Where’s the beauty in that?

Recently I was offered the chance to play 18 holes at Prince’s in Kent for the price of £95. After launching my tee shot down the middle on the 1st, I hit a lovely little pitch in, only to see it bounce viscously off the green and down the bank into the long grass. Over the next 17 holes, all kinds of good shots were heavily punished, and all sorts of bad shots were heavily rewarded. This was a completely different game that I’m used to playing and made me seriously contemplate whether links golf is actually enjoyable and worth the money. My answer might shock the golfing world, but I have to be honest… it wasn’t. I play at Tenterden Golf Club in Kent, which is a lovely parkland course. I hit the ball there and 95 per cent of the time it goes where it ought to. And the cost of playing at the weekend is a mere £40. Of course, the changing facilities are nowhere near as luxurious, but I don’t mind that when my wallet stays intact and I don’t have to deal with dodgy bounces and howling wind. So, next time I’m in a quandary between playing a parkland course or taking a trip to the seaside, I can safely say the parkland will win every time. KEV STEELE, KENT