Tony Muldoon kindly invited me to play a
www.foretour.co.uk event yesterday. He organized very acceptable weather and a lovely venue - Swinley Forest. I was surprised at how little I remembered of the course from my single round there maybe 12-15 years ago. I can assure you this is solely my fault as the course is memorable.
A few things have changed. The clubhouse and locker room are smartened up. There are more than a few new bunkers and I don't recall the pond on #5. What hasn't changed are the confoundingly subtle greens and superb set of one shotters. The par 3s are incredible especially given the fact that I hit four 7 woods and an 8 iron into the five holes. Some may think this a bit dull, but that would be far from the truth. Excepting the par 3s my favourite holes are 12, 15 & 18.
The course starts off pleasantly with 3 holes that should bag some points for the competent player. Though the drive on the second can raise an eyebrow.
Things kick on a bit with the par 3 4th - 187 yards slightly uphill.
A deserving penalty for a weak effort
After the very birdeable par 5 fifth things get considerably tougher. Holes 6 & 7 are stern two shotters. The photo below illustrates the uphill nature of both holes.
The 146 yard 8th is the easiest par three on the course, but par is not a given.
The front nine ends with a lovely downhill/uphill big left bending par 4. One of the toughest two shotters on the course. A stern 205 yard par 3 begins what is a magical nine holes. The 10th is pictured below.
The 11th is a blind drive "breather".
The 12th is a cracking double dogleg 455 yard monster par 4, certainly one of the best holes on the course.
From behind the bunker which awaits the greedy player from the tee.
Straight to yet another par 3. The 13th is only 174 and a bit downhill, but it played much longer into a chilly breeze.
The 14th offers some respite, but bogeys must still be quite common on this short two shotter. The 15th is most uncommon in that it would play well as a par 4 from the forward tee and as a par 5 from the back tee. The hole is only 493, but it is a great 3 shotter. This shot is from about 270 off the back tee.
Moving further up the hill.
Still further up the hill.
The 16th is a tough par 4 with a two tier green.
The 17th, another difficult par 3, 170 yards slightly uphill.
And finally, a wonderful closing hole which proved to be very difficult facing a headwind. That little bunker center-left may be my favourite on the course. It pushes drives out right and then forces players to take on the deep greenside bunker.
Some further thoughts:
1.Swinley plays much longer than the listed 6062 yards from the BACK tee. There are several uphill approaches which effectively add a club or two to the approach or tee shot. Mainly because of this "extra" distance Swinley doesn't play as easy as some authors claim.
2.Often short courses have a very crowded feeling, but Swinley feels much larger because it is cut through a forest and there is a load of land encircled by the course. However, there are still plenty of opportunities to meet your mates on the way round. Quite an ingenious routing.
3.The bunkering is not at all uniform. Some bunkers are fluffly and others are bare and hard. Fairways are sometimes spotty, but never poor. The club strikes a commendable balance between playability and over-maintaining. Swinley is particularly charming in this respect.
4.While there are trees everywhere and I noted some I would like to see removed, never do they unduly effect play. I find Swinley to be quite the exception for heathland courses in this regard.
I have played better courses than Swinley, but with very few exceptions, I would prefer membership at Swinley. If you are in the area and want a game, by all means give Swinley a shout. I don't think its the best of what London has too offer, but the management of the course and atmosphere of the club make Swinley special.
PS For anyone looking to play competitions on great courses I can highly reco Fore Tour. This event was impeccably organized and run. Check out the website for details.
Ciao
Sean