A Hackers Guide To Royal Ascot - Hole 7 (Water Meadow)

Having survived the opening third of our round we move onto the seventh hole. This is 398 yard par four off the whites and is stroke index two. It poses a big question off the tee. There is a ditch that runs across the fairway 240 yards away and the landing area over it tapers and narrows considerably. Going for it leaves only a short iron in but it is a risk. Even if you opt to lay up short of the ditch, the tee shot is fraught with danger. There is a large oak tree to the left of the hole by the ditch and so anything pulled left or hit with a draw will be blocked out and the approach to the green made significantly harder. If you aim too far right there is a tree in the right hand rough and short that can come into play and again there is a large tree to the right edge of the ditch. If you go too far across the second shot then has to be played low to avoid the branches and you are then playing towards the environmental area and out of bounds.

I have to say I don't think it is a particularly well designed hole, especially for the difficulty. It penalises the longer hitters with the narrow landing area, and forcing a lot of players to lay up takes the green out of play for many. Personally I'd like to see the ditch covered over for balls to land on. The drive is still tight enough to make it a tricky shot but would reward you if you played it well.

The clubs website describes playing the hole as:
"Plays the second hardest hole on the course. Don’t be tempted to carry the water hazard from the tee, the landing area is minute. Take a club from the tee that you hit 200 yards and play it down right side of fairway, this will save having to carry the large oak on the left with your second. The approach shot is uphill to a green facing you, play a running shot in aiming at right side of green, it will feed towards the centre."

Having got the ball into play, the environmental area (we crossed it playing the third) which runs down the left hand side from the ditch until about forty yards short of the green shouldn't come into play. If you've pulled your shot left you may need to flirt with it and the large oak if you feel brave enough to take the green on. Playing from the ideal lay up spot, the second shot is about 180 yards but plays shorter as the ground in front of the green is usually firm and the ball will release and run forward.



Thread your shot between the two large trees

 The green is protected by a large deep bunker short and left and another to the right of the putting surface. The green itself slopes from front to back and from right to left and is another than needs due care and attention. With the slope and shape, aim for the right edge and let the ball feed in. In the summer the best method is to low running shot, pitching it short and allowing it to roll out. In wetter conditions, it is much easier to throw the ball in higher and let the slope help the ball to stop.

The view from the left hand side of the green

Having made the putting surface, this is another green that you happily take two putts on and move on. It is all about judging the speed and the break and if you are beyond the hole putting back down the slope it can be very difficult to stop the ball close.

I've had my shares of ups and downs here. I managed to hook my tee shot onto the third fairway which runs parallel to the hole in one of the Saturday morning roll ups. With nothing on the game apart from the usually £2 per man in the kitty I decided to take the shot on. This meant flying the environmental area to the left of the hole and trying to land it short enough for it to roll out and hold the green. I pulled my hybrid for the shot and caught it perfectly. It flew the danger and with a hint of draw found the entrance to the putting surface. It was executed it to perfection finishing no more than ten feet away for a routine par. Seve esque.

A green to be respected

Of course there have been disasters too. A lot have involved trying to play over or around the big tree to the left of the fairway having overcooked the tee shot. If the ball hits the tree the usual result is it bouncing out of bounds into the environmental area or dropping into the ditch. I had a nightmare here as recently as last week in my club match versus Oxford City. Having gone too far left as usual, I took the safe play and played over the tree to the right hand side. I was receiving a shot too so was in prime position. From less than 80 yards I managed to miss the green completely and stuffed it in the bunker to the right. A pitiful escape just got the ball out. I chipped on and two putted but the damage was done and the hole was lost.

And there you have it. It's all about the tee shot really. Get it right and it is a simple hole but get out of position and it is very easy to rack up a big number. Not my favourite hole on the course as I've said as it is harder playing a three wood or driver off the tee to take on the ditch rather than a long iron or hybrid for position and then facing a shot of nearly 200 yards. On the plus side it usually plays down the prevailing wind. It is a hole to be endured rather than enjoyed. Hopefully we've got through it with the card intact and it's off to the next.