Hole One “Opportunity“ - 354y Par 4
One of the more generous opening holes to be found and one which really should calm all the nerves as you set out around DriftWood. A relatively short par 4 with a green which can occasionally be reached downwind, if you can negociate your way between the front guarding bunkers. The smart play is just to lay up to a fairway that will take a real effort to actually miss and give yourself the best angle to the pin. This hole calls out to you to be an early birdie opportunity every time you tee off, but given you may not be warmed up; it is surprising how often you walk away with a par.
Hole Two “Plateau” - 465y Par 4
This hole is a much more difficult prospect, a great looking hole overlooking a lake to the right, and strategically placed bunkers one each side of the fairway. The drive is tricky and the key to the hole, as laying up short of the bunkers does leave a very tough shot to hold onto this narrow plateau like green, and you will often find yourself in the back bunker. If you do find trouble off the tee then you have a real task on your hands to avoid a bogie, with any short approach rolling back down the fairway. A par here is a very acceptable result.
Hole Three “Intimate” -364y Par 4
A really clever and very beautiful hole with a nice long drive preferred here hugging the right trees to leave yourself with a good view of the green and a flatter lie. A shorter tee shot will leave you with a semi-blind view and a tricky lie for the short iron approach. The fairway is angled away from you and slopes up to the green backed by the lake. Overhitting the approach will prove to be a fatal mistake. An attractive splash of colour is found around this green.
Hole Four “Coyote Ridge” - 529y Par 5
Another well laid out hole and a right angled par 5 you can take on in two but not without its risks. A tricky drive past the left bunker and hugging the right side of the fairway will leave a chance at getting home with a wood, but you then need to clear the wild area cutting across the fairway. A lay-up might be the wiser choice, if you get into trouble you can easily end up with a bogie or worse. In the distance you can almost hear the wolves howling from the mountain range.
Hole Five “Inspiration” - 487y Par 4
The first of the two longest par 4's on the course which lie back to back, and are a real test. Inspired by Royal Lytham's 14th and 15th holes there is little margin for error here and hitting straight and true is the only way to play. Laying up safer simply leaves a very long approach, so it can be a tough choice to make.
Hole Six “King Cobra” -499y Par 4
One of the toughest holes on the course, a long and narrow snakelike par 4 with a real bite. The drive will often make you quite nervous and you may occasionally find yourself in the trees. A safer club is an option off the tee, but the hole is long enough to then make the approach tricky with a wooden club. If you achieve level par over the 5th and 6th holes then you should really be pretty contented.
Hole Seven “Hunter’s Lodge” - 177y Par 3
The first of the par 3's and a beautiful one visually with the huntsman's lodge partially hidden within the trees and the course winding into the distance. Extended by 20 yards it remains quite a challenge to make a birdie but play safe and a par should result. Attacking the difficult pins is a risk you need to weigh up carefully.
Hole Eight “Daredevil” - 443y Par 4
The challenge here is inspired by the 6th hole at Royal Birkdale. The decision depending on the wind, is whether you can dare to carry over the right hand bunker as its right on the limit of a good drive. If you lay up though you might find the second shot too tough to handle and par would be as good as you can get.
Hole Nine “Chameleon” -134y Par 3
My favourite fictional par 3 made to date. A short hole but well guarded by a front bunker, water around the front and right sides, and a splash of colour around the back. A steep tier across the green also makes accuracy very important if you want a birdie here. Given you will usually play with an 8 or 9 iron it's a hole that you hope to hit pretty close to, but you will often find yourself holding your breath as you wait for it to land safely. This hole really changes its colours depending on the conditions and pin positions.
Hole Ten “Respite” - 340y Par 4
A very pretty tee shot over the lake to an angled fairway. This is not an overly long hole so you don’t really need to smash a driver here. A small shack lies within the trees to the left, so lay up and take a short rest here before boldly attacking the pin for a birdie chance. A lovely hole as long as you don’t hook your tee shot to the left trees.
Hole Eleven “Prairie” -605y Par 5
The longest hole and the most open on the course, visually almost prairie like. A par 5 that will usually be a 3 shot strategy to reach this undulating green. Your distance control will be tested as you try to get your approach onto the right level of the tiered green.
Hole Twelve “Sentinels” - 404y Par 4
Unless you are playing into a gale force wind, the carry over the sentinel bunkers shouldn't really be much of a problem and the fairway is quite generous, but the second shot might leave you with a trickier putt than you would like. If you get a flyer and overshoot the green, then you may need to reach for another ball.
Hole Thirteen “Woodcutter” - 427y Par 4
Bite off as much as you dare off the corner here, but be careful not to overdo it. A longer tee shot will of course ease the difficulty of the approach shot, but it always leaves a testing shot if the pin is tucked to the right half of the green nestled beside the trees. The guarding bunker will often catch anything short.
Hole Fourteen “Hermit” - 167y Par 3
The hermit’s log cabin overlooks this par 3 hole which requires a mid iron to a triangular shaped green protected by a long bunker. This should be a safe par, and maybe offers a birdie chance for a good tee shot.
Hole Fifteen “Beaver Creek” - 451y Par 4
Another real favourite hole of mine, both visually excellent and tricky to play well. A long and split par 4 that really needs you to find the fairway off the tee, with a lakeside green that is asking for a bold approach. If you are bunkered off the tee or in the rough you are usually best advised to play it safe. Surrounded by dense woodland and water this green provides a tranquil spot on the course and is sure to feature an abundance of wildlife.
Hole Sixteen “Gambit” -529y Par 5
A risky par 5 to take on in two but great fun to try. A comparatively narrow tee shot for the course, then a long carry over the stream that circles the green with a lovely crossing bridge. A real chance to be brave and make up a shot on your opponent, but you must be full of confidence in your long game at this stage to try. The best view is offered when you lay up though with the mansion house peeking out through the trees.
Hole Seventeen “Desert Island” - 198y Par 3
Another great par 3 almost completely surrounded by sand. A raised green, although less so than before the recent remodelling, and the back bunker has now been raised up for extra visible effect from the tee. A hole which will often test out your bunker play especially if you insist on going for the flag. Birdies are offered but if you don't like the sand then playing safe to the centre of the green could be the best option.
Hole Eighteen “Sly Fox” - 485y Par 4
The revised tee shot makes this hole more testing, and the fairway is now angled away from you. The second shot wont be easy either especially if the pin is tucked behind the trap. The green is possibly the most heavily sloped on the course and can easily lead to a 3-putt disaster at the end of your round so watch out. This sly old hole will always try to catch you out !