The Belfry

My golfing buddies and I recently played the Brabazon and the Derby while on a golf break at the Belfry and we have nothing but praise for the whole setup.

The Derby Course was a great warm up for the main attraction. A par 69 that eases you into you swing, this course is really enjoyable and the 5th hole will live long in my memory...somehow I managed to clear the big Oak in the middle of the fairway before holing out with my seven wood for the first eagle of my long and unsuccessful golf career!

The Brabazon was probably a bit too tough for my liking but that certainly didnt stop me from enjoying every minute of my round. Standing on the 10th tee and indeed the 18th fairway brings Ryder Cup memories flooding back and you get a special feeling when you're plying this course...I don't want to use this phrase but it really does have the X factor!

We booked our golf break with yourgolftravel.com and included in the deal was a night in the hotel with dinner and breakfast included. The Belfry Hotel was amazing and we couldn't figure out why it hasn't been awarded a fifth star...perhaps someone could enlighten us?!

All in all our weekend at the Beflry was superb value for money and something we will be looking to do again in the not too distant future.

Played The Brabazon on the 6th March and The Derby on the 7th staying in the hotel on a DB&B basis. Having played The Brab before and considering the recent rain I wasn't expecting too much but for the first week in March, the condition was superb with the greens (when i got there) in fantastic condition. The Brabazon really is a monster and tested us all but we thoroughly enjoyed it. We had a great meal in the evening and the breakfast next morning was also excellent. Played The Derby in glorious sunshine and whilst short it was great fun, interesting to play and a perfect antidote to the rigours of the previous day. The only drawback of the whole two days was the slow play on The Derby; 5 hours to play 6000yds was ridiculous and no marshall to chivvy people up. There were four groups of oldies and the lead group had no-one in front but continued to putt for 7's and 8's all the way round and really needed someone to give them a rocket. However, all in all for £134 each all in it was terrific value for money and highly recommended

Our group played the PGA national course on the 29th March and I have to say it was a really nice course and well worth a visit.
It is, in my opinion, no where near as good as The Brabazon, but had several interesting holes. I thought the back 9 were the best of the holes with the 12th probably being my favourite. I also liked the 2nd and 4th holes too.
All the greens were in good condition for the time of year but the fairways were very wet. To be fair though the course had taken A LOT of rain in the few days before we arrived, but when we played The Brabazon the following day the fairways were very dry in comparison. Again the greens were good but not in the same leauge as its big brother! Obviously the money for green fee's goes mainly into The Brabazon!
I wouldnt rush back to play the PGA but I can imagine it been very scenic in the summer and if the hotel put the same sort of deal we got on again in the summer months I would defo do it all again.
Overall rating 7/10

A group of eight lads took up the amazing deal of £99 to play both the PGA national and also The Brabazon with one nights B&B on the 29th and 30th March 2010.
We played The Brabazon on the 30th and I have to say how anyone on here can give it a less than average review is beyond me! I thought it was one of the greatest courses I have ever played and the whole set up of the golf facilties is first class.
We checked in at the startes hut 10 mins before we were due to tee off and the starter was friendly and very helpful. He gave us our scorecards and pencils and tee pegs and was happy to take a photo of our group on the 1t tee box. All the staff were courteous and helpful which only added to the mini break.
The Brabazon itself starts with a generous opening hole. Hit the fairway and you have a chance of making par or better. The greens were absoloutly tremendous for the time of year and were probably the best (and hardest) greens ive ever had the pleasure to putt on. All of them were very true and consistant.
I thought all the holes were memorable with my favourites probably been the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, 10th, 13th, 15th, 17th and 18th. The 18th is possibly one of the hardest holes ive ever played, especially as there was a stiff breeze blowing right in our faces. I took the safe option and laid up to the edge of the fairway before hitting a rescue wood into the undulating green, before walking off with a very satisfactory bogey 5!
My only small gripe would be the course marshall who stopped us after the 2nd hole to say we were almost 10 mins behind the group ahead (which was a 3 ball and they were already clear of the 1st green before we even teed off)! I thought this put us under a little bit of unnecessary pressure, especially as we had a 24 handicap player in our group!
I have to admit the course kicked me all over and I didnt play as well as I can but it didnt stop me and all of our group having a fantastic time. I would do the near on 700 mile round trip tomorrow to play both courses again, especially The Brabazon. I loved every minute of it!
overall rating 9.5/10

