Keith - aside from the cross-bunkers on the short 11th, the only fairway bunker is on the outside (right) elbow of the 18th - it catches a long drive. There are bunkers on the 5th and 14th that are not quite greenside - about 40 and 25 yards short of green, but that is all. No bunkers at all on 1,2,3,4,6,8,9,13,15 - and only twelve in all, I think.
I think the course stands up very well to the pointers you read on the front page of GCA:
- enjoyable on a day-to-day basis;
- much to be learned;
- not overly self-promotional.
I am not sure that I would say it is "inspiring" to play - leave that for a few gems
- but it passes most other tests.
In terms of how it compares to other top inland courses, Sean is probably right that it is not in the top draw, in part because its lack of length means better players will probably never hit a driver. It is interesting, though, to be reminded by the quotes Tom Macwood has repeated here about how highly regarded it was at inception, with many feeling it a better course than Sunningdale.
Sunningdale has evolved into a very competitive club, generally not welcoming of weaker golfers, and also host to major tournaments. It aspires to play in the premier league and conducts itself accordingly. Next to Ganton and Woodhall, it is consistently the highest ranked inland course.
Huntercombe could not be more different; it has an older membership and is not nearly as competitive. It never appears in the rankings and is a welcoming home to many indifferent golfers! I think the lowest handicap at the club is three, and there are probably only 20 players with single figure handicaps out of a couple of hundred members.
In short - a great members course, that forces you to think. I never tire of playing it. When I became a member I was not that enamoured with the course, but the more I play it, the more I like it.
As for how the lack of bunkers affects strategy, I would put it differently: the course has quite thick rough, and a lot of trees and punitive undergrowth. You cannot play wild golf and survive - you have to steward your ball round the course. That is what dictates strategy at Huntercombe.