England's Poulton Park Golf Club no walk in the park

Poulton Park Golf Club in Cheshire, England is a flat, short nine-hole golf course running alongside the M6 and M62 highways, but it is anything but easy.

The course is tree-lined with out of bounds and water coming into play on eight holes in a normal round - and if you over-hit to the first make that 10 holes with water. Those thinking of smashing the driver down the fairways will go home with a bruised ego; Poulton Park destroys the wayward golfer, and a shot at your course into the semi-rough would be wayward at Poulton Park.

The toughest hole is the seventh, a par four that could challenge any for the title of the hardest in the region. At 416 yards the slight dogleg right hides a sting in its tail: The new green sits behind the original green, masking the watercourse less than 3 feet from the front of the green, and with another watercourse equidistant from the back, you need a fine shot to find the target.

The wind plays it part on this hole, and many a ball rests in the water. But if you do get through this hole, just remember, you have to play it again!

David Owen

March 26, 2006

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management.