Hole 1 – Down Winds

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White tees 343 yards, yellow 332, red 320.

We all pray for a good first tee shot on any course and the church tower is the perfect line off this elevated tee to set this up. A wide fairway awaits but watch out for the boundary which is present on the left side of the first eight holes. The opening tee shot which should only leave a short iron to a relatively flat green, is a pleasant start at this friendly Yorkshire Club.

Hole 2 – Low Meadows

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400 yards (364 metres)

The first of three completely different par 4s measuring 400 yards (364 metres) – here a drive left of centre gives a better approach to the green which is defended by bunkers to the right but beware of the out-of-bounds on the left. The cross ditch is always a problem for a weak approach or a long drive.

Hole 3 – The Banks

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390 yards (355 metres)

A straight tee shot at this hole will set you up for a good approach to the green, defended by a bunker some 25 yards (23 metres) short of the green. This is one of the few flat greens that you will encounter here. The long hitter should be aware of the cross ditch and it may be sensible not to use a driver from the tee.

Hole 4 – The Bends

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162 yards (147 metres)

The first par 3 sees you having to play over the water hazard for the perfect line to the green. For those who keep too far right there are three bunkers blocking your way to the green. You should now be used to the fast summer greens but beware of the 5th!

Hole 5 – Uplands

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300 yards (273 metres)

The choice is yours! Play down the middle of this short par 4 or try to fly over the trees on the right to reach the green in one. Whatever you decide the difficult part of this hole is the first two-tier Mackenzie green. Many a player has had to concentrate on their fourth putt.

Hole 6 – Devil’s Own

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346 yards (315 metres)

Keep your tee shot to the high left side of this fairway and you will have an easier approach to the green. For those who stray to the right an uphill approach to a long elevated green provides a sterner test.

Hole 7 – The Hummock

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424 yards (386 metres)

The longest par 4 on the course provides a test of power and accuracy, often into the prevailing wind! Even after a big drive up the left hand side, a long second is required to get home in two. If that is not enough there are also three greenside bunkers waiting to catch anything drifting to the right side of the green. This hole is well deserving of its stroke one status.

Hole 8 – Signal Box

154 yards (140 metres)

Although this is the shortest of the par 3s it often plays longer than the other two when into the prevailing wind. Make sure you carry the two front bunkers which defend this long narrow green but beware the unseen trap at the rear of the green if your tee shot is too long.

Hole 9 – Haley’s Basin

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400 yards (364 metres)

The long and brave may go for the gap in the hedge in an effort to get close to this green from the tee. The less adventurous can play short of the road down this fast running fairway. Good judgement is required to get the correct length to this large green with no surrounding bunkers.

Hole 10 – Spion

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281 yards (265 metres)

Although the shortest par 4 on the course, and very short compared to today’s modern designs, this hole is fraught with danger. The uphill tee shot needs to be kept well left for the best view of the green and away from the clubhouse boundary to the right.

A short tee shot will result in a blind approach, over the out of bounds and high trees, to this green. Long hitters may choose to cut the corner from the tee and hope to reach the green, but whichever way you go a treacherous green awaits. Tip: try to keep your approach below the hole.

Hole 11 – High Winds

282 yards (266 metres)

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Classic Mackenzie – wide open fairway, although inclined, leading to a two tier sloping green which is well protected by two deep bunkers. To make things even more interesting only a small part of the upper green level, and nothing of the lower level, is visible from the fairway.

Hole 12 – The Gully

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177 yards (161 metres)

Only the very confident player will try to land their tee shot on this green. The wise one will use the contours to run the ball in from the right hand side. The wide variety of mature trees framing this hole, as well as long and left shots, are to be avoided during the play of this scenic hole.

Hole 13 – Undulations

563 yards (512 metres)

The longest hole on the course is the start of what must rank as one of the best “last six” in the County. Distant views of Wakefield Cathedral, City Hall and St John`s Church form a backdrop to this far away green. Keep your tee shot to the right hand side of the fairway and most should be able to be home in three on this bunkerless hole.

Hole 14 – The Towers

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400 yards (364 metres)

Now safely in the middle of the course not even the most wayward of drives could reach the almost ever present boundary. Full throttle here then a choice between a lofted iron or a punched shot will get you home.

Hole 15 – Hell’s Banks

391 yards (356 metres)

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The first of two consecutive tough par 4s. Trees frame the hole from the tee but there is ample fairway to hit. Anything leaking right will end up behind a long line of mature trees. Stay left off the tee for the best line in to this long narrow green which falls away to all four sides.

Hole 16 – The Narrows

421 yards (383 metres)

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This is worthy of being stroke one on any course but is stroke two here. You have already played the seventh so what do you think? Tree lined from tee to green, a right to left shape from the tee will help to hold the sloping fairway. Still much to do into the prevailing wind after a good tee shot as the small green is protected by a hidden ditch short and right.

Hole 17 – The Hallows

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468 yards (426 metres)

Chalk and cheese are more alike than the two closing par 5s. Having cleared the pond and the ditch from the tee and not strayed over the boundary line to the right, many can get home in two. Eagles and birdies abound but the card wrecker is also never far away!

Hole 18 – Long Reaches

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540 yards (491 metres)

Remember the gentle first hole, well this final hole is fierce. Not only long and uphill there are also ditches and bunkers waiting to catch any shot. When you get to the green you will find a two tier Mackenzie masterpiece with deep bunkers to both sides, a fitting finale to this excellent course.