Blue Bell

[Noles]

Is anyone on here a member at Blue Bell or have any experience with it. I am looking for a new club (my club just approved an assessment) and it seems like a great place for such a reasonable price. I would love to hear feedback.

[tw422]

Dont know much about it but have not heard anything bad or good. Curious - wha club are you currently a member at? If you're looking in that area North Hills, LuLu and Plymouth and are all good options.

[PGA_09]

I've played Blue Bell a few times this season. Nice course, the driving range is no where new the clubhouse or first tee, so it can be a hassle to get a quick warm up in before your round. Really nice short game area though. Course is interesting enough, with a blend of short and longer par fours. Was in good condition all three times I played it this season.

[Noles]

I did play it in the father/son this summer, but I didn't go in the clubhouse or anything like that so its hard to get a sense of the place. I'm curious as to how crowded it is generally. I love the short game areas and while the range isn't close to the tee, it is a great range at which to practice. Classic courses are my favorites but I can live with houses lining the course if the price is that good.

[ThreadJockey]

My recollection from 10 years ago is that it was never too busy. Practice area is nice, but as mentioned above not near the clubhouse, pool, etc.

If you dont mind a course lined by houses on just about every hole, its not bad. Personally, I didn't care much for the design. The only holes I thought were memorable were the last 4 or so.

[Noles]

[quote name='ThreadJockey' timestamp='1415129160' post='10396645']
My recollection from 10 years ago is that it was never too busy. Practice area is nice, but as mentioned above not near the clubhouse, pool, etc.

If you dont mind a course lined by houses on just about every hole, its not bad. Personally, I didn't care much for the design. The only holes I thought were memorable were the last 4 or so.
[/quote]Most of the holes, the homes are set back quite a bit. I certainly prever the more classic style courses, but they have more classic style prices.

[ephmen]

Inexpensive, decent conditioning, but I couldn't stand the condos on top of the course. Don't overcook your draw on the first tee, because the lunatic who lives 10yds off the fairway will come yell at you. If you really want to make him mad, when he pauses the yelling, tell him his crappy condo scratched your new pro v 1.

[Grimace45]

It is a bit quirky until you get used to it and the condos can become an issue. Price is not bad for a private club in that area though.

[Noles]

I also took a tour of Talamore recently. Nice place and a great price. I need to decide soon.

[Mr. Herbert]

Talamore is a much better course. Blue Bell has much better amenities.

[Noles]

[quote name='Mr. Herbert' timestamp='1421774095' post='10783737']
Talamore is a much better course. Blue Bell has much better amenities.
[/quote] The golf side of things is definitely more important to me. I'm not much on amenities. Talamore seems like a better place for my 10 year old who plays or practices every day in the summer.

[PGA_09]

Talamore also gets you access to Apple Cross out near Downingtown and the Talamore resort in NC. It is also a Club Corp course that gets some nice deals with access to other Club Corp facilities for cart fee.

[lionman19380]

[quote name='Noles' timestamp='1421771636' post='10783417']
I also took a tour of Talamore recently. Nice place and a great price. I need to decide soon.
[/quote]

There are so many great private facilities in that area. I would seriously consider looking elsewhere if I were you, both Blue Bell and Talamore are a little goofy in my opinion.

Look at Old York Road or Cedarbrook maybe

[Noles]

[quote name='lionman19380' timestamp='1422041886' post='10804867'][quote name='Noles' timestamp='1421771636' post='10783417']
I also took a tour of Talamore recently. Nice place and a great price. I need to decide soon.
[/quote]

There are so many great private facilities in that area. I would seriously consider looking elsewhere if I were you, both Blue Bell and Talamore are a little goofy in my opinion.

Look at Old York Road or Cedarbrook maybe[/quote] what do you mean goofy? I don't understand. Also, the courses you mentioned are more expensive as well with lesser quality practice facilities.

[scottaz]

I was a member there, along with another club (where I still am) which is closer to home. For the $, BB is a nice place. The houses are something that will ruin the feel or won't. You do get used to it but it was something I didn't like much.

I actually like the layout and think 2,3,4 15,16,17 and 18 and really enjoyable. I played the tips mostly and used every club in the bag every round. Something I miss.

The 85 per month food minimum is nice and includes alcohol. Most places are more. You do need to pay for the entire year upfront in March I believe.

They open up a lot on Mondays, which was nice and the course is always in good shape. I don't like the practice areas. That was big for me. You can't walk, which killed it for me.

It's not a stuffy place and with no investment upfront, worth a shot to see if you like it. The staff is cool.

When my club is closed down due to wet conditions or something, I get a reciprocal down there and played it a few times this winter.

PM me if you'd like more info.

[Bonneville85308]

My understanding (from when I played it 5+ years ago) is that walking the course is either severely restricted or not allowed at Blue Bell, that alone would make me look somewhere else. Plenty of other options in that area.

[scottaz]

You can walk in the off season. But even then it's not enjoyable. When they redesigned the course with the housing, it became so choppy and it's a rough one.