FRONT NINE
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Hole No.2: Par 4 – S.I 3 (Ladies Par 5 – S.I. 17)
We cross the road to the 2nd tee and drive down a generously wide fairway. Nevertheless a fade will see your ball finishing in a copse on the right. All down the left side there is a ditch and a stand of poplar trees. To get a par is not easy: both the drive and second shot have got to be straight and long.
Hole No.3: Par 4 – S.I. 7 (Ladies Par 4 – S.I. 1)
There is a bunker on the left and two more on the right that could catch you out. Again the key shot is the second. It must pass through a fairly narrow neck with a bunker to the left to reach a semi-blind green that slopes slightly from right to left.
Hole No.4: Par 3 – S.I. 17 (Ladies Par 3 – S.I 15)
It appears to be a reasonably inoffensive hole but there are two bunkers guarding the front of the green. With a bit of luck a scuffed tee shot can slide up the gap between them. The green has some cunning ‘borrows’ and slopes from right to left. If the flag is at the back left and you are putting from above the hole, it is more than likely that your ball will finish off the green.
Hole No.5: Par 4 – S.I. 15 (Ladies Par 4 – S.I. 7)
A shockingly sliced ball can possibly finish out of bounds or more than likely in some deep rough and in a poor position for the second. Bunkers are on hand to catch the inaccurate shot to the green but the hole is not unduly difficult.
Hole No.6: Par 4 – S.I. 1 (Ladies Par 5 – S.I 3)
Shoulders can be opened up for this drive that goes over a small hill and is blind (players should listen for the bell to indicate that the fairway is clear). It needs to be reasonably straight to finish in the best position for a second shot that must avoid trees on both sides. Do not forget to ring the bell as you pass by. If the prevailing S.W. wind is blowing it can be very difficult to reach the green in two.
Hole No.7: Par 3 – S.I. 13 (Ladies Par 3 – S.I. 9)
This is a pretty little hole and not quite as easy as the distance suggests on paper. The river to the left is at least a psychological hazard and the trees on the right quite definite ones.
Hole No.8: Par 4 – S.I. 5 (Ladies Par 4 – S.I. 11)
On this hole you cross the river twice and is a dogleg to the left. The tee shot must be pretty straight. If you are too far left you can easily be shut off by the trees for your second shot. If you are too far to the right your shot to the green can be rather frightening.
Hole No.9: Par 4 – S.I. 9 (Ladies Par 4 – S.I. 5)
This hole is deceptive as it is up hill and you can easily under club for your second shot. A good straight drive can finish in either of the two cross-bunkers. A pulled drive can bring you onto the 10 th fairway and a sliced drive will take you out of bounds on the right. Most drives will leave you in a position where you cannot see the cross bunker just short of the green and it catches many a player on the hop. The green is two tiers, with the right side higher than the left and you most certainly want your second shot to finish on the correct level.
From the 1st Tee.
Hole No.1: Par 3 - S.I. 11
(Ladies - S.I. 13)
(Ladies -
This hole calls for an uncommonly accurate tee shot and gives you no time at all "to play yourself in.” Whether we should take a wood or an iron depends on the state of the wind. A hook can lead to out-of-bounds, and a slice can be in trouble with the trees to the right. The green is well bunkered to the left and to the right there is a stand of small trees to protect players on the 18 th tee and you really do not want to get into there!
