Hole 6

The sixth hole is a par 5 dog-legging left uphill to a green surrounded by 4 bunkers and 1 grass bunker. With several water hazards to avoid on this hole, the fairways offer enough sanctuary with their generous width. The green itself is one of the most difficult greens to read on the course. Watch out for the subtle breaks which are confusing at times. There is a reason as to why this hole is stroke index 1. For most golfers the green is reachable with a comfortable third shot. The further up the fairway and to the right of the bunkers the better, as you will have a downhill pitch to a visible pin-position.

Nature: The new lake built in 2007 to the left of the hole has attracted a lot of wildlife since its opening. A large population of Pool Frogs (Pelophylax lessonae) can be found singing their choruses towards the evening time. Also at home on the lake is the Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), who can be difficult to spot as they spend most of their time below water level. Normally you will hear them before you see them, as there sound is a loud chattering noise. But don’t worry they aren’t laughing at the missed putt on the sixth green.

Hole 7

The seventh hole is a medium length par 4 dog-legging right uphill to a picturesque green. For the higher handicapper a drive past the old cherry tree to be found on the left side of the fairway sets up a long second to a super green. The green is sunken and seems easy to hit than it actually is. With 3 bunkers and a deep grass bunker to protect it, you need to be accurate with your approach. For the longer hitter the drive can be hit over corner of the dog-leg to leave a short wedge shot to the green. Birdies can be made at this hole if you reach it in regulation, otherwise you will need a good up and down to save par. However take your time to read the green correctly as this is one of the trickier greens to read.

Nature: A total of 28 bird of prey poles are to be found on the course. These are mostly the aerial seats for the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). At present there are 3 nesting pairs to be found around the golf course on the outskirts of the forest. They use the golf course as their hunting ground as they help the green keeper keep the population of field mice down. They brood once a year and lay 2 to 4 eggs, from which normally 1 or maximum 2 will survive. The distinctive call of a Buzzard calling to its young will make the 7th hole even more memorable.

Hole 8

The eight is a short downhill par 4 with a view to the sky and the forest in the distance. This makes the tee-shot one of the easiest on the course as the view down the fairway allows you swing more freely than usual. The fairway is wide and eventually narrows and slopes steeply towards a kidney shaped green, which is protected by two bunkers on the left. Because the hole is downhill the green is reachable for all level of golfers in two strokes. For the higher handicapper the slopes short of the green to the right gather the ball and direct it towards the green avoiding the bunkers, making the second shot easier to play. For the longer hitter the green is driveable at a downhill distance of 320 meters, but not without risk. However a more tactical choice would be to play a long iron from the tee to leave a wedge shot to the green and more control over the approach shot. A relatively easy green to read this makes it the easiest par 4 on the front nine.

View: From the tee you have a beautiful view over course stretching to the Southern Black Forest Nature Park in the distance. At the most distant point is the peak of the “Blauen” which is 1,165 meters high. As you work your view back towards the course you will see the ruins of Sausenburg Castle quite visible to the eye. The castle was first built in the early 12th century as a monastery for Benedictine monks.

Nature: Behind the 8th green is a small stream connecting the lakes on hole 5 and 6. This is home to a reptile you might not wish to see, namely the European Grass Snake (Natrix natrix). It is brown in colour with blackish stripes and has a yellow mark either side of its head. Don’t worry however it is a non-venomous snake and spends most of its time around the water edges away from view. There it can hide not from us, but from the Buzzard who has been known to hunt it.

Hole 3

The 3rd hole is the first of the American golf course architect Bradford Benz holes, opened in 1995. The third hole is the shortest par 3 on the golf course. The green and the 4 bunkers protecting it are almost blind from the tee, due to the difference in elevation. Here club selection is vital if you want to get close to the pin for the birdie. For the higher handicappers the route to the green is from the right side were there are no protecting bunkers waiting.

