Raising funds for Help for Heroes and the R.N.L.I
Naunton Downs Golf Club
Played 01.04.2017
Weather & Course conditions
Overcast with a few sunny periods, course in good condition with no issues at all.On the day of my visit all the greens were in good condition and reasonably quick and true, greenkeepers have done a great job, thank you gents.
Review
Turning into the car park you look up to the clubhouse which blends in with all the properties in the Cotswold’s with that lovely coloured stone. Pro shop is on the left side of the building and is well equipped just off that is the Gents locker room and toilets with the ladies in the opposite wing of the building. When looking at the front of the building there is double glass doors with a wooden spiral staircase, this is where I came unstuck as I went up the staircase to find I shouldn’t have as the entrance to the bar is just to the left of the staircase and I completely missed the sinage. Large bar area with lovely outside seating and tables to enjoy a drink and meal after your round.
All yardage is from the yellow tees
Hole 1 – Par 4 – 351yds
A wide fairway is laid out in front of you from the tee, rising gently upto the first green however there are strategically placed fairway bunkers waiting for you so it is more prudent to play more to the left hand side of the fairway.
Hole 2 – Par 4 – 389yds
Once again another wide fairway greets you so a reasonable drive and second shot should leave on or near the large slightly raised green which is well protected to the front by bunkers.
Hole 3 – Par 4 – 340yds
Yet again a wide fairway awaits but this time there is problems to the right of the fairway so a good drive to the middle or left of the fairway should leave a relatively easy second into the green.
Hole 4 – Par 3 – 139yds
A simple straightforward uphill tee shot to a welcoming green, correct club selection and the right line will leave you safely on the green, however if like me I selected a nine iron thinking I could reach by giving a little more umph on it only to see it go to the right of the green and short leaving a shot over a waiting bunker.
Hole 5 – Par 4 – 236yds
A short par 4 that the big hitters should reach the green but beware the green is gently tucked behind a big tree and there is problems and bunkers to the left of the green. For us normal players a drive into the middle of the fairway will leave a short pitch to the green.
Hole 6 – Par 3 – 130yds
For us higher handicappers standing on the tee looking at the green with trouble waiting between you and the green and not a lot of room around the green to safely land your shot makes club selection and a good strike essential, with luck on my side I landed just short of the green and the ball stayed on the bank leaving a easy chip onto the large green.
Hole 7 – Par 5 – 519yds
A straight hole so a good drive to the left hand side of the fairway is required as the fairway rolls from left to right, there are bunkers waiting on the right hand side. A good second shot should leave you within a simple pitch shot into a large green, plenty of space on this hole for you to open up your shoulders and let rip.
Hole 8 – Par 4 – 403yds
Another hole whereby you can let rip with plenty of room on either side of the fairway a good drive will find you on the down slope of the fairway with the raised green some 190yds away, for me in hindsight I should have played short of the downslope leaving a level lie to play a 3 wood rather than playing it on a relatively steep down slope to the green. The green is long and narrow and on the day I played the flag was at the back left of the green with large bunkers protecting it, there is a bank behind the green should you over hit the green but it can leave a tricky shot back.
Hole 9 – Par 4 – 398yds
Loved this hole, wide open fairway so with a good drive you should well clear the ditch leaving a second shot into the green, aim well right of the green and let the ball roll down the slope onto the green, this worked perfect for me as my 3 wood shot rolled gently onto the large green leaving a 10’ putt which I missed but did secure my par.
Hole 10 – Par 5 – 489yds
Another wide fairway, the best shot is to aim to the right side of the fairway as the ball should roll right to left, a good drive will leave the green well in range but should you duff it play safe by knocking your second shot up the middle which should leave a easy pitch in to another large green.
Hole 11 – Par 3 – 174yds
A long par 3 but as long as you don’t push your tee shot right there is not to much trouble. Select what club you feel comfortable with to hit a reasonably straight shot with as should you play short of the green it will still leave a simple pitch onto it and leave a par as a possibility.
Hole 12 – Par 4 – 347yds
Once again a relatively straight shot with a good second should leave you on or near to the green, there is trouble to the right of the green so aim left. The green is a multi level one with problems should you over hit it but it is a nice one to test your putting skills on.
Hole 13 – Par 5 – 505yds
This par 5 should be straight forward as long as you don’t drift your tee shot right as you will be at the best in the rough or at the worst out of bounds, there is plenty of room out to the left, a second shot should put you on the dog leg but watch out for the strategic placed bunkers that stretch out across the fairway and for those that will be down the right hand side from the dog leg to the green. Not a simple approach shot here as the green is below you and you will not want to over hit it, well protected by bunkers you will need to decide to either play short and run it between the bunkers onto the green or land it on the green and hope it holds on the multi level green.
Hole 14 – Par 3 – 150yds
A uphill shot to a large green well protected by bunkers, a good test this one you will either have a good result or it can spoil your card.
Hole 15 – Par 4 – 380yds
From the 14th you will need to cross the 17th fairway to get to the 15th tee. From the tee it is a slightly uphill shot to a dog leg left but there is trouble to the left so beware. A good tee shot can leave you with a approach shot to the green which is slightly below you however if you are unable to hit around 200yds your second shot will leave you playing over trees to the green or taking the sensible shot which will be well to the right of the green into the fairway but should you overhit you may roll off the fairway into trouble. The green is large so playing safe on this one will reward you.
Hole 16 – Par 4 – 316yds
From the tee the fairway gently turns to the left to the green which cannot be seen from the tee, ideally a draw or a straight shot to the left hand side of the fairway should leave you in good position to play into the green, should you hit your tee shot to the right hand side depending on how far right you have gone you will have hit it from the rough. Another large green with not to many problems awaits your approach shot.
Hole 17 – Par 4 – 294yds
From the 16th green go through the gap in the wall and head to your left to the 17th tee where you will see the fairway gently rise up with the green tucked around to the left but not visible. A straight tee shot should leave around 150yds out from a large green.
Hole 18 – Par 4 – 381yds
From the tee the green is straight ahead by the clubhouse, not to much problems here as long as your drive does not go left, a good second should see on or near the green which is large and welcoming for a good pitch shot.
