Burnham and Berrow Channel course, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, England

https://www.burnhamandberrowgolfclub.co.uk/the-channel-course/

Purple tees (men) 2898 yards, par 35, slope 115

Green tees (women) 2572 yards, par 35, slope 116

Lying to the north of Burnham on Sea on the south coast of the Bristol Channel, Burnham and Berrow golf club has two courses - the eighteen hole Championship course and the nine hole Channel course.  The latter, designed by Fred Hawtree and opened in 1977, was made possible by the retreat of the high tideline by about 100 metres after the second world war which opened up land to establish a nine hole golf course and also an area of salt marsh providing habitat for many species.  The Channel course lies on the Bristol Channel side of the Championship course.

The 6th green slopes from back to front

We played the Channel course on a bright and breezy day with a south west wind.  With a classic straight out straight back design, the first four holes head away from the clubhouse.  They are similar in nature  - on flat ground with a ditch running along the left side.  They are remarkable for the absence of bunkers with the first appearing greenside on the par 5 4th.  The 5th hole turns back towards home into the prevailing wind with large dunes on the left over which lies the Championship course.  We were greeted on the tee by a large flock of moorhens and their chicks feeding on the fairway.  The 6th is a lovely par 4 in the valley between the dunes leading up to a green which slopes from back to front.  The 7th tee has a good view of the Bristol channel and of the hole which is a dog leg from left to right with the green tucked behind a large dune on the right.  First time players should beware as the line for the drive is not the lighthouse - aim further left!  There are views of the water again from the high tee of the par 3 8th where an accurate shot is needed to the plateau green surrounded by swales.  The par 4 finishing hole has a long carry from the back tee and a high green cut into side of a dune on the left.

The 7th green is partly hidden by a large dune

Worth playing?  Yes - a good introduction to the big course.