New Forest Course Guide

Hole No 1

The opening hole offers a generous fairway to get everyone off to a positive start. A relatively tight green announces the theme of the course. Deep pot bunkers are strategically positioned to catch the wayward approach.

Hole No 2

This is a beautiful par 3, a mid-iron for most players. It is best to favour the right as marshland awaits the pull or hook. The putting surface is small and gently undulating.

Hole No 3

Another theme of the course, strategy off the tee, dominates this short par 4. The options are to play short of the fairway bunkers, over them or even go for the green! It depends on the wind and the skill of the player.

Hole No 4

This is a very tough par 4, there is no point pretending otherwise! It starts with a tight tee shot between bunkers and out of bounds. The green is offset and protected by a stream and bunkers. There is a generous bail-out area short right of the green.

Hole No 5

A big, swinging par 5, right to left, with water being the dominant feature. On the second shot, the lake on the right really intrudes. Club selection for the approach shot is critical as there is a stream just short of the green.

Hole No 6

The second par 5 in a row! It presents a birdie opportunity, but the fairway must be found at all costs. A sensible option is to leave the woods in the bag and play this one with the head.

Hole No 7

This hole presents yet another very strategic tee shot with loads of fairway bunkering. There is more room to the left than might appear from the tee. There is a birdie chance on this risk/reward hole.

Hole No 8

Tough par 4 up to the walled garden. The tee shot is open enough if the bunkers are avoided. The green is fair and larger than most of the holes on the front nine.

Hole No 9

A par 3 in a walled garden. Here, the difficulty of the hole is totally determined by the pin position on the vast undulating green.

Hole No 10

This is a big swinging left dogleg, moving downhill but with a green nestling into the hillside and surrounded by bunkers. The best line off the tee is to the right. Proper club selection is critical for the second shot.

Hole No 11

One of those par 3s where you either hit the green or you (probably) drop a shot. It’s downhill and has a bail-out area short, but accuracy is rewarded with a benign green.

Hole No 12

A tree in the middle of the fairway dominates this hole. A drive must find an island fairway amid a warren of streams - a bit like the 17th at Carnoustie. The best line off the tee is to the right with gorse around the back of the green and a stream to the right.

Hole No 13

A hole made by God! A flat drive between mature hardwoods leaves a shot of simply breathtaking excitement to a green protected by a mirror pond, set in magnificent oaks and beeches. This hole would credit any course in the world.

Hole No 14

It is time for a straight drive again. Back into marshland where both the tee shot and second shot need to stay dry. Water is also a feature to the right off the green again.

Hole No 15

The tee shot on this par 5 can be rather tight with out of bounds on the left and some trees on the right. The hole then widens and sweeps left up the hill. The scoring will be done with the short clubs with the green sloping off on the right hand side.

Hole No 16

A feature hole of the course. It is set on the top of the site with a moorland feel and panoramic views. A long par 3, it is almost is two separate holes - depending on the location of the pin. The front right pin position is made tricky by a contoured surface. But it’s the back left, bowl-shaped and protected by a sleepered bunker, that really catches the eye.

Hole No 17

This par 5 hole again requires a decision off the tee. Shorter hitters can go right, short of the pond, while longer hitters may want to go for the carry and take on the green in two. Bunkers left frame the hole.

Hole No 18

Reinforcing the overriding theme of the course, this hole requires thought off the tee. This left to right dogleg will reward the long, courageous drive. A relatively small green, perched up, is easier to hit with a short iron, so it is worth a try.