Cuddington Golf Club

Cuddington Golf Club: this Harry Colt designed championship course sits comfortably in its leafy Surrey countryside surroundings. The two nine-hole loops make their way out-and-back across the relatively open chalk-based downland of Banstead Downs.

With a relatively open parkland-downland feel (thanks to much recent tree clearance), both nines start alongside the impressive crescent-shaped clubhouse. The par-5 1st and par-4 10th holes slope gently downhill from the characterful brick-built clubhouse, and both offer far-reaching views across West London.

The second hole, also a par-5, reinforces Cuddington's main traits. Much in evidence are good-width flattish fairways, a more than generous measure of second cut rough, and large stylish sand-faced bunkers, which handsomely define many of the holes. Colt's classic cross-bunkering is found at the long par-4 7th. The green complexes also play their part. All manner of mounds, swales, ridges and hollows ensure that "up-and-down-in-two" is never a given.

With its generous width holes and gentle slopes, Cuddington is an easy-walking layout. The elevation changes are gentle, never overly dramatic. Quiet woodland surrounds the course perimeter, with roads to be crossed on a couple of occasions to access the 4-3-4 combinations at 3 thru' 5, and 7 thru' 9.

Pick of the holes: without an obvious "signature" hole, one has to admire the gentle uphill long par-4 18th. Two good larrups are needed to hit the green, which is framed by the Club's stylish single-storey clubhouse.