Yourcaddy #2 | Page 40

THE WEEKENDER If you have been put in charge of the annual golf weekend it can sometimes be difficult to choose a venue that suits all of your party’s needs, well we are here to help. We understand that the weekend away isn’t always just about the golf so we’ll be looking at our favourite evening venues to par take in a beverage as well as our course picks in the area. Our first weekend adventure took us to Bristol… TOP PICK: KNOWLE GOLF CLUB At the 6th hole club selection is crucial. it’s a great looking hole and certainly a highlight of the round but misjudge the change in elevation or the breeze and you could be struggling to make a par. The tenth is another testing hole, a daunting start to the back nine, an uphill par 3 in full view of the clubhouse, luckily the members here understand what it’s like to play the hole so if you are faced with a full crowd outside on the patio then you will be sure to get a rapturous applause if you get the ball on to the green. If you don’t you’ll be greeted with plenty of encouragement for your next shot! Knowle is an unexpected delight! Having viewed numerous pictures on the clubs website site before setting off to play Knowle we certainly didn’t think you would arrive at the course through the back of a housing estate. It’s a strange journey in, you question whether or not you have taken a wrong turn somewhere but upon driving through the front gate you are whisked away to beautiful parkland retreat. We were lucky to play on a hot summer’s day and this really gave us the chance to experience the best golf that the course had to offer. The first fairway stretches uphill to a raised green and makes for a relatively difficult start, the green is very narrow from front to back and a par 4 will be an excellent start to your round. As with many of the holes at Knowle, the challenge here is based on accuracy and distance control, rather than power hitting, and after hauling yourself up the first fairway you may not have much breath left in you to swing the driver on the second tee! This course utilises its landscape to great effect, whether it’s on the fairways or the on green every hole has an impactful undulation of some sort. 40 YOURCADDY | ISSUE 02 The back nine sees a steady climb to the highest part of the course where you will witness fantastic views of Bristol and the surrounding country side as well as the many deer that wonder around the course, but you have to keep your mind on your game as there are plenty of testing tee shots yet to come. The 18th is arguably one of the finest finishing holes in the area. A classic par 5 that sweeps majestically down the hill to the clubhouse. Longer hitters can risk attempting to hit the green in two; the shrewd tactician may decide to lay up. Either way this hole provides an exhilarating conclusion to the round. MISSING PICTURE