James Braid, the legendary golf course designer, and Open Champion, intended the first to be a gentle start to a round. That’s not to say there isn’t danger though. Crystal Brook runs the length of the fairway. Drive to the left of the fairway to avoid the big oak tree to leave a short iron approach to a two-tier green that slopes sharply from left to right.
A challenging tee shot. Out of bounds to the left and forest to the right. Worth taking an extra club for your approach to reach the flat part of the green. If you over-hit jungle country beckons.
Aptly named as you get to take in the view of Theydon Bois. Hit a short iron from the elevated tee position. Avoid the bunkers on both sides but particularly the left-hand side!
Take a deep breath and let yourself go with a cracking drive near or past the fairway bunker. A long hitter may get up in two…. but not always. A genuine birdie opportunity.
Safety first option is to drive left of the fairway bunker if you cannot carry it.
This hole is SI 18 but don’t be fooled, there is plenty of danger down the right and many a lost ball.
Play it straight down the middle. Then aim your approach at the chimney pots on the house behind the green for full reward. The hogs back green makes this a hole a real challenge. Pay it the respect it deserves.
Drive near or past the fairway bunker because a pushed drive will result in a very long second. Bunkers on the left to negotiate for your approach. But there is a bale out option short right of the green. Hitting this green in regulation gives you a great feeling.
A short testing hole from an elevated tee. It may look like the front bunker is attached to the green, but it’s most definitely not. Old Man’s Alley is another option if you scuttle a weak shot left of the bunker and watch it trickle down onto the green.
Aim your drive high and left to hold the fairway or chance watching your ball career off into the undergrowth. Precision is required for an approach to a plateau green. Take an extra club and consider the ball being below your feet. Anything short will filter down to the right greenside bunker.
It is an excellent par 4, and a well-placed drive down the middle will leave a long, challenging approach via a narrow entry to a tricky green. Don’t be tempted to cut the corner unless you can comfortably carry the ball 250 yards and into the heavens. “FORE RIGHT!”.
The oak tree to the left has a trunk full of golf balls, it eats so many. A straight tee shot should finish right of the fairway bunkers and set up a mid to short iron. “It’s the flattest green on the course”, or does it just look that way?
It’s short and it’s straight but it’s got multiple hurdles. Do not be fooled into thinking this is an easy par.
A classic risk and reward hole in the heart of Epping Forest that requires excellent judgement. Aim for the right middle of the valley fairway because everything sweeps left. The approach is blind up the hill, with the top of the flag stick as the only sighter to a green that is hard to hold in good weather.
Banning’s Alley runs along the extreme left of the fairway and is the shortest route to an elevated two-tier green, but it requires skill and accuracy. A second option is to aim for the wooden seat by the 18th tee.
Have you got enough club? This is a steep hill up, so you need to take this into account. It’s also got danger behind so don’t take too much.
No, your eyes are not deceiving you! It is a par four, that demands respect. The fairway breaks viciously from left to right, so you need to be able to first hold the fairway. Then you need to hold the green. Then you need to make a difficult putt. You get the drift.
Another classic tight Theydon hole to remember. Play from an elevated tee down to a valley. You need to really judge your approach in because the green slopes from right to back left.
Aim at the flagpole by the Clubhouse. It’s never the same club twice on this one. It’s long, it’s open to the elements, it’s got danger everywhere and it’s overlooked by our Sun Terrace.
Did you avoid the “Hedge of Shame”? Now sign your card and head for The Clubhouse for refreshments.