Nature: As you take the walk from the 3rd green to the next tee (about 200 meters) you walk past a fruit garden on your right. This is home for a variety of birdlife, but look out especially for the Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis). It is a large green and yellow woodpecker, which spends much of its time on the ground or at the base of trees searching for food. It flies very low to the ground and has a distinctive loud sound, which is like laughter. There are five different types of woodpecker to be found on the golf course. So keep your eyes and your ears open, as you will normally hear them before you see them.

Hole 4

The fourth hole offers a fairly easy drive from an elevated tee. For the higher handicappers the fairway is wide and forgiving, whilst the longer hitters can cut off as much of the dog-leg as their length allows. The challenge on this hole begins at just over 100 meters from the entry to the green. On the right side is a water hazard protected by a 125 meter long bunker. To the left of the green are 2 small bunkers and a grass bunker to catch the wayward shots in to the green. For the handicap golfer it is a three shotter, with the second shot to be aimed at the 2 bumps in the middle of the fairway 55 meters short of the green. For the long hitter it becomes a short par 5 reachable after a good drive with a short second.

Nature: To the left of the tee boxes is a large area of thick bushes. This is the breeding home to a large flock of Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). They become very noisy towards sunset as they settle in for the night. Particularly in autumn they are to be seen pillaging the farmers fields for food before the winter arrives.

Hole 5

The fifth hole is a lengthy par 3 protected by 3 bunkers to the left side of the green. Entry to the green is open for the handicap golfer and for the long hitter it can play as much as a long iron. The green is large in size and slopes from back to front. For the higher handicapper it is a relatively easy hole. For the better player it plays as a tricky par 3 were birdies are seldom.

Nature: To the right of the tee boxes is a small lake which home to the Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus). It is a quiet yet curious bird, and sometimes will approach you on the tee box. In 2009 they nested and have made the lake their home. With over 900,000 breeding pairs in Europe, the Moorhen is a bird that appreciates the golf course’s security from its feared predators.

Hole 2

The second hole is a pretty par 5 which begins with a down hill tee shot towards a water hazard. The second shot dog-legs left over a hazard and must be positioned carefully so that the water to the left of the green doesn’t come in to play with the third. The green is long and narrow and relatively uncomplicated. However any shot missing the green to the elevated right requires a good touch for an up and down. For the long hitters the green can be found easily in two shots but this requires a very exact tee shot to open up the green for a risky but rewarding second shot. Potentially the first good birdie chance.

Nature: The water hazard to the left of the green is an oasis for amphibian and reptile life (toads, frogs, salamander, etc). Most commonly to be seen are 2 turtles that live in the lake since several years. Not native to the region they have found the way from the aquarium (in somebody’s home) to freedom on the golf course.

Hole 10

The 10th hole is the signature hole of golf course architect Bradford Benz. A great par 4, which first dog-legs left from the tee and then for the higher handicapper dog-legs right to the green. The tee shot is best played slightly left of the fairway bunker on the right side of the fairway. Then comes the decision time to lay up or go for the green? The green is the largest on the course (750 sq m) and has 2 bunkers to protect it. The bunker on the right is 60 meters long and separates the green from the water hazard. The bunker on the left is arguably the best bunker on the golf course and is perfectly positioned to punish any shot lacking commitment to the green. The green is 35 meters long and is an important factor in correct club selection. For the better player the tee-shot must not be a driver, it all depends on where the pin is and how you wish to approach the second shot. The back nine and journey back home begins in style with a truly memorable par 4.

Nature: The most common inhabitant of the 10th hole is the Long Tailed Field Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) also known as the Wood Mouse. Long tailed field mice are primarily seedeaters, particularly seeds of trees such as oak, beech, hawthorn and ash. They also consume berries and fruits that are plentiful to the left of hole 10. They are nocturnal rodents but do appear during the daytime, were they unfortunately put themselves on the menu of the Buzzard and Kestrel. You would think that rodent’s, would be a pest on a golf course. Which can be true if they nest near fairway and green areas. However they become a vital part of the environmental balance needed for the green keeper as they eat small larvae, snails and insects at critical times of the season.

