News:

Welcome to the Golf Club Atlas Discussion Group!

Each user is approved by the Golf Club Atlas editorial staff. For any new inquiries, please contact us.


David Davis

  • Karma: +0/-0
Ardfin Estate
 
Approximately in September of this year the island of Jura located in the Scottish Hebrides will see the opening of a rather spectacular course called Ardfin. Most of you by now will of at least heard about this course which has been nearly 5 years in the making. A couple of us were fortunate enough to be able to combine a planned visit to see Machrihanish and Mach Dunes with a pre-opening visit and a couple rounds of golf at Ardfin. Ardfin Estate is around a 14,000 acre plot of land located on the Southern tip of Jura with around 10 miles of coastline. The estate was purchased by Greg Coffey an Australian Hedge Fund Manager and somehow he came up with the crazy idea of building his own golf course here while at the same time rebuilding the estate and adding a massive guest house. He teamed up with The Australian architect Bob Harrison who for years did all the design work for Greg Norman’s design company. With outstanding works to his resume like Ellerston, The National – Moonah Course and Nirwwana Bali Coffey saw the ideal candidate for this project in his countryman.
 
The landscape on Jura and more specifically the Ardfin Estate was anything but ideal for building a golf course. While Ardfin would have to be classified as a part clifftop, part moorland seaside course it required extensive work and needed shiploads of sand to be brought in from Ireland. No coincidence this course is 5 years in the making and has required more than 25 trips to this remote site from Mr. Harrison himself. At this stage nearly everything is finished and the last touches a few walking bridges to link everything together might already be finished as I put this short tour together.
 
As is often the case several iterations have been made to come up with the final design which is in the author’s opinion nothing short of a masterpiece. The final routing as seen here in this map has taken on a bit of a figure 8 shape with two loops that are separated by a short walk in front of what will be the family estate and the adjacent 15 room guesthouse for family friends and guests.




The course didn’t yet have official scorecards printed but this is the breakdown of the holes. Compliments that they have resisted to put together a modern slog and kept the design even from the back tees below 7000 yds. On our trip we played shots from a few different tees, but mainly from the what would be the equivalent of the men’s back tee which were very playable even in the high winds we experienced on our first day there. Luckily for us we also played the course in the opposite wind which was very light in comparison.
 


     
The first hole is a 437 yds par 4  that plays up hill along the cliffs edge heading East from the family villa. The tee boxes are placed along the cliff and provide one of the more spectacular views in golf.



Here a shot looking back towards the tees and the amazing view.



     
To me it felt like the best line off the tee was to the left side of the fairway. Each time we played this left me with a nice view of the approach to the green which is perched on the high point. I seem to also have this urge to play away from the cliff.  From the right side it is not really possible to view the surface of the green so the shot is semi blind however the flag can be seen.



Here's another of the approach from the right side



And one looking back from over the green down the hill. I'd call it a pretty solid handshake.





     
The second hole is a 200 yds downhill clifftop to clifftop par 3. Certainly one of the more spectacular initial par 3’s I’ve seen. Day 1 with the wind behind this was an easy 6 iron. Day two with the wind in our faces I hit 4 iron which is my 200yd club.  The photo makes it look further away and more difficult than I felt it played. The green is shaped back to front and slightly right to left so coming in on the right side to center is favorable.







     
The third hole is a short par 4 of 344 yds that plays to a fairly narrow downhill sloping fairway that is set at a diagonal running right to left away from the tee box. This is a cut of as much as you can chew type hole but really sets up ideally for a nice little draw which I don’t really have. Anything from 5 iron to driver could be played here and given the fairways slope in the right conditions a long hitter would have a chance at this green but with significant risk. I hit rescue/3wood and was left with 9 iron/wedge both plays.



     
The approach to the third hole is tricky, the green runs away from you so really need to keep this in mind. It favors a higher soft landing shot IMO. We struggled with the distance here and ended up just over the green both plays.



Here's one looking back up the hill from behind the 3rd green.



Here's one more looking back down to the green and 4th hole tee boxes from a different angle up on the fairway of the 4th hole.



