Frodsham rising to the golfing challenge

Dec 23 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

YOU CAN swing like an acrobat, drive as if the ball is cannon-fired, putt as if it is laser- controlled. But in the nerve-tingling moments particularly it will all end in tears if the mind-set is not right.

It was, as I recall, Jack Nicklaus who dealt most appropriately with one part of getting the right mental approach to golf, the business of thinking positively.

“Do you not get put off by the noise of the aeroplanes?” he was once asked. Back came the reply: “What aeroplanes?”

The approaching planes might have been thunderous Jumbos overhead descending to an airstrip no more than a mile away but he was so concentrated on his golf he never heard them.

We all need to try to find this ability to shut out the distraction, block the negative thoughts which for some might arrive, for example, on the first at Frodsham.

There were no airliners overhead and the hole is not long, a gentle enough par four, only 403 yards from the yellow tee. But there is a great pond, quite near so it is easy to clear, yet so close it can be intimidating.

You can imagine so many balls have finished there that there must be a solid base just below the surface.

But I thought of Jack, thought positively, said to myself “what pond?” and the reward was the first par of the day at the start of a round in delightful golfing country.

Frodsham is indeed a splendid find and rather more. It is a magnificent golf creation and great addition to the local golf scene, spreading over the land like a rumpled duvet.

If we are fortunate many of us may leave a legacy of some kind, most likely something for the children or a favourite charity. But imagine leaving behind a golf course, beautiful green acres, a place of great pleasure for thousands for many generations ahead.

That has happened here. Frodsham, which opened in 1990, was created out of farmland. Now at the start of the Cheshire Sandstone Trail it has matured into a course with a growing reputation which attracts golfers from a radius of many miles.

The layout is one reason. The course built high above the Mersey shore has skilfully- designed fairways, some uphill, others down, with lots of strategically-placed bunkers and hundreds of new trees, increasing the challenge as the course continues to mature.

From the heights, the Welsh hills are visible and on a clear day the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool.

The wind can blow on the high ground and then there is the shelter of the low land. There is an impression of playing inside a big bowl, walking fairways up to the rim and descending again.

The others reason for its popularity, the reason why it attracts golfers from as far as Warrington, parts of Wirral, Liverpool and elsewhere is that Frodsham is very rarely closed.

Built on sandstone, it drains very quickly. So the golfers sometimes include those who have found their own course closed by wet weather, who know that Frodsham may be closed by something like a Siberian snowfall but little else.

The first nine holes are a pick’n’mix of par fours and threes. So it is not of huge length. But the golf course has been so cleverly designed it provides a superb golf examination and tough long grass, carefully-placed bunkers and trees punish the wayward.

With the challenge of the first overcome, the second, with a young plantation the main hazard, is straight to the green on the high ground at the top of a sandstone cliff and the third is a straight return, but the ball must be kept left to avoid the tree blocking the second shot.

The fourth has trees right and left from the tee and the fifth is the first par three, with a wide approach and free of trouble. But, uphill it is further than it appears.

The sixth is a par four on rising land, to the rim of the bowl where a marker post gives the line to a blind green. On the basis of what goes up must come down, the seventh returns downhill again, a short par four at 320 yards.

The rollercoaster ride continues as the eighth goes back uphill above the Mersey again. The ninth is just 121 yards with only the front greenside bunker to be cleared.

At stroke index 18, this is rated the easiest hole on the course. Indeed, the only players likely to have a problem are those subject to that occasional and dreaded affliction as the club head descends to meet the ball, a curse it is best not to mentioned when golfers gather, but it has five letters and best identified only as s---k. If that happens it is wise not go looking for the ball. It is a big drop.

The 11th is the first par five, with rough right and left off the tee, bunkers left, narrow fairway, more bunkers, out of bounds and at 535 yards off the yellow tee, Frodsham’s second longest hole.

Two par fours and a three follow before the 16th, stroke index one and the graveyard of many high hopes.

The challenge is to avoid the ravine on the left, sloping land, which continues towards the green and where the ball can be gathered, carried away. The tee shot must be hit right but carefully placed there to avoid the big tree, which will block the second shot to the green.

The 17th is a par three and the finish is the longest hole, 558 yards with the green beyond the pond, which guards this, as the first.

Frodsham is remembered for a great golf day, overall an attractive layout with many superbly designed holes which reward the thoughtfully planned attack.

The special holes are the 16th with the great gully and the water challenge on the first and eighth holes.

If the day goes well, you will look forward to a return to Frodsham. It has all the usual facilities to enjoy your time on and off the course.

If, alas, these are times when your game does happen to be going backwards, you have read the books, had the lessons then here club professional Graham Tonge has a great reputation, offering a personal service in making and fitting clubs.

Details of the club are available from 01928 732159 or www.frodshamgolf.co.uk

Green fees are £42 weekdays and weekends, subject to availability Also two-for-one vouchers are accepted. Contact paulw@frodshamgolf for booking details. Buggy and trolley hire are available.

Overall verdict

A great golf creation and getting even better as it continues to mature.