Painswick GC

The blind 90m 5th hole, played to a tiny punchbowl green, is one of a kind

A more amazing inland view would be hard to find

Course name: Painswick GC

Location: Painswick, Gloucestershire

Four Word Course Review: Quirk at its best

I never thought I would play a course with a 220m par four, a blind 90m par three and a par four with the drive played over a four-way road intersection - not to mention nine crossovers or shared fairways - and describe it as a must-see. But there you go, life's full of surprises.

Painswick was the site of an Iron Age quarry and fort. The opening five holes see you climb up to Painswick Beacon, playing over and alongside the quarry the whole way. At the 5th, you hit a wedge over a high ridge to a punchbowl green!

From there the course heads back down the hill, criss-crossing holes played peviously five times and utilising the same fairways - albeit played in opposite directions - at the 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 14th and 15th. It comes in at less than 4900 yards and has a par of 67 (SSS is 62), but you'll struggle to find a golf course with more fun shots, that puts a beaming smile on your face and takes as much out of your legs in such a short distance.

It's a once in a lifetime experience, as is the experience of standing atop Painswick Beacon, behind the 6th tee, which offers views all the way to Wales on a clear day.