Bentham Golf Club

Holes 1-6

Hole 1

A fine opening challenge. From an elevated tee the fairway stretches out invitingly and the practice ground to the right offers a safe haven for an initial sliced drive. The only problems are provided by trees: a small copse to the right and a line of trees to the left. There is a bunker 50 yards short of the green and two more lie in wait, one at each side of the long green. Click the map for a larger image

Hole 2

The drive is the easy bit here. Simply smack it as far as you can to simplify life for the later stages of the hole. For the second shot aim at the marker post . At this point, some 90 yards from the green, there is a deep pond on the left which teems with fish presumably feasting on Warwicks of yesteryear and fresh Titleists of more recent vintage. Pause here to take in the stunning views of Ingleborough and Whernside and then look back to see the distant Lake District hills. Returning to the golf, it is a good idea to land the approach shot short and let it run down to the green which has bunkers either side and another back left. Click the map for a larger image

Hole 3

A drive over the marker post with fade would be perfect on this short hole which dog-legs to the right and slopes downhill. The longer hitters fire straight at the pin. The rewards are greater for a good strike but so are the penalties in that the approach over grass greenside bunkers is trickier. Click the map for a larger image

Hole 4

Another dog-leg but this hole is an excellent test of skill. A perfect drive would pass over the marker-post with a touch of draw to put you in the middle of the fairway. Anyone cutting the corner runs the risk of a difficult second from the trees . The approach shot, to a large green with gentle but subtle contours, needs to be accurate to avoid the bunkers on either side. Many players fail to take enough club here so make your choice with this in mind. Click the map for a larger image

Hole 5

When played into the prevailing wind the fifth seems longer than 488yards. The fairway slopes from right to left and there are trees awaiting a fiercely pulled drive. The raised green is reachable in two for the young and powerful but for those of us who have only faint memories of our youth a well struck second leaves only a very short iron to the pin. There is an attractive pond to the left of the green with a fascinating array of wild life but it only presents a danger to those with a seriously malfunctioning radar. The two greenside bunkers to the left are a greater threat. Click the map for a larger image

Hole 6

A straightforward par 3, provided that you select the right club and put the ball on the green. It is easy to bale out on the high side to the right but the ball is unlikely to kick down close to the flag as you might expect because the green is slightly raised. Avoid the left of the green because the ground drops away steeply and there is also a bunker to contend with.   Click the map for a larger image