Measuring over 400 yards the first hole provides a challenging start to the round.

A long, straight tee shot is required to create the opportunity of hitting the green in two. Your approach shot must be accurately struck to avoid a burn either side of the fairway and greenside bunkers left and right. The green has a relatively uniform slope from back to front.

The five bunkers defending the green are not the only protection for this hole. The long, thin green incorporates a viciously sloping tier about one third of the way up the green making club selection very important.

When the hole is cut beyond the tier you should favour the left side of the green as, due to the slope of the green, this will leave you an easier putt or a better chance of a chip and putt should you miss the green.

A medium length par 4 that is dominated by a strong left to right slope.

The approach to the green is best played from the right side of the fairway. With two bunkers right of the green and a steep slope at the front of the green make sure you have enough club and play far enough left of the hole to allow for the slope on the green.

The right half of the fairway falls towards the out of bounds on the right and with trees bordering either side of the fairway the player is required to produce an accurate tee shot.

Once the fairway is found they must carry a bunker some 20 yards short of the green and be wary of the slope at the front of the green which can kill some approach shots.

The green is defended by four bunkers the first two foreshortening the hole making club selection more difficult.

The best way to approach the green is from the right side of the fairway due to the slope on the green. Though the first quarter of the green slopes towards the player, the rest of the green all runs away and to the right. This should be taken into account with the approach.

This long par 4 this tests both strength and strategy. The first two thirds of the green slope severely from left to right making an approach from the right side of the fairway desirable.

On this hole that is easier said than done since the further right you go the more you flirt with out of bounds and disaster. Favour missing the green right rather than left in order to leave a better chance of chipping and putting.

A classic style par 3 that is tougher and longer than you think, often playing into the prevailing wind.

Favour the longer club to a green that slopes strongly from back to front. Missing the green right offers the best chance of a chip and putt for par.

A medium length par 5 that often offers the player a scoring opportunity. The bunker visible from the tee helps to steer the player on what is a semi blind tee shot.

Play just to the right of this with a well struck tee shot and you will now decide whether to carry or lay-up short of a pair of bunkers crossing the fairway, 115 yards sort of the green. Carrying these will leave a short shot to a green that slopes from back to front with a ridge running up the right hand side.

A long hole that is often into the wind with a narrow green, hole nine provides a challenging finish to the front nine.

Avoiding the bunkers either side of the fairway the player is required to hit long and straight shots in order to create the opportunity of a par. Many would be well advised to play this as a par 5.

A medium length par 4 that dog legs sharply to the right.

Avoid the trees on the right at all costs. The further left the tee shot is placed the more the green opens to the approach. A ridge runs through the centre of a green that is classically defended by three bunkers.

The green slopes left to right so make sure you aim left of the hole.

A long straight par 4 with a well defended green. Trees left and right require a long and straight tee shot but, due to the slopes running through the green, club selection for the approach shot is of paramount importance on this hole.

Hole 12 is possibly the most strategic hole at Ponteland Golf Club. The green is set at an angle, slopes away from the player and is protected on the right side by two bunkers.

The longer or further left your tee shot finishes the better your chance of creating a scoring opportunity. You should avoid the area right of the fairway at all costs and once you reach the green be wary of the slope that will take the ball away towards 13 tee.

A long uphill dogleg left par 5, this is a very challenging hole to most players.

The green slopes strongly from left to right and is best approached from the right side of the fairway as close as you dare to the bunker some 50 yards short of the green. To get to that point the player must negotiate a tree lined sweeping dogleg that is between 400 and 440 yards long.

The green slopes strongly from back to front. Should you over-club on the approach you are likely to face a difficult recovery shot.

A long downhill par 4 with a green that is best approached from the right side of the fairway. Bunkers left and right of the fairway and green are there to punish a mishit tee shot and approach.

The shortest par 3 on the course also has one of the most severely sloping greens, from left to right.

Club selection is really important here. Get this wrong and you will face a long putt with a great deal of break on it. Left of the green must be avoided since there will be little chance of keeping the ball on the green with the next shot.

Hole 16 is the hardest hole on the course. Out of bounds runs up the right side of the hole for its entire length however, there is more room right than you may first think.

The further right the tee shot is placed the easier the second shot will be, avoiding a bunker short and left of the approach to the green. As with hole nine many people would be well advised to play this hole as a par 5

A short par 4 with a beautiful green complex, this is a classic risk reward hole that can be especially exciting in match play.

If you have the ability to carry the bunkers 35 yards short of the green then you may wish to challenge the green with your tee shot however miss in the wrong place and you will face a difficult recovery shot. The long and undulating green offers the hole its main protection so carefully select your club when approaching the green.

A medium length par 5 hole that normally plays into the prevailing wind.

Your drive should favour the left side of the fairway in order to open up the dogleg for the second shot. When laying up be careful to avoid the bunker sixty yards short of a green that slopes from back to front and left to right.