I played the PGA National Course and The Brabazon on Mon 29th and Tues 30th March as part of a party of 8. We each paid £99 for bed and breakfast, and the two rounds and I have to say it was worth every penny and more.
The hotel and golf staff were very friendly from the moment we arrived until the moment we left. We played the PGA National on the Monday, which is a nice little course, quite open and some interesting holes on it. The 4th in particular is a tricky hole. Considering the rain the course had suffered over the preceding weeks, the course was in really good condition, and the greens were a pleasure to putt on. It was a case of pick your line and in it goes. Give it another few years and this will be up there with the best.
Now to the Brabazon, what a course! This course is truly sensational. The history, the design, the degree to which it is looked after is a credit to The Belfry. Each hole is different, with strategically placed bunkers and trees, punishing any shot which is slightly misjudged. Again, the greens were brilliant, very very quick and true, yet receptive due to the rain. The course appeared to be well drained especially considering the recent conditions. I'm a 15 handicapper and was delighted to get 4 pars, although as previously mentioned, I got punished with some wayward shots! Walking down the 10th and 18th holes filled me with pride and, especially on the 18th, you can't help but think who's footsteps you are following in.
Only negative point would be the marshall expecting a 4 ball to keep up with a 3 ball who had marched on in front of us. But this couldn't spoil our round.
All in all, a fantastic venue. And I cannot wait to return, sooner rather than later. Can't believe there are negative comments about this place in peoples reports, if there are 'average holes' on the Belfry, I'd like to know where they play that is better, because it must be some course. £99, has to be bargain of the century. If you get the chance to play, don't turn it down, you will regret it.

All the positives: On arrival and check in at the hotel the staff are very courteous, efficient and very friendly. The room was comfortable and the facilities available to all staying guests were excellent. The pro shop was very large, well stocked with all the different famous brands but the let down was they were over priced. Probably because of the name of the venue. We played The Derby and The PGA over the two days and the staff at the desk were courteous and helpful and supplied us with all information that we required. Considering the time of the year when majority of golf courses up and down the country were closed due to bad winter we were expecting that there'll be winter teeboxes, winter greens etc. and to our great surprise both courses were in excellent conditions especially the greens (lightning fast)and we were playing off normal tees.
The minor negatives: No wow factor on both courses. It seem to me the courses were built in arable land and very little degree of challenge despite all the water hazards and countless bunkers here and there. In comparison to the Celtic Manor courses The Belfry which is a world reknowned golf course it comes second as we have now played both venues.

Played the Brabazon in November at a reasonable green fee of £70. The course was in very good condition for the time of year and the greens were fantastic, although a little inconsistent speed-wise. Some very memorable holes (3, 6, 9, 10 & 18) but also some run of the mill holes that are wide open.
This was my first visit to the Belfry and found the place a little underwhelming considering the Ryder Cup history. A big sprawling hotel and conference centre which the golf club gets swallowed up in. The golf staff were great (golf reception, golf shop, starter & halfway house), but in the bar the staff were less polite and courteous.
The daily shotgun start was a great idea meaning no hold ups.
Overall a bit disappointed - didn't live up to expectations and it didn't have a great aura - although some fantastic golf holes.

Played the Ryder cup course as I wanted to feel the history of the place and to imagine how the pros felt teeing off. I shouldnt have bothered sure the course is nicely manicured but it is massively overated apart from the 9th and 18th nothing was memorable.The staff are snooty and ignorent and dont deserve your money. Before anyone asks I am a 2 handicapper and went round in 75 (73) pay your money elsewhere,

we played a fourball on 25/09/2009 on the PGA national, its the first time any of us had played the course but certainly not the last. Its an absolutely fantastic set up clubhouse, driving range, the course all what you would expect from the Belfry even down to the course planner probably the best I've seen. Nothing was too much trouble from the staff and the course condition was superb. The prices are steep but surely this is no surprise for such a venue! Carlsberg dont do golf days but if they did?

Nice to see that The Belfry Staff know how to use this site as well! we all know what you're trying to do - the place is awful - do not believe these reports - go elsewhere.

