THE 18-hole course has a parkland nature, but it does have some holes which have links-type turf to hit off, and a crisp strike imparts some much needed control at these points.

At just under 6000 yards off the medal tees, the course provides a good test of golf, without being beyond the means of the ‘average’ club golfer. A par 70 and SSS 70 (Gents) 71 (Ladies) gives everyone a fair chance of playing to their handicap on every outing.

The diversity of terrain ensures that anyone who doesn’t think their shots through properly will suffer, and without being able to see the bottom of the pin on many holes, the golfer has to be sure in his or her mind before committing to the shot.

Three par 3s in the opening six holes can be the ruin of many scorecards, but, negotiate the opening six safely, and you have the basis of a handicap-cutting score. With only one par 4 over 400 yards, the golfer who has good control over his mid-irons can generate a lot of birdie opportunities. Having said that, there are not many greens which are flat, so more work is needed to read the subtle borrows.

The greens in recent years have been in fine condition, and, without being the speed of greens that frighten club golfers, they do roll fair and true.

The two par 5s also offer up chances of birdies. The 2nd hole has a difficult two-tier green which is narrow from front to back, but two solid hits only leaves a short approach, and the low-handicap golfer should always get close to the 12th with two good shots, especially in Summer.

As with most golf courses, there is trouble to be found if you stray far enough off the fairway. Out of bounds lies to the left of the first 4 holes and the 18th, and also to the right of the 9th and 10th. A pond lies to the right of the par 3 5th green, the 12th requires you to drive over a disused quarry, and there are clumps of gorse, trees and rough in which you can easily lose a ball if you don’t get a good line on it.

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