Ripon City

Golf here is played in a beautiful, peaceful and rural setting. It is a popular venue for visitors with some interesting holes and a vibrant atmosphere around the club.

At just 6,000 yards it is not a long course but don't be fooled into thinking you will be able to over-power it. There are plenty of hazards, both sand and water, waiting for errant shots.

The full range of par is seen in the first three holes. The course opens with a short hole of less than 150 yards before a medium length par four with a tricky and tiered green protected short by a large grass trench. The third is a par five where you drive across a valley and ultimately play to a green perched on top of a hill.

The fourth fairway sits invitingly at you from the tee as it rises up to the green on this 358 yard hole. The following hole is a par-three played across a ravine. The fifth is a blind drive but has a scenic green complex albeit a dangerous one as you walk back to the sixth tee. From there you play another par-three down a green way below where club selection is difficult because of the change in elevation.

The front-nine closes with two scoring holes. Both par fours maxing out at 300 yards. Both could be driven by longer hitters but the clever play is probably to leave yourself a short pitch in order to set up a birdie putt.

The tenth dog-legs sharply to the left with a small pond on the far corner of the hole which will no doubt gather many a golf ball. The 11th is the first hole where long hitting is required. It's a 462 yard par four but the fairway is wide so one can open their shoulders here. The hole is actually played as a par five from the yellow tees which are 40 yards behind the whites.

The closing holes have a consistent feel to them with fairway bunkers to avoid and some nice green locations. A tee-shot over the pond at the signature 14th is also a highlight.

All-in-all Ripon City provides some enjoyable golf where for the most part accuracy and placement off the tee is the key.