Description
An enticing opening hole on account of its shortness, its simplicity and the sense it must offer an ideal birdie opportunity because the green can still be in reach even after a poor opening drive. Yet danger lurks throughout. For instance, when the tee position is closest to the river, with only the green’s very front edge visible from the tee, even a leading tour pro would probably opt against a controlled hook directly to the green. Instead the prudent opening drive is straight down the centre of the fairway, to where it turns sharp left, and a short approach between the two front bunkers. A sharp hook and the river beckons, unless one of the line of tall lime trees marking the western boundary of the course intervenes. Anything drifting right risks an awkward lie among trees loitering beyond that edge of the fairway. Most players walk to the second tee satisfied with a par.
