Notts (Hollinwell)
I’m embarrassed to have taken so long to post photos and thoughts on Notts. The delay is due to laziness, and not a lack of appreciation for another special course.
Anyone interested in a proper look at the course would be better suited by reading this thread from James Boon.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,39814.0.htmlThoughts of playing in the Nottingham area and Robin Hood country made me expect a more forested course. The entrance road ran through fields, but trees up ahead suggested more isolation.
Notts is indeed isolated, yet nothing claustrophobic. Those missing the hustle and bustle of the city could hang about the entrance drive, which run between 1, 3, 4, 18 & the clubhouse. The 18th green is visible to the right looking back towards the entrance.
I was fortunate enough to arrive early and have time for breakfast before the round. Great view of the 18th from the bar.
So many English clubs include reminders of the sacrifices of their members.
While the course starts out with three holes added by the club’s pro Tom Williamson, the holes on this side of the entrance road are no letdown in terms of quality. The second hole was one I looked forward to and it did not disappoint. A long par 4 that doglegs left with plenty of room off the tee. The green is nested between two hills, with the opportunity to run your approach up off the hill on the left and avoid the bunker.
Note how the green blends perfectly with the hill on the left. I mistakenly thought that the rocks on the hill behind the green were known as Robin Hood’s seat, but seems that the correct location is on the other hill. Oops, no picture.
The third hole is a sporty short par 5. Only around 500 yards, the ground is firm enough that even players like me have the temptation to go for the green. And I did. The problem is with the need for accuracy on the approach. Miss long and you must contend with the road behind the green, which is considered a part of the course and there is no relief. Miss on the right hand side (as I did) and it’s pretty much impossible to get up and down. What I liked about the hole is the fact that there is so much temptation there, I don’t think I could ever resist going for that green. Sorry for the poor quality photos into the sun.
The shot that awaits when you go right. The little hollow almost demands an aerial approach, most likely from a downhill lie.
The famed Hollinwell or holy well on the 8th hole. A nice spot for a break, and the water tasted very refreshing.
Just after the well water, there is the Hollinwell Halt and opportunity for something stronger. In his profile, Boony mentions that this dates back to when the club had its own railroad stop. His photo of the building is a good one – I stupidly got just the sign.
There should be time to sit for a minute and admire the setting of the 9th green. This bench behind the tee is also large enough to accommodate three groups at one of Hollinwell’s two-ball cousin courses like Rye.
Boony’s tee shot on the hole.
The 11th was only about 360 yards from the tees we played, but that did not stop it from being an intimidating tee shot. The fairway winds between hills covered with gorse, heather, and trees. The fairway does not really snake as much back and forth as it appears, but I’m not sure I would ever be convinced of that on the tee.
Gorgeous green site.
The long par four 12th features a roller coaster fairway and a hill on the right that ends at the surface of the green, making a run-up shot from that side a near impossibility to stop. From the back of the green.
The pheasants seemed to like the course as much as I did.
The 15th is another long par 4. A really demanding approach shot with the green nestled in between gorse-covered hills For someone like me, unless I hit a huge tee shot the smart play would be to play just short and use the hill on the left to contain the shot. Yes, that’s a small green.
One last look at the 15th green from the well-worn path to 16.
The short 16th offers temptation and trouble. The smart player (Boon) played a fairway wood and holed out his wedge for an eagle. Yours truly tried to hit driver and ended up picking up on the hole.
When I got nearer to the green, I could more easily see the wisdom in Boony’s club selection. Short and right is no good at all. I couldn’t help but see a bit of the 8th at Cypress Point in this hole.
From behind the green, the 18th seemed to play downhill the whole way, but only the tee shot on this long par 4 does. The approach is to an elevated green surrounded by bunkers. A tough end, but the clubhouse does look inviting.
On my trip, I was fortunate to see three distinctly different courses. Notts was likely the most difficult of the three, but equally pleasurable. I really enjoyed the sense of isolation & the hub of activity around the entrance and clubhouse. Notts has a great collection of holes with loads of variety, and the sum is even better than the individual parts.
I do love English golf.