Hole 1 (266 yds  Par 4  SI 11)

 

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 and single figure handicappers don't get a shot on this hole.

 

 

Hole 2 (338 yds  Par 4  SI 9)

 

Another par 4, but a bit more of a challenge than the first hole. At 338 yards, a decent tee shot will be rewarded with a relatively short shot onto the green for a possible birdie. No hooks on this hole or you'll be re-loading.  The sloping green can often mean you walk off happy with a par even if you are on in regulation.  Don't forget to ring the bell to the left of the fairway as you go past.

 

 

Hole 3 (471 yds  Par 5  SI 7)

 

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.  Long hitters will have to watch out for the bunker that lies well over the ridge. Mid to low handicappers are unhappy with anything worse than par on this hole.

 

 

Hole 4 (460 yds  Par 4  SI 1)

 

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.  Try to avoid the greenside bunker but a shot to the middle of the green usually ends up left. Most players are more than happy with a bogey on this testing hole. (It's the only hole on the course I have yet to birdie).

 

 

Hole 5 (172 yds  Par 3  SI 13)

 

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 (415 yds  Par 4  SI 3)

 

Another testing par 4, particularly when the wind is against you - stroke index 3 is about right.  Watch out for the bunker on the left of the fairway just before the ridge.  Again, a good tee shot will see you over the ridge.  This will leave you a challenging shot into a green protected by bunkers on the left and right.

 

 

Hole 7 (126 yds  Par 3  SI 17)

 

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).  Exit left after leaving the green and take the path through the trees to the next hole.

 

 

Hole 8  (452 yds  Par 5  SI 15)

 

Nice par 5. Only 452 yards from the white tees but lots of dangers await a wayward tee shot. Say hello to Bob as you take a rest on his bench.  A good drive will see you sailing over the ridge and in range of the green with a fairway wood 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 your ball may stay up there and most likely cost you a bogey.

 

 

Hole 9 (400 yds  Par 4  SI 5)

 

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 approach onto the green. The warden will often be waiting between the 9th green and 10th tee with drinks and snacks (unless you're hungry or thirsty that is).

 

 

Hole 10 (357 yds  Par 4  SI  8)

 

Another tricky par 4. You might have to wait on the tee for 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 (198 yds  Par 3  SI 4)

 

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 (472 yds  Par 5  SI 16)

 

This hole was made into a par 5 at the same time the 11th was changed. It ought to be 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 in a Stableford. Try to avoid the fairway bunker from the tee. If you're really unlucky you could end up visiting 3 bunkers on this hole.

 

 

Hole 13 (389 Par 4  SI 8)

 

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

 

 

Hole 14 (152 yds  Par 3  SI 18)

 

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 (478 yds  Par 5  SI 12)

 

Long hitters will take the 'tiger line' over the bushes on the left but 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 (497 yds  Par 5 SI  2)

 

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 (356 yds  Par 4  SI 14)

 

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 (194 yds  Par 3  SI 10)

 

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.