Eastham Lodge requires train of thought

Mar 18 2008 by Richard Williamson, Liverpool Daily Post

Originally the first hole was a par three, but is now a jab of a par four at 321 yards that requires thoughtful positional play from the tee to avoid being blocked out on your second. It is a lesson well worth heeding as you make your way round or you will be left wondering where those dropped shots leaked away.

The 360-yard second again requires careful placement from the tee to find the elbow of the dog-leg left and a clear run to the green.

Eastham’s pack of short holes certainly pull their weight, the first of them reaching 207 from the back to find a green well marshalled by bunkers.

The fourth hole stretches out to 464 yards, making it the longest par four on the course, and again the fairway curves away from you, requiring another strategic placement from the tee. By now that monster-headed driver in your bag will be beginning to feel redundant.

The next short hole also tops 200 yards while the sixth has the most of inviting of second shots to a green embraced by the surrounding trees.

At this point the course steps out from beneath its leafy umbrella to the four holes added on – and a quite different feel is found.

The majority of Eastham would be approved by the Flat Earth Society, but it is Neil Armstrong who would feel more at home on the next run of holes.

Here the landscape has been craftily moulded into a lunar landing area, with greens nestling betwix mounds. The trees may not be as crowding here, but now you are confronted with playing shots with the ball above or below your feet from the many bumps and hollows.

Seven (335 yards) starts with another dog-leg, skewing right to find the green shying away in the corner of the extra acreage. The next, The Orchard, lives up to its name with apple trees occupying the left-hand line, with sand waiting for those who over compensate and drift too far right.

Again on the ninth, the green settles into the landscape, making yardage adjustments important, particularly to a two-tier green.

The 10th is a par three, weighing in at 186, with a clutch of bunkers awaiting the wayward.

The 335-yard 11th takes you back to older stretch of the course where the trees clamour for attention again, like MPs at Prime Minister’s question time.

The 12th offers the longest challenge on the course at 515 yards. Even here there is just enough of a dribble to the left to make placement important as trees and sand nip at the shorter line into the green.

The finishing stretch includes successive short holes, with the 15th (189 yards) protected by a mound – instead of the previous ditch – to make judging the length all the trickier.

The view of the shortest par three, at 161 yards, is clear enough, but so are the bunkers while missing right will leave you scrambling back up the bank to find the putting surface.

Not surprisingly the closing two holes both require precision.

There is room to spare on the left along the 384-yard 17th, but the trees on the right will scupper any short-cuts. The last hole is just 291 yards, but again the tee is tucked away to leave a blind tee shot out onto the crest in front with trees on the right hoping to deter the long-hitters from taking a blast at the green.

A safe iron will still leave the green within range, especially if you avoid the huddle of bunkers on the run-in.

And so to a well-earned rest in the clubhouse. Having tweaked the course with additional bunkers to offset the ever longer hitters of the modern game, the off course facilities have undergone a major refurbishment.

The locker rooms and shower areas have been substantially improved while the extended kitchen means a far greater range of food is now on offer, with views of the Mersey to be enjoyed from the upstairs lounge.

“We wanted to make the whole experience of playing at Eastham all the more enjoyable,” says secretary Joan Lyon. “We have always prided ourselves on being a friendly club, and societies are more than welcome, while the ladies enjoy tee times on a Sunday morning as well as during the week.”

The golf club market remains highly competitive with Eastham waiving its joining fee at the moment for any new full members while also looking to raise its profile through a number of events this summer.

The Cheshire Junior Championships are being held at the course in July while Cheshire Seniors will be meeting their counterparts from Cumbria in June.

There will be a pro-am in August while the newly-formed Players Tour will also be paying a visit in its inaugural year.

FINAL VERDICT

A welcome reminder of how much the area has to offer for the golfing fraternity.

FACTFILE

Address: Ferry Road, Eastham, Wirral, CH62 OAP

Yardage: white: 5,706 yards Par: 68 SSS: 68 yellow: 5,436 yards Par: 68 SSS: 66 red: 5,211 yards Par: 70 SSS: 70

Course record: 63

Description: flat, pleasant parkland course with many trees

Founded: 1931

Designer: David Hemstock

Contact Details: 0151 327 1483 (Clubhouse) Fax: 0151 327 7574

Professional: 0151 327 3008

Secretary/Manager: Mrs Joan Lyon (0151 327 3003)

Professional: Nick Sargent

Visitors: Welcome at all times; please book in advance

Cost: Weekdays and weekends £24.00 for 18 holes

Societies: Welcome mainly Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays Weekends by special arrangement; £24.00 per day; £19.00 per round. Packages including catering are available. Details on application

Catering: Bar snacks, full restaurant (book in advance)

Dress code: Usual dress code applies.

E-mail: easthamlodge.g.c@btinternet.com

Website: www.easthamlodgegolfclub.co.uk

Details correct at time of going to press