Whenever I tell people I’m heading to The Lake District to visit my Grandparents they always seem to get excited. Do they know something I don’t?
The rolling hills and endless lakes are beautiful. I get it. It’s a stunning snippet of the world, but when you’ve seen it a thousand times or more than the charm begins to wear off.
We are always searching for something different to do when we head over to the Lake District especially for the week of the year that my younger cousins head there too.
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My Grandparents live in the town of Penrith, their house on the top of the hill is beautiful, their garden is their pride and joy and with incredible rolling views, it really is spectacular. It’s also a great central base for pretty much going anywhere in The Lake District.
Rheged by Ullswater is a popular shout for tourists, yet we don’t want to be tourists. We don’t necessarily want to do the same things tourist people do in the Lakes. Just on the outskirts of Penrith off the beaten track less than a minute from Rheged and about a 10-minute drive from Pooley Bridge there’s a driving range and golf course, which also plays host to the growth in popularity………Football Golf.
Penrith Golf Centre and Driving Range
The six of us ranging from ages 9 to 72 headed to the range for a spot of football golf. We knew we were in for a great afternoon of fun.
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Arriving at the club house we were welcomed by Martin, who was extremely laid back and super friendly. He talked to us about how there was no strict dress code like you find at other clubs and as long as you’re having fun and respecting others on the course then there were fairly relaxed rules. Explaining that the football version was played alongside the regular 9 hole golf course. Although with slightly different tees and green holes, as long as we looked out for the golfers and aimed for the larger flags and holes on the course then we were ready to be set off on our adventure.
We were then given a score card. Not that I think for one moment either of my cousins would be honest about their scores mind! As well as a different football each and we were off to complete the 9 hole course.
Football Golf for all!
Having arrived just as a group of 32 stags were leaving on their bus. We realised that this was one of the hidden gems of Cumbria for the elicit stag and hen party trade. With the huge party laughing and joking and the winner spraying champagne as they got on the bus. It was a great end to their trip to Penrith Golf Centre and Driving Range and a hilarious beginning of ours. My youngest cousin thought the camaraderie of these stags enjoying themselves was fantastic. Clearly a popular venue and a fun-filled activity for groups of all ages.
We began on the first hole and eagerly lined up one by one to take a shot. With my Granda having come from his walking football training earlier in the morning.
Competitively spurred on by Olivia. Who plays for a local football team we were ready to be beaten by them as they stormed ahead.
Ladies in sport.
Armed with the confidence of my ‘Player of the Course’ award from 1996 after my stint of playing football when I was 6! I fancied myself as a little Alan Shearer, albeit the female version and a very long time ago!
My first shot, a toe punt was awful. Olivia’s wasn’t much better. My mum who suffers osteoarthritis in her knees and my Grandma who has just recently had a hip replacement stepped up to the oche. We all thought they would be rubbish and we were prepared to be creased laughing at their attempts. They certainly surprised us. Nothing was stopping them enjoying the fun too.
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The course was difficult, yet enjoyable. With dog legs, having to get the ball over walls and navigating bunkers it was great fun. Although I could have sworn the sheep watching over the drystone walls were screaming Baaaaalls when Mac took his shot as it flew through the air with no clear flight path. Professionals we certainly weren’t, enthusiastic we certainly were. We all played with gusto and surprised ourselves at how enjoyable the experience actually was.
The 19th.
Martin greeted us at the last hole trying to encourage us to go around again. Although the heart was willing by the end of the 9 holes we were all exhausted, having given it our all and laughed heartily. It brought out everyone’s good natured competitive spirit and it was an activity where even the youngest had an advantage of winning. No hole in one for anyone and perhaps a little miscounting of kicks for a few. We were all in complete agreement that we had all enjoyed our afternoon. Having built up a bit of a thirst and an appetite and as is customary we (skipped the following 9) headed for the 19th hole.
Would we recommend Football Golf at Penrith Golf Centre and Driving Range? Yes, we certainly would.
Would we come back and do it all over again? Yes most definitely.
