Montgomerie Links uses four different tee locations on each hole Gold / Blue / White / Red. This allows us to have ability to vary the length that the hole plays and also vary the challenge for the golfer on each visit. In this series of hole descriptions we will look at the playability of the holes from two perspectives. First from the viewpoint of the AVERAGE player from the BLUE TEE player and then from the A GRADE or PROFESSIONALS perspective from the MONTY or GOLD tees.

The tee shot

From the blue tee the player faces what appears to be a sea of sand facing them; and  in fact they are right there are 12 bunkers to negotiate when playing this great hole. For the average player the tee shot requires a well placed drive down the middle to right half of the fairway as there is a water hazard guarding the left edge of the fairway. The 1st of the 12 bunkers are 274 yards from the blue tee so the average player would not reach them. 

The second shot

This is where the tactical game begins and the player needs to have a definite plan on what they would like to do next. There’re many golfers take out the fairway wood and blast away only to find themselves in the sand and out of position. There are two distinct lay up shots on offer here the first would be at around 140 yards from the green, the second lay up option  is at around 90 yards, each lay up option requires the correct distance and the right club in the players hands.  

The third shot

From the fairway the player can see yawning bunkers guarding the front of the green and the shot in requires spin to hold this narrow green. There are run off sections left and right at the rear of the green so accuracy and control are the keys to the third shot approach.  Remember with your second shot that being close to this green may not offer you the best chance as the third shot needs to land softly to hold the green.

The green 

The 12th green is very undulating and the distinct left and right sections putting can be a real challenge here, if you are out of position you can be faced with a big breaking putt. All in all, a great three shot par 5 that requires concentration to play well.

Gold Tees (Monty tees) 527 yards A grade or Professional 

A risk reward hole for players with the power to reach the green, the tee shot must be played down the left hand side of the fairway flirting with the hazard on the left hand side of the fairway. The reward for this is a slightly uphill lie 240 yards to the green. From this uphill lie the better player can get the height that they need to carry the greenside bunkers and try to land the ball softly on this very narrow green, This is a very difficult shot from long range and many players who have tried live to regret as the ball is swallowed up by the large deep bunkers at the front of the green. Most players will take the lay up option at around 90 yards this will allow for a pitch with spin to hold the green. Slopes at the back of the green can be used to get the ball close to the hole.