Our six-man group played the PGA National and Brabazon on 19/20 April on a Sunday/Monday deal for £169.
A few of us were returning after a 2 year gap. Whilst the beautifully unseasonal weather enhanced the experience, The Belfry provided a fantastic couple of days golf.
Whilst earlier comments mention the expensive drinks and food, this is a Four Star Hotel complex. If you come here with your eyes open to this fact then it is something that is expected of a venue of this stature. Not nice, but not a surprise either.
The staff both of the hotel and the golfing side were exceptional without exception. We were treated as special - which unfortunately isn't always the case nowadays in the service sector. This was the icing on the cake for our group for the couple of days.
There are ample practise facilities at the PGA Academy, although we didn't find the short game area (the one we found was for the Academy's use only). The large putting green in front of the clubhouse overlooking the famous ninth and eighteenth holes was just a taster of the speed of the greens on the courses.
The PGA National is a pleasant enough "little sister" to its bigger and more revered brother. The challenges are all too evident and for a Par 70, the SSS at 71 (off the yellows) ensures it isn't a pushover. I would recommend getting a yardage chart as not only are there the odd hidden pond or stream, but the only criticism I found of the complex as a whole, was the lack of markers to the next tee. On more than one occasion it took a bit of trekking before we found where we should be going.
The following day we played The Brabazon and it was an eminently enjoyable round. The golf from all our party didn't match the quality of the course, however this is a significant test for mid-handicap golfers of our ilk.
The greens are slick and quite undulating. You should never get yourself above the hole as stopping the ball requires the silkiest of touch and skill. The rough is also penalising. Not long but thick so it is quite easy to find your ball but not to get it near the green. Along with the multitude of bunkers, this needs a competent game and a well thought out stategy for players of my standard to score well.
Nevertheless it ticks nearly all the boxes for an excellent golfing weekend and we will be returning again.

1st class as you would probably expect.
I organised a society day for 20 on the PGA course. All the staff were pleaseant & helpful, Nothing was too much. The course was in great condition & the greens quite quick. It was a lovely spring day.
The course had plenty of challenges & I struggled on the front 9, but improved greatly on the back 9. I was punished for being a little overconfident taking those tempting tiger lines. They were just too tempting. There can be trouble if like me you go off the fairway. Sometimes needed alot of luck to find my ball. That should teach me.
a great day out, excellent staff & some good golf.
Will definatley make a return visit.

Played the Brabazon course 30th June 2007. Was treated extremley well by all the staff. Our point of contact was exceptional, he made sure we had everything to hand ( course planner,scorecard, tee's,pencils and range tokens )we knew what times we tee'd off and when dinner was to be served. We didnt even need to bring towels for the shower afterwards as they were provided. On the whole our 24 man society were each treated like royalty and thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the home of the Ryder Cup. Not everyone gets to experience The Belfry. We enjoyed the day so much we are playing The Brabazon again on the 1st november 2008.
p.s we have also played the Derby twice and the PGA once, and on all occasions been treated VERY well by all staff

Ditto the previous chap - wish i had listened! What an absolute waste of Money - do not bother - you are not wanted - they take your money - and its goodbye from there on. Non existant customer services - rude staff - overpriced & over played - £5 for magners £6 gin & tonic - whoever the new owners are - they know how to scare off customers - i wonder if Gerald Ratner is on the board! will not be going back - EVEN IF IT WAS FREE.

Do not bother - this year was the worst ever - we have visited The Belfry for the last 10 years - and while you can put up with the regular inflation busting beer price rises (nearly £4 a pint & £5 for cider!) as its a "special" place to play oh how wrong we were - this year they spiked the greens the day before a 40 man society! and when we complained we were told on no uncertain terms - no refund - and when we threatened them that our very large society would not come back - we were told in a very glib manner - it doesnt really matter, becase the name itself is enough for a full order book each year. AND THEY WERE STILL CHARGING £140 FOR PEOPLE TO PLAY WITHOUT TELLING THEM ABOUT THE GREENS! You are just a number here - New owners - The Quinn Group - Nightclub so expensive that no locals go anymore - therefore you get to share your evening in a club with 3 stag parties and 4 golf societies! this place is dead. We are taking our "not important" golf society elsewhere next year - and i will let you all know if we find somewhere better - frankly - that wont be hard.
in short
Rude abrupt staff
Over priced
Non existant customer services
DO NOT BOTHER
BUYER BEWARE!

