Course Commentary

Top tips from the Pro on how to play the course

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Hole  1

A well struck tee shot is required to have any chance of making the green with the second shot at this difficult opening hole. The drive must be left of the two fairway bunkers on the right of the fairway. The second shot for most will be a long iron or fairway wood to a slightly elevated green. The majority are short with their second shot so it is best to take at least one more club than first thought.

Hole 2

The left half of the fairway is the best line off the tee as the ball tends to kick towards the trees on the right. Ideally, the 2^nd shot into the severely sloping from back to front green should finish below the hole as a putt from beyond the pin is treacherous.

Hole 3

A long iron from the tee will leave a short iron second shot into this well guarded green. The tee shot should be aimed at the right half of the fairway to avoid the large fairway bunker.

Hole 4

The tee shot should be aimed at the left half of the fairway to have the right angle into the green. Full commitment is required for the second shot as anything coming up short will kick off into either the left or right green side bunkers.

Hole 5

Pay attention to the pin position as from the front to the back of the green is at least two clubs difference. This is another green that putting up to the hole is far easier than putting from beyond the pin.

Hole 6

The ideal tee shot would be at the left half of the fairway as most aim for the middle of the fairway and end up finding the trees on the right. The second shot will have the ball slightly above the feet so aim for the right half of the green.

Hole 7

If the tee shot finds the fairway take at least one more club for the uphill second shot where accuracy is paramount to avoid the bunkers short and greenside.

Hole 8

The bunker short of the green tends to foreshorten the hole. This is a long narrow green so club selection is vital. Take one more club than you think you will not be past the pin very often!

Hole 9

Aim the tee shot towards the marker post this will leave the second straight up the green with a medium iron.

Hole 10

A demanding tee shot with the out of bounds on the left, the second is to a narrow long green. The bunker to the right is central to the green so judge the club selection by where the flag is placed in relation to the trap.

Hole 11

The tee shot needs to favour the right side of the fairway to avoid the second shot being blocked out by the trees on the corner of this dog leg left hole. A long second shot which needs to be accurate to avoid the bunkers left and right greenside.

Hole 12

A long iron or fairway wood from the tee just left of the large fairway bunker will leave a short iron into the green. Favour the right side of the green as the ball will feed down to the left half of the green.

Hole 13

This hole is slightly downhill so avoid taking too much club. The correct pace of putt is vital on this tricky two tiered green.

Hole 14

The best line is to drive to the right half of the fairway as the ball tends to kick to the left. The narrow entrance to the green requires an accurate second shot with a medium to long iron avoiding the front right bunker which catches many out trying to avoid the trouble on the left.

Hole 15

With the green sideways on and uphill club selection is vital as enough is needed to clear the large front bunker. Therefore one club more rather than less is the best policy.

Hole 16

A fairway wood to the right half of the fairway will leave a medium to short iron second shot. However take enough club for the uphill second as two large bunkers guard the front of the green.

Hole 17

This is another hole where position rather than length is favourable from the tee. A long iron or fairway wood to the right half of the fairway will leave a short iron into the green.

Hole 18

If the tee shot is hit well, the club selection for the second shot should be enough to ensure the ball finishes at the top of the bank approximately 100 yards from the green. This leaves an easier third into an inviting green rather than a tricky pitch from a downhill lie over the brook if you are too greedy with the second shot.