FOR many golfers, playing a round at Swinley Forest, one of the most exclusive clubs in the world, is a lifetime ambition.

Due to an extremely fortuitous family connection, I got the opportunity to play this incredible course a couple of weeks ago – and it really was a remarkable experience.

There’s almost a sense of magic about the place, with giant trees framing the holes while an abundance of heather gives the whole course a purple tinge and crowns the bunkers.

I got off to a solid start but a horrible shanked tee-shot into the heather cost me a six at the par-three fourth.

However, despair was quickly followed by joy at the next hole, a par-five. I somehow managed to hit a straight drive, while a crisp seven-iron took me over a deep ditch to set up a 70-yard pitch. A three-quarter sand wedge found the green about 10 feet from the cup and I sunk the putt for a rare birdie.

Inspired by this, I made bogeys at the next two, while a par three at the eighth saw me retain the honour for a fourth hole, much to the mirth of my playing partners, Steve, my brother-in-law, and his cousin Kirk.

I made a mess of the ninth, taking a triple-bogey seven, but I was out in 45 and on course to break 90 for the first time.

I even managed a sand save par at the short 10th – but it all fell apart at the 13th.

Unlike most of the courses I play, Swinley Forest doesn’t allow you to get away with poor tee-shots on par-three holes, with heather gathering any ball duffed short. I fell victim to this and ended up hacking around in the thick stuff for several shots, eventually taking a five-over-par score of eight.

Two trips to the bunker meant another snowman followed at the par-four 15th, while there was a further nightmare in store at 17.

Considered to be one of the best par-three holes anywhere, you play to what is described as a ‘pulpit green’, probably because you hit your ball and start praying.

Mine were not answered as I found a bunker several feet below the green. Worried about failing to get out, I didn’t take enough sand and my ball bounced over the green and down a gully. It took me three to get back and I did well to save a seven.

A decent bogey at the last meant I finished on a high, carding a respectable round of 98 and beating Steve by three shots – but I’ll always wonder what could have been.

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