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
Classic Course
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
Hole #7 – Valentines – 139 yard – Par 3
The shortest Par 3 on the golf course but not without its fair share of danger. Protected by mounds on the left, a water hazard short of the green and an additional hazard to the right-hand side this hole is waiting to penalize any errant shots. This hole has recently undergone some changes to the shapes of the hazard at the front of the green and the removal of a large mound on the right-hand side to improve visibility.Depending on wind direction and strength, this hole is generally a mid to short iron off the tee. The more loft the player is coming in with the greater the opportunity to go flag hunting. Definite birdie opportunity. … [Read more...] about Hole #7 – Valentines – 139 yard – Par 3
Hole #8 – Swinley Bottom – yard – Par 5
The penultimate hole of the front nine is a testing Par 4 that has a water hazard running down the left-hand side. Recent improvements to this hole have been the incorporation of thick rough along the right-hand side and the reshaping and widening on the fairway to the left.Players should aim their tee shots to the left half of the fairway to create a good angle of attack for the approach shot to the green. By hitting a long iron or fairway wood off the tee, the approach shot will most likely be played with a mid to short iron. The green is protected by a large bank on the left-hand side and an additional mound short right of the green. It is better to be long with your approach shot as there is a good chance of getting up and down. For big hitters, a good drive will most likely leave a lob wedge left in and a good chance of birdie! … [Read more...] about Hole #8 – Swinley Bottom – yard – Par 5