Hole 18 "Cestria"

The eighteenth, down to the clubhouse provides, as befits a final hole, the most inviting of drives. But there are dangers. There is room on the left but that soon turns into unplayable rough, while any of the trees on the way can easily obscure a shot to the green. However, the problems on the right are potentially greater: the ideal tee-shot - on that side of the fairway to avoid the kick left and down - all too readily drifts further right. It might be long grass, large conifers, other trees, a sloping lie but, whichever, a direct shot to the green can prove all but impossible. So a drive straight down the middle is ideal, rendered more satisfying by the unhindered view to the international cricket ground on the other side of the river. Yet, however short, never under-estimate the approach shot nor the resultant putt: the green is narrow, slopes sufficiently from the right to throw even a firmly struck shot off left while the variation in gradient means no guarantee of two putts. It might be the most likely hole for a birdie but, most times, a par is highly satisfactory.