Notts Golf Club, England   

For some strange reason, the best of England's inland courses seem to need to be qualified when discussed by some in the context of the world's best. Swinley Forest, for example, is often referred to as a great 'par 69' and Royal Worlington and Newmarket as 'the world's best nine-holer.' Such modifiers are unnecessary and misleading, but that will not stop their use. Notts Golf Club near Hollinwell, however, cannot be described as anything except an excellent golf course, for there are no 'quirks' about it or its club - it's just very good golf on an ideal piece of land in a peaceful setting.

As the course is located near Nottingham, the visitor cannot help but conjure up images of Robin Hood's Sherwood Forest. While Notts might not exactly remind players of playing through a forest, much of the appeal of Notts does lie in its varied terrain and how well it was put to use by Willie Park, Jr. with later modifications (primarily bunkering) by J.H. Taylor. It has holes that are heathland in character (e.g., the 4th, 5th and 16th), holes of a wooded nature (e.g., the 7th and 8th) and holes that attack the hills (e.g., the 12th, 13th and 15th). Despite these different 'looks,' the course holds together well as one entity and not several different fragments.

One charming aspect of Notts is that the course is home to several different kinds of gorse, so that one kind is always in bloom, adding a nice touch of color to the landscape. For those like the authors who always seem to miss Dornoch or County Down at the 'right' time of year, you appreciate how nice this feature is.

One other note: the bunkering at Notts is relatively mild (shallow) in comparison to others in England, especially Ganton and Woodhall Spa. At Notts, the bunkers do not dominate the player's perception of the course, leaving him to admire the magnificent property.

Holes to Note:

2nd hole, 430 yards: After a mild opening, the course quickly establishes its muscle. This attractive, uphill dogleg left finishes with its green in front of the rock known as 'Robin Hood's Chair' in a cleft between two large, pine-covered hills. The approach is well done, with a bunker guarding the front-right corner of the green but plenty of room on the left to bounce in the long approach to the left-to-right sloping green.

the pitch after a poorly-thought second shot to the 3rd

3rd hole, 490 yards: The sleeper of the course, this short par five heads back to the clubhouse. From the elevated tee, the hole appears open and encourages the big hitter to open his shoulders. The fun begins when the player is at that do-I-or-don't-I spot for his second. Many a player who is undecided will try to compromise and play short-right of the green, wisely away from the entrance drive (which is not out of bounds) and bunkers on the left, he thinks. His only concern is carrying the bunker some 65 yards short of the green and in the right rough. However, he will soon realize he has been played the fool, for he now faces a short pitch over (or through) the slightest of swales to the right of the green and a pitch to the green from an awkward angle. He will now wish he had laid up short of the two left bunkers, from where he would have a longer, but easier, third shot.

drinking from the 'Holy Well' on the 8th

8th hole, 410 yards: The site of the famous 'Holy Well,' from whence Hollinwell derives its name. After the intimidating drive across the water and between the trees, the player should be sure to go down into the 'well,' take the metal cup fixed to a chain and sample the water himself. That is the moment the player has it conformed that he is not at 'just another course.' The approach is also quite inviting, with the left-to-right slope of the green.

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