Leckford is a nine hole Harry Colt course which nobody ever mentions, in part because it's now owned by the John Lewis Group and play is usually reserved for staff.
Many would have pushed the green on the par 5 2nd hole further back, leaving it sitting in what is now the valley between the tee and the green in this picture . Mr Colt however saw that this little corner of the property was ideal for the 152 yard 3rd hole. Miss right and you could end up a long way down the slope. Miss left and you're left with something very delicate to a green sloping away from you. Miss very left and you're on someone else's land. Long and, if you're lucky, you've got a blind recover back up the slope. The other possibility through the green is a lost ball. The only good miss is short, although not short and right as that could leave you in a horrible spot in the sand. Oh, and the green takes a bit of reading.
The group in the picture were a nice bunch and, having decided we could play a bit, told us that we could play through at this hole. Cue me sticking it down the slope to the right and making five!
