Burnham & Berrow (Channel)

Playing up a dune valley to a tiered green, the two-shot 6th may be the toughest to par on the course

The short 8th has a tiny green with wild undulations both within it and surrounding it

Course name: Burnham & Berrow (Channel)
Location: Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
Four Word Course Review: Tale of two halves

The Channel course is not a "second course" in the same way The Berkshire (Blue) or the New courses at either Sunningdale and Walton Heath are, this is village golf aimed at less serious players and beginners.

That said, there is some great golf on offer, played over land that is, at its best, the equal of anything on the main course.

After a pedestrian start with rushes hugging the left side of the first three holes comes a solid par five with a similar low-profile green to those found on the two par fives on the front nine of the main course.

Driveable par fours at the 5th and 9th are both packed with strategic options, while the 6th and 7th are difficult longer two-shotters running up an undulating valley between the dunes to deceiving greens.

The 8th is the shortest hole on the property, requiring a wedge for most, but the green is tiny and wildly contoured.

Each hole has two sets of tees to allow 18 holes to be played with some variety, but for mine this is best used as a loosener before you do battle with the main course.

There are strong similarities between the two courses: both out-and-back routings, both mix wild dunes with flatter ground, both are light on for bunkers and both boast some brilliant green complexes. So the skills you pick up honing your game here will come in handy on the Championship course.