The New Mills Golf Club

The front nine which is the new part of the course is maturing nicely having been open for eight years. The young trees will start to offer more of a challenge in the next few years but just now it quite open and forgiving. The first hole is an interesting par five with a line of bunkers ready to trap the second shot of the unwary! The third shot is up a steep bank to a two tier green guarded at the front with more bunkers. The Second doglegs back down to the clubhouse with a challeging green throwing pitched shots off to the left. The third hole is a short par 4 and theoretically reachable by the long hitter were it not for the huge amount of sand around the green, and shorter at the average golfers' driving distance also. The par three 4th is tiny at 90 odd yards but with a green which is shallow front to back accuracy is imperative if the bunkers at the front and the precitpitous bank at the bank are to be avoided.
The fifth is index 1 and is usually into the prevailing wind. Plenty of trouble awaits those who wander left and hookers should leave plenty of space. The second shot is usually long onto a narrow green protected by bunkers on each side of the approach. The par three sixth requires accuracy to hit the green with wind usually left to right. The player needs courage to start the ball off over the left hand bunker and hope that it comes back to land near the flag.
The seventh is a long par 4 which plays longer because after the dog leg the second shot is uphill to a firm green. This shot has to be allowed to pitch short and roll up as it is easy to bounce off the back. The par three eighth is straightforward but at the highest point of the course susceptible to the wind. The ninth hole takes the player back to the clubhouse. The elevated tee gives a fantastic view over the course and surronuding country side. The second shot is crucial here as there is a stream some 50 yards short of the green. In adverse weather conditions many players are forced to lay up and hope their thrid shot is close to the flag. A good description of the back nine is shown on this site.