Hole 7:

All three of the next group of holes can be called 'opportunities' but I want to stress that is all they are. The 7th is a reachable par 5 for the bigger hitters and a relatively short 3-shotter for most. However, it can also wreck a card so a certain amount of respect needs to be paid. Firstly, 9 out of 10 tee shots I've watched here go right and possibly into the trees. Some onto the 9th fairway. If you look at the aerial view of the hole it is pretty clear that we want to err to the left off the tee to open up the slight dogleg so remember that the next time you are there. 

Tee up to the right on the tee and aim further left! If you do go right you will possibly be slightly blocked by the bigger trees on the corner around 300 yards off the tee. Not a disaster but now you have to be careful about either hitting them, or going too far left with your second and getting involved with the row of trees further down. All of that can be avoided by making sure you give yourself more room left off the tee. 

If you can get there in two then great but a really good shot is now required as the trees on both sides are squeezing this hole now. I remember playing in the pro-am years ago, before the pond went in and the trees wouldn't have even come into my thinking, but now they will catch any shot other than the straightest hit. As you now all know I tend to fade the ball so I would look to aim at the left side of the green every time here. It avoids the tree on the right and if I do hit it straight and go slightly left that is not an issue. For those who need to lay up (and we all do into the wind) then you have to err slightly to the left again. We obviously have to be careful not to get too close to the pond so, once again, know your distances! So the key thought on this hole is keep left, all the way. There is only trouble to the right but a good opportunity if you play it well.


Hole 8:  

Again an opportunity as it is just a short iron for almost all of us. Once again though it's a par 3 that requires an accurate shot. Bunkers everywhere are intimidating for many so it is key that we firstly, know our distances so we can carry the short ones and secondly, we play enough club to swing smoothly to ensure a straight shot. That's it! 

If you hit this green then from almost everywhere you have a chance to make 2.


Hole 9:  

Another makeable par 5 and for me far easier than the 7th. Of course we need a straight drive whether we are long enough to hit the green in two or if we are just going to lay up short of the ditch. 

If you do hit the fairway then your second or third shot for the green is relatively simple and there is little trouble to worry about. However, if you've got off line and into trees then be sensible - you don't want to compound the problem so think. 

If you are long then you have just made it a 3-shotter so chop out to a place where you have an easy third. If you are not able to get there in 2 then a shot into the trees is not necessarily a disaster. Think about where you want to play your next from. 

If you have a decent swing in the trees then you should be able to advance the ball to a good place where you can reach the green from. However, do not think you have to - if it's not on then take your medicine. 

Not a difficult hole but it is easy to put yourself under pressure by thinking you must make a birdie or better here. That's when we make mental mistakes and do things we shouldn't. 

It's only a good opportunity - nothing more.


 

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