What happened when the GolfTimes.co.uk team played at The Belfry in Birmingham
An intrepid 8-man team from GolfTimes.co.uk played their annual competition last weekend. After some fun times at the likes of Carden Park and also The Vale Resort, this time we tried the hardest course to date. We went to The Belfry in Birmingham and played the Brabazon on one day and The PGA Course on the second day.
The gulf in class between playing your good local golf course and playing a professional course is staggering. This is what happened when we took on two of the hardest courses in UK golf.
Some context about my own golfing journey leading up to The Belfry trip
I started my golf journey with a 28 handicap just four years ago. At the time, my game was inconsistent, and I lacked the control and precision that comes with experience. However, over the years, I put in the hard work, practised regularly, and made steady progress. Today, I play off a 13 handicap, which, by my mates’ standards, is considered respectable. It is important to note that a 13-15 handicap is apparently the global average.
No matter how much I improved, nothing prepared me for the level of difficulty when I stepped onto a professional course. Going from a local course to The Belfry was a humbling experience that truly exposed the difference between being “good” and being ready for the pros.
So you think you can play do you?
When you’re playing with your friends on your local course, it’s easy to feel confident. For me, that course is Ross-on-Wye, a stunning location that’s even ranked in the top 100 courses in the UK. I’ve had many good rounds there, and my friends often remark that my game is strong.
Stepping up to a professional course like The Belfry is a completely different ball game. No amount of familiarity with your local course can prepare you for the demands of a pro setup. The challenges go beyond just distance and layout — it’s the level of precision and mental focus required that sets these courses apart.
From the moment you arrive at a professional course you can sense the difference
From the second you pull up at The Belfry, you can feel that you’re somewhere special. The entrance is grand, almost intimidating, and you’re greeted by pristine fairways and a level of professionalism that sets the tone for the day. It’s not just the layout of the course, but the atmosphere around it.
As I watched the golfers teeing off — many of whom were clearly highly skilled — I began to feel the pressure building. There were staff members everywhere, ready to assist, but also creating an aura of professionalism that heightened my nerves. It was clear from the outset that this wasn’t going to be just another day of golf.
Your Handicap will go up because of the World Handicap Slope System and you will need those extra shots
One of the biggest shocks for me was how my handicap changed under the World Handicap Slope System. I was used to playing off 13, but that quickly jumped to 16 on The Belfry’s courses. Some of my friends, who typically play with handicaps in the mid-20s, saw theirs shoot up to the low 30s.
In fact, the winner of our mini-tournament at The Belfry won with only 31 points, despite playing off a 32 handicap. Even with the extra shots, I struggled, carding a 100 on the Brabazon and 94 on the PGA course. It’s a stark reminder that a pro course is a true test of skill, no matter what your handicap.
You should really think about a buggy!
I normally prefer using a trolley, but The Belfry’s courses are long and demanding, so a buggy became a lifesaver. It wasn’t just about conserving energy either. The buggies come equipped with screens that provide guidance on every hole, which is invaluable when you’re navigating unfamiliar territory.
The convenience of having everything within arm’s reach is also a big plus. Instead of rummaging through your bag, everything you need is in the buggy, making it easier to keep pace and avoid slowing down play. For these courses, I would highly recommend opting for a buggy over your usual setup.
Golfing gadgets you would not usually use become invaluable when playing a pro golf course
On your local course, those golfing gadgets you’ve accumulated over the years often stay hidden in your bag, only to be used in rare situations. But on a professional course, they become invaluable. For instance, my bargain £4.99 iron groove scraper was a real saviour, especially given the thick rough I found myself in more times than I’d like to admit. The amount of grass that clung to the grooves of my irons meant keeping them clean was essential to maintaining any sort of control over my shots.
Another gadget that proved its worth was my golf rangefinder. I usually rely on my iWatch app to calculate distances, but for some reason, it struggled to lock onto the flag distances at The Belfry. The rangefinder, however, provided me with the accuracy I desperately needed to make informed club choices. These little tools, often overlooked during casual rounds, become a lifeline when the stakes are higher and the course is less forgiving.
The first tee has a starter who is helpful, fun and judgy
At The Belfry, the first tee experience is a fun but nerve-wracking one. You’re greeted by a starter who explains the rules, briefs you on the course, and — here’s the killer — watches your first shot with a critical eye. Even though they are friendly, you can’t help but feel judged.
There’s also added pressure because you’re given target times to hit during your round, with course marshals keeping an eye on slow play. It adds to the intensity of the experience, knowing that your pace is being monitored and that there’s a level of scrutiny you wouldn’t normally encounter.
Course management is key
On a professional course, every shot requires careful planning. The bunkers, for instance, are strategically placed to catch out drives at typical distances. Once you’re caught in one, the next bunker is often positioned at just the right distance to trap your sand wedge shot.
Keeping your shots safe and on the fairway is essential. The temptation to go for Hollywood shots must be resisted. Course management becomes more important than ever. The ability to stay calm and focus on the next shot, rather than the big picture, is key to making it through without adding unnecessary strokes.
The quality of the course is amazing and the grass is a bit odd
The first thing you notice about a pro course like The Belfry is the pristine quality of the grass. It might sound strange, but the texture of the grass can throw you off. Off the fairway, the grass is thicker and springier than you’d expect, making it easy to duff a shot.
I found that my trusty rescue club wasn’t as useful as it normally is. The second-cut grass was so thick that I often needed to use an iron to escape it. It’s these little details that make playing on a professional course such a challenge — and such an eye-opener.
Playing the iconic 10th hole Par 3 on the Brabazon is more intimidating than you realise
The 10th hole on the Brabazon is famous for good reason, but it’s also a lot more intimidating in real life. At my level, I thought I might be able to go for the green, but reality soon set in. Most players at my level end up in the water, and I didn’t fancy joining them.
I decided to play it safe and laid up, chipping on for a bogey. It was the right call. The hole is iconic for a reason, but it’s not one where you want to be too ambitious. And forget about taking a mulligan — there’s no second chance here, especially with the course marshals keeping watch.
The Greens roll differently
I’ve always prided myself on handling tricky greens, especially on my home course. But the greens at The Belfry, both on the Brabazon and the PGA course, were on another level. They are fast, smooth, and deceptively challenging, making it difficult to read the pace and break.
Even the slightest misjudgement can send your ball rolling well past the hole, turning a potential birdie into a bogey. It’s a stark reminder that no matter how confident you are in your putting, a pro course will test your skills in ways you can’t anticipate.
Prepare to see the odd golfing or sporting royalty around the course and grounds
One of the unique aspects of playing at The Belfry is the chance to spot a celebrity or professional golfer. During my round, I saw a few well-known faces. It’s not just golfing royalty either — sports stars from other disciplines and even a few celebrities were around.
However, be warned: security takes privacy seriously. I saw someone being asked to delete a video they’d taken in the bar afterwards. So, while it’s exciting to spot someone famous, it’s best to avoid snapping any pictures.
The Belfry is an iconic professional golf machine
Playing at The Belfry is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The scale of the operation is immense. On busy days, they have over 600 golfers playing across three courses, and corporate events with shotgun starts are common. Yet, despite the volume of players, you never feel rushed or crowded.
The difference between a good local course and a professional one is stark. It’s not just the difficulty of the course itself, but the whole experience. Playing at a venue like The Belfry is a humbling reminder of the gulf in class between amateur and professional-level golf.
