The Woods Course

Visually this can seen as being more interesting than the Lakes as there are some great views and vistas around Lincolnshire. It offers a similar challenge to its brother and provides the same quality greens and surrounds.

This course envelopes the Lakes and therefore has many more opportunities for hitting the ball out of bounds. The first nine heads eastwards out and back then you cross the clubhouse to take on a southerly direction followed by a swift turn back towards the east. On our round the wind was tame but I would imagine that this can easily become a factor.

Front 9 Highlights

2nd Hole, Par 4, 374 Yards. Tight drive protected to the right of the hole in its entirety by out-of-bounds, bunkers left and a sloping fairway make this a challenge requiring an accurate tee shot. A long thin elevated green protected short by two bunkers offers yet another serious challenge.

4th Hole, Par 3, 165 Yards. This is a beautifully framed and constructed hole. The green offers several levels and is a hazard in itself. Do not leave a downhill putt (as I did) as the green is fast and sloping back towards the fairway.

7th Hole, Par 5, 482 Yards. I liked this hole it is a full dog-leg right and requires an accurate tee shot to avoid cross ditches and a bunker. The second shot here is crucial as there are no run in areas to the green as it is too heavily bunkered and will require an aerial shot to access it.

Back 9 Highlights

11th Hole, Par 3, 202 Yards. Playing towards the south, this is a cleverly bunkered green. The fairway area has been built up and visually provides a pinching effect making this look even more difficult from the tee. A par here would be welcome on any card.

14th Hole, Par 5, 543 Yards. OOB is present for the entire length of this hole to the left. All other hazards are clearly visible with pinch points indicated by the fairway cut. Spotting this helped greatly when I was placing my shots in order to have any chance of an approach to the green in regulation.

15th Hole, Par 3, 177 Yards. Another good par 3, well framed visually with banking to the rear for any overly exuberant tee shot. Bunkers to the front protect from an off-line shot.

17th Hole, Par 4, 384 Yards. This provides another interesting challenge off the tee. Driver is definitely wet but the cut fairway does not extend to the right so with the benefit of hindsight I would suggest a medium to long iron followed by a similar shot. I played a hybrid off the tee blocked the shot and got myself into all kinds of trouble. This is stroke index 2 for a reason and I would advise a cautious approach to score well.

18th Hole, Par 5, 475 Yards. Aim short of the left bunker for the first, then try and leave a full shot into the green from the next. The green is very well protected by water and bunkers and the proximity of the watching galleries. This a good finishing hole for a society type venue.

The closing holes although the shorter holes are well constructed and offer an interesting challenge. This Course is very popular and this venue does exactly what is says on the tin. Good food, friendly staff, good courses.