One of the first things that you'll probably learn about St. George's Golf and Country Club is that its course was designed by the architect Devereux Emmet. That claim alone makes this course one with which you should become better acquainted.
One of the best ways to learn about the course is to head out for a round of golf, of course, but before you do that, a hole-by-hole guide can give you an idea of what to expect. Read on for details about the St. George's Golf Course front 9.
Hole 1
The front 9 begins with Sahara, which is a dogleg hole. This type of hole presents a challenge because the fairway contains a bend. In the case of St. George's first hole, the dogleg bends to the left.
In addition to a dogleg, this hole also presents golfers with a challenging false front where the fairway meets the green. This feature is indicative of the historic nature of this course; false fronts were particularly popular in the early 1900s, which was when St. George's was built.
Hole 1 is a par-4 hole, and the handicap for men is 5 and 9 for women. The hole sits 385 yards from the championship tees.
Take a look at the opening hole of this course in the video below:
Hole 2
The course's second hole, Warlock Knowe, is riddled with sand-filled bunkers that can easily trap an errant ball. You'll find these traps both along the fairway and around the green.
This is the longest hole of the entire golf course. Those beginning at the championship tees will send their balls a full 589 yards.
Not surprisingly, this long hole is a par 5. This difficult hole is the course's No. 1 handicap hole for both men and women.
Hole 3
The third hole, Perfection, is a semi-blind shot, so don't expect to get the full picture as you're standing at the tee. Don't worry; after you play the course a few times, you'll become more familiar with how you should drive your ball.
Once you reach the green, you'll discover your next challenge: bunkers. These surround the green on three sides.
At 429 yards from the championship tee to the cup, this is a par-4 hole. It has handicap ranking of 9 for men and 13 for women.
Hole 4
Visit St. George's, and you'll soon understand why Hole 4 is named Stey Brae. Translated from Scottish, that name means "steep hill." The elevation of the hole trends upward, and so must your shots, right from the get-go. When you stand at the tee, aim for both lift and distance, or your ball won't go very far.
The challenges don't ease up once the green is in sight. There are sand bunkers on every side. Just to land your ball on the green, you must clear both the sand and several patches of rough.
This hole is a par 4, and it measures 373 yards from the championship tees. It is a 7 handicap for men and a 3 handicap for women.
Hole 5
This hole is named Cape, and you might find it to be an opportunity for redemption. Play it clean, and your ball should head right toward the green.
Of course, Cape is not without challenges. You must watch out for both grass and sand. On the green, take care that your ball doesn't roll too far to the left.
This par 4 measures 364 yards from the championship tees. For men, it's a 13 handicap. For women, it's an 11.
Take a virtual tour of this hole in the following video:
Hole 6
This hole bears the unique name Westlin' Wyne. There are several bunkers near the teeing ground and another collection of them partway down the fairway.
Will you navigate sand bunkers to come at the green from the right, or will you go around the oak tree on the left? From either direction, there's an additional challenge: The green dips low, so it is not readily visible from the fairway.
Measuring 515 yards from the championship tees, this is a par-5 hole. Its handicap is 11 for men and 7 for women.
Hole 7
A short par-3, you might feel that Hole 7 lives up to its name, Oasis. However, don't be fooled by its small size. This hole has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.
Elevation changes are a big one. From start to finish, the hole descends 25 feet. The green itself features two different levels. Furthermore, there are greenside sand bunkers all around it.
It's only a 187-yard trip from the championship tees to the cup. For both men and women, this hole is ranked with a 15 handicap.
Hole 8
As its Dog's Leg name implies, it's not a straight shot from the tee to the green on Hole 8. In addition to bends in the path, the fairway also features an incline. You can loft your ball high or attempt to roll it along this upward path.
The green isn't entirely flat. You'll have to navigate its swells as you putt toward the cup. Fortunately, its sand bunkers aren't as challenging as those of many other St. George's greens.
This is a par-4 hole. If you start at the championship tees, you must hit your ball 386 yards. It presents a 3 handicap for men and a 5 for women.
Hole 9
The short length of St. George's Hole 9, The Kirk, means that you might be able to get your ball onto the green in just one shot, at least if you aim carefully. The fairway has a downward slope that you must take into account as you tee off. The green, too, contains several elevation changes.
This par-3 hole is just 149 yards from the championship tees to the cup. It carries a 17 handicap for both men and women.
See the challenging layout of the hole in this video:
Are you ready to take your clubs out for a spin on the St. George's Golf Course front 9? The first nine holes of St. George's course are fun to play yet offer plenty of challenges to keep the game interesting. Learning to master these holes gives you the opportunity to improve your golf skills, and the course's picturesque setting will lure you back time and again.
For your opportunity to play the front 9, contact us about membership at St. George's Golf and Country Club.