At just over 6500 yards, Ma’am might be short in size, but…

…what she lacks in length she makes up for in one of the greatest strategical courses you’ll be privileged to meet.

Compared to her two Woburn family members, the ‘Duke’ and the ‘Marquess’, the ‘Duchess’, at 6555 yards is somewhat shorter in size (6971 & 7218 yards respectively), given all three courses are of a par 72. She is also considered, if rankings are to be believed, the weakest of the trio.

Well, shorter she may be but in terms of notability I would argue she stands out, all alone. Approached with anything but your full attention and respect, she’ll have you bowing at the end.

The one thing that will clearly stand out is this may be the tightest golf course some will have ever experienced. Fairways the width of single lane carriageways, lined with stunning pine trees, then uniformed fern, are merely journeys to postage stamp size greens. Standing on the second green (the par three second hole at 185 yards) I paced out just 23 feet in width across the double tier putting surface. The only real ‘bail out’ areas for those who find the par 4 of par 5 driveways, from the tee, are often ‘short’, where neatly prepared and flatter approaches allow for a short game to be played from less undulating or less rougher lies. This truly is a disguised risk versus reward scenario in which strategy when choosing the correct tee shot can be followed by a consideration as to whether aiming at the green will result in the best end result. To that end the course might even be considered ‘unfair’, yet I believe instead, in the era of modern equipment and long hitters, this unbelievable golf course is more suitable a welcoming to golfers of nearly every standard.

I think the variation also allows for many differing ways to play a number of the holes. On more than one occasion my group showed diversity in how each saw how best to approach from the tee. Whether hitting a driver, a long iron or even a more shorter number finding the right spot essential. The undulating or doglegged fairways, along with a knowledge of one’s own game playing a part in each decision.

For the thinkers the ‘Duchess’ will be one of the best courses. She’s certainly one of the prettiest and without what I consider a real ‘weak hole’, she might now be one of my most favourite ladies. As for the weakest of the trio, you’d best not let her hear you think it. Leaving the last green I certainly didn’t.