beck9965
Head Pro
Playing Westerham in Kent tomorrow never been before but looks quite nice, anyone played I've heard it's quite narrow.
Phil.
Phil.
Westerham
- Thread starter beck9965
- Start date
duncan mackie
Money List Winner
it plays narrower than it is in actual fairway widths - quite a few sloping fairways, and on some you need to be on the correct part of the fairway to have a shot.
londonlewis
Tour Rookie
I have played it many times. It's a good course which you can't always bomb your driver on but it's not so narrow that you can't get away with some loose shots.
Westerham is the type of course where you can score well with good course management.
Hope you enjoy it and good luck!
Westerham is the type of course where you can score well with good course management.
Hope you enjoy it and good luck!
chrisd
Major Champion
The guys have posted spot on, a nice track on a lovely sunny day!
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
Used to do my courting in the Westerham pubs long before the golf course was built!!
Nice wee village [well it was in 1969]
Nice wee village [well it was in 1969]
spongebob59
Journeyman Pro
A cracking course with a fantastic finishing hole.
I'd love to know how þ play the 6th and 17th
I'd love to know how þ play the 6th and 17th
Bratty
Princess Pouty (Queen of Fish Lips)
I've been a member at Westerham for 8 years now, and I still couldn't tell you how to play them!
Okay, so here's my hole-by-hole tips for anyone who's playing it tomorrow or in the next couple of months:
Buy a yardage book if you don't have a GPS, as it WILL help!
Westerham have secondary flags on the poles to indicate pin position, top of the pole is back, middle is middle, and bottom is front.
Pretty firm at the moment, so don't automatically reach for the driver.
1. From the front of the second bunker, you have 132 yards to the centre of the green, but it's 5 yards more owing to the slope. Most can get there (off the yellows) with a 5 wood or hybrid, some even a 5 iron. Easier chip from the right of the green than the left, if you miss it.
2. Off the yellows, I would suggest you don't hit a driver, unless you can't carry 210, as in this weather, it's liable to go in the water. Large green, but if the pins at the back, aim for the middle, and it should run on. In this weather, if it's on the front, land it on the green not short, as you'll get odd bounces.
3. Par 5. Try to stay up the left side of the fairway, especially if you want to see the green for your 3rd. If you're right, watch the trees surrounding the right side of the green. You'll see what you think is the tallest one, but there's another a bit behind it, so even if you clear the first one, the second may catch you. There are two bunkers on the right of the green, one you can see, and the second is 2 yards to the right of it, but is nastier!
4. Straightforward par 3, but watch the wind and where the secondary flag is. Short is better than long, even missing the green short is better than wrong tier.
5. Short-ish par 5, so you may want to hit hybrid or FW for position off the tee. Large bunker in front of half the green (middle to right edge), best to avoid the pin if it's over the bunker.
6. Cross your fingers. Tight, with OWB right. Best shape is a high fade that may be able to hold the right-to-left sloping fairway. You're aim should be a shade left of the last tree on the right, with fade. Approach always plays 1 club less, and the green slopes from the front down, before sloping up, so be warned.
7. DON'T TAKE DRIVER (unless you can guarantee a high draw, in which case aim just over the tallest tree at bottom of hill on the left)! The dogleg is deceptive, but it's only 170 at most to that tree, and everything rolls down. From the tree, you're looking at about 100 yards, but it wil play slightly shorter, and short is much better than long. Be sure to look to left when walking down the slope, as you can see where the pin is on 8th, and it will help you!
8. Par 3, with a vicious sloping green. If you're on the bottom tier, putting up, take a read from the top of the slope, as it may be a double breaker.
9. Again, risk of in the water with driver, and it will run and run. If you land it on the bank at the back of the green it may run back down, but it may not.
Bratty
Princess Pouty (Queen of Fish Lips)
10. Par 5, where you want to be up the right hand side the whole way (but on the fairway!). OB is a good bit right but do-able. There's a nasty hollow up around the large oak on right.
11. Lovely par 3, but don't be left or long. If you hit right of the green, there's a good chance it'll come back down the slope on to the green.
