Leckford Estate (Old)

Harry Colt laid out the 9-hole Old course at the Leckford Estate (part of the Waitrose Farm) on chalky downland in 1929 and it’s considered to be one of the master architect’s most authentic designs.

Initially opened as a private course, the Old became accessible to John Lewis Partnership employees and their families in 1931, but this golfing playground was soon turned over to agriculture during the Second World War. Thankfully, the greensites were spared, and it’s these devilish putting surfaces that set the layout apart from almost all other downland contemporaries.

Rather like the “Sacred Nine” at Royal Worlington & Newmarket, Leckford’s green complexes are intricate and will likely confound the first-timer. None are flat and some are wickedly contoured with steep run offs that feed hungry collection areas.

Two fairly innocuous short par fives provide a friendly handshake to proceedings before arrival at the 3rd, a lovely Colt one-shotter played from a high tee across a valley to green benched into the hillside. The deep, fronting bunker (centre-right) is not the place to be and a bunker to the left and a severe falloff on the right ensure maximum attention.

The stroke index one par four 4th doglegs left and it’s a strong driving hole where a cluster of six bunkers at the dogleg’s corner focuses the mind. The next two par fours play across the top of the downland plateau. Apart from the greensites, these are both solid if unremarkable holes, but the closing trio concludes the round in a memorable fashion.

A straightaway drive at #7 leads to a green that’s set in a pretty glade against the backdrop of rolling hills. The tee shot at the par four 8th may be the most exciting of all, plunging down a left-to-right canted valley before reaching a thrilling, undulating green complex clinging to the hillside.

The high tee at the one-shot drop closer concludes the round all too soon. After putting out on the 9th green, many will skip across to the modest clubhouse and grab refreshment before heading to the first in hope of mastering the greens the second time round.