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Hole By Hole Guide

A splendid parkland course located along the winding and very picturesque River Mersey, just 3 miles from the City centre with easy access from the motorway system and Manchester International Airport.

At par 71 and almost 6500 yards in length it offers a challenge to the most discerning player and at
the same time is a pleasure for the higher handicapper.

The lush tree lined fairways and manicured greens have been described as the best in the Greater Manchester area.

The first hole is a moderately short but tricky par 3 of 156 yards followed by two longish par 4s. The par 5 fifth is considered one of the finest golf holes in the North West which requires a combination of both skill and accuracy. From hereon you will begin to settle down and enjoy your game and the beauty of your surroundings until you arrive at the daunting 14th, the stroke index 1, where Withington Golf Club begins its sting in the tail. The 16th is one of the longest par 5s in Cheshire and requires three good shots to the green and the 17th and 18th are two particularly good par 4s to finish.


Hole 1 The safe shot is at the centre of the mound at the back of the green. Take enough club as its the first shot of your round, but be careful of the big tree front right!	Hole 2 The line is the church spire from the back tee. Avoid the trees on the right, hit it tight to the trees on the left for the longest tee shot. 2nd shot foreshortened by front two bunkers. Take enough club.	Hole 3 Straightforward drive to the left side of the fairway. For second shot, beware of slope running into righthand bunker.

Hole 4 Be positive. Front bunkers will catch under clubbed or miss-hit shot. Beware OB left and long.	Hole 5 Drive to the right of the fairway, beware OB right side. 2nd shot, lay up short of stream approach to green requires accuracy. Receptive green slopes from back to the front.	Hole 6 Big hitters may use an iron off the tee. OB long and left. Best line is the pylon. But beware of the fairway bunker, an accurate shot is required to the tight well bunkered green.

Hole 7 Drive to the left of this fairway, to avoid the fairway traps. Green sits in a small hollow, requires accurate and positive 2nd shot.	Hole 8 Withington's biggest sloping green. Don't play past the pin, you may not be able to stop the putt going downhill.	Hole 9 Supposedly easy par 5. For long hitters, reachable in 2 but beware hedge on right. Any over correction to the left may find deep and difficult bunkers.

Hole 10 Requires good clubbing and straight shot to quite a narrow green. Beware OB on top of the bank. Depending on pin position, play to front or to the back.	Hole 11 Drive down the middle of the fairway to avoid the fairway bunkers. Any shot right will be obstructed by trees for the 2nd shot. Bunkers left and right of the green.	Hole 12 The high copse of trees on the right might catch the more risky drive, so a tee shot down the left is the play. The green is well bunkered and has a few subtle borrows.

Hole 13 Drive should be down the right side of the fairway but beware OB on the top of the bank. Accurate clubbing required to the green. Again the river bank, OB, is at the back.	Hole 14 Stroke 1, keep your drive to the left side of the fairway. Beware OB all the way down the right. It's a long second shot for most players. Your 5 net 4 will win more than it loses. This is the start of the long Withington finish. Be prepared.	Hole 15 Just a straight drive down the middle. A plateau green, can be quite difficult to stay on in the summer when hard. McKenzie green can be tricky to chip onto if you miss.

Hole 16 Withington's longest hole. Don't try to outhit this hole. Keep in play, watch out for the 2 fairway bunkers. Keep well left with your second shot for a clear sight to the green. Beware the OB beyond the hedge on the left.	Hole 17 Drive down the left side. Deceptive second shot. It's much longer than it looks. Well bunkered McKenzie Green.	Hole 18 It will take 3 good shot to get up in 2! Stroke 13, you must be joking! What a finish! Take care with your approach shot. OB over hedge in front of the clubhouse and to the left of the green beyond the hedge. Don't forget the 19th watering hole.