8.30 this New Years Day morning found Dan, my 9 year-old son, and myself at Adlington Golf Centre. As well as a superb driving range, they have two par 3 courses designed by Hawtrees which are a considerable cut above the average 'pitch & putt' course you find (or found) in the local park.
http://www.adlingtongolfcentre.com/We chose the 'Academy' course, the short option, with holes ranging from 55 to 90 yards long. Despite the tiny size the layout, greens, and bunkering are superb - easily as good as at most 'proper' courses. While providing Dan with the perfect opportunity to try out his new set of clubs it gave me a stern test of my wedge play and putting.
Hole 1 - 88yds
This is just within Dan's 3-wood range and we were both delighted when he made the front edge of the green with his first shot.
Hole 2 - 57 yds
Hole 3 - 77 yds
You get a good view here of the clever use of raised greens and bunkering. You really get the feeling that you are out on a real course.
Hole 4 - 82 yds
Dan hit a real corker here - you can see the ball flying off the club. That's my boy!!!
Hole 5 - 81 yds
Hole 6 - 56 yds
Hole 7 - 79 yds
Hole 8 - 75 yds
This is lovely hole, with a raised back tee as an option to to a lower front one. The green is just in front of the big tree, which I belted an over-enthusiastic wedge lob straight into the top of and subsequently took a 6!
Hole 9 - 65 yds
The rain was by now pouring down so we chickened out of another 9 holes and returned home for a big breakfast. A lovely start to the year and Dan is getting more and more hooked.
I do love it when a plan comes together!