The Blue Course is the third of Cumberwell Park’s nine-hole courses and has a very different feel from Red and Yellow.
Water is a major part of the course, with several holes bringing lakes, ponds and streams into play. Cumberwell describes Blue as having “wonderful water features that provide many challenges”, which is a fair description.
The Blue Course opened in 1999 and added another nine holes to Cumberwell’s original Red and Yellow courses.
I’ve played these holes over the years and, as with the other Cumberwell courses, I’m interested in how the different tees and changing conditions affect the decisions you have to make.
Play the Blue Course Hole by Hole
Hole 19 Par 5
The opening hole on Blue is a substantial dogleg with an impressive collection of bunkers.
Two of the ten bunkers are positioned around the area where you need to place your drive, so the tee shot demands some thought.
Longer hitters can consider taking on the corner to set up a long second towards the green, which sits with the lake behind it.
Whatever route you choose, the priority is getting far enough down the hole to give yourself a proper view of the next shot.
Hole 20 Par 4
The 20th starts with one of the more intimidating tee shots at Cumberwell, with the lake immediately influencing the line you want to take.
A long and accurate drive makes the second shot considerably easier, but the approach still has to negotiate a rolling green protected by some substantial bunkering on the right.
From the back tees particularly, this is a demanding hole from start to finish. I have to say, though, I prefer the hole from the Green tees.
Hole 21 Par 4
A short par 4 with several ways to play it.
The cautious option is to take an iron from the tee, but that leaves a longer second and brings the large greenside bunker and trees into play.
The more aggressive line uses a long iron or fairway wood towards the poplar trees and closer to the pond. That can leave a much easier pitch and a genuine birdie opportunity. Don’t leave yourself too far back, though, or the trees in front of the green can block you out and leave a blind approach.
It’s a good example of a hole where the safest-looking tee shot isn’t necessarily the easiest way to play the hole.
Hole 22 Par 4
Another excellent driving hole where taking on the left side can pay off.
The contours can bring a well-struck drive back towards the fairway, but pulling it too far left brings an old hedge into play.
I usually hit 3-wood and try to leave myself at the top of the hill. From there, I’m normally left with little more than a wedge into the green.
The shot into the green can look straightforward, but the severe slopes mean that distance control becomes just as important once you’re close to the hole.
Hole 23 Par 4
The large poplar tree in the distance provides a useful aiming point, but the drive needs to be both long and accurate.
There are three hidden bunkers protecting the right side for anyone trying to cut the corner, while wetlands on the left provide another reason not to get too ambitious.
It’s a hole where finding the right part of the fairway makes the approach considerably more straightforward.
I’ve experimented quite a bit on this hole, especially when the ground is firm. At the moment I’m hitting 3-iron to make sure I find the fairway and accepting the longer approach shot. So far, it’s working.
Hole 24 Par 3
A particularly picturesque par 3 played across a lake, with a brook running to the left.
The hole can be anything from a wedge to a three iron depending on the tees, so club selection is critical.
There may be plenty to look at from the tee, but the water quickly becomes the only thing that matters if you’re short.
Hole 25 Par 4
Another strong driving hole, with the temptation to cut the corner from the tee.
A controlled drive down the middle leaves you with a better chance of having a clear view and a sensible approach.
The green itself is relatively flat, so getting into position off the tee is the main challenge.
Hole 26 Par 3
This is one of Blue’s memorable risk-and-reward holes.
When the pin is positioned towards the left, the temptation is to challenge the lake for a better chance of getting close. Bail out too far right and you can be left with a very long putt.
From the back tees in particular, it’s a demanding shot where anything less than a committed strike can quickly find the water. Off the back tees, I think this might be my favourite hole of golf in Wiltshire.
It’s also one of those holes where a par feels considerably better once you’ve walked off the green.
Hole 27 Par 5
On paper, the closing hole is a relatively short par 5.
In reality, the uphill layout, prevailing wind and narrow landing area between the bunkers make it much more demanding.
The second shot is also uphill towards a large, well-protected green, so getting the ball far enough up the hole is important.
It might look like a good chance to finish strongly, but it still needs to be played properly.
Before becoming a member, I always remembered this as a really difficult hole. Now I walk onto the tee feeling like I should have a chance of making birdie every time I play it.
Perhaps that’s as much a reflection of how my golf has changed through lessons, practice and club fitting as it is of the hole itself.