Darenth Valley Course Guide

Hole 1

The first hole (par 4 but only 266 yards off the whites) is reachable for the longer hitters. However, bunkers and trees await - making the green a very small target from the tee. Out-of-bounds awaits anyone hooking their tee-shot and slicers can expect to have a tricky shot over the trees to the right. So, not as easy as it looks!!

Hole 2

Another par 4, but more of a challenge than the first hole. At 338 yards, a decent tee shot will be rewarded with a short shot onto the green for a possible birdie. The sloping green can often mean you walk off happy with a par even if you are on in regulation.

Hole 3

The first of the par 5's. A good tee shot will see you over the ridge and with the chance of getting on or close in two shots. Mid to low handicappers are unhapply with anything worse than par on this hole.

Hole 4

The dreaded 4th. Easily stroke index 1. A good tee shot will get you down to (and sometimes over) the ridge but this still leaves you with a long shot to the green. Most players are more than happy with a bogie on this testing hole. (It's the only hole on the course I have yet to birdie)

Hole 5

Relatively straight-forward par 3. It's 172 yards from the white tees, but it is downhill all the way. If you get a hole in one on this hole at least you will have the pleasure of seeing it go in (if your eyesight is good enough that is). Main problem on this hole is keeping out of the two bunkers to the right of the green. If you slice (or shank) there is out-of-bounds all down the right.

Hole 6

Another testing par 4. Again, a good tee shot will see you over the ridge. This leaves a lengthy shot into a green protected by bunkers on the left and right.

 

Hole 7

Par 3 with elevated green. Don't take too much club or you could see yourself over the back and in the bushes. Keep the ball below the hole to give yourself an uphill putt (hopefully for birdie).

 

Hole 8

Great par 5. Only 452 yards from the white tees but lots of dangers await a wayward tee shot. A good drive will see you sailing over the ridge and in range of the green with a short or mid iron. Many people use the bank to the right of the green to get their ball safely on the green. Don't go too far right, however, or you ball will stay up there and most likely cost you a bogie.

 

Hole 9

This par 4 is your chance to 'score a goal' (or a 'try' if you're good enough) by hitting your ball through the two trees in the middle of the fairway. Downhill all the way after these trees, so a good tee shot will be rewarded with a short chip onto the green. The warden will often be waiting at the 9th green with drinks and snacks (unless you're hungry or thirsty that is).

 

Hole 10

Another tricky par 4. You might have to wait on the tee for the ramblers to walk across the fairway. Keep to the right hand side of the fairway if you want a clear shot to the green. A seemingly good shot to the green is often punished by the severe slope of the green (or the pin placement) as your ball - that you were sure would be 'stiff' - has bounded on through and off the back of the green.

 

Hole 11

This hole was converted from an excellent dog-leg par 4 into a challenging par 3 several years ago. As it is stroke index 4, most players will receive a shot (with high handicappers getting 2 shots on a par 3!!) so missing the green is not usually too much of a problem. Watch the out of bounds on the right.

Hole 12

This hole was made into a par 5 at the same time the 11th was changed. It is a fairly straight-forward hole but being stroke index 16 most players will be happy to get their par and walk off with 2 points. Try to avoid the bunker from the tee. If you're really unlucky you could end up visiting 3 bunkers on this hole.

 

Hole 13

This is the only hole where your ball might get wet. But with a carry of only about 20 yards, most players don't even think about the pond in front of the green. Watch out for the bunkers, especially the one on the right that often claims a 'good' tee shot. Again, the green has bunkers on both to the left and right.

 

Hole 14

According to the card, this is the easiest hole on the course. Most players will not agree with this assessment. At 152 yards from the whites it is not overly long, but the bunkers (left and right) and the bank in front mean that it is not as easy as its index suggests.

 

Hole 15

Watch out for the fairway bunker that claims many a "good" tee shot. If you can get passed this bunker there is a chance of reaching the green or getting very close in two. Aim for the left side of the green to avoid the possibility of going into the greenside bunker.

 

Hole 16

The longest hole on the course. A good drive will see you close to (or hopefully over) the ridge. For most players, their second shot will be for position. The green, once again, is protected by bunkers on the left and right. Take an extra club for your approach shot - better to be at the back of the green rather than pitch on the bank and run back to the front of the green.

Hole 17

Probably the nicest hole on the course in terms of the scenery. Try to avoid getting close behind the tree in the middle of the fairway. A "good" tee shot will often be swallowed up by the bunker on the right hand side of the fairway. For your approach shot you will probably have to aim for the right hand side of the green. This does, however, bring a large tree into play that has a tendancy to gobble up your ball - most of us have lost a ball up in the branches at one time or another. On the green the ball always moves towards the houses.

Hole 18

Beware the out of bounds all down the right. This probably explains why such a high percentage of tee shots end up in or around the bunker to the left of the green. Most players prefer the pin to be in a 'bottom' position (left hand side of the green). The picture from the tee was taken whilst sitting on Micky Prosser's bench.

 

19th Hole

Enjoy a drink and snack in the clubhouse. Don't forget to write an entry in the comments book and say hello to Debbie in the office.