     
The 4th is a 549 yd par 5. The tee shot is blind up over the hill (left the photo out as there isn't much to see but the bank of the hill going up. The fairway is very wide and even with my high right miss on the first day I managed to end on the right side of the fairway.
The second shot for all but the longest players will be a very testing one with a decision to take on the burn or lay up short leaving a long uphill approach. For us on the first day into a high wind this was a definite 4 shot hole with a lay-up before the burn.
 
     
The uphill approach has significant centerline bunkers to deal with and the surface of the green is not visible.



Here is a close up of this green.



     
The 5th hole could be taken right out of the St. Andrews or North Berwick pages. A short par 4 of 308 yds playing uphill. The tee shot is reminiscent to the first hole at the Old Course. The widest fairway you will ever see, being shared with the 6th hole. The strategy is great, the closer you hit your tee shot to the old stone wall on the right side the better your angle of approach. The further left you play your shot, which is far safer the more difficult your angle of approach (but not impossible).



     
The green on the 5th hole is a wild one with heavy undulations and interesting pin placements worthy of a short 4. We thought this was a great strategic hole.



Here is another angle looking back down to the 5th green from the 6th tee box. In the distance is the fairway of the par 5 4th hole.



     
The 6th hole 427 yd par 4 with a wonderful risk reward twist as you can see from the photo. In order to receive the best angle of approach the player must again take on the old stone wall a solid drive leaves a wedge /9 iron approach. It’s a really fun risk to take on as it plays significantly downhill making you feel like you can do it from the tee. Not being a long hitter I managed the carry both times in right to left and the opposite winds. Playing as far left as you like is also an option, again with a tough angle of approach.



A strong drive taking on the wall is rewarded with a nice little approach albeit down hill to a slightly raised green.



I'll continue the tour in a couple days. Happy to hear any comments or field any questions if I can.


 
« Last Edit: June 04, 2017, 06:39:20 PM by David Davis »
Sharing the greatest experiences in golf.

IG: @top100golftraveler
www.lockharttravelclub.com

Tim Gallant

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2017, 08:32:30 AM »
David,


Really great tour - thank you for posting the pictures.


I follow Bob on Twitter, and when I first saw the 5th hole, it reminded me of Woking, but without the fairway bunkers. I thought, depending on the firmness of the ground, that I would putt it off the tee and take dead aim at the green for the best angle, but knowing that I wouldn't get enough height to go over the wall. Do you think this will be a good play in the future when the ground firms up?

Niall C

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2017, 08:43:40 AM »
David


Thanks for posting. Great to see a course I've only heard rumours about. Great photography too.


I note you say the 3rd green runs away from you and that you went through the back both days. From your photos it appears that there is a ditch/burn right behind the green. Is that right ? Can you play out of it or where do you take a drop ?


Final question, will it be open to the public ?


Niall

David Davis

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2017, 08:55:07 AM »
David


Thanks for posting. Great to see a course I've only heard rumours about. Great photography too.


I note you say the 3rd green runs away from you and that you went through the back both days. From your photos it appears that there is a ditch/burn right behind the green. Is that right ? Can you play out of it or where do you take a drop ?


Final question, will it be open to the public ?


Niall


Niall,


Good questions. We did not go into the ditch/burn there but that is possible for sure. The drop would be the normal drop I suppose, no closer to the flag etc. It's not an unfair approach just one you'd rather leave short than long. the green is pretty good sized as you can see.


The last question I can't answer. I think the short term answer is that it's for the family only and their friends. However, time will tell if anything else materializes there.
Sharing the greatest experiences in golf.

IG: @top100golftraveler
www.lockharttravelclub.com

Tom_Doak

  • Karma: +2/-1
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2017, 09:08:02 AM »
I think the short term answer is that it's for the family only and their friends.


So, which are you?

Or is it family, friends, and raters ?


Also, you keep phrasing everything as "we" and "our", can you divulge who constituted the rest of the group you played with for multiple days?
« Last Edit: May 31, 2017, 09:51:46 AM by Tom_Doak »

Michael Graham

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2017, 09:13:37 AM »
David,


Thanks for your initial photos. As Niall says, it's great to finally see the (almost) finished article after reading lots about the project. From seeing your photos it would be even more of a shame if course ends up being for friends/family/raters only. I think Skibo have it spot on with their visitors policy. Have a couple of tee times a day Mon-Fri set aside for visitors and charge a hefty enough fee that they don't get inundated. I realise the proximity of the estate house to the course complicates matters somewhat.


