W.W.G.S.
Course Guides
WW2020 Round 16 - Houghton-le-Spring
Hole 1
The first is a challenging straight hole with out of bounds all down the right side, a good shot over the marker will open up the green for your second shot.
Professionals Tip - Your drive should be aimed at the marker post, fading slightly to open up the green for your second
Hole 2
The 2nd is a dog leg right.Once again there is out of bounds all down the right, but if you are too safe off the tee a bunker up the left will catch you out. The green is well protected with bunkers left and right.
Professionals Tip - A fairway wood, again at the marker post, is all that is needed to see your ball kick down into the middle of the fairway leaving you a short iron into a none too receptive green
Hole 3
The 3rd is an uphill par 3, anything short will be gobbled up by the double bunker just in front of the green.
Professionals Tip - One more club than usual is recommended because hitting uphill you need to avoid the sandtraps in front of the green.
Hole 4
The 4th is a long par 4. A blind tee shot over the brow of the hill with trees to the right. A large green awaits your 2nd shot, there are no bunkers but the green has a big drop to the back and right.
Professionals Tip - Both drive and second shot will tend to kick left to right. Faced with a long second you may be able to run it in using the contours, particularly on the left side of the green.
Hole 5
The 5th fairway slopes to the right, but watch out for the trees on the left. The green is protected with bunkers left and right. The undulating green makes putting tricky.
Professionals Tip - Don't miss the fairway to the left, only the very lucky or expert can hit the green from there. Rather aim your tee shot down the left side of the fairway looking for a favourable kick right to the middle. Indeed any drive that finishes short of the trees dividing the fifth and sixth fairways will do as it leaves a second shot back up the slope through a narrow entrance to the green.
Hole 6
Danger off the tee both left and right,hit a good tee shot and leave yourself a shot into another well protected green.The longer hitters should be aware of the bunkers in front of the green and the water feature in the gully to the left, you could reach them. Another undulating green, with some tricky pin positions to once again test your putting skills.
Professionals Tip - Big hitters have to decide whether they have a short game to match their length off the tee. If not an iron will ensure a full second shot into a receptive green sloping back to front.
Hole 7
Our stroke index 1 hole is a long par 4. You need to be straight off the tee as trouble lurks if you are wayward.There are trees and thick rough awaiting any errant shots.The bunker to the front left of the green comes into play as the fairway takes the ball left. A sloping green from right to left will test your nerve.
Professionals Tip - A straight drive over the marker post favouring the right side of the fairway will make the green a more visible target. Aim your second shot at the right half of the green as the bounce will take it left.
Hole 8
A picturesque downhill hole with out of bounds once again down the right and also behind the green.2 bunkers protect the large green.
Professionals Tip - Taking one club less on account of the steep descent to the green is one way of ensuring a committed tee shot that is more likely to be on line. There's no disgrace in a shot that pitches short and runs onto the green of this most difficult Par 3.
Hole 9
The first par 5. Lateral Water Hazard all the way down the right and 3 ditches to contend with. As with the 2nd,any over cautious tee shots will be caught out by the 3 fairway bunkers up the left.Big hitters beware that the 2nd ditch may come into play off the tee. Try putting yourself in position off the tee so that you can lay up with your 2nd,watch out for the bunker on the 2nd part of the fairway. Your approach to the green has to be played with care as there is a ditch runs across the fairway and a large bunker to the left will catch any pulled shots.
Professionals Tip - This is not a long hole for a Par 5. Therefore all but the longest hitters should concentrate on a solid drive up the left, a medium to long iron for the second and a short iron into the green-three consecutive, consistent blows and a guaranteed Par every time.
Hole 10
A very difficult tee shot. Trees to the left and Lateral Water Hazard all up the right,the fairway also slopes to the right. Another good tee shot will allow you to lay up with your 2nd. The approach to the green is one of the more testing on the course.The ditch across the fairway is a problem, but there is more danger in the way of 3 deep bunkers right in front of the green. Get onto the green and have an interesting putt--no more to be said, IT WILL BE WORTH THE WAIT.
Professionals Tip - Like the 9th, the 10th has a lateral water hazard right and a ditch protecting the green.So the advice for all but the big boys is two consistent blows favouring the left of the fairway followed by a committed short iron and a chance of a birdie on a tricky green.
Hole 11
A good tee shot to the top of the hill will open up the green. A little ditch to the left of the fairway will catch a lot of people out. Big hitters can reach the green in one--please take care.
Professionals Tip - By all means pull out the big stick if you are confident and sneaky long, but the safe shot is a long iron to the top of the fairway avoiding the ditches either side leaving you with a nice wedge shot into the green.
Hole 12
A tee shot to around the 150 marker is ideal, it will leave you a nice shot into the 2 tier green. Too long off the tee and you will be in the ravine which has a ditch at the bottom and if you miss that you will have a blind shot up the steep hill.
Professionals Tip - A fairway wood is all that is needed off the tee to lay up at the top of the hill. For that second shot be sure to take enough club, particularly if the flag is at the back of the two tier green and the prevailing west wind is in your face.
Hole 13
The only hole with out of bounds to the LEFT. A good tee shot will put you in position to play your 2nd around the dog leg left and down towards the green,but don't cut too much off the corner as you will be out of bounds. Your 3rd should be a downhill shot into a fairly level green that is protected by one bunker to the front left.
Professionals Tip - Not many courses have such a steep fairway as Houghton has down to the 13th green. For that third shot into the green make sure to have your weight on the front foot so that your shoulders are on the same plane as the slope and you should avoid the dreaded duff and be safely on the green.
Hole 14
An uphill dog leg right. The out of bounds on 13 doesn't come into play on this hole but the trees on the right may well do. A Tricky approach into the green as the ball will invariably be below your feet. Bunker front right and a fairly level looking green, will it catch you out?
Professionals Tip - Not much more to be said about playing the hole except that this is definitely a green where if you are below the hole your chances of holing a putt are much improved.
Hole 15
An easy hard hole or a hard easy hole, make your own mind up. Fairly straight forward, but any loose shots will be punished by the 3 bunkers to the side of the green.
Professionals Tip - The Professional and Head Greenkeeper agree! A dangerous Par 3- forget about the pin, be content to hit the centre of the green.
Hole 16
Another difficult tee shot with the fairway running left to right. Trees line the fairway on both sides, so a good tee shot is required to set up your approach. Play your 2nd into a large green that slopes from left to right, but watch out for the bunkers to the front left.
Professionals Tip - Missing the fairway by just a small amount can be disastrous. Keep your drive slightly left of centre and you will be in great shape. Favour the right side of the green to have an uphill putt.
Hole 17
A long straight Par 4 with out of bounds all up the right and trouble to the left. A straight tee shot will set you up for your approach into the 2 tier green that is very well protected by 3 bunkers.
Professionals Tip - The second shot uphill is the key. With your weight slightly favouring your back foot, take possibly two extra clubs to get on the top shelf of the green where the pin is invariably placed.
Hole 18
A difficult hole to finish with.A slight dog leg right with out of bounds to contend with. Position yourself in the fairway to have a chance of reaching the green. A bunker will catch anything short and left. Put it into the heart of the green and putt for glory in front of the clubhouse.
Professionals Tip - Don't be too greedy off the tee or over ambitious with your second shot. For all but the best, your second shot to the narrow green alongside the clubhouse is, long and intimidating with the clubhouse patio out of bounds on the right, and a line of white beam and cherry trees and a steep faced bunker on the left. A par or even a Bogey lifts the spirit and leaves you eager for your next round at Houghton-le-Spring.
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