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
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Hole #9 – Melling Road- 332 yard – Par 4
The last hole on the front nine is a testing Par 4 with out of bounds running along the right-hand side of the hole. Golfers need to be careful with the tee shot here and think about where they want to be hitting their approach shots from on a relatively narrow fairway.Generally, the smart play would be to hit a long iron or fairway wood aiming at the left half of the fairway as to allow for any drift right. By doing so, the approach shot will be much easier as you will be playing uphill to the green with more loft in your hands.The green itself is protected by a new bunker short left, a bunker green high on the right and a steep bank at the front. By aiming to land the ball 3-4 yards on the front edge of the green, players will allow for the ball to hop forward and this should be enough to leave a good birdie opportunity. … [Read more...] about Hole #9 – Melling Road- 332 yard – Par 4
Hole #10 – Ballyhack – 455 yard – Par 5
Having made the turn, the first hole to greet you will be the shortest Par 5 on the golf course. Along the left-hand side, the hole is protected by out of bounds and heavy rough. On the right edge of the fairway there is a bunker and thick rough which emphasizes the importance of finding the fairway off the tee.Ideally, golfers should use the fairway bunker as a target off the tee favoring the left edge as it greatly reduces the chance of hitting it out of bounds. For big hitters, by carrying the fairway bunker and landing at the top of the slope the green is then brought into range for the second shot depending on wind direction/strength.Most golfers will play this as a three shot Par 5 so a drive and fairway wood or long iron will leave a good angle for the approach shot at the green. The green is protected by a mound short left and a hidden bunker on the right just off the apron with out of bounds 10 yards left of the green.For the approach shot, the ideal line would be to start the ball at the chimney of the white cottage beyond the green to take caution against the out of bounds. As this green can be quite firm, golfers should try to land the ball at the front edge of the green and allow the ball to release. Should all go to plan, definite birdie opportunity. … [Read more...] about Hole #10 – Ballyhack – 455 yard – Par 5
Hole #11 – Tattenham Corner – 147 yard – Par 3
The easiest Par 3 on the golf course (apparently) as per the Stroke Index. This hole has undergone some changes over the past few years with the addition of three new bunkers and the reshaping of the original bunker. The tee shot on this hole is generally played with a mid to short iron depending on the player and the idea would be to land the ball at a few yards short of the green to allow for the ball to kick forward, giving the player a birdie putt. With the improved protective bunkers and depending on hole location, this Par 3 is not without its fair share of danger. … [Read more...] about Hole #11 – Tattenham Corner – 147 yard – Par 3
Hole #12 – The Dip – 372 yard – Par 4
One of the hardest holes on the golf course, this Par 4 has recently undergone some changes to the shapes of the water hazards. Add to this out of bounds on the left-hand side and further gorse on the right hand side, it fair to say that the tee shot is important off this hole. Depending on ability, players have three options off the tee. They can aim at the pylon in the distance and drive over the water, lay-up short of the water or hit their tee shot in between the two hazards.Taking on the water leaves an approach shot that you can attack the green with. By laying up, golfers have the decision whether to go for it in two or to lay up to their preferred yardage and try to get up and down for Par. Most players would be happy to take 4/5 and move on to the next but there is always the chance of an elusive birdie (Fingers crossed!) … [Read more...] about Hole #12 – The Dip – 372 yard – Par 4