Can you remember what the yardage is to clear the stone wall on the right of the 6th if taking the carry on?



Adam Lawrence

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2017, 09:16:24 AM »
They're building a small lodge on the site, which certainly suggests some form of public access. However the routing basically takes you straight through Mr Coffey's front garden, and he's known to be a privacy obsessive, so I suspect there'll be no outside play when the family is in residence. Additionally he's believed to be keen on getting the course world ranked, so again there will need to be some outside play. I think there will be considerable local pressure to allow some play, as the construction of the course has gone hand in hand with the closure of the famous Isle of Jura Walled Garden, which was one of the island's main tourist attractions. From what I know of Mr Coffey he isn't the sort of laird who relishes conflict with his tenants, and tourism is too important to Jura to be ignored.
Adam Lawrence

Editor, Golf Course Architecture
www.golfcoursearchitecture.net

Principal, Oxford Golf Consulting
www.oxfordgolfconsulting.com

Author, 'More Enduring Than Brass: a biography of Harry Colt' (forthcoming).

Short words are best, and the old words, when short, are the best of all.

Marty Bonnar

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2017, 09:36:18 AM »
I simply can't tell you just how delighted I am to see a wee bit of Scotland sold off to such a generous benefactor. And to hear he's going to put it to such great purpose as a private golf course is utterly splendid.


F.
The White River runs dark through the heart of the Town,
Washed the people coal-black from the hole in the ground.

John Chilver-Stainer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2017, 09:49:29 AM »
A spectacular west highland setting on a beautiful day.


The greens appear to have some movement.


However the fairways look very even - is that just the photos, or are there some bumps and hollows as well?


What were the grass types?

Adam Lawrence

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2017, 10:11:51 AM »
I simply can't tell you just how delighted I am to see a wee bit of Scotland sold off to such a generous benefactor. And to hear he's going to put it to such great purpose as a private golf course is utterly splendid.



to be fair the place was privately owned beforehand too...
Adam Lawrence

Editor, Golf Course Architecture
www.golfcoursearchitecture.net

Principal, Oxford Golf Consulting
www.oxfordgolfconsulting.com

Author, 'More Enduring Than Brass: a biography of Harry Colt' (forthcoming).

Short words are best, and the old words, when short, are the best of all.

Thomas Dai

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #10 on: May 31, 2017, 10:15:51 AM »
Thanks for posting David.
Just a touch remote - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.7988286,-6.021274,2110m/data=!3m1!1e3
atb

Marty Bonnar

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2017, 10:19:59 AM »
I simply can't tell you just how delighted I am to see a wee bit of Scotland sold off to such a generous benefactor. And to hear he's going to put it to such great purpose as a private golf course is utterly splendid.



to be fair the place was privately owned beforehand too...


Don't you be coming on here with all your logical, reasonable, well-thought-out replies to my emotional rantings!
 ;)
F.
The White River runs dark through the heart of the Town,
Washed the people coal-black from the hole in the ground.

Niall C

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #12 on: May 31, 2017, 12:37:04 PM »
They're building a small lodge on the site, which certainly suggests some form of public access. However the routing basically takes you straight through Mr Coffey's front garden, and he's known to be a privacy obsessive, so I suspect there'll be no outside play when the family is in residence.


Thanks Adam, I'm playing Balmoral in a few weeks time and seems like the same idea.  ;D


Niall

David Davis

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #13 on: May 31, 2017, 04:46:10 PM »
They're building a small lodge on the site, which certainly suggests some form of public access. However the routing basically takes you straight through Mr Coffey's front garden, and he's known to be a privacy obsessive, so I suspect there'll be no outside play when the family is in residence.


Thanks Adam, I'm playing Balmoral in a few weeks time and seems like the same idea.  ;D


Niall


Adam,


Actually this might be changing slightly so that you walk rather than through the yard kind of in front below it so that could solve some issues. This is different I believe than when you had visited Adam.
Sharing the greatest experiences in golf.

