly how much twilight golf I'd get a chance to play, and in which case, whether I should just play wherever as a guest when the time comes.

[coalesce]

Coalesce: depending on how far South I would personally join Links Lady Bay: for $350 and $10 per round you cannot beat this value, top 100 course.

TC

Its probably just a bit too far to be going to every week. I have heard mixed things about it too - like that it is nice, but has a few holes that are "stupid". Having not played it, I can't comment on what was meant by that.

[nadg63]

Can't believe I missed that one as well.

Victor Harbor: No entrance fee, annual fee $1068, house levy $50, other levies ~$130

I certainly wasn't saying all courses are equal - your point about quagmires is absolutely right - spoiled the round I had at Echunga a few weeks ago for example.

I have a few criteria aside from the course being in decent condition and not being boring (which rules out a few). It needs to be not slow, i.e. not stupidly busy, and within 30-45mins of where I live (near Marion). On that basis, Fleurieu is my current favourite, but there are a lot of courses I haven't yet played.

The other thing complicating things for me is whether I can get on them either before or after work in summer for a twilight round - and I work near the airport, which counts against the courses in the south. However, I can't work out exactly how much twilight golf I'd get a chance to play, and in which case, whether I should just play wherever as a guest when the time comes.

I work in the vicinity of the airport too, Marleston/Richmond, guess it depends on what time of day you finish work? On Fridays I finish at 1.30pm so if playing head straight up the Expressway, Panalatinga Road, Reynell Road, The Vines in about 30 minutes

[thecollective]

Its probably just a bit too far to be going to every week. I have heard mixed things about it too - like that it is nice, but has a few holes that are "stupid". Having not played it, I can't comment on what was meant by that.

Front nine is excellent, back nine is a little hit and miss - although holes 10, 17 and 18 are probably the best on the course.

Without putting my GCA glasses on its still a good course and certainly worthy of its top 100 spot.

TC

[coalesce]

I work in the vicinity of the airport too, Marleston/Richmond, guess it depends on what time of day you finish work? On Fridays I finish at 1.30pm so if playing head straight up the Expressway, Panalatinga Road, Reynell Road, The Vines in about 30 minutes

If only I finished then! I'm on flexi time so I can start/finish when I want really so long as I do my weekly time.

When the southern expressway is fully open and at 100kph, it should bring the south courses 10-15mins closer.

[thecollective]

Coalesce; In your situation I would personally join The Vines. Solid course and has a 'club-advantage' scheme with Blackwood, Flaggy, Mt Oz, TTG and West Lakes (3 rounds per year at each) allowing you to travel and play a number of good second tier private clubs in S.A.

I open myself up for criticism here but I still do not get that 18th hole, like a coke bottle with a skinny neck. Drives me insane every time I play it. Great club though and good friendly members.

TC

[coalesce]

Vines of Reynella: No entrance fee, annual fee $1845.50, house levy $100, other levies ~$200

Just realised I got the Vines info wrong above. The $1845.50 is inclusive of all levies.

Coalesce; In your situation I would personally join The Vines. Solid course and has a 'club-advantage' scheme with Blackwood, Flaggy, Mt Oz, TTG and West Lakes (3 rounds per year at each) allowing you to travel and play a number of good second tier private clubs in S.A.


I open myself up for criticism here but I still do not get that 18th hole, like a coke bottle with a skinny neck. Drives me insane every time I play it. Great club though and good friendly members.


TC

I'm definitely going to play a round there before I make a decision. I was hoping to pick @nadg63's brain about it next week at Gawler

[talbo]

I've been trying to decide myself which club to join and at the moment West Lakes is the front runner for price and proximity. RA and Grange are closer but I'm not sure I could justify the cost.

[Chilled]

Thanks. Not sure how I missed West Lakes as it is on my to be considered list!

Been a member there and I wouldn't recommend it, in my experience some rude members, inconsiderate pro shop staff, treated like a number, almost an hour to finish the first two holes regularly on a sat morning, and windy - **** it's windy most times.

Also, some of the above courses are OK during the summer BUT turn into boggy quagmires in winter: Osmond, Blackwood, Belair, (though that's crap any time of year!), Stirling, Echunga.

Errr, yeah, nah I wouldn't put Blackwood in amongst that group at all. Nothing like the boggy quagmire Ozzy/Echunga become in the winter months. Blackwood is an excellent course in winter and very playable...just quite cold and can be foggy at times when other places aren't.

[3Puttpete]

What's the pick of

Flagstaff Hill
Murray Bridge
Tea Tree Gully
West Lakes

?

[coalesce]

Are they your reciprocals? From what I've been told when I've asked previously, West Lakes then TTG

[Lagerlover]

I watched Bob Shearer and Ian Stanley play TTG in 86/87.. probably still got the plaque there somewhere.

[3Puttpete]

Are they your reciprocals? From what I've been told when I've asked previously, West Lakes then TTG

Yeah. TTG is full, the others partial. Dunno what that means. Membership privileges v just playing rights I suppose.

[3Puttpete]

I watched Bob Shearer and Ian Stanley play TTG in 86/87.. probably still got the plaque there somewhere.

They put a plaque on course because you watched? You were a big shot back then weren't you

[Chilled]

What's the pick of

Flagstaff Hill
Murray Bridge
Tea Tree Gully
West Lakes

?

Depends on what you are looking for. But anyways I prefer, in this order: TTG, Flagstaff, West Lakes, and I haven't played MB.

What do you mean "full"?

[3Puttpete]

Depends on what you are looking for. But anyways I prefer, in this order: TTG, Flagstaff, West Lakes, and I haven't played MB.

What do you mean "full"?

I assume it means members rates and access to facilities etc as opposed to a discount rate for golf only.

eg TTG has reciprocal clubs with "visiting rights" and others with "membership and visiting rights"

Either way I'm not fussed. I won't be ruling anything in or out based on half a green fee

[Lagerlover]

They put a plaque on course because you watched? You were a big shot back then weren't you

It's more of a "please be aware" sign..

[3Puttpete]

Ah ha