The Course

Click on the hole number to see a description and image.

A Conifer hedge runs parallel to the right side of the tee, which makes you favour the left side of the green. Short of the hole and the pond comes into play, and if you overshoot the hole your next shot will be played fifteen feet below the level of the green. On gusty days you will be battling a cross wind. Par on this hole is always a good score.

A large bunker occupies the front of the green and two small bunkers at the back. Both sides of the green have raised slopes. If your lucks in, the ball will feed down towards the hole. If not you will flirt with the out of bounds on the left and potentially the water hazard on the right.

A large lake runs the entire length of the hole, down the right hand side. Right handed golfers who slice the ball will have to compensate and aim left to avoid the hazard. The fairway close to water slopes dramatically towards it, so even if you find terra firma there is no guarantee your ball will remain dry. A deep bunker next to the green may prevent balls going in, but with its high lip it's a tough task getting out.

High slopes dominate the back half of the green, as long as you're not too wayward, the ball should filter down towards the basin green. You may elect to punch a low shot in and let the contours do the rest. The middle of the fairway is slightly raised, making judging the pin position a bit tricky. A little tip, as you walk from the third to the fourth, have a look to see if the hole is located at the front or the back of the green.

It's by far the shortest hole, but will still punish a poor shot. The large bunker on the left is rather deep and can be difficult to get out of. The two bunkers at the back of the green are on down slopes, which always make a shot more challenging. Most people will find themselves in-between clubs. If you decide to take more club, remember to commit to the shot and don't decelerate, you always want a crisp contact.

Dense woodland down the left side of the hole. Aim to the right and let the hill bring the ball back to the hole. The green slopes from right to left, so take this into account when putting. If you just miss the green to left you may find one of the two bunkers, they are below the hole and have a bit of a lip. If you're going to hit a bad shot try and get down the right side.

Seeing vast amounts of water does something to a golfers mind. Miss hit shots will invariably find the lake. Remember to keep a smooth tempo and don't over grip the club. The beautiful Withee tree doesn't just add to the picturesque landscape, it poses a real threat when in bloom. You may clear the lake but get caught up in the tree, in both cases the ball will end up wet. You are playing to a raised green which is not easy to hit, although it is wide it's only ten paces front to back. Par on this hole is a very good score.

If your approach is short you will end up in one of the two pocket bunkers (unless you land in the narrow gap between them.) If you do find the sand trap the prospect of making par diminishes. A large hill occupies the back of the green, anything hit over it will result in the second shot being played blind. The green itself has subtle undulations which makes putting more of a test.

Standing on the tee you can only see the top of the pin, the green is not visible. There is more space down the left side than you realise. A large bunker covers the right side of the green. A small woodland is situated at the back, any shot that fly's the green will end here. A good round can be frittered away on this closing hole.

Holes

1st: The opening tee shot is one of the toughest at Faringdon Golf Course.

2nd: At first glance the second appears straightforward. But a misplaced shot could prove costly to the scorecard.

3rd: The longest and certainly one of the most difficult holes on the course.

4th: There are several ways of playing this hole, with no water hazards or bunkers you might decide to get creative.

5th: Complacency is the one of the biggest dangers on this hole.

6th: The danger is obvious on this hole, don't go left!

7th: The signature hole at Faringdon Golf Course. It doesn't quite challenge the 17th at Sawgrass, but its close.

8th: A short hole, but not to be underestimated.

9th: A deceptive hole, which plays longer than it appears.