IG: @top100golftraveler
www.lockharttravelclub.com

David Davis

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #14 on: May 31, 2017, 04:54:49 PM »
I think the short term answer is that it's for the family only and their friends.


So, which are you?

Or is it family, friends, and raters ?


Also, you keep phrasing everything as "we" and "our", can you divulge who constituted the rest of the group you played with for multiple days?


Tom,


I'd like to think of myself more as a friend but in reality perhaps I fall more into the trespasser category. We were not all raters, there were 3 of us and I can't really in all fairness name the others. They can chime in if they see fit to do so but it's not my place to name them. Also I wasn't invited to rate the course myself. They have not opened up anything to raters yet and I have no idea what those plans may be.


Of course you and everyone else realizes I'm only providing a tour as I experienced things and am certainly not making the decisions so while I agree it would be a shame for what I believe to be quite a remarkable course to not be seen by golf enthusiasts I have little to say about it.


« Last Edit: May 31, 2017, 05:40:09 PM by David Davis »
Sharing the greatest experiences in golf.

IG: @top100golftraveler
www.lockharttravelclub.com

David Davis

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #15 on: May 31, 2017, 05:01:16 PM »
A spectacular west highland setting on a beautiful day.


The greens appear to have some movement.


However the fairways look very even - is that just the photos, or are there some bumps and hollows as well?


What were the grass types?


John,


Thanks good questions. First of all in terms of movement in the fairways, yes there is movement but the land was not really good golf land as I mentioned before so everything had to be filled in and built up with dirt and sand. Most of the shaping is done by man. so don't think you will run into Prestwick or Deal or something. But there are some bumps and movement and natural rock outcroppings etc.


I will have to get back to you on the grasses. I was told and now I'm doubting my memory.
Sharing the greatest experiences in golf.

IG: @top100golftraveler
www.lockharttravelclub.com

Bob Harrison

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #16 on: June 01, 2017, 02:45:18 AM »
 Pleased to see the interest in Ardfin, I can throw a little light on some of the questions.

The fairways have been planted with a mixture of fescues, and these will coexist for a while with the remaining meadow grasses - which is ok because we want the fairways to be in great condition but not totally pristine. Greens are a mixture of fescues, and the surrounds include a small percentage of bent.

Some of the fairways were shaped and some were not. The combined fairways on 5 and 6 would have looked out of place with almost any shaping, so I left them in their naturally broad shape. Some of the others were shaped considerably, and this was a difficult exercise given the ground conditions - and that any additional fill was won by excavating from nominated borrow areas which were rocky. The 3rd, for example, has been totally reshaped, partly to give it a charismatic style - because the surrounding shape is quite bold - and partly to make the hole workable and strategically interesting. So it's a real mixture. Very little shaping on 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 13, 14, and the first part of 18. Considerable shaping elsewhere but not a large volume of earthworks.

The narrow left hand side of the 3rd green is surrounded by the creek / burn and if you miss on this side that's where you'll be. This side of the green sits at you a little, but the deeper right hand side runs away to an extent, and if you miss long on the right you roll into a constructed hollow, which will stop the ball but leave quite a demanding chip. If you bail out to the right of the green there is plenty of fairway, but you face a delicate chip across one or two rolls and a down slope in the beginning of the green.

The second part of the stone wall on 6 runs away from the tee at a diagonal so that the further right you play the longer the carry. But this is by far the best angle of approach. So the distance across the wall depends on which tee you play from and how much of the wall you choose to take on.

It's worth noting that the sand had not yet been placed in the bunkers when David and his group were there (the white is the capillary concrete liner). The sand will not be pristine white but will have an earthy (hopefully slightly orange) appearance, and has now been placed in all of the bunkers.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2017, 02:51:56 AM by Bob Harrison »

Thomas Dai

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #17 on: June 01, 2017, 03:53:58 AM »
Bob,
Thank you for this.
Given the remote location, the weather and the type of site did you face any particular routing, construction etc challenges?
atb
« Last Edit: June 01, 2017, 04:51:58 AM by Thomas Dai »

John Chilver-Stainer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #18 on: June 01, 2017, 04:07:15 AM »

Bob,


Thanks for the information on the shaping and it's good to hear the course has been seeded with fescue grasses.


