The longest hole on the golf course, a risk-reward dogleg with out of bounds down the right-hand side the entire length of the hole. There are two shucks and a water hazard to contend with off the tee with a lateral water hazard down the left-hand side.Golfers have the choice of hitting a long iron off the tee to the corner which leaves a long second shot even to lay up or alternatively hit driver over the corner. The ideal line would be to hit it at the water tower in the distance which drastically improves the second shot bringing the green into range for big hitters. The approach to the green can be difficult as the ball tends to kick left, so it is important to aim at the right edge of the green and let the ball feed down. … [Read more...] about Hole #2 – Canal Turn- 513 yard – Par 5
Hole #3 – The Chair – 163 yard – Par 3
The first of four tricky Par 3’s here at Down Royal. This hole has undergone significant changes over the past couple of years with the construction of a new tee box, re-designing of protective bunkers and removal of out of bounds area through the green to incorporate a heavy rough area in its place.Depending on wind direction the standard shot would be played with a short/mid-iron to a green that is one of the firmest on the golf course. With three bunkers surrounding the green and out of bounds on the right-hand side, this hole has its own fair share of danger given the relatively short yardage. Ideally, a high cut would be the desired shape of shot to play into the green to get the ball to land soft to give you the best chance of a birdie or better! (Fingers crossed) … [Read more...] about Hole #3 – The Chair – 163 yard – Par 3
Hole #4 – Gravel Hill – 314 yard – Par 4
The shortest Par 4 on the golf course but not without its fair share of trouble with the incorporation of heavy rough on the left-hand side and out of bounds running down the right. For big hitters this green is in range off the tee with a drive favoring the right hand side of the fairway to allow for the kick down and to the left.Generally, a tee shot with a long iron or hybrid aimed at the right half of the fairway leave the player with an approach with a short iron. The approach shot can look relatively straight forward however to hold the green particularly in the summer, players should aim to land the ball 2-3 yards short of the right half of the green and allow for the ball kicking forward. Good birdie opportunity early in the round. … [Read more...] about Hole #4 – Gravel Hill – 314 yard – Par 4
Hole #5 – Ballybrit- 355 yard – Par 4
Difficult Par 4 with out of bounds running down the right hand side and protected by a water hazard and thick rough along the left hand side. The fairway is bowed from right to left which brings the out of bounds into play off the tee so the ideal shot would be hit down the right half of the fairway. Depending on power, a fairway wood or driver would be best used off the tee.Should all go to plan off the tee, players will be hitting their approach shots uphill to the firmest green on the golf course. As a result, the ball tends to come in much lower than expected so players must allow for the kick forward at the front on the green. Be careful though because the green slopes away at the back and shots pitching too far will roll through the back. Big hitters have a distinct advantage on this hole as they will be attacking the green, most likely with a wedge enabling the golfer to have more control on the approach shot. … [Read more...] about Hole #5 – Ballybrit- 355 yard – Par 4
Hole #6 – The Railway – 471 yard – Par 5
The second Par 5 on the golf course and predominantly the easiest hole on the golf course. Recent changes have been the inclusion of heavy rough to the left-hand side of the fairway and the large bunker green-high has been reshaped into two separate bunkers.Players need to make the decision on whether to play this hole as a three-shot hole or not. For big hitters, this green is reachable in two depending on wind direction. Driving to the bottom of the hill can leave anything from a 3-wood to a low iron left in for the approach. Alternatively, a tee shot of about 200-220 yards will leave a relatively simple lay-up depending on the preferred yardage each golfer would like left in for their third shot. An approach shot inside 150 yards gives golfers a good chance of attacking the green with birdie a popular score on this hole. Ideally aiming for the right half of the green should take the bunkers out of play. … [Read more...] about Hole #6 – The Railway – 471 yard – Par 5