autumn – Golfing Agency

The 8 best golf weekend getaways for the autumn

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 05:57:43 +0000

Just because the days are shorter and the weather is colder, it shouldn’t stop you from enjoying an autumn golf weekend getaway.

In fact,
for many, autumn is the best time of year to play. With orange and yellow
leaves lining the fairways, less ‘traffic’ on the course, and softer, more
playable conditions, there’s a lot to like about autumn golf.

Whether you’re planning a late break this year or looking ahead to next, here’s a selection of the best golf weekend getaways across the UK and Ireland.

Prince’s
Golf Club has received considerable investment in recent years and has undergone
a dramatic restyling. In truth, it’s a delight to play here at any time of the
year. However, it’s never a bad idea to go the links route in autumn, as they
drain so well.

A host of Local Qualifying for The Open from 2018 to 2022, Prince’s also co-hosted The Amateur Championship in 2013 and 2017. Let’s not forget that Prince’s is an Open Championship venue, with Gene Sarazen winning the Claret Jug here in 1932.

Today’s Prince’s bears little resemblance to the layout over which the American triumphed all those years ago, however. What you have now is three loops of nine: Shore, Dune, and Himalayas. Martin Ebert has transformed these famous Kent coast links. Combined with superb accommodation with views over Sandwich Bay and dining in the 2AA Rosette Brasserie on the Bay, this is undoubtedly one of the UK’s best golf break destinations.

If
parkland golf is your preference, Breadsall Priory, set amongst 300 acres of
sprawling Derbyshire countryside on the edge of the Peak District, is a great
option. It’s well-equipped to cater for large golf parties and those searching
for a weekend getaway.

It’s one of six golf and country clubs under Marriott’s umbrella, and features two golf courses—The Priory and Moorland. The former was designed by David Cox in the late 1970s, with the latter, the work of Donald Steele, arriving in the 1990s.

As well as golf, visitors can take advantage of a number of dining experiences and leisure facilities, including a fully-equipped gym and pool, alongside relaxing spa treatments.

Dundonald
Links is another club that has benefited from a recent investment. A healthy
£25m, to be exact, has taken this modern links to another level.

Stay and
plays don’t get much better than this. Not only does Dundonald Links boast a
world-class golf course, which has hosted both the men’s and women’s Scottish
Open, but it’s also got a terrific new clubhouse and 18 luxurious lodges equipped
with all the facilities the holiday golfer could wish for.

Situated on a beautiful stretch of Ayr coastline, if you base yourself here, you can also enjoy a number of other excellent links courses nearby, such as Royal Troon, Prestwick, and Western Gailes. One of the highlights has to be sitting in the Canny Crow restaurant after a round, looking out to the Firth of Clyde and all the way to the Isle of Arran.

Golfers
are guaranteed warm Cornish hospitality at this popular resort, which is home
to two fantastic golf courses, both of which boast DP World Tour pedigree. The
Nicklaus Signature course, which opened for play in 1988, hosted the Benson
& Hedges International Open from 1990 to 1995, with José María Olazábal,
Bernhard Langer and Seve Ballesteros amongst its winners.

Located in
the Tamar Valley, it’s a bit of a brute—but great fun, too. Meanwhile, with its
framed fairways and challenging water hazards, the Kernow has gained a popular
following in recent years.

The St Mellion Estate offers a range of accommodation, from the 4-star hotel to the newly refurbished self-catering holiday cottages hidden deep between the fairways of the two golf courses. Meanwhile, the health club and spa are perfect places to relax and unwind.

Padstow is
where you’ll find Rick Stein’s flagship seafood restaurant, famous for its
classic dishes and excellent wines. It’s also home to the wonderful Trevose,
one of Harry Colt’s masterful designs. With its elevated clubhouse and 1st tee,
it’s one of those places that gets you from the moment you arrive—and the
sights and sounds of the Atlantic Ocean will take your breath away.

Like many
Colt designs, the course is set out in two loops of nine—the front of which hugs
the sand dunes and coastline, while the back heads inland towards the
clubhouse. The 4th is the most famous and photographed hole, a terrific
dogleg-left par 5 that takes you right down to the rocks that separate
Constantine Bay from Bobby’s Bay.

Being on the coast means there are plenty of other activities to enjoy during your stay, such as surf school, and there are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation. As well as the spacious Trehuel apartments, there are dormy apartments overlooking the 18th green, as well as bungalows and cottages that sleep larger parties.

Gleneagles
needs no introduction. The ‘Glorious Playground’ has it all—world-class golf
and a whole host of activities to enjoy during your stay. In truth, it sits at
the expensive end of the spectrum—but if you’re really looking to treat
yourself, head to Perthshire.

The Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup venue is home to three courses: the PGA Centenary, the King’s and the Queen’s. The PGA Centenary, an American-style layout designed by Jack Nicklaus and Ron Kirby, may not yet boast the reputation of James Braid’s King’s and Queen’s, but the views staring down the 1st hole to the rolling hills beyond will live long in the memory.

As for off-course
entertainment, accommodation and dining, everything is first class. The danger
of staying in the luxury 5-star hotel is that you’ll struggle to get out of bed
and miss your tee time.

There’s fishing, shooting, horse riding, racquet sports, off-roading, and cycling among other activities on offer. It’s impossible not to work up an appetite. See if you can work your way through each of the restaurants. Picking a favourite won’t be easy—and may require more than a long weekend, too.

Wiltshire
may not be quite so well known for its golf, but Bowood has one of the most
beautiful parkland courses in the South West.

Designed
by the renowned Dave Thomas, the course makes best use of the estate’s mature
woodland—and it looks especially easy on the eye in autumn. The fairways are
wide and forgiving, but at 7,300 yards from the tips, it’s also a bit of a
brute.

Recognised as a Four Red Star Hotel by the AA, Bowood Hotel is located on the Bowood Estate, near Calne. It’s a wonderful place to unwind—plus, there’s a luxurious spa that’s not to be missed. What’s more, should you have children in tow, there’s lots to do at Bowood to keep them happy, too.

Nestled in
the heart of 1,100 acres of private parkland in Maynooth, County Kildare,
Carton House Golf is a respite from the outside world and yet is just 25
minutes from both Dublin Airport and the city centre. So, should you want your
golf break to include a bit of nightlife, you’re in a pretty good spot.

During the
day, you have two very fine championship courses to enjoy. Choose from the
classic parkland O’Meara, which meanders through ancient woodlands and the
banks of the river Rye, or play on the soil many a legend has with the
challenge of the inland links, Montgomerie.

Meanwhile, the Fairmont-managed hotel blends old and new seamlessly. To stay here is really something special. The dining, too, is exceptional. You can enjoy fine dining and Sunday lunch in the Morrison Room or sample traditional fare with a contemporary twist from a live open kitchen.

Specialist golf insurance with Golf Care

Any of these golf weekend getaways tickling your fancy? Well, why wouldn’t they? However, you may also want to consider golf insurance before making any concrete plans.

With Golf Care, golf insurance includes Equipment cover up to £7,500, Public Liability up to £10m and much more. It’s also underpinned by the ‘Ripe Guarantee’, meaning you get great cover and service to match at a price you can afford.

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FootJoy expands footwear options for all golfers this autumn

detlef32 — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 22:16:53 +0000

FootJoy has introduced a range of shoes to meet golfer’s performance and style needs for the remainder of the summer season and into the winter months, including new versions of the Stratos and Flex XP.

Stratos
First introduced last autumn, FJ Stratos brought cloud-like comfort, debuting StratoFoam underfoot cushioning, to the brand’s leading range. The new and improved model builds on its comfort features with an all-new sculptured heel piece and moulded heel inside to exaggerate the in-shoe comfort while offering a more athletic look.
The shoe’s exterior construction features soft, luxurious leather uppers for a premium feel combined with the VersaTrax+ outsole for the ultimate in on-course traction and off-course versatility. The StratoFoam midsole offers energy return as well as soft underfoot cushioning.
SRP: Men £164.99, Women £159.99

FJ Flex XP

Flex XP
The Flex franchise welcomes an all-new Flex XP which presents the perfect upgrade for the increasing number of golfers looking for athletic styling, breathability, traction and waterproof protection in their performance footwear.
The Flex XP receives a full facelift, with an engineered mesh upper elevating its breathability without compromising the waterproof protection. A flared heel piece, featuring a TPU section, elevates the shoe’s athletic look and structure, and a returning VersaTrax outsole gives golfers the practicality of on and off course versatility.
SRP: Men/Women: £114.99

Contour Jogger
Building on the Contour franchise, the Contour Jogger adds an all-new yet retro look and feel to FJ’s casual range. The Contour Jogger’s water-resistant suede upper allows golfers to enjoy time on the course while looking the part around and even away from the golf club.
Uniquely, the VersaTrax-inspired outsole uses recycled rubber to add a sustainability element while delivering a secure grip for golfers on and off the course.
SRP: £99

Links
Created specifically for the female golfer, FJ LINKS offers a casual trainer-style which builds on popular lifestyle fashion trends. Featuring luxurious leather uppers in a classic ‘pump’ aesthetic, FJ LINKS adds unmatched versatility to FJ’s female footwear offering.
SRP: £114.99

