143rd British Open: Hoylake course

Hole 1: Royal. Previously Hole 17 – 457 yds.

Setting off away from the Clubhouse, this hole is named after the Royal Hotel which housed the first Clubhouse at Hoylake in 1869. A brand new green complex was created in 2010 and is incredibly difficult to hit with a long iron in hand. If you can keep your drive close to the bunker on the left you will have the best angle of attack to this well protected, long, narrow green. The green is one of the toughest to putt on, so accept a two putt and move on.

Hole 2: Stand. Previously Hole 18 – 456 yds.
Bunkers right and left necessitate an accurate tee shot at this great driving hole. The second shot is played to an undulating green which has cleverly positioned bunkers which will allow flag positions to be tucked behind them. Don't be too greedy as slopes will throw your ball off the green leaving you with a very tricky recovery shot.
Hole 3: Course. Previously Hole 1 – 429 yds.
With a tee shot flanked by out of bounds on one side and the Clubhouse on the other, this is an extremely challenging hole which requires both accuracy and courage. A sharp dog leg to the right demands a well positioned drive as near to the corner of the practice ground as confidence will allow. The second shot is of some 190 yards to a green protected by a swale on the safer left side away from the out of bounds close on the right.
Hole 4: Road. Previously Hole 2 – 372 yds.
Played to the only green which remains from the original course layout, the Road hole at first glance takes on a high benign appearance but three newly situated bunkers at drive length will swallow any wayward tee shots. A drive positioned close to the left hand side of the fairway will offer you the best angle of approach to a well protected green which falls away from front to back.
Hole 5: Long. Previously Hole 3 – 535 yds.
Threading a drive between the gorse to the left and the strategically positioned bunkers on the right, most players should look to play their second shots to the right side of the fairway from where they will get the best angle of approach to a two tier green. Be careful to check the pin position. Should you end up in the wrong part of the green, two putts will be a challenge.
Hole 6: New. Previously Hole 4 – 202 yds.
Normally played into a crosswind, the 'New' is the first of Hoylake's par 3's and is surrounded by deep bunkers. A tip for newcomers to Hoylake is to take one more club from the tee and aim to the right hand side of the green. The extra club will help carry the cavernous bunker on the front right of the green and natural slope will swing the ball back towards the hole.

Hole 7: Telegraph. Previously Hole 5 – 483 yds.
'Telegraph' is a very difficult driving hole with a bunkers left and right. The right side is further protected by extensive gorse to which the westerly wind pushes your ball. Nevertheless, the best line from the tee requires a drive close to the right hand side of the fairway. Any tee shot which is too cautious will mean a second shot played over a bunker which jealously guards the front left of the green. Remember to believe the yardage here as this hole always plays one club longer than you first think.

Hole 8: Briars. Previously Hole 6 – 433 yds.
The first occasion you play at Hoylake you could be forgiven for wondering where to drive, as you are faced with an out of bounds hedge in front of you, but more perturbing is the fact it is some 190 yards away. So just take an easy swing and place one in the wide part of the fairway. Just to the left of the marker will do nicely. Well done! Now all that is left is a middle iron to the green.


Hole 9: Dowie. Previously Hole 7 – 198 yds.At 'Dowie', there is a lot to take in while standing on the tee. The wind is often coming from right to left and the pin position can make a big difference to your choice of shot. Bunkers front left and right protect a narrow green which will throw the ball from a less than perfect shot into complex swales.