HOLE-BY-HOLE GUIDE TO HOYLAKE

Out			In
Hole	Par	Yards	Hole	Par	Yards
1	4	454	10	5	534
2	4	436	11	4	393
3	4	429	12	4	448
4	4	372	13	3	198
5	5	528	14	4	456
6	3	202	15	3	161
7	4	453	16	5	554
8	4	423	17	4	459
9	3	196	18	5	558
Total	35	3735	Total	37	3763
				72	7258

1st (Royal), 454 yards, par 4: Actually the 17th hole for the members, the 1st is named after the Royal Hotel which was used as the clubhouse from 1869. A drive down the right-hand side of the fairway will give a good view of the new green, which has been moved away from the road which runs alongside. The three bunkers short of the green will only come into play in the event of a bad drive caught up in heavy rough.

2nd (Stand), 436 yards, par 4: A number of fairway bunkers and out of bounds to the left mean a straight drive is essential here, to leave a mid to short iron into another new green which is undulating and well protected by bunkers. Any approach missing the green will leave a tricky recovery.

3rd (Course), 429 yards, par 4: Normally the 1st at Hoylake, and a daunting prospect even for the professionals. Out of bounds runs along the length of the hole to the right, and anything pulled sharply left is heading for the clubhouse. Even after a good drive to the corner of the sharp dogleg right the players will again flirt with the out of bounds if the flag is on the right of the green.

4th (Road), 372 yards, par 4: Something of a respite after the previous hole, although fairway bunkers lurk to catch any slightly wayward tee shots. The bigger hitters may be tempted to try to get as close to the green as possible, but with the putting surface falling away from front to back, a longer shot with more spin may be a better option.

5th (Long), 528 yards, par 5: The only par five on the front nine, and a good birdie chance if the drive avoids the gorse to the left and two fairway bunkers to the right. Another new green awaits and slopes severely from back to front, a ball on the wrong level will present a significant challenge simply to two-putt for birdie or par.

6th (New), 202 yards, par 3: Usually played into a crosswind which makes accuracy and club selection paramount. Missing the elevated green on either side leaves a tricky recovery; the best approach is to aim to the right-hand side of the green and allow the natural contours to sweep the ball back towards the hole.

7th (Telegraph), 453 yards, par 4: Playing from an elevated tee, the bigger hitters will be able to carry the fairway bunkers but that will bring the gorse into play on the left. The green is at a slight angle to the fairway and at some 35 yards deep places a premium on picking the right club for the second shot.

8th (Briars), 423 yards, par 4: An old orchard tight to the left-hand side of the fairway is out of bounds, and any player taking too safe a line to the right will end up in thick rough and gorse bushes. Find the wide fairway however and a straightforward iron awaits to the green.

9th (Dowie), 196 yards, par 3: A relatively simple par three, but requiring a long iron if played into the wind. Only two bunkers protect the front of the green but anything fractionally off line will be thrown into the swales on either side of the green which will make for a tricky chip and putt.

10th (Far), 534 yards, par 5: Not far by modern standards, the 10th will provide a good birdie opportunity although out of bounds again lurks on the left-hand side. Just one bunker guards the elevated green but it is very deep and will gather any shot not purely struck to the heart of the green.

11th (Punch Bowl), 393 yards, par 4: Offering stunning views of the Dee estuary and Welsh hills, the 11th could also see some spectacular golf. If the wind is behind and the ground firm, big hitters could be tempted into trying to drive the green, which slopes from front to back.

12th (Dee), 448 yards, par 4: A dogleg left which plays longer than its yardage. The fairway slopes from left to right towards a collection of fairway bunkers, while the second shot must be well struck to carry all the way to the flag on the elevated green.

13th (Alps), 198 yards, par 3: A new tee creates a slight angle to the hole, but a good birdie chance if played downwind. Just one bunker guards the front right portion of the green.

14th (Hilbre), 456 yards, par 4: Another tough dogleg with a total of six bunkers surrounding the landing area for all but the longest hitters. As with the 12th, the second shot plays longer than expected to an elevated green, while anything short will be swept into a deep hollow to the right of the green.

15th (Rushes), 161 yards, par 3: Comfortably the shortest hole on the course, but not an easy prospect. Out of bounds to the left should not come into play, but the long, narrow green is guarded by five deep bunkers which will make saving par far from an easy task.

16th (Field), 554 yards, par 5: A straightforward par five which will offer a good birdie chance, especially if the drive negotiates four fairway bunkers on the left-hand side. However, anyone coming up against the face of the deep greenside bunker will have no choice but to play out backwards.

17th (Lake), 459 yards, par 4: Back into the prevailing wind, the 17th will need two good blows to get on the green in regulation. The two-tiered putting surface is 40 yards deep so a poor approach could lead to three putts.

18th (Dun), 558 yards, par 5: A daunting closing hole, which features an internal out of bounds all along the right-hand side. In 1967 - when the hole was still the 16th - Roberto de Vicenzo played his second shot out over the practice ground and drew it back into the heart of the green to seal victory. Those of a less fearless disposition will play safely to the left off the tee and with their approach, leaving a pitch to the narrow green.