The course appears to be well bedded into the very dominant surrounding landscape. It doesn't look like the course needs many bunkers - how many did you plan in advance and how many did you actually build?


It is clear this is not a links course in the true sense of the word, however can one assume the management will want to keep the fairways running fast?
In which case in consideration of playing shots under the wind, how many of the greens have you designed "open" to receive running shots and how many are aerials.


Congratulations again on a great achievement and hopefully you can persuade the client to let the Golfclubatlas enthusiasts a day on the course !!!!


John


Tony_Muldoon

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #19 on: June 01, 2017, 04:44:51 AM »
Thanks, David
Delighted you still have the energy and enthusiasm and are enjoying your travels.
For those who don’t post photo threads, you don’t realise the time it takes to share your experiences.
 
 
Thank you Bob Harrison. Can you comment on the access.?   
Let's make GCA grate again!

JC Jones

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #20 on: June 01, 2017, 06:40:56 AM »
I think the short term answer is that it's for the family only and their friends.


So, which are you?

Or is it family, friends, and raters ?


Also, you keep phrasing everything as "we" and "our", can you divulge who constituted the rest of the group you played with for multiple days?





Hmm....what interesting questions.  Why would Tom Doak care a) how a course was accessed and b) who was in the group?
« Last Edit: June 01, 2017, 06:53:43 AM by JC Jones »
I get it, you are mad at the world because you are an adult caddie and few people take you seriously.

Excellent spellers usually lack any vision or common sense.

I know plenty of courses that are in the red, and they are killing it.

Tom_Doak

  • Karma: +2/-1
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour
« Reply #21 on: June 01, 2017, 11:24:16 AM »

Hmm....what interesting questions.  Why would Tom Doak care a) how a course was accessed and b) who was in the group?


JC:  There are a lot of private courses that seem to be cherry-picking who gets access to their course, in order to try and attain [and protect] a spot on somebody's rankings.


To be honest, I have no idea how we should treat these "tree falls in the forest" type of courses, that hardly anyone is allowed to play.  I used to think that they should be treated like any other course; but the more of them I see, I am beginning to wonder if that's good for the game or the business.


It's not a new phenomenon -- it's been happening since the days of Shadow Creek, where the ownership pointedly asked me if they had to let on ANY panelist, or if it was up to them who played and who didn't?  Of course, it's up to them, since it's their course; I just didn't imagine how that would be used to try and manipulate the results.


So, I asked because I like to keep up to date on the politics of the ratings business, which is a bit harder now that I no longer participate in them.  David was nice enough to answer my questions, both in public and [in more detail] in private.


David Davis

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ardfin Estate Golf Course, Jura, Scotland Photo Tour - H
« Reply #22 on: June 01, 2017, 11:38:24 AM »
Continuing the tour, here are holes 7-12.


     The 7th hole is a par 4 and a serious test at 445 yds. This hole plays back toward the family house and is the last hole on the West end of the property finishing just above the first tee.
The tee box is set at a diagonal line to the right side of this fairway, which felt to be a very large one. The tee shot while not blind does not reveal the green or even the flag as this hole seems to play kind of up and over a gentle slope.  A strong drive down the center or left will leave a mid to long iron (or even fairway wood) to this green which is down the hill to the left from the center of the fairway. This green will be accessible to  chasing one in as well but there is a large bunker on the right side to take into consideration.



Here is the approach from closer to the green note the open area is not the bunker mentioned. that is lower down to the right.



At this juncture the walk to the 8th hole will be really the only sizeable walk on the course and take about 5 minutes. The routing was not 100% certain when I was there as the bridges still needed to be put in. Will it lead directly in front of the family residence as mentioned by Adam Lawrence or will it duck down the hill slightly out of view? I think the answers here will say a lot towards the families intent with regards to the course. I don’t have these answers.
     
The 8th hole is a short par 4 of 321 yds and requires a serious double take from the tee. The landing area seems very small and appears to be heavily sloped from right to left. There are a couple stone walls in view adding to the drama and decision making process. I think in the right conditions a long hitter could actually go for this green with a safe bail out on the right side. None of us fit into this category and all chose to hit rescue clubs off the tee. The results were solid leaving a 6 iron approach the first day from about 130 yds out (incidentally my 155 meter club) It was playing straight into a heavy wind. The second day I hit a 9 iron on the second shot as there was little wind.



