13th Hole
The 13th hole is a par 5. It is a very tight driving hole, through a 200 yard avenue of ancient beech woodland. A long drive is required and those that can draw the ball are heavily favoured. However the second shot needs to be a long fade skirting the old boating lake that runs the length of the fairway to the green that is tucked away in a sheltered picturesque corner of the course.
The long heavily-wooded walk from the 12th green to the 13th tee helps to build your apprehension as you approach the tee box. As you step up onto the tee your question is answered, "Yes it is as tight as I feared"!
After the pleasure of a long drawing drive, the player is faced with the decision of trying to reach the green by carrying the boating lake or laying up to a narrow neck of fairway to set up a third shot.
The clever golfers at this point will put their faith in the distance markers, as the green is further away than it looks. The gentle swale in front of the green is most deceptive.
The 13th hole can destroy a player’s card but if the hole can be negotiated the course now opens out and the danger lessens.
