Three Locks Golf Course offers a wide variety of holes all with fantastic views of the local area where finesse, accuracy and correct positioning of the ball will be rewarded. Players trying to overpower the course will very likely be heavily penalised.
Built alongside the Grand Union Canal with the River Ouzel weaving its way through the course, it’s not surprising there are many natural water hazards that come into play testing the nerves of all standards of golfer.
The River Ouzel is in play on five holes with the approach shots on the 7th and 15th greens requiring correct yardage judgement and clean striking of the ball to avoid going in amongst the fishes. In addition to the River Ouzel and the Grand Union Canal, lakes, ponds and ditches have all been cleverly incorporated in the course design.
The Three Locks Golf Club is a place that relies on course management.
This is a true golfer’s course!
Why not take a tour of our Front Nine and Back Nine videos where we run through each hole.
Front Nine
Hole 1
A tricky opening hole, with out of bounds on the right, thick conifers on the left and a fairway that slopes to the right, finding the opening fairway is no easy task.
You may need an extra club to reach the raised green in regulation.
With an undulating green walking away from the first hole with a par will feel like a birdie!
Hole 2
Stunning views greet you as you stand on the second tee.
Choose your club carefully because the pin position can alter the length of this hole by 60 yards.
Hole 3
Long hitters run the risk of both water and sand off the tee on the 3rd.
The perfect tee shot would measure 200 yards leaving a mid-iron or pitch to a raised green.
Hole 4
A real test!
The tree is a good line off the tee as the fairway slopes from right to left.
With a good drive you’ll still find yourself with a mid to long iron to the green.
Whatever standard you are a par is a great score on this stroke index one hole.
Hole 5
Dog leg from left to right, the tee shot is key.
Avoid the bunkers on the left and the out of bounds to the right and it should leave a straight forward shot into the lowered green.
A very undulating green and probably the toughest on the course.
Hole 6
This is one of the stand out holes at Three Locks.
A par 3 that requires accurate clubbing and a pure strike to carry the water and hold the green.
Hole 7
This hole is full of danger.
If you don’t try to take too much on, this hole should be a straightforward par 5.
Big hitters will try clearing the river in 2 but those that have tried and failed tell stories of high numbers, racked up in trees and water.
Hole 8
A long hole which yet again sets a premium on accuracy.
Three good shots are required to have a birdie putt on the longest hole on the course.
Hole 9
The first of two par threes in a row and again a test of nerve.
Water awaits a miss hit so take an extra club and swing smoothly. It’s important to leave yourself an uphill put on this tough green.
Back Nine
Hole 10
Don’t be deceived by the high index on this hole.
With water in front and to the right, the wind also needs to be taken into account.
The green is protected by a small bank but is one of the easier greens to read on the course.
Hole 11
Uphill par 5.
Water up the right-hand side comes into play for those going for the green.
The green is a tricky affair with a steep tier running from left to right.
Hole 12
A right angle dog leg, with trees on the left and out of bounds on the right.
Don’t be tempted to bite off more than you can chew!
A conservative strategy should return a safe par.
Hole 13
A new men’s tee makes this hole much tougher.
With bunkers on the right side of the fairway, its sweeping right to left dog leg and a two-tier green that slopes from front to back makes the second shot tricky.
Hole 14
A long par 3 with water left and out of bounds to the right. Only your best struck shot will do here.
A par on this hole will feel like a birdie!
Hole 15
A true three shot par 5 that will live long in the memory.
With a river running down right of the hole and water crossing the hole twice, the shot into the raised green is as pretty as you’ll see with the Three Locks in the background.
Hole 16
A sharp right to left dog leg.
The ideal tee shot would hug the right-hand side of the fairway.
This should leave a shot of around 150 yards to a flattish green that can yield a good opportunity of a one putt.
Hole 17
An uphill tricky par 3 where club selection is pivotal.
A deep green means that hitting the putting surface is only half the battle.
Three is a good score.
Hole 18
This uphill tee shot that crosses the river requires a well struck ball to get to the top of the slope.
Once there take an extra club to ensure you reach the green and avoid the bunkers on the right.
