Course Guide

Holes 11b and 12b are both used in the winter, in place of holes 11a and 12a.

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The first hole appears simple enough, but beware of the cross wind that blows from left to right across the fairway, which will push your drive towards the trees lining the right side of the fairway.

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The second hole is a long par 4 which normally plays into the wind. A long drive leaves you a mid-iron into the green, protected by two bunkers to the left front.

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The third hole is a long par 3 along the railway line, protected by a line of fir trees. The green is protected on both sides by bunkers and accuracy is a must off the tee if you’re to make birdie.

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Hole 4 is a medium length par 4 with a dogleg at 240 yards from the tee. It is essential to get to the dogleg with your drive to make your approach shot as easy as possible, but careful that you are not too long as the green is right on the river. Anything over the back could find trouble.

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Hole 5 is the first of the par 5s. Shaped like an easy S, the normal approach is a long iron or wood off the tee, long or mid-iron off the fairway to give yourself a wedge into the green.

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Hole 6 is a short par 4, but is well protected by a line of trees on the left. Orthodox play is a medium iron up to the middle of the fairway and a wedge into the green, protected on the left by a bunker and a steep bank towards the river on the right.

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This short par 3 plays longer than you would think, with a steep banked hollow just before the green. It is protected on both sides by steep bunkers and anything long is in trouble, so accurate ironplay is a must.

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The 8th is another doglegged par 4. The adventurous player can go for the Tiger Line over the trees to the right of the tee and find the green, but you must be accurate with your drive. Orthodox play is an iron to the middle of the fairway and a short iron or wedge into this two-tiered green, where putting is put to the test.

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The 9th hole is a driveable par 4, but is protected on the left by a bunker and out-of-bounds and on the right by the hedgerow along the road and more out-of-bounds. To find the green in one requires an accurate drive. Alternatively, a wood or long iron up the middle and a wedge in is a sensible play.

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The 10th hole is another driveable par 4 for long-hitters, but accuracy is needed once more. Anything left of the green is either under the trees or on the 17th fairway. Right of the green means you are in the trees with a very tough second, if you find your ball. The conservative move is a long iron or wood to the top of the slope and a wedge into another two-tiered green.

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Hole 11a is the summer hole, a short par 3 and stroke index 18. It is set in a hollow, with a steep bank feeding onto the green on the right and a steep bank away from the green on the left. Play conservatively by hitting up the right hand side of the green or you will have an almost impossible shot from under the trees on the left should you mishit your tee shot.

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11b is the winter hole and is a dogleg par 4. The ambitious player can attempt a long shaped drive to get near the green, but the normal play is a wood or long iron to the centre of the fairway and a short iron or wedge into the green. Make sure you aren’t too long with your tee shot or you may find yourself with an awkward lie on a steep and rough slope.

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12a is the summer par 5 and a signature hole of the course. A long drive over the left side of the pine trees on top of the hill gives you a shot from the fairway to the green, though likely on a slope or from in the rough. Play an iron to the top of the hill, a short iron to the bottom and then a wedge to the green to give yourself a chance of birdie.

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12b is the winter par 4 and plays from one of two tees to one of two greens. The temporary green (left side of the map) is a simple enough shot with a wood or long iron and a chip or pitch onto the green. The main green (right of the map) is the 12a green and requires an accurate wedge from the fairway.

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This par 3 is another signature hole of Downes Crediton. This is a round-killer for the unwary. Often playing into a breeze, make sure you take enough club to find the green or you will drop into the pond. Push your shot too much and you’re out of bounds, in the railway lines. Treat this hole with respect.

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The 14th is the longest of the three par 5 holes on the course and is harder than it seems. If playing into a breeze, you’ll need two long hits to get close. Careful of the fairway bunkers at 250yds on the left and 400yds on the right. The green is protected by two more bunkers and is set on two levels.

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The last of the short par 3s, the 15th is protected by a large pond before the green and a steep and difficult bunker to the left. Careful of the breeze, which often cuts from right to left or from behind.

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The 16th hole is the last of the par 5s and is set on two tiers. A long drive down the centre leaves you with a long shot to the green with a wood or iron… however, accuracy is needed as the green is small and protected by steep banks. Instead, consider playing an iron up the steep bank and a wedge into the green instead.

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The 17th is a tricky and long par 4 with a constant slope from left to right. A long drive is no guarantee of success, as you will still be playing off the slope and probably from the rougher right hand side of the hole. A par here is no mean result.

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The longest of the par 3s, the 18th is a difficult hole for any standard. Often requiring a long club to find the green, it is difficult to keep it on the short stuff. The hole is protected by a green-side bunker to the right, pond to the left and a stream for anyone coming up short.

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