     
The approach to this green is the kind that makes your hands sweat and requires trust and commitment. There is ample room right even though there is a greenside bunker to deal with. Left is dangerous but not sudden death unless you really pull it. Nevertheless it’s a testing approach into the wind and requires control of your ball flight. A spectacular hole that to my understand was extremely difficult to route here given the severity of the slope of the landing area.









     
The 9th hole is yet another wonderful short par 4 at 310 yds. It plays along the cliff all the way down from tee to green.  There are some rock outcroppings in the fairway to deal with which makes careful judgment from the tee a necessity. Obviously the left side is sudden death but there is ample room to the right. Taking on the left side provides the shortest route to the green as well as a confortable line in though this also depends on the pin position. The green is perched on close to the edge of the cliff.









     
The 175 yds par 3 10th hole provides a serious visual challenge. There are a couple tees in play plus a novelty back tee that Mr. Harrison did not personally choose for several reasons, mainly for safety perspectives. We played the hole from both tees and my personal opinion is that they are both great fun but the back tee won’t do wonders for anyone afraid of heights.  I played it into a very strong head wind and will admit to feeling a bit wobbly out there balancing on this perch surrounded by cliff drop offs. The photo makes it look a bit smaller than it actually is. 3 of us plus the Estate Manager stood out there at the same time with not too much issues. It’s more visually challenging than anything else but it’s the smallest tee box of this sort I’ve ever seen. The hole requires a solid 155-160 yds carry over cliffs to the green which has ample bail out to the right side. I thought it was a spectacular hole from both tee boxes though the main tee box along the cliffs (as opposed to the eagles perch tee box) is safer and give a slightly better look and better angle to approach this green.



This is the view from the Eagles perch tee



This is the view from the standard back and medal tee.



     
[size=78%]The 395 yds par 4 11[/size]th[size=78%] hole takes us out to the boat house/halfway house set out on a point where 3 sides meet water down at water level rather than up on the cliffs. This hole requires a long drive where the left side must be avoided. There is plenty of fairway to work but the best line seems to be down the left side, also the shortest route.[/size]




     
The approach to this green is really the first one that I believe will provide significant trouble to higher hcp’ers, it might require a lay up to be able to go at it with a more lofted club. Again it’s a very challenging shot IMO with no wind as you have to be relatively precise, short is landing unplayable and long or left would also be lost ball.  On day one into the wind I approach after a strong drive with a 5 iron. Day two with a 6 iron. Tough clubs for me to hit really precisely. I managed not to lose a ball but didn’t manage to hit the green.



     
The halfway house is a great little building which has been renovated and is one of those places that would be wonderful to just park yourself and have a nice lunch and some drinks split between enjoying the wonderful place it’s located or heading back out. Both IMO fantastic choices. I went for the golf each time.


     
The 178yds par 3 12th hole play slightly uphills to a long narrow and raised green. Pin position can hugely vary on this green which could stretch this hole out to over 200 yds in my best estimate. Give it’s uphill nature I wouldn’t rule out the need to hit anything from 5 iron to 3 wood which makes this hole play completely different in length from the previous par 3 reading nearly the same yardage. It’s fair to say this holes is tough and requires quite a precise tee shot.




Finally looking back from the green.




 
Sharing the greatest experiences in golf.

IG: @top100golftraveler
www.lockharttravelclub.com

Adam Lawrence

  • Karma: +0/-0
For those familiar with 90s pop music, the boathouse behind the eleventh green is where the KLF burned a million pounds.
Adam Lawrence

Editor, Golf Course Architecture
www.golfcoursearchitecture.net

Principal, Oxford Golf Consulting
www.oxfordgolfconsulting.com

Author, 'More Enduring Than Brass: a biography of Harry Colt' (forthcoming).

Short words are best, and the old words, when short, are the best of all.

Matt Dawson

  • Karma: +0/-0
For those familiar with 90s pop music, the boathouse behind the eleventh green is where the KLF burned a million pounds.

I was just about to make that exact same point. That's proper rock and roll

Tags:
Tags:

An Error Has Occurred!

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()
Back