Played the pga course on 04/11/07.
well what a course.
we had a deal £30 pp for our society including bacon cobs and coffee and 18 holes golf.
the course has some of the biggest and deepest bunkers i have ever been in.
the sand was top notch and very playable.
top fairways and amazing greens as you would expect from a venue this standard.
the pga is not the easiest of tracks to play, although the fairways are wide ,there are a lot of long 2nd/3rd shots over hazards the higher handicapper might struggle with.
i play off a 10 and had only 3 holes that i took less than a 6 iron for my approach shot!!!
well worth paying the full green fee for.
course marshal's come round regularly to see if all is ok and too hurry slow players.
a drinks/food buggy came round mid course too though not cheep.
off course its what you would expect from a ryder cup/European tour venue, high class all over and very,very expensive.
It cost a little under £15 for a bottle of cider and a burger, it was £3.80 for a pint of stella alone.
over all, the pga is a great venue top play with loads of prestige ( not as much as the brabazon course mind )and a real challenging golf course, not for the faint hearted or the financially challenged.

Played the Brabazon and the PGA course using the Sunday driver package 17/18 June. Had a fantastic time amongst friends. The couses were in fantastic condition taking account the amount of rain that we had. Not surprisingly we had surface water on some holes and the courses played long due to the wet fairways. The general consensus of opinion was that that the PGA course was more challenging than the more famous counterpart. The only downside to the fantastic break was that Father's Day was on the Sunday, which didn't go down too well with the family/kids (but what a great father's day present, thanks kids)
PS Bar prices a bit extortianate, pint of Magners £5.90

Visited the Belfry on 17th and 18th of june to play the Brabazon and the PGA on the sunday driver offer (£169) fearing that we may not be able to play the courses due to the phenominal amount of rain the area had on the previous 3 days. No need to worry. Apart from a little standing water in one or two places off the fairway, the courses were in excellent condition (especially the Brab). Greens were soft but still fast and fairways were not soft at all. Layout of both courses was great and were very different from each other. Going back in 2 weeks with another society for the same deal. Can't wait! (beer expensive £3.45 pint of carling and food(carvery) was excellent)

We played the Brabazon as a weekend '50th birthday' treat for one of our society, the itinery was Saturday evening dinner and night out, breakfast then golf on the Sunday.
Arriving at the course, which is probably the easiest we've had to find yet, it wasn't difficult to see why its one of the worlds most famous - the car park is huge, spread out between the clubhouse, hotel & driving range, with an entrance that took you to the reception area. Clubs and clothes away, we headed to the driving range, which had it's own pro shop that would be worthy of any club in the UK.
The course has all the facilities you would expect - driving range, putting & chipping greens and also has a variety of bars and restaurants, including a night club.
The first negative point was found when we sat down for a pre-pint feed on the Saturday afternoon, a cheeseburger was ordered (without chips!) - £9.95. Pint of Magners £5.50. Needless to say save up or bring your plastic!!
The main pro shop is one of the finest we've seen stocking all brands and makes - it really is like a supermarket.
Our Saturday night was rounded off by a buffet dinner and then on to the 'Bel-Air' nightclub, were some of the sites had to be seen to be believed. This stays open till 4, but for those disconcerning drinkers the main bar in the hotel is open late, where we indulged in a few night caps, ready to settle down and take on the mighty Brabazon.
Sunday arrived with a few headache's, but the full english soon put all hangovers to rest - its probably the finest breakfast one could ask for.
Now to the important stuff - the golf. The Brabazon features a quite daunting first tee, where the nerves might kick in for some - all eyes watching from the putting green and surrounding clubhouse.
However the brilliance of the course will soon calm you down as you take on what is a fantastic golf challenge.
Bearing in mind all the holes are great, these ones just had to be picked out -
3rd - A long, difficult yet beautiful par 5 where accuracy from the tee is essential. A second shot laid up in front of the water leaves a short pitch in to a narrow difficult green.
9th - A classic hole. A relatively spacious fairway greets the player, but the second ain't easy, with a small green protected by that famous lake and small bunker in between.
10th - One of the most famous in the world. Long hitters should go for it and try and emulate Seve's shot all those years ago. If attempting it a fade is required to avoid the trees. Anything too far left however wil have to negotiate a massive oak that protects the back portion of the green. The brook that slithers in front of the putting surface wil swallow many a ball.
17th - A classic par 5, long hitters need to fade the ball as straight drives may end up in the trees. Two intimidating bunkers reminisant of St Andrew's have to be taken on to avoid a long third in, to a difficult yet rewarding green.
18th - The one we all want to play. Try and keep your tee shot left so to reduce the length of the hole, however too far may find the drink. The second shot in makes you realise why the pros deserve their status in the golfing world, the brillant three tiered green has to be seen to be believed. Make sure you have a mulligan and go for it by Christy O' Connor's plaque, where he hit that 2 iron in the early eighties. A great end to a majestic golf course.
There was a few downsides to our weekend. The greens weren't the best, covered in sand and small holes, which, considering the price, was pretty poor. The course was also undergoing a little restoration whish meant the sixth was a par 3 which was a shame. The general price of food and ale was extorniate, we as a society are happy to pay over the odds for a good weekend however buying two club sandwiches, two chips and two Carling Cold and being charged £35 was just a rip off.
However it was a great weekend, and a course all golfers should play.

