The ninth hole of the West Garside Golf Club is a tricky par 4. From the tee the fairway slopes down and then takes a dog leg to the right, with a clutch of bunkers to the left to punish an over enthusiastic drive. Best to take a 3 iron off the tee rather than a driver. The bold or foolish can try to drive over the trees to the right and so cut out the corner of the dog leg, but as Doug Smith, the club professional, advised all but the very best of players, don’t. That way lies heartache and lost balls.
With the wind behind you, the ninth hole can be reached in three; a good second shot can get you onto the green in three for a par 4 putt. But when the wind veers around and blows from the north, it is altogether different. It becomes very tricky to make par, and a bogey or even a double b
