CELTIC MANOR - ROMAN ROAD Less famous than the Wentworth Hills course, Roman Road is both memorable and challenging. It twists through trees and heavy rough, rises and falls through the hills overlooking Newport. At 6,000 yards off the yellow tees, the course is not too long and allows some margin for inaccuracy off the tee but you may lose balls in the deep rough. Even in winter rain and winds the scenery is dramatic. The greens were consistently paced and quite firm despite the rain.

The high handicapper will need to focus their efforts on accuracy as staying on the fairways is vital. Water on features on a couple of holes but there are shots over rough and waste ground. Use the Strokesaver and play sensibly to have an enjoyable, if high scoring, round on this excellent modern course with a quite traditional character.

Holes Of Note:

3rd - two demanding shots on this short downhill par 5.

7th - long tee shot benefits from the downslope on this 401 yard par 4, allowing a wedge to the small two tier green.

10th - Right dogleg par 4, undulations and trees make position vital to open up a multi-tiered green protected by bunkers.

14th - short par 4 where a long tee shot will reduce the amount of lake to be cleared on the approach shot.

15th - attractive but well bunkered par 3 that features a stream.

Recommended Handicap 22

Jon says: "Very good course but no fun in wind and rain."	Steve says: "-"