The Berkshire (Blue)

The 9th is one of the best short par fours on a property full of good ones

The rugged 13th has some of the best bunkering on the course

The home hole sums up the stern test of The Blue

Course name: The Berkshire (Blue)
Location: Ascot, Berkshire, England
Four Word Course Review: Inconsistency sets it back

The Blue course is the "lesser" course at The Berkshire in much the same way that Mark was the lesser Waugh twin or George Harrison was The Beatles' lesser songwriter: The greatness is undoubtedly there, but when all is said and done they don't quite measure up to the magnitude or consistency of some pretty magnificent competition.

In truth, the two or three best holes at The Berkshire might be on The Blue. But so too are the two or three most plain holes. The cohesion just isn't there, with flat spots at 3, 8 and 10.

Despite the last of those three starting the run home, the back nine of The Blue is probably the best nine on the property, with the 11th a brilliant flat ground par five and 12-14 making brilliant use of a large ridge, the first of the three with a stunning two-tier green that's higher at the front, before a sidehill par three reminiscent of a couple at Royal Wimbledon and a short par four with a blind drive. Two of The Berkshire's oft seen "downhill teeshot, uphill approach" par fours stand out at the end of the round, the 16th and 18th.

Getting you to that golden run are some very good holes on the front nine, including a difficult par three opener over a sea of heather, the downhill 344-yard 2nd with a tricky front-to-back green, classic heathland one-shot 4th and brilliant 310-yard 9th - yet another great short par four, of which The Berkshire has many across its 36 holes.

What's great about The Blue is the way it differs from The Red, playing tighter on the drive and featuring some more dramatic shots and greens. It is also a tougher test, featuring many stern par fours on the way home to test your ballstriking. Both courses have their own character and when it comes to 36-hole clubs, that's essential to avoid one course being a poor man's version of the other.

The Berkshire also deserves a shout out for its lunch and showers - both among the best I have experienced in my travels!