A fairly straightforward opening hole which slopes downhill for the last 170 yards. The wide fairway is pretty forgiving but beware of the trees lining most of the right hand side. Just one bunker protects the green, but it catches many a ball. The first of our six par threes. A short hole but with danger lurking everywhere. There's heavy rough, two ditches, three bunkers and a green which seems to slop far more than it does. Heading back uphill, this hole feels longer than its yardage, and only a very long drive gives a good sight of the huge green. Large fir trees are waiting to catch any wayward tee shots, and anything pulled left can easily go out of bounds. This is stroke index three for a reason. A real test of power and accuracy, where making par is always a result. Distance control is essential when playing to the green, as anything a little long just won't stop rolling. The first par five is a treat for big hitters, who can reach this in two. For most players though, hitting straight and true is the challenge because of a tree-lined fairway and cunningly placed bunkers. The large green can means big variations in pin position, so make sureof your distances. A short par three, and a real birdie chance for many. Playing straight is the key, because the green-side bunkers are deep and difficult. Coming up short isn't a disaster, but running through the green will mean that making bogey is staring you in the face. A real golfers hole, with a long sweeping dogleg from right to left. It's all too easy to push your drive here and leave the green out of range. Left handers with a natural fade, and right hitters who can draw their tee shot will be in their element here. Even when you reach the green it stays tough. With big undulations and wicked slopes, it's a green that tests any player's ability. A much tougher par three, with two big bunkers catching everything short. Even when you've made the green you're usually faced with putting down or across the slope. many players are happy to leave the 8th with no worse than a bogey. The fairway here is the stuff of Pikeridge legend, undulating in all directions and featuring some very dense rough down the left. The right side is tree-lined so again it's a case of staying straight, even at the expense of distance. A deep gully protects the green, and those fairway bumps hide it from view. A great golf hole that can make or break a round.