Fuel
The FJ FUEL has made huge strides since its introduction in January, establishing itself as one of the most popular spikeless shoes available. Previously offered in largely white-based colourways, a new black option will be available to golfers, offering a darker option to thrive in the later year golf conditions.
SRP: £134.99

Stormwalker Boot
The Stormwalker Boot offers ultimate protection, traction and comfort in the most challenging playing conditions. The fur-lined feature of the women’s boot has made it one of the most popular models in the line-up adding warmth and additional comfort. Further waterproof protection is available in the men’s Stormwalker XT where a zip-up shroud prevents water ingress through the laced area of the boot.
SRP: Men’s Laced £109, Men’s Shroud £129.99, Women’s Laced £109

Available at retail and online from August 19, for more details visit www.footjoy.co.uk.

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Pick up Original Penguin apparel this autumn

detlef32 — Sun, 11 Sep 2022 10:35:16 +0000

Bunker and Martini print polos from Original Penguin Golf’s new collection

Original Penguin Golf, worn by Open Champion Cameron Smith, has gone back to the future by debuting a distinctly retro Autumn/Winter Collection for men and women, taking its inspiration from the 1960s, 70s and 90s.

Original Penguin Golf men’s and women’s prints have quickly become an iconic marker for the brand, fusing bold style and fashion with the tried-and-tested, for a younger-minded consumer. This autumn-winter season, the brand has increased its florals and bunker-inspired camos collection, while decorative ‘conversationals’ feature strongly too.

The men’s collection has a bit of a retro and light-hearted palette and emphasises a casual look, with key colours including Blueberry Pancake Teal and Golden Chai Tea, with accents of Geranium Pink and Mid-Century Light Aqua.

The ultra-feminine Women’s Collection is expanding with fun geometric prints inspired by pomegranates, and featuring a new sun protection Hoodie for the first time. The women’s range also boasts built-in shelf bras with removable inserts, built-in tummy control on all bottoms, and soft elastic gripper tape on all inside shorts for skirts and dresses.

Fabric performance features across both men’s and women’s lines includes UPF protection, four-way stretch, lightweight design, and PrimaLoft used for high-level insulation in a new line of puffers.

Insulated puffers are offered in gilet and full jacket styles

Polar Pete Series

The expanding collection features on-trend layering and outerwear pieces with great performances for those playing in all kinds of weather. All fabrics and performances have been crafted with sustainable yarn blends and eco-friendly technologies.

With an emphasis on warmth and comfort, the 90s-inspired Mixed Media Colour Block Thermal Fleece – and the new ¼ Zip featuring a 3D spacer fleece in recycled blend – are both great mid-weight layering options for cooler days.

Meanwhile, the Insulated Puffers with PrimaLoft thermal insulation and with 100% nylon durable micro-ripstop, also water-repellent features, can be worn on windy and cold days on the course or even around town.

Other Men’s Highlight Products:

Bunker Print Polo (as worn by Cam Smith at The 150th Open) – 30% recycled polyester, self fabric collar, three button placket.

The Original Performance Tracksuit Jacket – 30% recycled polyester with Aquapel water-repellent finish, rib knit inside neck, double-sided front zipper, left chest ‘Pete’ logo patch.

Midweight ¼ zip Performance Hoodie – Luxe and eco-friendly blend of TENCEL, recyclable polyester and elastane, Aquapel® water-repellent finish, contrast inside hoodie with hidden adjustable cord & stopper, branded trims around hoodie edge and on zipper tape.

Hoodies and thermal mid-layers will be a welcome addition to any golfer’s wardrobe this winter

Insulated Mixed-Media 70’S Vest – Water-repellent finish, insulated panels, knit side panel for stretch and performance, side zip pockets with Pete printed pocket bags.

¼ Zip 90’S Colour Block Wind Jacket – Dobby backed lining, open hem with adjustable toggle, elasticated cuffs and hem, left chest sticker ‘Pete’ patch.

New Waterproof Suit – 10,000 MMU

Other Women’s Highlight Products

Knit Hoodie – New on trend women’s fashion piece featuring left chest ‘Pete’ Patch, raglan sleeves, rounded hem with binding and side pockets.

Papercut Floral Flounce Pleated Skort – with piping and soft elastic gripper tape on inside shorts.

Mixed Media Puffer Jacket – New full-zip PrimaLoft insulated jacket with rib knit hems and cuffs, and back neck ‘Pete’ heat seal.

Essential Solid Legging – with rib waistband, side pockets, mesh lining inside waistband and quick dry finish.

For more details, visit www.originalpenguin.co.uk/collections/golf

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