From the clubhouse, “Rowany Drive”, heads eastwards towards the rising sun for early starters. The marker post is at the head of a long bunker with a raised bank to the right of the green, guarding an approach from this direction. A direct line is protected by trees, but these can be carried by longer hitters.

The second is a short par three,”The Paddock”, with an out of bounds area on the right making a direct approach tricky. The shape of the hole favours those mid- handicappers with a natural slice. Beware of going long, where a steep drop off the back of the green can mean trouble!

“Bunker Hill” features a straight fairway up to a raised green, guarded by two deep bunkers across the front. Those reaching the dip with their drives face a blind shot up to the green. Canny golfers will have noted the pin position on their way to the second tee.

The fourth tee of “Landfall” gives players their first views of the southern coastline. The green is guarded on the left by a group of shrubs and a small bunker. The dogleg affords an opportunity to approach from the right side of the fairway, but beware, getting the ball to hold on the sloping green is tricky.

“The Bell” our first par 5, has an internal out of bounds along the right, until the fairway opens up at the top of the hill. The green is tucked over the marker post on the hill with little room beyond it. Always a blind approach, even knowledgeable local players send a spotter ahead!

From the competition tee on top of the outcrop, “Bay-Ny-Carricky” affords a wonderful southerly view of Carrick Bay. Drives need to be straight to avoid the cross hedge and copse on the left and a line of trees down the right.

Turning back in a northerly direction, “Doillee” is a difficult par 4 with an out of bounds along the left and deep rough to the right. The approach shot up to the green is tough often fighting the prevailing wind with a long bunker guarding the right hand side of the green. Again, experienced golfers will have noted the flag position from the sixth tee.

This spectacular downhill 3 offers our first view of “Fleshwick” and the sea beyond to the north. It requires a tee shot to carry a steeply inclined gorse covered drop of about 50 m. This is the best opportunity for a hole-in-one, which many local players have achieved. Could you be another of the lucky ones?

This long par four requires drivers to hit over “The Ridge” avoiding the tall copse of fir trees on the left. The shot to the green, with little room beyond it, is often played blind and requires players to navigate the sloping fairway to reach the dance floor.

Turning north to start the second nine holes, the par 5, “The Barracks”, has the eastern boundary of the course to the right. Beware the cross ditches, but long hitters have the opportunity of reaching this green in two.

“Zion”, named after the facing hill, continues along the eastern boundary with the fairway protected on both sides by trees and vegetation. The three tiered green has caught many a player out.

The tee shot on “The Quarry” can be intimidating into the prevailing wind. With deep gorse on both sides, a good drive is required to traverse the narrow gap and get over the ridge into the open fairway. The narrow, two-tiered green is arguably the hardest approach shot on the Island and is a tough green to reach in two.

“Garden of Eden”, our third par three, has a fairway sloping down from left to right, with thick rough on both sides. It’s always a challenge to hold the ball on the green from the competition tee at the top.

The competition tee shot here requires a drive through a narrow gap, with gorse and a copse lining the left side of the hole. Once on the fairway, the second shot to “The Plateau” Is blind and, on a continuing theme, experienced golfers will have noted the pin position on the way to the 13th tee.

“Keggins” is a driveable par 4 guarded by a bunker at the top of the heavily sloping green. Drives will need to be accurate, as there are trees to the left and out of bounds on the right hand side, along the boundary ditch.

Our final par three, “Gorse Craig”, is uphill with thick vegetation to the left. The steep fall away on the three tiered green, with bunkers to the left and right, has caught many an experienced putter out.

“Thie Beg”, the ruined stone-built cottage lies beyond the green. A relatively straightforward hole, but deep rough and vegetation to the left requires a straight drive over the marker post, avoiding the bunker on the right. The is some “blind” ground in front of the green, which makes the approach trickier than it might seem.

With “Bradda” visible to the right, but the clubhouse and green out of sight, driving over the marker post is the way to go. Walking down this fairway, don’t be distracted by the stunning views westward over the Irish Sea, the Calf of Man, and, on a good day, the Mountains of Mourne. Plan a good finish to your round on the large flat green, before making your way to the welcoming clubhouse.