By Martyn Landsborough, Head Professional.

A Par 68 on the West Course at Royal Ashdown is a truly successful round. This is primarily due to the demands of the undulating terrain and exacting shots required to find the greens.

The fact that bunkers are nowhere to be found on the course gives the impression of a straightforward challenge. Nothing could be further from the truth as your patience and ability are tested to the full.

With no obvious carries from the tee, the course is ideal for the inexperienced player, yet still examines all golfers at all levels. Here are some examples of the fine tests awaiting you:

Two good shots on the 1st hole can bring their reward provided you keep your approach below the hole. This green immediately examines your touch with the putter.

The 196 yard par 3 2nd requires a strong tee shot ideally directed at the front left portion of this elevated green.

The 3rd hole, being the only par 5, allows you to open your shoulders and two good long shots still need to favour the left half of the fairway or green.

The 18th green

The 11th hole is a brute of a par 3. At 240 yards, the temptation to reach the green often means that you sacrifice your position, which is vital when faced with a small sloping putting surface. Short and straight at least offers you a fair chance of getting down in two more.

The 14th hole is a testing 450 yard long (stroke index 1) par 4. Most of the difficulty is in the need to shape your drive from right to left. That done a long second to a well protected target is necessary to have a chance of a par.

The 17th hole is a par 4 that deserves respect. Your drive needs to be kept left of centre to avoid a pond that can bring a good round to a soggy end.

There is no doubt in many people's views, Henry Longhurst's included, that the best is definitely kept to last. No good round is safe until you have negotiated the tough par 4 18th. At 435 yards it is not the longest par 4 on the course but with ditches and a stream meandering across the hole, allied to the necessity to shape the ball from the tee, it is certainly the most demanding. A tactical lay up with your second shot still leaves a third that is often difficult to judge. A par score here alone will make your round worthwhile!

Click here for a hole by hole tour of the course from Virtual Caddy.