As per the previous log I and 2 friends played the PGA and the Brabazon between Xmas and New Year on a deal for under £100 through golfbreaks.com. For the record we are 15-22 handicappers. The hotel was fine, food good and service couldn’t be faulted. Bar prices were a bit steep - £9 for a bottle of Magners and a pint of lager. Stay off bottled beers! Anyway, the PGA (the second best of 3 courses) was played in overcast weather. Nothing terribly remarkable but quite open and in poor weather would be very exposed. Greens were being dressed but fairways were excellent. Quite a long walk not helped by a rain-enforced ban on trolleys made it tiring but not unenjoyable (check whether you need to carry before leaving, although bags were available for hire). A fair amount of water added challenge. By comparison the Brabazon is a more feature-rich course with, given our concerns about high scores, generously wide fairways. A shotgun start (we started on the 4th) saw a leisurely round in fantastic weather. Plenty of water and sand around the course provides all manner of challenge. Not as long as I thought - position is more important than power on most of the holes. Surprisingly easy to lose balls on even slightly off centre shots. A couple of holes deserve special mention. The 10th is a huge drive (slice) onto a secluded narrow green or a more sensible lay-up and chip. High scores for risk takers guaranteed. The 17th is a long dogleg right Par 5 – keep an eye on the ball flight as it can be tricky to find. The 18th (Par 4) is the best hole with a fair drive over water required (as far left as you dare) still leaving 200 yards over more water to make the green. Quite a hole! Couldn’t fault the ground staff who were both numerous and helpful, the pro shop is well equipped and the organisation is first class, as are the practice facilities. All in all quite exceptional value. Hopefully we can make another trip (the motorway interchange to the course is confusing – beware) before next Christmas.

played brabazon on golfbreaks package for 95 quid.(2 rounds & hotel,on top we paid upgrade £15 to play brabazon twice).this course is the best ive ever played. considering its january , and work was being done , the fairways were fantastic, bunkers great , greens although being dressed were fast and true.the shape of the fairways create small landing zones and there is very little for being out of position. it is very easy to rack up big numbers as water comes into play on quite a lot of holes. To come up the 18 th ,smash one over the lake off the tee, then have 200+ over the lake again to the green makes this the scariest hole ive ever seen,and thats just off yellows.!! a must for any golf fan. the hotel is absolutely outstanding as are the facilities and driving range. im not sure about paying full rack rates, but with deals like this around we will be back . for what we paid it would be rude not to. only negative is bar pricing , far too expensive , but i suppose they have to coin a bit back somewhere. OUTSTANDING VALUE .

Played the Derby & Brabazon on a Sunday Driver, good value, the Derby was quite a bland course, slow greens with lots of sand on them. The fairways were dry with little grass on them. Only worth playing if you are desperate for a warm up game. The Brabazon was a much better course with plenty of water hazzards to keep you on your toes. A good but not a great course. All in all worth a visit, but not paying rack rate.

Played the Brabazon again 31/07/06, and this time the course was in a much better condition than when i last played (and reviewed - see below) it. The fairways were like carpet, and had obviously been watered during the hot weather. The bunkers were probably the best i've ever had to play out of, but the greens weren't the best i'd played on, but that might be because the greens at my own course (Shirley) are so good. Managed to play for £50 including buggy, which is about the maximum i'd pay for this course.......I certainly wouldn't pay the £140 standard green fee!
Got a bit on the back 9, but they do like to pack them in at The Belfry, so it was no suprise!

Steve, 26/07/06. Played the derby course today it was in good shape although some of the bunkers were being filled. On the whole enjoyable day taxied to and from the 1st 18th tee. Would not pay asking price though £40. Done a 2 4 1 worth £20. Fairly easy course bunkers placed well for the off centre drive or iron ended up with 88 off 21 h/c.