Golf
at Yelverton has been played
since around the turn of the century.
Originally a 9 hole layout on the
clubhouse side of the A386, the course has altered many
times since those original days.
The setting is truly stunning, set high
on the edge of Dartmoor, 600ft. above
sea level. The panoramic views of the
dramatic countryside rival Gleneagles
for beauty.
Even if the golf is tough you'll feel
invigorated after a round on this most
natural of courses.
The present layout bears many similarities
with Walton Heath, with whom it shares
the architect Herbert Fowler, and many
of the Surrey heathland courses. Where
it differs is its lack of trees which
struggle to survive high up on Dartmoor,
unlike its Surrey cousins; gorse and
heather that line the fairways more than
make up for the lack trees.
The course is a challenge to even the
finest players; not long by modern standards,
the course still manages to test every
club in the bag, especially in winter
when the course often plays its best.
The greens are normally fast running and
firm, testing players skill and judgment
to the full. The layout rewards bold play
and is not for the faint hearted, with
long carries to both fairways and greens.
It is also a thinking mans course with
trouble seemingly everywhere, especially
near the end of a good round. If you beat
your handicap at Yelverton you will have
played well.
Hole
1
• 207 yds
•
202 yds
Par
3
SI:
8
•
181 yds
Par
3
SI:
14
A
long and difficult Par 3 where wind
direction is crucial to club selection.
The ball tends to kick right if landed
short of the green. Par is an excellent
start. The course's only flat green.
Hole
2
• 423
yds
• 418 yds
Par
4
SI:
4
• 385 yds
Par 4
SI:
2
Another hole where par
is a good score. A solid drive is a
must. Take one more club on the second
shot as all the trouble is in front
of the green.
Hole
3
•
282 yds
• 255 yds
Par
4
SI:
16
• 240 yds
Par 4
SI:
16
This can be a birdie
chance if thought out carefully. Everything
kicks sharply right on entering the
green. Take great care putting if you
are above the hole.
Hole
4
•
320 yds
• 314 yds
Par
4
SI:
14
• 309 yds
Par 4
SI:
10
A short par 4 that requires
good judgement. For safety, aim slightly
left off the tee. A running second shot
is often the best option into the double
level green.
Hole
5
• 476
yds
• 476 yds
Par
5
SI:
10
• 440 yds
Par 5
SI:
6
A good chance to pick
up a shot for the longer hitters. Carry
the ridge in two to set up a birdie
chance. Again, a running pitch is often
the best approach into this large green.
Hole
6
•
142 yds
• 127 yds
Par
3
SI:
18
• 129 yds
Par
3
SI:
18
A larger target than
it appears from the tee. Take one more
club if there is any wind against. Take
care on this green which has some subtle
burrows.
Hole
7
•
436 yds
• 436 yds
Par
4
SI:
2
• 399 yds
Par 5
SI:
8
A great par 4. Only the longest
hitters should aim to carry the
fairway bunker. Take plenty of club
with your approach as most shots come
up short. The green is very fast from
back to front.
Hole
8
• 569
yds
• 571 yds
Par
5
SI:
6
• 501 yds
Par 5
SI:
4
A true par 5 that requires care and
judgement. In summer conditions lay
up short of leat. The approach shot
breaks right and requires good touch
to get close.
Hole
9
• 289
yds
• 289 yds
Par
4
SI:
12
• 264 yds
Par 4
SI:
12
Accuracy is the key here. A well placed
tee shot leaves a delicate short iron
shot. Most players often underclub.
'Be up' and take care with your putt.
Hole
10
•
420 yds
• 410 yds
Par
4
SI:
5
• 372 yds
Par 4
SI:
1
The start of a tough stretch of holes.
The fairway slopes sharply right so
aim carefully from the tee. The second
shot should again be played slightly
left of the pin. Study your putt from
below the hole on this very tough green.
Hole
11
•
481 yds
• 416 yds
Par
5/4
SI:
7
• 399 yds
Par 5
SI:
13
The line off the tee is left half of
the fairway leaving a long uphill approach.
I've been short with the approach shot
more times than I care to remember.
Again, aim slight left of the pin and
take one more club.
Hole
12
•
179 yds
• 167 yds
Par
3
SI:
17
• 156 yds
Par
3
SI:
17
A great par 3 with most of the trouble
short and right. Take one more club as
the bank at the back saves most shots.
Hole
13
•
444 yds
• 437 yds
Par
4
SI:
1
• 327 yds
Par 4
SI:
3
One of the toughest par 4's in Devon.
Most players should play this hole as
a par 5. If you're long enough aim slightly
left off the tee then take enough club
as all the trouble is short of this
fast running green.
Hole
14
•
347 yds
• 329 yds
Par
4
SI:
11
• 294 yds
Par 4
SI:
15
A danger hole! Short in yards but very
awkward. Most players should play safely
from the tee then play with care to
a green that runs away from you. For
the brave aim over the large tree and
don't hook.
Hole
15
•
336 yds
• 325 yds
Par
4
SI:
15
• 296 yds
Par 4
SI:
9
A deceptively difficult hole. The tee
shot tends to run to the right. There
is more room up the left than there
appears. Try to leave an uphill putt
on the courses toughest green.
Hole
16
•
428 yds
• 412 yds
Par
4
SI:
3
• 406 yds
Par 5
SI:
7
A real death or glory hole!! Again,
most players should think of 16 as a
3 shot hole. Aim the tee shot between
the tree and the marker post. Leaving
a long carry over serious trouble short
and left.
Hole
17
• 188
yds
• 188 yds
Par
3
SI:
13
• 183 yds
Par
3
SI:
11
A very tough par 3. Anything short kicks
to the left so take plenty of club.
The bank at the back helps so be bold.
Hole
18
• 384
yds
• 338 yds
Par
4
SI:
9
• 324 yds
Par 4
SI:
5
A good drive helps a lot here as the
second shot is all carry. No prizes for being
short here. Aim slightly left off the
tee and take one more club on your approach.
