The Belfry – Derby Course
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What we say
The Brabazon at the Belfry is a must-play golf course. It’s steeped in history and Ryder Cup memories and you’ve just got to tee it up there and follow in the footsteps of the golfing greats and legends. The boisterous galleries won’t be there but nevertheless the hairs on the back of your neck will almost certainly be standing up, specially on the tee at the do-or-die short par 4 10th and as you seek to finish with a flourish at the thrilling finale.
You’re guaranteed to have a ball and it’s a cast iron certainty that you’ll always remember your approach shot over the lake (hopefully!) in front of the 18th green. It’s the stuff golfing dreams and legends are made of though the Brabazon can be a bit too demanding and intimidating for less experienced golfers. The Belfry is also the home of the splendid Dave Thomas, who designed the PGA National (see review below), and the Derby golf course as well as some of the best practice facilities you’ll find anywhere. Oh, and there’s a top hotel on site.
Click here to find out where The Belfry ranks in Golf World's Top 100 Courses England
In 1975 work began on two golf courses - The Brabazon and The Derby - by Dave Thomas and Peter Alliss. Once the land was purchased, planning permission was eventually granted for two golf courses. The golf courses at the Belfry were to be called The Derby, after The Earl of Derby, and The Brabazon, after Lord Brabazon of Tara. Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas designed the golf courses and the task of building them started in December 1974.
In October 1976, Raymond Floyd (American Masters Champion) played the golf course with Peter Alliss and Maurice Bembridge. Both courses were opened on schedule in June 1977. The Brabazon golf course was later officially opened with a challenge match, Severiano Ballesteros and Johnny Miller against Tony Jacklin and Brian Barnes.
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Course Summary
- Costs
- TG Rating
- Players Rating
- Address Lichfield Road, Wishaw, SUTTON COLDFIELD
- Tel 08449800600
- Website www.TheBelfry.com
Course Information
| Course | 69 par |
| Course Style | - |
| Green Fees | Summer £45; Winter £25 |
| Course Length | 6,057 yards (5,539 metres) |
| Holes | 18 |
| Difficulty | Hard 0-10 |
| Course Membership | Proprietary |
Course Features
- Course has: Bar
- Course has: Buggy Hire
- Course has: Driving Range
- Course has: Practice Green
- Course has: Pro Shop
- Course has: Restaurant
- Course has: Trolley Hire
- Course has: Dress Code
- Course has: Club Hire
- Course has: Handicap
Your Reviews
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Good test of golf not so intimidating.
To be fair this is the 2nd time this year i have done a review on the belfry, plying back in march this was the 1st time me and my golf buddy had made a vist in the summer, it was well worth the trip the course was in great condition tight fairways and fast greens and well manicured all over. from the time you walk into the new pro-shop you know you are somewhere special even if playing the derby course. the staff are very helpful and friendley evendown to the old boys on the shuttle bus that takes you to the 1st tee. the facilities here at the belfry are marvellous with very smart changing rooms and very clean showers. the only down side is the drinks in sams bar can be a bit expensive but this is not a place you come to every day also playing 2fore1 makes this very good value for money. i have been on the brabazon but found that tough for my game of golf, you feel on the derby you can give it more justice p.s. will be back.
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The little sister
Yes this is the little sister course, bit wider not so many bunker and no water.Is this better well after a night out in the belfry after playing the Pga yes! but i would say mid-high handicappers would find this course just what the doctor oreded low handicappers would easily destroy this. Again like the Pga with all the rain course is well kept ,fairways held up well and the greens and tees where good. These greens are slower than the Pga but hard too read so take your time. Overall the belfry as a whole 2 day experience was amazing both courses are good but next time I would play this first as a warm up and then the brab or Pga next.
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great course
the derby although the cheapest of all the courses at the belfry is a very good curse and i found the most fun. the course is kept in excellent condition cant wait to go back this is a must for any golfer.
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the hidden gem
I used to be a member at the belfry and have played all 3 of its courses many times, the derby although the shorter and dare i say easier of the 3 is for me the hidden gem amoungst the 2 well known courses. it is a true test of golf for any standard of golfer. if i still lived in the midlands i would visit this course as often as possible. the belfry facilities really are second to none and it makes for a really terrific weekend of golf .
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Awesome Weekend
Played the course twice now and already booked in for 2008, the sunday driver deal makes this real value for money. Only a fool or a premiership footballer would pay full price. Both times i've played it the course was in stunning condition, (helped by the previous weeks masters in 2006.) We all know about the 9th,10th and 18th but there is much more to this course than that. There are a few ordinary holes 11-13th but its all relative. The practice facilities also deserve a mention 5 star weekend
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A must play
An awesome course. Numerous hazards in the way of bunkers and water not to mention tough greens. The whole of the Belfry experience is one to savour, only downside was due to the number of corporate types playing the round was slow, over 5 hours. Played it a week after the Masters and condition was great.
