Orchardleigh Golf Club

ABOUT Orchardleigh was purchased by Somerset Golf Club Limited in 2009 and has flourished ever since.  The parkland course was designed by former Ryder Cup captain Brian Huggett as recently as 1994 but, given its established setting, has a more mature feel to it and it already ranks as one of the leading, and most peaceful, courses in the county.  Away from the course there are superb practice facilities to work on both your short and long game.   THE COURSE Off the back tees it stretches to over 6,800 yards and, with water coming into play on seven holes, it can be a real test of your game.  The greens, set up to USGA specification, are superb. With two halves of 36 there are four par 5s which might help your scoring though three par 4s of over 400 yards in the last four holes mean the test continues right until the last.  The par-3 17th is perhaps the signature hole, it may be just 162 yards off the whites but there is a small valley in the middle of the green so two putts are rarely a certainty.

The par-3 17th is perhaps the signature hole, it may be just 162 yards off the whites but there is a small valley in the middle of the green so two putts are rarely a certainty.

CARD WRECKER At a touch over 450 yards you will need to save two of your best efforts to get up.  If you can get your drive away you are then faced with an approach, with a long iron or fairway wood, to a green which is protected by water from 100 yards in down the right-hand side and bunkers down the left.  A wiser option is to play for a five which is a perfectly acceptable way to close out your round. BIRDIE CHANCE A par 5 of 533 yards but which plays downhill and offers the chance to open your shoulders. A good drive will leave you with the chance to get on in two but beware the bunkers at the back as any approach runs the risk of running through the green. LOCATION 13 miles south of Bath 2012 GREEN FEES £17 Monday to Friday in February