12. Dogleg left, but don't take on too much. Left into a gulley is NOT the place to be, so avoid it. Long iron should get most people to at most 140 (off yellows). Truly horrible green, and don't give any putts outside 1 foot (I'm not kidding!), especially if it's downhill.
13. Par 3 that plays a club shorter than 11. Most shots will not hold if left of centre of green, as there's a big slope. Large bunker at back, so short better than long (again!).
14. Index 1. Tight driving hole, and most shots outisde 130yards always seem to run on a long way, even if pitching at the front.
15. Big slope downhill between the bunker and first pine tree (in distance), so if you get a straight drive away, it could be Bubba-long! A hook is much better than a slice on the hole, as you can get a pretty good approach from adjacent 16th fairway, but call "fore left!".
16. Short par 5 in summer, so a good drive may mean on in two. Dn't take too much of the left side on, as the ball may not come down. 3 bunkers all along the right side of the green, hidden by the trees.
17. A bit like 6th, without the severe slope. The 150 yard marker in the left distance is 250 off the whites, but plays a bit shorter, around 230. Line is right of the 150 and you'll be in with a shout. Approaching, the green slopes from right to left, and don't go left whatever you do. If the pins at the back left, aim for right edge of front, and it should release nicely.
18. Wonderful finishing hole. Take driver and let fly, only the big hitters need worry about the water. It's downhill all the way, so wil play 1 club less and better side is right of the tree, left of the bunkers, to avoid having to hit over too much water.
I hope you enjoy your day at Westerham. It's looking pretty good at the moment, but be warned; our greens are not fast, so don't be fooled. Go on the putting green beforehand.
11. Lovely par 3, but don't be left or long. If you hit right of the green, there's a good chance it'll come back down the slope on to the green.
12. Dogleg left, but don't take on too much. Left into a gulley is NOT the place to be, so avoid it. Long iron should get most people to at most 140 (off yellows). Truly horrible green, and don't give any putts outside 1 foot (I'm not kidding!), especially if it's downhill.
13. Par 3 that plays a club shorter than 11. Most shots will not hold if left of centre of green, as there's a big slope. Large bunker at back, so short better than long (again!).
14. Index 1. Tight driving hole, and most shots outisde 130yards always seem to run on a long way, even if pitching at the front.
15. Big slope downhill between the bunker and first pine tree (in distance), so if you get a straight drive away, it could be Bubba-long! A hook is much better than a slice on the hole, as you can get a pretty good approach from adjacent 16th fairway, but call "fore left!".
16. Short par 5 in summer, so a good drive may mean on in two. Dn't take too much of the left side on, as the ball may not come down. 3 bunkers all along the right side of the green, hidden by the trees.
17. A bit like 6th, without the severe slope. The 150 yard marker in the left distance is 250 off the whites, but plays a bit shorter, around 230. Line is right of the 150 and you'll be in with a shout. Approaching, the green slopes from right to left, and don't go left whatever you do. If the pins at the back left, aim for right edge of front, and it should release nicely.
18. Wonderful finishing hole. Take driver and let fly, only the big hitters need worry about the water. It's downhill all the way, so wil play 1 club less and better side is right of the tree, left of the bunkers, to avoid having to hit over too much water.
I hope you enjoy your day at Westerham. It's looking pretty good at the moment, but be warned; our greens are not fast, so don't be fooled. Go on the putting green beforehand.
beck9965
Head Pro
Had a great day there today, if you haven't played it get yourself down there very interesting and quirky course which makes you think about course management and club selection, it was in great condition and the staff and members were very friendly, I scored 41pts which made the day even better, a very picturesque course and testing at times, highly recommended.
Thanks Bratty for the course rundown which was very helpful.
Thanks Bratty for the course rundown which was very helpful.
Bratty
Princess Pouty (Queen of Fish Lips)
You're welcome. Glad you liked it.
41 points for a first time is a great score. You'd certainly be winning most of the stablefords with that score.
londonlewis
Tour Rookie
6th - I have faired pretty well there as I can hit a good fade with my 4-iron which keeps me on the fairway down the left hand side past the dog-leg.
17th - same thing should apply as above but I've never played that hole well. I'm going to take driver next time and hope for the best.
