The stroke index and hole number mimic eachother at the next as the 436yard par 4 wraps its way around its predecessor to the greenbelow. A beautifully formed par 3 leads you back up the hill followed by a nice wide fairway at the fifth enabling you to really open up the shoulders.

The first of only two par fives at Drayton Park comes at the 7th. At nearly 500yards from the whites the hole fades its way to the right and gives you a good idea as to the thought process behind Braid’s cleverly positioned bunkers. With one at the 220yard mark this would have initially caught out most of the bigger hitters before the Second World War. The next is 200yards further down ready to pounce if you escaped the first and four more surround the green. Just when you thought you might get a few points at the front nine’s only par five, Braid suggests you bring a bucket and spade.

Although shorter than the third hole, the stroke index one 8th earns its stripes by being uphill all the way to a raised green making it a fine test of your long game.

The 9th returns you to the start where a visit to the little brother of the clubhouse will provide you with a butty and a beverage whilst you recapitulate the antics of the first half.

A new water feature at the foot of the 10th tee will soon jolt you back into action after the break and when you do eventually reach the green you’ll find yourself in arguably the prettiest words/photo Chris Keeping section of the course. High, well established fir trees surround the green and a beautifully ornate pond accompanies the putting surface. The short walk to the 11th continues the pleasant theme and asks you to pop a shortish iron between the water features to the square green up ahead.

The holes at Drayton Park are all named according to the features on each hole; “Tickly Tap” is the 11th’s nickname and the 12th, namely “Watersmeet” quite literally refers to where the ponds at 11 and 12 meet.

The 13th takes you to the furthest point away from the clubhouse via a monster par 5 but rewards for your efforts come at the short par 4 14th. The 15th is another wonderful hole that sweeps its way back down the hill begging you to launch a three wood over the ditch in front of the green.

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