Cannock Park Golf Club

Bordering the beautiful Cannock Chase, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you will find this mature parkland.  Built in 1988, the club prides itself on being one of the best municipal tracks in the Midlands and, as such, has been recognised with a prestigious leisure industry award. A look at the card indicates that excessive length is not an issue here (the par-67 course measures 5,150 yards), but with a number of streams and ditches that cut through the tree-lined fairways, good course management is key should you wish to score well. Another obvious positive of Cannock Park is the thick rough which lines the fairways. In the winter months, this helps give the course a great year-round look, while in the summer it ups the tariff on accuracy with closely-mown fairways that lead to firm greens. Controlling your ball is vital and this is especially apparent on the opening hole with out of bounds right and a copse of trees waiting to swallow the bail out on the left. However, it is Cannock’s closing stretch that tends to be talked about most in the bar afterwards. This starts at the short 14th, an uphill par 3 with a narrow entrance to a small green and continues with the most testing hole on the course, the 15th. Danger lurks both off the tee and with your approach thanks to two strategically-placed ditches. Accuracy is also required on holes 16 and 17 but the closing hole will perhaps test the nerves more than any other, despite being the shortest on the course at 132 yards.  Here, a stream flows across the front of the green that is also framed by trees, a finish that perfectly sums up the charming character of Cannock Park.

A number of streams and ditches that cut through the tree-lined fairways mean good course management is key should you wish to score well.

Top Holes by Michael Web, Cannock Park’s golf advisor:

1st, 354 yards, par 4 The longest hole on the course plays slightly uphill with out of bounds on the right.  The line is as tight to the copse on the left as you dare while the bold big hitter might even risk going over the trees.  But the problems do not end there and your approach shot must avoid an imposing tree that stands 80 yards in front of the green.  15th, 349 yards, par 4 As the most testing hole on the course, it poses a variety of challenges. The drive must clear some trees around 100 yards in front of the tee, but be careful not to overcook your drive as a ditch crosses the downhill fairway at around 250 yards. The green is large and inviting but protected by a stream flowing across the front and around the right side.  18th, 132 yards, par 3 This is the course’s shortest hole but don’t be fooled. It plays a little longer than its 132 yards and the tall trees that frame the green can catch the errant tee shot. The stream meandering in from the 15th cuts in front to create an island green. A little gem.