Forest Pines
The latest was in early March 2015 when a game here reminded me just how well the course plays, particularly in the off-season.
There were no muddy trousers or having to clean your shoes after a round here.
There are three nines at this Q-Hotels venue (update: DoubleTree by Hilton from November 2018), all of relatively similar calibre, and it was the ‘Forest’ and ‘Beeches’ loops we enjoyed this time out. The third nine ‘Pines’, along with ‘Forest’, is generally regarded as the premier make-up for a round of 18 and I would agree with this consensus.
But that said there is very little in it and the 27 holes generally have a very solid and consistent feel to them. The tree-lined nature and relative flatness of the property tends to breed a similarity and remembering individual holes at a later date can be a tricky task as they often blur into one. The reason is probably because there are very few stand-out holes – the flatness of the property probably contributes to that the most – but there is very little that disappoints either.
We were greeted with firm fairways and well-conditioned greens for the time of year and it’s a course I will certainly look to return to during the off-season as it is easily accessibly from the motorway network of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
The putting surfaces were very good for the time of year and there were a few of green complexes that really impressed during our round; these came at the first and third holes on Beeches. The setting of the green at the fifth hole on the same nine is also very appealing to the eye.
Whilst the short holes fail to really pack a punch, again the lack elevation change a contributing factor, the par fives sparkle as do a number of the two-shotters.
We opted for an early tee-time and had the course to ourselves, however, due to the nature of the facility it attracts a high volume of play, particularly the corporate and society type. Indeed upon finishing the putting green and first tee were heaving with activity as a large group was just starting.
