The 16th is 428 yards, with OB down the right side. Trees separate the fairway from OB, though.
This monster bunker is only 150 or so yards to carry. Good thing!
Trees encroach quite a bit along the right side and make this hole feel a bit narrow.
The green has something of a false front and tilts quite a bit from right to left.
In any long par 3s discussion, the 17th at Ganton should be considered. Playing 239 yards from the member tees, this one is a beast. You play across the entrance road (which is OB), and thoughts of a safe layup shot are complicated by bunkering that surrounds the landing area short.
Short right on a layup shot is pretty much dead.
And missing just right of the green is about as bad.
The dogleg left 18th plays 392 yards and is blind off the tee. This hole plays back across the entrance road, and if you get very aggressive from the tee the OB road could be in play.
The fairway is wide, but trees on each side really reduce the effective size of the fairway unless you’re good at working the ball on your approach.
The green site is protected by bunkers on each side, though there is still quite a bit of room in the front for a run-up approach.
From off the back of the green, a look at the clubhouse patio.
Between the clubhouse and the 18th on the site of the original clubhouse is this enjoyable putting green.
The view from the patio as I enjoyed a gunner, coronation chicken sandwich, and Ganton cake, preparing to go back out.
Ganton is a course that defies easy description. The bunkering is stunning, and must be considered on pretty much every shot. It seemed that sometimes the “safe” shot was really not as safe as one that appeared more aggressive. To be sure, scoring well at Ganton means avoiding the bunkers, but you constantly have to take them on to have a chance to score well. Sometimes you just need to skirt them, others you must carry. But you always have to confront them.
Other than the bunkering, Ganton is relatively subtle. There are loads of humps and bumps in the fairways, but few huge slopes. The greens look like a respite from the tough shot making requirements, but they are plenty challenging to putt on. The routing is quite good, with constant changes in direction and style of the holes.
My day at Ganton probably inspired a bit more respect than love. Playing by myself forced me to think too much about score – never a good thing for my skill level. I think I would have had much more fun seeing it as part of a match, but feel fortunate to have been able to visit there.
Ganton is certainly worth seeking out, and at only £90 for the day, a great bargain for such a world class course.