Day 2 – Lancaster Golf Club
Hole 1
PRO’S TIP
Players should favour the middle to left side of the fairway off the tee to open up the hole and avoid being blocked out by the trees on the right for your 2nd shot. Longer hitters can carry the corner of the trees on the right to shorten the hole, aiming for the rhododendron bush. Players should favour the right side of the green with their approach shot as it takes the bunker out of play.
Hole 2
PRO’S TIP
From the tee players should consider the risk and reward of taking on the fairway bunker on the righthand side, to avoid being blocked out by trees on the left. Beware also of the cross bunker further up the hill when laying up with your approach shot. The approach to the green is particularly challenging with a narrow entrance between the greenside bunkers.
Hole 3
PRO’S TIP
Longer hitters should aim down the left to keep you away from the marked penalty area on the right side of the hole. On your approach to the green steer clear of the deep fairway bunker short of the green. Much like the previous hole, the green is guarded by bunkers and as with many holes on the front 9 the green slopes uphill from front to back.
Hole 4
PRO’S TIP
Players should aim for the middle to left side of the green and take plenty of club to avoid the deepest bunker at the front of the green. Be aware that the prevailing wind is into here and it can be difficult to feel standing on the tee. Distance control is important, as going long again leaves a fast downhill putt or a tricky up and down.
Hole 5
PRO’S TIP
Longer hitters can attempt to cut the corner of the trees on the left to widen the hole. For your approach shot, beware of the deep fairway bunker on the left. The green itself again slopes front to back uphill, with this being the most severe example. It is vitally important not to go long here or putting becomes very difficult.
Hole 6
PRO’S TIP
Make sure you know the pin position to ensure you are not leaving yourself a long putt. The best miss here is long and left, avoiding the deeper bunkers towards the front and either side of the green. The prevailing wind normally helps on this hole so take care with club selection.
Hole 7
PRO’S TIP
Players should try to aim for the left side of the fairway to avoid being blocked out by tall trees on the right side. Long hitters can take on the corner on the right to widen the hole but do not go too far right as there is a ditch running down the right side of the fairway past the trees. On approach, players should aim to land their ball short of the green or on the front as the green runs away. Beware of the steep drop off to the right of the green to avoid leaving a difficult chip shot.
Hole 8
PRO’S TIP
Players should aim for the right side of the fairway, allowing the slope to take your ball back to the centre. Whereas Long hitters should be cautious not to run out of fairway. On the approach steer clear of the left side as this is guarded by a bunker short left and there is a wall marking the out of bounds if you stray too far offline. Players will instead benefit from favouring the right side of the green as the slope will take your ball back to the centre.
Hole 9
PRO’S TIP
Players should try to keep to the right-hand side off the tee to avoid the out of bounds down the left and allow for the gentle camber in the fairway. This will leave a clear approach to the green. Consider the beck that runs across the fairway as this will affect both tee shots for longer hitters and approach shots for shorter hitters. The green itself is slightly raised with a deep bunker at the front of the green. Make sure you avoid this but do not go too long as you will again be putting or chipping downhill if you go past the flag.
Hole 10
PRO’S TIP
From the tee, players should be aware of the fairway bunker on the left side and the trees on the right for long hitters in particular. The fairway cambers the further you go, so players should aim for the left side of the fairway to allow for the slope. On the approach take care to avoid the right side as there is a considerable drop-off and deep bunker to the right. Consider your club choice on approach as the green slopes strongly uphill from front to back so going long here is not advisable.
Hole 11
PRO’S TIP
Off the tee look out for the bunker on the right-hand side. If you are laying up short of it or have the distance to clear it, missing to the right is safer as trees guard the left-hand side. After the tee shot, many will have to consider the cross bunker as going in here will leave you unlikely to reach the green. The approach to the green is protected by several bunkers both short right and to the left and right greenside. The theme continues with much of the green sloping uphill front to back.
Hole 12
PRO’S TIP
Beware the prevailing crosswind from the right here and the camber in the fairway which takes your ball off to the left. The green is guarded by the 3 bunkers on the left and 2 on the right just short and greenside. The green itself is reasonably flat, with only subtle breaks to contend with.
Hole 13
PRO’S TIP
Take care to avoid the drop off to the right and the bunkers surrounding. Unlike many of the greens at Lancaster, much of this one slopes downhill from front to back which can leave a tricky putt if the flag is on the front part of the green. The front part also slopes downhill left to right. If your skill allows, aim to leave yourself below the hole.
Hole 14
PRO’S TIP
The camber of the fairway is severe on this hole and players should look to go for the right side of the fairway, especially in the summer, as this will take your ball back down to the flatter left side and sometimes increase the runout. From here consider how best to tackle the cross bunkers before your approach to the green. If you are landing the ball short of the green on your approach, then go for the right-hand side as this feeds onto the green.
Hole 15
PRO’S TIP
Keep to the left-hand side away from the out of bounds down the right, but watch out for the bunker if it is in range. Longer hitters take note of the narrowing fairway. The green slopes strongly downhill from left to right and in the summer, it can be difficult to land the ball on the green and stop it. The best option is often to land the ball short left of the green and let it run out.
Hole 16
PRO’S TIP
For long hitters, it can be worth going for the green if you have the distance but make sure it is clear and watch out for the 17th tee to the right of the 16th fairway. The green is protected by a number of bunkers short of the green, but this is one of the flattest greens on the course.
Hole 17
PRO’S TIP
It can be difficult to pick your line when playing for the first time, but essentially the longer you hit it the further left you will need to aim. The hole doglegs to the left and up the hill on your approach. Look out for the fairway bunker on the left side if you are laying up short of the green and the bunkers on the right further up. On your approach to the green, make sure you are favouring the left side as there is out of bounds and a drop off to the right of the green.
Hole 18
PRO’S TIP
Take care with your club selection to avoid the obstacles short of the green. The green is guarded by a large tree on the left side. If you have the ability, then take plenty of club as going long opens up the hole and takes out much of the trouble. If you can navigate your way onto the green safely then it is a good opportunity for a final birdie.