Walton Heath (Old)

The viciousness of the 5th green isn't evident this far out, but its beauty is - one of the major strengths of Walton Heath is how well the greens fit their locations 

The par four 10th's green is expertly sited. It's said Fowler first perused the property on horseback. This site seems so natural for a green now it's hard to imagine even his mount didn't pick it when they happened upon it, but like most things, the masters surely make it seem much easier than it is
 

The 11th continues the fun, complete with a sucker pin that scares you to look at, but is just tempting enough that you might take dead aim 

Having made a par up 15 into a gale, then reached the 16th in two before two-putting for birdie, I dropped my ball in the 17th tee and flushed a seven iron close and rolled in the putt. On a course such as Walton Heath, the thrill of play like that is amplified
 

Course name: Walton Heath (Old)
 Location: Tadworth, Surrey
 Four Word Course Review: Consistent, thrilling, beautiful, brutal
 

I have never seen anything quite like Walton Heath. An inland course so open and inviting, but with a sea of heather separating the holes, defining the corridors and providing immense beauty at the same time.

After opening with a relatively pedestrian long par three, play moves across the road to the main paddock where the other 35 of the club's holes are located. The next five holes are all par fours, but the variety ensures they don't blend in. From the 235 yards that separate tee and green at the 3rd to the tour de force of the 4th and cunning beauty and frighteningly-difficult green of the 5th, each has a personality all its own. Holes swing right and left, play straight, head uphill and cascade down.

The cunning continues at the par three 7th, where deep grass bunkers hide short left in what seems to be a good place to bounce your shot in, before the 8th tempts you with a birdie chance, but utilises OOB left to keep you from playing completely without a care.

The 9th heads back downhill, bending left to a green so natural in its placement it looks to have been there for centuries, before the dogleg is reversed, but MO retained at the 10th - a two-shotter to one of the most gorgeous spots on the course.

Deep bunkers make the 189-yard 11th a knee-knocker, but the 12th is a mere drive and pitch.

The course gives, the course takes away. I think that really grabbed me in. Walton Heath Old let you score well with smart play, but it also dictates terms at times, testing your patience. There are plenty of chances to be aggressive and make birdies, but just as many shots that are best played on percentages. The challenge at times was working out which was which!

Back-to-back par fives at 13 and 14 were good holes without really standing out, but they serve to get the golfer to some of the best terrain on the course.

The flow of the holes felt to me that it was superior to that of any other course I have set foot on. They varied consistantly in length and shot shape, in bearing to the wind and in width. You were constantly assessing what was called for and what strategy was wise, as the questions being asked changed so often.

The great courses, the truly top-notch ones, continue to evoke a feeling in my chest that sets them apart from even the very, very good ones. I can't yet provide an explanation for what that feeling is, so I guess I'll just have to keep playing great golf courses until I work it out!