The course - How you play the course

Grand National Golf Course

Hole 1 – Lottery Par 5 Stroke Index 3

Red Tees	417
Yellow Tees	546
White Tees	555

At 555 yards from the white tees, it can be a tough start to your round. The road along side the left hand edge of the rough is out of bounds, plantations left and right of the fairway will catch any hooks or slices, so accuracy is key. The fairway narrows at 180 yards from the green, which can leave you with a difficult lie, so it is advisable to lay up short. There are bunkers either side of the green to catch any wayward shots.

Hole 2 – Little Charlie Par 3 Stroke Index 7

Red Tees	180
Yellow Tees	196
White Tees	204

This hole is a relatively straight forward par 3 with a bunker guarding the front right hand side of the green.

Hole 3 – Ben Nevis Par 4 Stroke Index 1

Red Tees	407
Yellow Tees	443
White Tees	451

This hole carries a unique hazard across the middle of the fairway at 145 yards from the green. A replica Grand National fence has been constructed with a water hazard in front of it. Like the majority of the par 4’s at Aintree, it will take 2 long shots to reach the green.

Hole 4 – Foinavon Par 3 Stroke Index 9

Red Tees	123
Yellow Tees	139
White Tees	148

The shortest hole on course, but it can still prove difficult when the wind is blowing. From the tee, you get the opportunity to play over the world famous Bechers Brook, which runs along side the 4th hole.

Hole 5 – Double Chance Par 4 Stroke Index 5

Red Tees	234
Yellow Tees	254
White Tees	262

This is the easiest of the par 4’s where birdies are achievable. Your tee shot will take you back over Bechers Brook, a lake guards the front of a narrow green, so a decision needs to be made whether to go for the green or lay up on the left hand side. The green slopes towards the pond, which can make it difficult if you overshoot the green and are playing your next shot towards the lake.

Hole 6 – Sunloch Par 3 Stroke Index 8

Red Tees	158
Yellow Tees	195
White Tees	207

The lake comes into play on this fairly long par 3. Bechers Brook runs along the back of a wide but narrow green which will catch any balls that are over hit.

Hole 7 – Disturbance Par 4 Stroke Index 2

Red Tees	351
Yellow Tees	443
White Tees	451

With the plantations now maturing, this hole has become more difficult over the years. From the tee, you need to be aiming for the left hand side of the fairway in order to open up the green. There is a narrow landing area for the average golfer, with a long 2nd shot need to reach the green. There is an open ditch running across the middle of the fairway at 150 yards from the green. There are four small pot bunkers as well as two large dense plantations on either side of the green.

Hole 8 – Wanderer Par 5/4 Stroke Index 4

Red Tees	426
Yellow Tees	448
White Tees	484

This hole actually becomes easier off the white tees due to the fact that it becomes a par 5. There is a slight dog leg to the right 200 yards from the green. The green is protected by a deep bunker on the left hand side and a bunker on the front right hand side of the green.

Hole 9 – Last Suspect Par 5 Stroke Index 6

Red Tees	423
Yellow Tees	536
White Tees	550

The last hole can prove to be difficult, as the wind nearly always seems to be against you when you are on the tee. From the tee you have a clear view of the Grandstands on the Racecourse. The average golfer would need to have 3 really good strikes in order to reach in the green in 3.