Pyrford Lakes Golf Club

First opening for play in 1993, the 18-hole layout at Pyrford Lakes was designed by Clive Clark and Peter Alliss. Tree-lined fairways are routed around several large lakes on a flat landscape, with water playing a large part in proceedings at more than half the holes.

Occupying a property of around 130 acres, the course extends to a modest 6,188 yards from the back markers, playing to a par of 72, and holes are laid out as two returning nines, both of which end with strong par fives. It’s not long but very penal if you spray the ball around too much.

Highlights on the outward half at Pyrford Lakes include the second (and shortest) of the four par threes on the card at the 127-yard 6th (where the green sits beyond a small pond), along with the right doglegging par five 9th which plays to a peninsula green, demanding an aerial approach.

On the inward half, the left veering 11th is a really tough par four (rated stroke index 2); the heavily water-laden par four 13th is even more difficult, truth be told; and the closing par five 18th features a water feature to the right of the fairway which then crosses to the left as players approach the home green.