The 10 toughest courses in 2-Fore!-1
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Let’s face it, we all relish a great golfing challenge and that’s precisely what is guaranteed at each and every one of the courses listed below.
A warm welcome then to the toughest, most demanding tracks in our 2-FORE!-1 scheme.
Make no mistake, after booking a round you’ll need to take your A game along to get even close to getting the better of any of them. But at least, thanks to 2-FORE!-1, you’ll only be paying half the normal price for your most challenging round of the season…
2-FORE!-1 Hard as nails courses…
St Mellion, Cornwall
It was designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus and the Golden Bear doesn’t do ‘easy courses.’ It’s long and tough and is bound to prove a hard nut to crack for the pro’s when the European Tour returns here in 2011.
The Players Club, near Bristol
Play it off the back tips and you’re in for a long round – it’s about 7,500 yards and is one of the longest layouts in Europe, never mind England. Oh, and it’s strewn with water features so make sure you’ve got plenty of ammunition with you!
Belfry’s PGA National, West Midlands
Not as testing as the neighbouring Brabazon course of Ryder Cup-fame but it’s a close run thing. Again, it’s a long way off the back tees and although it’s fairly open, there’s plenty of cavernous bunkers to avoid.
Dalmahoy East Course, near Edinburgh
The par 73 Championship East course is 7,400 yards off the back tips and is one of the longest layouts in Scotland. If you fancy an easier, more relaxing golfing encounter try the neighbouring West course instead…
Forest Pines
There’s three loops of nine (Forest, Pines & Beeches) and whichever you play you’re in for a testing time. Tall timber overlooks most fairways so keep it straight…at all times!
Forest of Arden, near Coventry
Don’t be distracted by the picturesque nature of this outstanding parkland course, otherwise it will bite you. This particularly applies at the ‘death’ with water closely guarding the 17th green while you’re faced with a nerve-jangling par-3 finale over a water-filled valley.
Moor Allerton, Leeds, West Yorks
Like Forest Pines, Moor Allerton has three loops of nine and there’s not a weak link in sight. The Leeds venue was legendary American course architect Robert Trent Jones’ first British design and he ensured it’s not a stroll in the park.
Wales National, The Vale Resort, near Cardiff
A combination of length, strategically-placed bunkers, a number of tree-lined holes and some big, speedy greens means the National is a hard obstacle to overcome.
Bowood G&CC, Wilts
Dave Thomas is renowned for creating tough courses and par 72 Bowood (over 7,300 yards off the back tees) is as testing as parkland layouts come.
Slaley Hall (Hunting Course), Northumberland
It’s staged numerous European Tour events and isn’t known as the Augusta of the North for nothing. The greens might not be as slick, but otherwise the Hunting is just as demanding as the ‘Cathedral in the Pines.’
