Hole by Hole
Holes 1 & 10
The first hole is a testing opener of a 200 yard Par 3 played to an unusual green which has a raised plateau on the left with a gentler "run in" area to the right.
Holes 2 & 11
From the Tee you see an expanse of fairway, the left side of which belongs to the eighth hole. Drive too far down the left to avoid the "out of bounds" on the right and your second shot will need to be successfully pitched over two sneakily protective greenside bunkers onto the narrow, two tier green.
Holes 3 & 12
This is a short Par 4 where the fairway doubles up with the 7th. hole. Again you should try not to go too far left, as there are another 2 greenside bunkers. The green is elevated and slopes both from top to bottom and left to right.
Holes 4 & 13
Accuracy is now required as the single fairway narrows down to 50 yards or so with a carry over some rough links grass. This hole is the Stroke Index's 1&2 on the card, quite rightly so because of the intimidating "out of bounds" (beach) plus yet another long, sloping, green.
Holes 5 & 14
An elevated Tee, cut into the bracken hill, makes this relatively short Par 4 another intriguing challenge. It's easy to loose your ball in the bracken on the left or indeed just as easy to go "out of bounds" and onto the beach to the right. From the fairway the green is reached over a small, dry valley.
Holes 6 & 15
After leaving the 5th. Green you might wonder where is the next hole, the answer is on top of the bracken hill. A marker post directs your drive up and over the brow, onto a further uphill fairway leading to a true plateau green, which slopes and is on two levels.
Holes 7 & 16
Your task is to drive down the steep hill where once again you have the luxury of a double width fairway. Beware, go too far left and your approach will be over a tricky valley with the green falling away on three sides.
Holes 8 & 17
You are now faced with the longest hole on the course and once more there are 2 fairways to play on, although if you choose the left (2nd. Fairway) then there is a greenside bunker to negotiate. Of course the putting surface is no-where near flat and can be a real challenge, depending on pin placement.
Holes 9 & 18
With the welcoming clubhouse just behind the large un-bunkered green, the home hole is a serene Par 4 with a forgiving fairway and therefore ranked as the Stoke Index's 17/18. Indeed, a very friendly way to get you back to where you started.
When you view the course from the clubhouse and then look at the yardages on the card you can be forgiven for thinking that you will easily master it. However, although not long be any means, it will take some careful thought plus skilful shots to master the undulating fairways and tricky greens in order to come out on top.
The Course
The "Village" as the course is affectionately known is a traditional left hand loop of nine holes, the first five played along the shoreline followed by a testing home run of four holes generally played into the prevailing wind.
From the 6th, a short walk of 50 yards or so to the seventh Tee does not quite prepare you for the club's signature hole and the finest view in North East golf. At this point you are on top of the bracken hill, surveying the course below, the beach, Alnmouth Bay, Coquet Island and the sea as far as the eye can see. This is a view equally breathtaking whether on a clear summer's day or in deep midwinter.
