I had another visit to Royal Wimbledon this past weekend. Here are a few pictures. I did not mention in my last post that the clubhouse has had quite a big upgrade. Sometimes this news would make the heart sink, but in this case they have done a great job of keeping the history and the charm which the facilities have in abundance. Add to this a memorably large practice putting surface next to the clubhouse and excellent outdoor facilities as well, and the club really is a very attractive place to visit. That is before you get to the course which has already been discussed. The opening four holes - all quite stern two-shotters - present a stiff challenge to any round, especially the first which is one of the tougher holes you will face in starting a round.
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/001-2.jpg)
Opening tee shot - 15 yards in front of the clubhouse! Note the OB stakes which are now very close on the right. Whether to rejig this hole is a very live topic.
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/002-1.jpg)
A view of the first green from the corner showing the large dip in front of the green.
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/004-1.jpg)
Tee shot on second....you can see the green in the far distant left, behind the bunkers
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/005-3.jpg)
And approach to two.
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/007-1.jpg)
The third - tee shot from high down into a dip followed by approach to elevated green. This is a feature of a number of holes on this side of the property where the fairways are on flat land, but tees and greens are up high.
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/008-2.jpg)
Approach to third green..
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/009-3.jpg)
Tee shot on dog's leg fourth
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/010-2.jpg)
which plays up to this elevated green
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/012-2.jpg)
5th - first of a handsome group of short holes, albeit this and 13 are similar in shape, design and need to carry the ball all the way to the hole.
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/013-1.jpg)
Tee shot on the short blind 6th - needs a 200 yard tee shot and then a wedge, but the green is heavily fortified and it is harder than it looks. A bit like the 11th? at Sunningdale Old.
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/014-2.jpg)
This is the approach....
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/017-2.jpg)
This is the short 8th - about 220 yards and needing to feed the ball in from the left. A difficult hole.
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/020-2.jpg)
Tee shot on the short uphll 9th -about 350 yards. The shape and angle of the green favour an approach from the right - but not so easy to get the tee ball there!
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/021-3.jpg)
Approach to the par 5 10th - the three shotters (this and the 7th) are not among the better holes - run parallel and straight up and down the same hill.
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/022-2.jpg)
The approach to 11 - a good downhill two shotter
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/023-3.jpg)
Tee shot on 12 - stroke one and for a reason. Requires a fade off the fairway and a long drive before....
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/024-2.jpg)
being faced with this second shot of likely around 200 yards
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/025-3.jpg)
The short 13th - similar to 5 but still a handsome, and demanding hole.
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/026-3.jpg)
Approach to 14 - a two shotter that swings downhill first and then sharply right.
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/027-2.jpg)
15th - attractive hole on the bottom part of the course. PErhaps a signal of Colt style bunkering?
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/029-3.jpg)
16th - another hole from a high tee to a high green with flat fairway in between.
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/031-3.jpg)
the last short-hole, 17 - a long, thin target and tee ball nearly always falls short.
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/032-4.jpg)
Homeward bound - the 18th is only around 340 yards, but the drive is blind and requires a draw to get close to the green. An excellent match-play hole that holds out hopes of easy pickings but often deceives cruelly!
![](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/pgawith/033-4.jpg)
The clubhouse, with putting green on the left.