Hole 9

A tricky dog-leg par 4, normally played into the prevailing wind (south westerly). The tee-shot is best played between the 3 fairway bunkers positioned left and right. Although the further left you are the longer the shot to the green is. The hole is slightly uphill to a green protected by 2 bunkers and a grass bunker right of the green. The trouble on this hole is on the right side, with high rough and bunkers. Also the wind is a factor not to be ignored, as you often don’t feel it when you are down in the fairway. For the long hitters the line is slightly left of the fairway bunkers on the right, this will leave a short iron in to the green. The green slopes from back to front and from left to right, meaning that pin-position knowledge is important if you are to make birdie and finish the front nine in style.

Nature: Using the winds in the rough between holes 9 and 10 you can often see the most common raptor frequenting our course, the Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). This hawk is most recognisable as it hovers in the air for long periods of time, to identify its prey before it swoops for the kill. Another bird of prey to be found on our course in this area, is the not so common Red Kite (Milvus milvus). Similar to the Buzzard in size it differs from having a large forked tail. Its colours make it easy recognisable from the Buzzard, its head is lightly covered and as its name suggests a lovely red colour. It also likes to use the winds on holes 9 and 10 to move around. Unlike the Kestrel and Buzzard the Red Kite migrates south and leaves the course in the winter months.

Hole 11

The 11th hole is a short par 4, and the first real birdie chance on the back nine. Statistically the easiest hole on the course (stroke index 18), and can be played in a variety of ways. For the higher handicapper the drive is relatively easy as the fairway gathers on either side to form a corridor. Depending on the length of the drive, the green can either be seen or if the tee-shot is not long enough a blind second shot is required. The green is almost circular in size and a deep bunker defends half of it, to catch the shots, which go left or long. There is also a grass bunker and a small greenside bunker to the right of the green to be avoided. The architect Bradford Benz offers always a gateway to the green in his design (holes 3 to 11). This makes the hole especially attractive for the long hitter as he can drive the green easily by running the ball through the gateway of the green. However driver doesn’t have to be the choice of club, as a long iron from the tee will leave a short wedge shot to the green. Be careful however as this green slopes from back to front and normally wedges to this green will have a lot of backspin.

Nature: Every spring a small army of European Toads (Bufo bufo) set out on their journey from the forest left of hole 11 (Bohlhözle) and head for the lake on hole 2, to mate and lay their eggs. The only problem here is the toads don’t use the tunnel like the golfers do but cross the main road. Risky business for a toad without knowledge of the Highway Code! A local group who call themselves the “Toad Club” organise signs to warn the motorists that the toads are on their journey and erect a small plastic fence along the roadside. The toads travel at night and arrive at the fence confused that their way is blocked. They then travel along the fence were they will fall in to awaiting buckets for somebody to bring them to the pond and complete their journey. It doesn’t sound so nice for the toad but the moment he meets his friends in the bucket he doesn’t see it so serious. The journey from forest to lake takes place over several weeks and then the toads will disappear back in to the forest again.

Hole 1

The first hole is statistically one of the toughest opening holes in golf you will play. The fairway slopes from the left beginning with a row of four mature fruit trees, to right where a lateral water hazard can gather many a stray tee-shot. What makes the tee shot demanding is the OB to the left and right. With the hole being just less than 400 meters in length, many golfers play the hole as a par 5 and are willing to accept a bogey to begin with. The question is will you?

Nature: The lateral water hazard on the right of the fairway is home to the Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii). Since the course opened in 1986 several families have nested in the driving range hut and rear two sets of young each year. Often golfers have asked us if it isn’t possible to have the stream running underground. This would change it from a lateral water hazard to an area of semi-rough, which makes the shot easier for the golfer. But it would take away the Pied Wagtails habitat and this is not what the golfer wants. Once they are informed of course.

Hole 12

The 12th hole is an uphill par 3 measuring between 162/150 meters for the men and 138/98 meters for the ladies. It is a testing hole and for the higher handicapper the bunker protecting the font of the green either collects the tee-shot or forces the player to play either to the left or right of it. The green is only 18 meters long but 24 meters wide. With a greenside bunker to the right side of the green and 4 mature walnut trees behind the green. The chances are you will need a good approach to this green if you aren’t accurate enough with your tee-shot. For the better player the holes plays anything from a long to middle iron depending on the conditions. There aren’t too many birdies to be seen on this hole.

