Golf Pro's View

How our Pro's describe the Duke course

1st hole

"A daunting start with a tee shot played from in front of the clubhouse, manage your way up the opening par 5 but remember a two-tier green awaits."

2nd hole

"The second is the signature hole on the Duke Course. This par 5 is a double dog-leg with water surrounding the green. Be careful to plot your way down this 538 yard monster. Par is a great score on this hole."

3rd hole

"The third is a medium length dog-leg left par 4. Avoid the deep fairway bunkers to get your par."

4th hole

"Hole four dog-legs sharply to the left, with the fairway sloping away from you. Be careful not to drive through the dog-leg into the rough. There is a bunker short and left of the green not visible, so beware."

5th hole

"The 5th is a lovely downhill par 3 which is ideal for the nearest the pin competition."

6 hole

"The third of the par 5s on the front nine, and it doesn’t get any easier. The 6th is the longest hole on the course at 587 yards, with the features being a cross hedge and a well bunkered green. Ensure you have enough club to carry the hedge as it’s longer than it looks."

7th hole

"The tee shot on the 7th is played into an upslope so can play longer than the 400 yards on the card. The green will not often be visible for your approach shot, so be warned about two bunkers protecting the front left and front right of the green."

8th hole

"The 8th is a long downhill par 3 to an undulating green. Think carefully about your club selection and be sure to take any cross wind into consideration."

9th hole

"To finish the front nine is a long par 4 or par 5 depending on which tee is being used. Many hazards await along this great hole. From the tee avoid the bunkers down the left and the out of bounds down the right. Also beware of the cross ditch and water to the right of the green."

10th hole

"One of the hardest tee shots you will ever face awaits you on the start of the back nine. Out of bounds is tight down the left and water encroaches from the right. Be sure to check for the wind direction and trust your swing. Beware of the cross-ditch. Once negotiated you are faced with an uphill approach to a narrow two-tier green. Check the pin position and try to find the correct level for an easy putt."

11th hole

"The 11th is a very narrow par 4. Your tee shot may be pitching into the upslope. This will leave you a blind second to a very narrow green. Top tip is to walk up ahead. This will help you aim your approach."

12th hole

"There are two ways to play this short par 4. The sensible option is play your tee shot to the corner of the dog-leg. This will leave you 150 yards to the green. However the aggressive player can drive the corner and leave just a short pitch to the green, but heavy rough will claim any wayward shots."

13th hole

The longest par 3 on the course is the 13th. You’ll need one of your best swings to hit this green in regulation."

14th hole

"The definition of a risk-reward hole is the 14th. At only 300 yards this little hole can be a scorecard wrecker if not given full respect. The play is to hit a long to middle iron no more than 190 yards left of the bunkers to leave a wedge to the green which is almost surrounded by water. However if the wind is favourable attempts have been made to drive the green in one. It’s your decision!"

15th hole

"The 15th is a left to right par 4 with a green protected by water short and left. Don’t let the water in front of the tee put you off, as it’s not a long carry. Try and fly the fairway bunker to leave yourself the best angle to the green."

16th hole

"This hole can play so differently depending on the hole position due to a massive tier running halfway through the green. If the pin is at the front, the tier acts as a back-stop. However, if it’s at the back there is no room for error."

17th hole

"This short par 3 should be a good birdie opportunity. Just avoid the bunkers and hole the putt!"

18th hole

"The closing hole is very pleasing on the eye, from an elevated tee playing downhill towards the clubhouse. Hold your nerve to avoid the water surrounding the green, in order to finish with your par."

5th green over the river

fairway on the 3rd hole

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