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One to knock off the list of To Do's!
I was lucky to play this free, courtesy of TG, and enjoyed fellow reviewer Jonny's company. The course was in excellent nick, and the signature holes 10 and 18 lived up expectations. The green on 18 is the toughest I have ever played,I thought the 17th was the best designed hole. Rough was very fair, and recoverable from A course planner is a must as there are hidden hazards-well worth the investment. I would not however pay the normal green fee to play it again, there are other courses that offer far better value for money, and in my view a better test of golf. THANKS TG FOR A GREAT DAY
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A must play!
What a great course. As a new member of the TG team I got to play this course just recently. Unfortunately it rained most the day, but the course held up well and the greens were lightening quick! Holes 10 and 18 were top notch!
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Not to be missed !
Top quality Tee's, Fairways and ridiculously smooth and fast Greens. What do you expect from a Ryder Cup venue. There may be other places to play with the same course quality for less money but the history there alone makes you tingle. Just wait till you get the view for the second shot on the 18th, unbelievable !!!!! If you get any chance at all, you would mad to decline.
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Wonderful
It had rained all morning and it was raining when we tee'd off mid afternoon but the course still handled the downpoor. It was wonderful and when the sun eventualy turned up it got better. The course is well manicured and the greens were excellent and it felt great to play where so many heros of golf have passed before. The Golf and Hotel staff were excellent and very helpful, I had a great time
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Emperors new clothes
Is it just me or this all hype?? Work going on everywhere, an odd temporary tee/green - Cleeve Common has better greens than this. What a waste of money. Play the Forest of Arden it's far better allround and cheaper..... Very dissappointed in everythig bar the history of the place.
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Whats to say Its the Brab!
Its not cheap but then no one made me play it and its a bit more than the local muni! Its not easy but then it is a Ryder Cup venue and i can take it! It's class, pure class from the intimidating first tee in front of the watching public in Sam's bar right up to the heart stopping moment you hit your approach across the lake into the fantastic 18th green (one of my party actually "Dambustered" his approach across the lake end ended up with a par!) Anyone who loves the game should play this course in fact it should be compulsory! Marvellous!! :-)
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Nice.
Really enjoyed, bit pricey for winter golf with work being carried out some holes, but hey, I played the Belfry!
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top notch
great to stand where the names have and try to drive the tenth, didn't make it though !great course but do they need to charge that much for out of season golf? But some great offers for weekend stay and play
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great front 9 not so good back9
Nice course front 9 is very nice but the back 9 is just like any other course appart from the 18th great finising hole
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New year treat!
It doesn’t like the rain and it wasn’t in great condition in places, but most of the fairways and greens were good, needs to be played in the summer, if it hadn’t hosted the Ryder cup so many times would we pay so much to play it, I doubt it. We had a deal to play the PGA national but after the Brabazon we thought we give that a miss. The drinks are too expensive.It use to be v good. Much better value golf breaks to be found elsewhere
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got to play it
whilst course had seen a lot of rain was in really good nick considering- especially hte greens- a fab course, one of the "must do's" for any golfer and got a great golf deal with accomodation via golfbreaks so cant fault it all -and you can see if you can hit the 10th green of the tee!!
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memories
Have played the course 4 times - last time toward the end of 2005 and whilst everything about the venue is very good there are indeed better courses then the brabazon. One that springs to mind is the Arden course at the Forest of Arden. However, that said the 10th and 18th are certainly great holes that cannot be bettered anywhere.
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It's Good
Great course, world famous played by the elite. Worth playing for the 10th and 18th alone.
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Special
Superb bunkering and in great condition. Some really special holes, especially 10 and 18. These are not quickly forgotten. Great design, good condition and the fact that you are playing the same holes that have won us Ryder cups make it a special day out. Always seem to be deals to be had to avoid the normally, very expensive green fees.
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A MUST at some time in your life
If you want to follow in your Ryder Cup heros' footsteps then this is the place.
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It's the Belfry!!
The place has a feel about it you can't escape from Sam's bar to the approach to the 18th you are reminded of the past triumphs. I found it added to the enjoyment of the course but still think the PGA is harder!
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ryder cup visions and memories
Very cold but who cares, im playing shots on the 10th and eighteenth, just like ive seen on the tele, fantastic, every second of the round ,.. club house caters for all, suprising to see alot of hen and stag doos, but you can be as near or far from them as you want, ...... driving range facilities superb,
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Overpriced
Worth playing just so you can say you have - but it's a lot of money for anaverage course really, but still glad ive done it!
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Just a buzz
Okay, the course ain't awesome condition. But it;s the Brab for god's sake!
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no wow factor
Having played the course for the 4 th time i still do not think that it is worth £135.00 to play this course it only because the RYDER CUP ha been played here 4 times even after all the changes that took place for the last Ryder cup there are better course's that are local that do have the WOW factor
