GRIMSBY is a mature, undulating parkland course. Designed by the legendary Harry S Colt. It is not particularly long at 6,057 yards, but it is demanding and a good test of golf.
The greens are fast and not particularly large with many subtle borrows.
Players tee-off on a 380-yard par four which is tree-lined with a hidden ditch running across the fairway 100 yards from the green. The approach is on an upslope and the green is protected by bunkers.
The second at 177-yards is the first of the par three feature holes. From the elevated tee the shot is struck over the pond to the elevated green which is well protected by three bunkers. The green is tricky with large slopes and borrows.
The third is a 308-yard par four with tree plantations on either side of the narrow fairway.
The fourth is a 508-yard par five, slightly doglegged left. The ‘elephant trap’ to the right of the fairway on the elbow catches many players on their second shot. The green approach is downhill with a sand trap to the side where the ball runs through from a right-handed approach.
The fifth is a 425-yard par four doglegged right hole. The narrow and tree-lined fairway deservedly make this stroke index two.
The sixth is a 143-yard par three with carry all the way from an elevated tee to an elevated green, protected by five bunkers.
The seventh is a short uphill 300-yard par four. Approximately 200 yards from the tee to the left of the fairway is a grassed ravine to catch stray tee shots. The green runs away making the second shot difficult to hold.
Hole eight is a doglegged left 493-yard par five with the out-of-bounds road to the left running the full length. A well-positioned tee shot allows the green to be made in two to set up a birdie.

A long, 246 yard par three completes the outward half. It has trees and a bunker to catch wayward tee shots. Most players play it as a par four.

The 10th provides an alternative starting point and is a 371-yard par four. The fairway is narrow and protected by trees in strategic areas.
The 11th is the longest of the par fours at 458-yards. Once again there are tree plantations at strategic locations along both sides of the fairway. Four bunkers protect the approach to the green. The green is one of the larger greens and has a depth of 29 yards, making four feel like a birdie.

The 12th is a tricky par four. It is 339-yards in length and doglegged left. Driving accuracy is important here as too far to the left of the fairway gives a blind shot to the green. Too far to the right and the ball is in the trees. The green is approached over a ditch running immediately in front of the green making it difficult to punch a low approach shot out of the trees. The narrow green is on two levels.

Hole 13 is another of the magnificent par threes. From an elevated tee the shot is over a section of the lake to an elevated green some 173 yards away. There is a bunker immediately to the front of the green to catch short tee shots. A high shot is required to hold the narrow green.

Tee shot accuracy is needed on hole 14, a dogleg left with the lake running to the left hand side of the fairway. The second shot to the green is over water with an uphill approach to the green. Bunkers are strategically placed just short of the green and on the right hand side of the green. A chance for the longer hitter to be rewarded by carrying the lake, leaving a short pitch to the green.

The 15th is the shortest of the par fours at only 290 yards. The tee shot is over a ditch with the edge of the pond around 200 yards from the tee on the left hand side. The elevated green is approached through a narrow fairway with trees on either side and deep pot bunkers either side of the green capture a misjudged second shot. Although the shortest hole, its stroke index is 13.

The 16th is a 354-yard par four stroke index nine. It is tree-lined all the way down the left hand side going around behind the green. To the right of the fairway there is a strategically-placed plantation. There are two bunkers 78 yards short of the green which can catch a long drive, and a further two either side of the front of the green.
Hole 17, a 417-yard par four, is another left-handed dogleg. It is tree-lined all the way down the left hand side of the fairway with a small copse on the right hand side at tee shot distance. A drive up the right will open up the green.
Finally to the 18th which is another short par four of only 303 yards. However, driving accuracy is once again important. The fairway is narrow so too far to the left makes the approach shot to the green tricky. A long tee shot may well find the bunker across the fairway only 48 yards from the green.

DETAILS

Telephone: 01472 342630
Established: 1922
Membership: 650
Professional: Richard Smith
Secretary: Doug McCully
Location: Littlecoates Road, Grimsby.
Type of course: Parkland.
Yardages: White 6,057; yellow 5,948; red 5,534
Par: 70 (ladies 73).
Green fees: Weekday £28. Weekend £38.
Pro record: Campbell Elliott 65.
Amateur record: Richard Armitage 65.
Society details: Societies welcome Monday and Friday
Improvements undertaken or planned: New bunkers around the par threes.
Offers for visitors in winter 2007/8: £20 for golf plus meal.
Ladies champion: Loretta McKinnon.
Men’s champion: Alan Anderson.
Men’s captain: Mick Staples.
Ladies’ captain: Brenda Bird.