Oakwood

Boasting incredible views across Dartmoor, Oakwood is a course you should not underestimate. With its well positioned ponds and bunkers providing the opportunity of risk and reward golf, this is a thinking golfers course.

Signature Hole – Oakwood 7th

With the fairway sloping right to left, a drive down the right side should release to the centre. On the approach to the green, golfers must be aware of a pond on the left side of the hole.

A straight forward par 4 but only if the danger lurking all around is avoided. The out of bounds to the left and the tree ponds await any wayward tee shot. To score well choose the straightest club in your bag, leaving an easy pitch into the green. Two putts and your round is off to a steady start.

Tee shots need to be hit slightly to the right of the marker post to avoid running into the string of bunkers down the left-hand side. Beware of the one bunker if you stray too far right.

A carry of 100 yds will easily clear the pond in front of the tee. Because of the long narrow green, your approach shot is made easier if coming from the left side of the fairway.

Choose a club to avoid the sand at 150 yds and the pond at 250 yds from the tee. This sets up an inviting approach shot.

Club selection and line on this tee are all important. The prevailing wind from the left may not always be apparent on the sheltered tee. Shots hit to the right will run and run away from the green.

Avoiding the large, deep sand trap to the right of the green may well set up a birdie chance on the shortest par 4 on the course. An iron off the tee shot should leave an easier approach chip to this three tiered green.

A picturesque and tricky par 4 that drops some 51 feet over the length. After you have heard the bell for the ‘all clear’ a drive over the marker post will place you in a good position for your approach shot. Remember to ring the ball as you pass. Balls hit short of the green are likely to run in from the right.

A most inviting par 3, well-guarded by three sand traps. Help could be gained by the use of the bank. Better to be right than left. Double check wind speed and direction, as this tee is very sheltered.

A good long par 4 that drops some 54 feet from tee to green. Avoid the sand trap on the left with your drive at 192 yds to the green. Approach shots hit slightly short should run down the hill and over the revetted steps.

A long downhill par 3 with trouble on the right. Landing a ball just beyond and to the left of the first bunker should release onto the green. Keep an eye out for those teeing off the 11th tee as you pass around the green.

This dogleg, uphill, par 5 rises some 60 feet from tee to green and thus, plays longer than the card indicates. The percentage play is to drive somewhere around the marker post. Lay up your second to the flat area on the left of the pond leaving a mid iron shot to the green.

The green on this downhill par 4 remains hidden until you are within 110 yds so make sure you check the green before playing your approach shot. The hole drops some 72 feet over its length. Remember to ring the bell as you leave the green.

Aim slightly to the left and short of the green on this short but tricky par 3. This will allow for the slope of the land. Take great care on this undulating green, as it can easily become a three-putt hole.

An uphill par 4, rising some 48 feet from tee to green. To reach the green in two, it is essential that your drive finds the fairway. IF your drive is not long and straight, use the open area in front of your green to place your lay-up. This should leave an easy up and down.

The percentage shot here is not to try and drive the green. Play two short to mid irons to reach in safety and avoid the water.

A testing par 3. The safer shot is to favour the left side of the green. Shots hit right are more than likely to find trouble.

A good uphill par 5. Tee shots should be hit down the edge of the fairway, as they will run left to right. Keep your second shot slightly to the left of the marker post.

A good finishing par 3. Beware of the out of bounds down the left hand side.