Alice Springs Golf Club

Alice Springs Golf Club, Usk, South East Wales, Wales, NP15 1PP

01873880914 | E-mail golf course | Golf course website

5 reviews of Alice Springs Golf Club

We played Alice Springs on 20th September 2008 on a glorious summer day with no wind and plenty of sunshine. It is an excellent course to play for a day as it has two fine 18 hole courses, both of which can definitely be enjoyed, not only for the testing golf but also for the fantastic scenery near the Brecon Beacons. The first surprise is the cost, this is a very reasonably priced course - fantastic value for money. And the second surpise is when the pro requested the keys to my Prestige Executive Luxury Vehicle to be left with him when ordering a buggy ... does he expect us to steal the buggy, drive it back to Essex and leave our car there ?? Worse than that, it's apparent your keys would be left on an open and very unsecure hook in the pro-shop - if you argue the point, I'm sure you can bypass this absurd request. If you are playing both courses in a day, I'd recommend having a buggy for at least one of the rounds and I'd say the Monnow course would be the favourite. Now the golf: The two courses are known as the Monnow and the Usk. We played the Monnow in the morning, which although the shorter of the two courses, is by no means a pushover. One can easily be fooled into a false sense of one's ability with three easy and short opening holes, but the fourth hole is ready to remind you of your shortcomings as any slip between tee and green will be punished. After these four openers, it's up into the hillside one goes and for this course a buggy can be a very useful item. In particular because, after a steep incline up the 5th fairway and more work to get to the green, the 6th is then a few hundred yards through woods, uphill, down and then up again just to get to the tee. There really are some magnificent holes on this course, but do beware that there are a few greens that slope away from the approach and a ball hit into green is more than likely to disappear through. You really do need to know which greens these are before your approach or you will be punished for a decent shot (9th particularly). This is a definite minus point with the course, but can be forgiven against all the plus points. The card records the yardage as a little over 5,000 yards, but you will be amazed how much longer than that this course feels. It's a test alright. As to the Usk, the course starts with two easy-ish holes alongside the road, although right-handed slicers will be out of bounds. Then a tricky third takes you up into the hills again and it starts to get tough. As on the Monnow course the course planner is a useful tool as the Pro's tips on each hole do point out the sloping away greens (9th and 11th) and gives good advice on how to play each hole. Once again on these 18 very different holes you will be met by some awkward holes and stunning views. At just over 5,500 yards this again has a surprising long feel to it but you will enjoy the challenge of these impressive holes. Don't be fooled into thinking it's an easy finish either with two par-3's - one is just under 200 yards, the other is well over 200 and their stroke indexes are 4 and 8 respectively. Easy to be caught out. At the end of two really enjoyable rounds we relaxed in the very friendly clubhouse with a well deserved pint and reflected that there aren't that many courses you can go to that have 36 such dramatic and varied holes that are a real pleasure to play. It was our eighth visit to the couse and we will certainly be back.

Posted by G. Calkin on 25/09/2008
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 5
  • Value for money 5

i have played both the, usk and monnow courses and found both to be excellent golfing experiences although while playing the monnow course, i played in torrential weather, although the round was still very enjoyable, i would recommend the facilty to anyone. both days were first class examples of golf.

Posted by Matthew Cartwright on 14/05/2007
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 4
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 4

Of the two courses at Alice Springs I played the slightly longer Usk course. When you look at the course card your first impression is that the course is short and fairly straightforward. However it turns out to be a delightful challenge, lots of tight shots against a scenic backdrop of the Usk valley. Even the opening short par 4 stroke index 18 has its problems as the slighest of left to right in your tee shot puts you out of bounds. The par 5's are very short, but have protection in front of the greens to discourage over zealous 2nd shots. Unusually the course finishes with two tough 200yd par 3's. A course I would definitely play differently if I go again (more careful positional shots). The complex offers the novelty of satellite navigation buggies which are a real boon given the hillyness and number of blind shots.

Posted by Ian Thomas on 06/05/2007
4
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Overall Rating 4
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5

played the usk course in a ryder cup style format what a cracking piece of track.staff absoulutly brillant very friendly and helpfull. give a go

Posted by gary elrick on 24/05/2006
5
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Overall Rating 5
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5
  • Clubhouse 5
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 5

I have played both courses at Alice Springs over the last 10 months, both as single and fourball matchs and a society event, one of which I organised. An absolutley cracking venue. Full marks for greens, layout and overall presentation of the courses. A very well organised club and booking the society event was trouble free even though I had to change the day. Nothing was too much trouble. Of the two courses I personally preferred the Usk course although there is little between the two. My only regret was that I played the Monnow course on a hot summer day and I wished that I had hired a buggy, it was a long hilly walk. Definitely worth a visit.

Posted by Stephen Sage on 15/08/2004

Course information

Number of holes 18
Year opened -
Designer -
Style parkland

Tee information

TeesYardsParSSS
Competition
Men's618572
Ladies'

Green Fees

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Weekday round£20
Weekday day-
Weekend round£25
Weekend day-

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