Hole 1
Par 5, 521 Yards, Stroke Index 7.
Far and away the toughest of Brandon Wood's four par 5s - a long dog leg to the right - requiring at least 3 shots to the green for all but the biggest of hitters. If not trying to reach in two shots, the ideal drive is left of centre, as this will allow the second shot to be angled away from the out of bounds and into the centre of the fairway. Those players attempting to get on to the green with their second shot will need to aim straighter with the tee shot to avoid being blocked out by the left hand corner of the dog leg - but beware, if the drive isn't long enough it will kick off into the trees on the right! A tough start!
Hole 2
Par 3, 158 Yards, Stroke Index 17.
On the edge of the River Avon this hole requires a brave heart as anything more than the slightest of pull shots (for a right hander) is likely to finish in the water. However, a bunker lies in wait on the right - so only straight will do.
Hole 3
Par 4, 390 Yards, Stroke Index 3.
The main feature of this hole which dog legs to the left is a brook - reminiscent of the Grand National jump - which runs across the fairway at a distance that will give the higher handicappers some concern and will make the lower handicappers think twice about playing an iron for safety. The ideal tee shot should be aimed at the lone ash tree which is in the fairway directly opposite the corner of the dog leg - distance is critical though with anything short leaving a shot over the River Avon and anything long needing to be very accurate to avoid running out of fairway.
Hole 4
Par 4, 339 Yards, Stroke Index 13.
This hole does offer some respite after such a tough start - easily reachable for most with a drive and short iron but...the River Avon runs its complete length on the left and trees lie in wait on the right including a very large oak guarding the front of the green. Tee shots left of centre give the best line of approach although many prefer to give the river a wide berth and try to manoeuvre their second shot under the oak.
Hole 5
Par 5, 470 Yards, Stroke Index 9.
This hole dog legs to the left - round the bend in the River Avon - giving longer hitters the opportunity to cut the corner and reach easily in two. However, anything played a little too far to the left is likely to finish in the river. Perhaps a better approach is to play for just short of the corner leaving a longer shot, but still in range, although the second shot is quite tight if you lay up.
Hole 6
Par 3, 149 Yards, Stroke Index 15.
This is Brandon Wood's version of the famous ‘Postage Stamp' at Troon - comprising a small raised green with the River Avon just to the left and a bunker to the right. Club selection needs to be right as there are trees to the back of the green and the shot needs to be accurate since anything a little off will bounce away.
Hole 7
Par 4, 358 Yards, Stroke Index 11.
Precision is definitely needed - both to negotiate an opening between two stands of trees at around 180 yards off the tee and to position yourself with a view of the green. Anything left of centre leaves some very tall poplar trees in your way. The good news is that the hole is not so long that it can't be played with some safety in mind.
Hole 8
Par 4, 410 Yards, Stroke Index 5.
As the name suggests this is another dog leg - this time to the right with a variety of trees, including oaks, silver birch and poplars, making an attempt to cut the corner very interesting, especially as many are out of sight from the tee. However, if you don't cut the corner a little it is possible to run out of fairway and you may need to club down if playing safe.
Hole 9
Par 4, 441 Yards, Stroke Index 1.
Temptation it is - or perhaps necessity would be a better name - as this hole is too long for most to reach without taking a bit off the corner of what is another dog leg to the right. Two mature oaks are good aiming points although confident players may want to cut across even more.
Hole 10
Par 4, 420 Yards, Stroke Index 6.
This hole makes a left turn at around 260 yards from the tee and the course then starts to make its way back to the clubhouse. A 260 yard tee shot is required if you want to avoid playing over trees for the second shot. Cutting the corner is out of the question for most players.
Hole 11
Par 3, 139 Yards, Stroke Index 18.
Surrounded by trees, in which lie the remains of a silk mill, this hole can make you feel a little claustrophobic. Luckily, at 139 yards, only a short iron is needed.
Hole 12
Par 5, 487 Yards, Stroke Index 12.
If the single fairway bunker can be avoided this is a great birdie opportunity - although overconfidence is to be avoided because there is an out of bounds the length of the hole on the left and trees to the right.
Hole 13
Par 5, 522 Yards, Stroke Index 2.
The second of back to back par 5s, this is the longest on the course (by just a yard from the 1st) and offers a fine view of the Brandon Wood. Three fairway bunkers and a two-tier green combine with the overall length of the hole to make it a test for all players.
Hole 14
Par 3, 192 Yards, Stroke Index 16.
A deep pit - the remains of an old marl quarry - lies just in front of the tee and although there is some shorter grass at the very bottom, the sides are composed of thick rough and brambles. To make matters even more interesting there are several large trees planted around the rim creating a only a narrow gap to play one's tee shot through. The green is situated in the open with just one bunker to the left - but because of this exposed position any wind affects the clubbing here more than on most of the other holes. As a result, sometimes a driver is needed and sometimes a short iron.
Hole 15
Par 4, 326 Yards, Stroke Index 10.
Bordering the Brandon Nature Reserve this a favourite spot for both Canadian and Grey Lag geese. A very unusual dog leg to the right because the corner is only a short pitch from the green. The green is reachable for some but failure to make the carry often results in a lost ball.
Hole 16
Par 4, 375 Yards, Stroke Index 14.
The last good chance to make a birdie - with a wide fairway and drive ‘n' short iron distance only the fairway bunkers stand in your way.
Hole 17
Par 4, 409 Yards, Stroke Index 4.
A hole that often plays longer than its yardage - over the dip in the fairway (at around 250 yards) is where you want to be. However, beware getting right across because you can be left with a shot off a severe downslope. A gentle right to left shape on the tee shot is ideal as the hole swings left but trees await a hook. The trouble is not over with the drive as the green is well guarded with bunkers on both sides and the fairway tends to throw the ball right - and if the greenside bunker doesn't catch it ‘Death Valley' will.
Hole 18
Par 4, 415 Yards, Stroke Index 8.
Just the last to go but what a challenge it is. Once again, like hole 17, playing longer than its yardage this hole must not be taken for granted. Out of bounds left, trees to the right, a dog leg at good driving distance and two greenside bunkers make this a potential card wrecker. The tee shot needs to be kept to the left for a sight of the green unless long enough to take on the corner. The second shot, if not hitting the green, will run to the right and there is an out of bounds only 30 feet or so away.
A good finish !
