KEEP YOUR DRIVE UNDER THE WIND
The 14th is easily the most difficult driving hole on the course. Everyone talks about the out of bounds on the right, but the biggest mistake our members make is giving it the full Bryson off the tee because they’re often hitting into a headwind. The natural reaction is to hit it harder, but that just creates more backspin which will rob you of distance into wind. Rather than manipulating your technique, the key is to swing slightly smoother – or slower – than normal and to create a more stable base to hit from so that you can swing in balance.
HOW TO PLAY IT
As you take your set-up, widen your stance slightly and shuffle a little closer to the ball than normal so it feels like you are covering and compressing the ball with your sternum. This will help you to keep your swing more compact which is key to limiting the upward motion of the through swing. The ball flight should then mimic your lower and extended follow through.
16 PAR 3 162 YDS AVG. SCORE (2011): 3.07 (14)
The last short hole on the course where wind plays a big part. Thomas Bjorn’s hope of lifting the Claret Jug evaporated here in 2003 after catching the false right shelf and taking three to get out of the sand on the right. The back-to-front green is ring fenced by seven bunkers in all but is actually more generous and easier to read than most. It was here that Tony Jacklin celebrated the first televised hole-in-one at the 1967 Dunlop Masters tournament.
17 PAR 4 426 YDS AVG. SCORE (2011): 4.20 (10)
The penultimate hole is a gentle dog-leg from right to left that features a fairway full of swales and humps. Distance control is crucial with the second shot. Under-hit approaches will be punished by a false front, while anyone who goes over the back will have an even tougher shot coming back unless the pin is on the front of the green. Two pairs of bunkers lurk either side as well, meaning there’s little margin for error on what is a very narrow target.
‘IF YOU ARE IN CONTENTION ON SUNDAY, YOU JUST HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BALL LEFT OF THE PIN AND GIVE YOURSELF A 20- OR 30FOOT PUTT IF POSSIBLE’ JUSTIN ROSE