I can reach this par-five in two on the assumption that I'm driving from the yellow tees, the wind is behind, the planets are aligned and there is an "r" in the month!
There is plenty of danger on the left with an out-of-bounds and heavy rough.
Miss the fairway to the right and you end up in more rough on undulating mounds that rarely give you anything like a normal stance - it's wise to take your medicine and use a short-iron to get back on the fairway.
After all that, any approach shot that falls short of the green will more than likely be swallowed up by the deepest bunker on the course. Overhit and you're in nasty stuff at the back of the green and maybe up against a garden fence.
Maybe the name of this hole feels slightly out of date as "far" as the professionals are concerned because they'll expect to hit the green in two. But it's far enough for me.
YOUR HOYLAKE EXPERIENCES AND COMMENTS:
The last time I played on the 'Royal' was 10 years or so ago, when after seven holes I was only two over par gross. I hit too good shots on the eighth hole (10th for the Open) but my second shot just trickled into the devillish RH bunker by the green.
Four shots to get out and three putts later set the tone for the rest of the round, but I still look forward to playing there again soon.
Andy Parker,
Maidstone, Kent
EMAIL YOUR ROYAL LIVERPOOL TALES
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide.
~RS~a~RS~International~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~51~RS~){kind=small}
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
