The 2008-09 Winter Tour of England concluded, ironically, with a trip down to the Duchy of Cornwall in spring. We were meant to play Trevose and St Enodoc, but due to some disaster with the greens at Trevose we decided to play West Cornwall instead. It was an inspired change of itinerary because I was able to revisit a course I hadn’t seen in many years. The course features many of the elements we have come to expect in a pre-golden age design: railroad tracks, sunken paths, front to back greens and church yards. What impressed me most about the course was that in a 30 mph wind with gusts much stronger, this links remained very playable.
The opener is a long par 3 in which it is rather easy to balloon a tee shot right onto the road. For sure, this is a tough first shot to hit, but it gets the blood racing quickly and lets the golfer know immediately that even though the course measures well under 6000 yards it will be no pushover.
Strong hitting is required again on the 2nd. A longish par 4 into the dunes, which in the conditions of the day, played as a 3-shotter – a common occurrence of the day. Here is the approach after two decent blows on this 370 yarder.
The 3rd seems like it will be a bit of respite, but a surprise awaits for the player trying to play smash mouth golf.
This is what the approach looks like if...
...you carry this. I wish more courses used these sorts of elements as "hazards".
We get to dance with death on the 4th because the churchyard wall forms the right boundary of the course. The fairway drops severely right to left usually giving the golfer the best line of approach to this tricky green which bleeds away from the player. There are hidden surprises sprinkled throughout the course which help to keep the flat belly honest if he tries to overpower this 5700 yard course. In the case of #4, a pair of bunkers pinch the driving zone.
The 5th is the first of three severely uphill par 3s which add teeth to the course. Hard to the left of the green is a sunken railway line. This angle taken from the right of the green shows how tight the oob is.
#6 continues the rollicking nature of the front nine. OOB is hard left off the tee. A layup leaves a rather simple approach,...
but for those trying to sneak one up there near the green a surprise awaits.
A general view from the 7th tee.
The final hole in this trilogy on the wrong side of the tracks is another uphill par 3. Like the 5th, a driver was required which I spose is reasonable since this hole crosses the 5th. The green runs wildly from the right to left. It reminds me a lot of Merion's 5th.
The 8th takes us back over the tracks and straight up the hill over a heaving fairway which is essentially one with the 4th. The approach shows off the stunning beach which runs to Hayle.
Still compassing into the wind, the side ends with a brutal par 4. As has been the case so far, the design of the hole is very much lay of the land stuff which means that controlling ball flight on the hilly parts is imperative. To open the back 9 we finally get a hole which legs and therefore offers the opportunity of swinging a well shaped shot to work with the wind. However, we haven't escaped the up and over drive. A good drive will carry to the bottom of the valley.
Among a clutch of great holes #11 is yet another cracker. The approach requires a bit of bravery to carry the dune. This is severe golf, but the high capper can layup and play through the gap.
As a demonstration of how small the greens are, here is a look at the 11th. Its no nonsense stuff which should be applauded in this day of over-indulgent design.
We finally tee off on the first proper par 5 of the day. In great British fashion, this 485 yard hole played the same length as the 320 yard 8th. A right green-side bunker in combination with the right to left terrain blocks out approaches from the right.
The following three holes all have some aspect which is fun. The 13th is reachable, the 14th doglegs attractively between dunes and the 15th is a short par 3 with loads of bunkers protecting the green. The 16th is a spoons hole with #14. Where the 14th doglegs right the 16th turns left. This second and final par 5 played very long today. Unlike the 12th, there would be no reaching this green in two with an iron. The green can prove to be an elusive target in strong winds.
Of course, the 17th had to be a seriously uphill par 3, but playing downwind its yardage of 180 was more than manageable with a mid iron. Unfortunately, the least interesting hole comes last, but don't let this take away anything from the marvelous little gem West Cornwall is. I have a lot of time for this course, but can understand why some folks wouldn't be overly enthusiastic. This is why I couldn't give West Cornwall a star, but if you are around St Ives and don't want to make the 1 hour car journey up to St Enodoc, then I heartily recommend a game at West Cornwall. Its not for everybody, but if you remember to keep a smile on your face you will be entertained to no end.
Ciao