Championship Course

Pro's Tip:
The closing hole is a straightaway par 4, which unfolds gently uphill from tee to green. Once past the bunkers the final test is to leave a  manageable putt from your approach. A spectacular waterfall provides the backdrop to the final green, which features two dramatic tiers. We hope you’ve enjoyed your round at Macdonald Portal Championship Golf Course and we look forward to welcoming you back.

Pro's Tip:
Playing from the yellow tees, the first hole at Macdonald Portal Championship Course eases you into your round, with a welcoming fairway and plenty of room to the left. Take your driver and fly the bunkers. It's a very different hole from the competition tees, however - those innocuous-looking bunkers are now very much in play.

Pro's Tip:
The lull before the storm and a chance to collect a birdie before the Championship Course really starts flexing its muscles. The fairway gently rolls away from you from the tee and is shaped to gather errant shots - catch the down slope and watch the ball saunter towards to the green. Eagles are a rare species on any course, but is this your chance to spot one?

Pro's Tip:
A spectacular aerial view awaits you from the tee of this epic par 5, with a setting that wouldn’t look out of place at Augusta’s Amen Corner. Pray that your tee shot lands on the ribbon of fairway stretching out beneath you so you can take on the apex of the dog-leg with your next shot. The green is out of reach for most, so a layup is often the best choice.

Pro's Tip:
After taking on the challenges of the long 3rd hole, the Championship Course lives up to its name as it relentlessly throws down the gauntlet with another impressive par 5. Keep your tee shot to the left as this opens up a route to the green. A steep ascent to the target makes this par 5 a genuine 3-shotter.

Pro's Tip:
The first par 3 on the Championship Course is relatively straightforward, with the main threat being a single greenside bunker. The green is deep so club selection is vital, as the distance to the hole can vary greatly depending on where the pin is situated.

Pro's Tip:
From the elevated tee, you are presented with a myriad of options for your first shot. A large tree literally splits the fairway into two, although big hitters may consider driving over the tree as this opens up the landing area considerably.

Pro's Tip:
The marker provides a bearing for this blind tee shot. Over the brow of the hill lurks a network of bunkers on both sides of a fairway that slopes right to left, so consider club selection and positioning carefully to avoid running into trouble.

Pro's Tip:
Centuries ago, this area of land was a battlefield. Today, a tactical approach will pay dividends to securing your par. The fairway falls away sharply to the right after the apex of the dog-leg, so your tee shot needs to be hit with military precision.

Pro's Tip:
A true championship course is designed to test the highest calibre of golfer. Here’s where you can test your metal in a classic risk-and-reward scenario. Take on the dog-leg (and out of bounds) with your drive and you’ll have just a short pitch to the green and a sure chance of birdie.

Pro's Tip:
The back nine starts with an uncharacteristically straightforward par 5 that provides a genuine birdie opportunity. Navigate through no less than eight fairway bunkers for an uphill approach to a reachable green.

Pro's Tip:
Thread your drive between the bunkers and the course boundary to the left, but be wary of the bottleneck fairway that can block your approach. The green is adjacent to The Temple, which marks the highest point of the course and offers panoramic views of the Cheshire plains that are simply breathtaking.

Pro's Tip:
The strategy on this hole is how you best manage the contours - the fairway is set on a hillside that runs from tee to the green, next to one of  the estate’s lodge houses. A flatter lie for your approach  can be found on the left side of the fairway, but the course boundary runs perilously close...

Pro's Tip:
The undulations of the Championship Course once again come into play  on this hole. Once past the bunkers, the fairway generously widens. You  want the shortest possible approach with your second - the ideal shot needs to fly the distance to avoid being collected by the deep greenside traps.

Pro's Tip:
This stunning par 3 is Portal Championship’s signature hole. Its modest yardage belies the challenges that wait, with water both front and back of a classic Mackenzie-style green that features a dramatic tier across its length. Club selection is often the deciding factor between a birdie and a  dip in the water.

Pro's Tip:
Whether you’re playing from the elevated competition tees or yellows, the aim is to get the ball as far down the fairway as possible, so you can use a lofted club for your second. The green is cut tightly behind the pond, so a controlled aerial approach is  needed to remain on the putting surface.

Pro's Tip:
The course is Championship by name and Championship by nature - it has a reputation to live up to, so the final par 3 is fraught with danger. To avoid ruining a good scorecard, you need to pay close attention to the wind, as the wall of evergreen that lines this hole protects you from the swirling wind above.

Pro's Tip:
Although you’re approaching the end of the round, the course continues to test your golf to the maximum. Water comes into play from both sides  of the fairway and there are also fairway bunkers to deal with. Survive this and you’re left with an uphill approach - a par is a great score for any player in this hole.

Pro's Tip:
The closing hole is a straightaway par 4, which unfolds gently uphill from tee to green. Once past the bunkers the final test is to leave a  manageable putt from your approach. A spectacular waterfall provides the backdrop to the final green, which features two dramatic tiers. We hope you’ve enjoyed your round at Macdonald Portal Championship Golf Course and we look forward to welcoming you back.