Sunningdale New

Out with the old and onto the new. Those well heeled members are pretty lucky to have 2 great courses to choose from and currently ranked at 57 in the world, the new is an elegant course that put into the shade only slightly by its neighbour. Played here as the first group of the day and barely saw a soul the whole way round, really gave a great sense of isolation.

I found the course slightly more tight than the old with a few more heather lined fairways particularly on the front nine that severely punish any wayward drives. The highlights for my being the holes from 3-8. All very interesting and thought provoking holes with a good mix of risk and reward.

Above, the par 3 5th possibly the signature hole but next, a great dogleg par 5 may contest the honour.

The 10th in addition is an excellent par 3 that leads to the great wee dormie house where the famed sausage sandwiches await.  The back 9 is again full of quality holes that all require careful thought. my favourites would probably be 15 that begs you to bite of a small pond to reduce your length to the green.

Above - the excellent surrounds of the 18th green, a short par 5 but hitting the green is very tricky..

All in all its a great heathland course, and the first of England's non links courses that I've played.  The weather wasn't too conducive for decent photographs but never mind, I may well return at another stage to try again. As for the best course,  I would say the old has the edge but it's not a bad combo.