Nature: The forest to the left of hole 12 is home to many wild animals. The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Badger (Meles meles) and Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) all live in the forests surrounding the golf course. They can sometimes be seen on the course although they are mostly nocturnal. An unwelcome visitor is the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), whose autumn visits have resulted in heavy damage to the golf course. In 2007 there was a 320% increase in the numbers of Wild Boar in Germany alone, which resulted in severe crop damage. As all these animals have no natural predators anymore, the responsibility of controlling numbers falls with the local hunters. According to the experts, hunting in Germany is a widespread activity with strict-but-fair legislation established with respect to the environment and wildlife. Wildlife conservationists may argue otherwise. We have taken our own action with a 50cm high electric fence around the course from September to April time to keep the Wild boar and Badger in the forest and off the course. The fence doesn’t keep out the other animals such as Fox and Deer, allowing them to move freely.

Hole 13

The 13th hole is par 4 which dog-legs right to a short but wide green. The drive is played from an elevated tee to a generous fairway. The trouble comes mostly on the right side of the hole with rough and mature trees. Some 30 meters in front of the green there are two water hazards, which makes the higher handicapper think about the second shot carefully. For the better player a good drive leaves a middle to short iron to the green. The green is tricky and two tiered; with the upper tier being relatively flat. However a pin-position on the bottom tier can be demanding.

Nature: You will see many old trees around the course, which are dead but haven’t been removed. We leave them deliberately for potential breeding grounds for insects, especially for the Hornet (Vespa crabro). Since 1987 the Hornet is a protected species in Germany, with fines for destroying their nests and killing them, ranging up to 50,000 €. They are a valuable link on a golf course to provide balance to wildlife conservation. There is a myth that the sting of a hornet is highly dangerous. The truth is that the sting isn’t any more dangerous than a wasp sting. It is also a fact that the Hornet is far less aggressive than wasps and will only become aggressive if they have to protect their nest. This is one of the reasons the dead trees are left in areas away from the field of play, so they can nest in peace.

Hole 14

The 14th hole is the longest hole on the golf course and measures 495 meters in its entirety. The tee-shot is demanding with a narrow target to hit depending on your driving distance. As the par 5 winds itself towards the green, the real surprise is still waiting. The green although unprotected, with no bunkering is very undulated and slopes in every possible direction. For the higher handicapper the hole is long and tough and a bogey here can be a very good score. For the long hitter the green is within reach of the second shot, although the drive has to be hit perfectly in to position. Tactically a second shot lay up to the flat part of the fairway leaves you a relatively easy wedge. If you manage to keep the approach below the hole, an uphill birdie putt will make life a lot easier. Stroke index (2) suggests that this monster is the toughest test on the way home.

Nature: Before the golf course was built in the late eighties, the land was farmland and home to farmlands most frequent visitor, the crow. There are several types of crow on the course to be seen, with the most common being the Carrion Crow (Corvus corone). The Raven (Corvus corax) is slightly bigger than the Carrion Crow but doesn’t frequent the course as much. Although predominantly seen as a pest, crows can be useful as they eat insects, worms, small mammals and scraps. A common sight over holes 14 and 16 is to see two or three crows fighting with a buzzard in flight. This is a ploy they use, to try to get the buzzard to drop its kill, so they can run away with it. Crows are not to be underestimated and are very clever birds. They are also adapt hunters and will even hunt in teams. Other members of the crow family seen on the course are; the Magpie (Pica pica), Jay (Garrulus glandarius) and Rook (Corvus frugilegus).

Hole 15

The 15th hole is the last of four par 3’s and is probably the trickiest test of all of them. It is not long in length and can be reached by all levels of golfer. The green is elevated and can be seen clearly from the tee boxes. The hole is relatively easy to play, with the forest on the left and two greenside bunkers being the only danger. However once you reach the green the difficulty begins. The green is very undulated and slopes from severely from back to front. For the higher handicapper par and bogey are easily achievable. However for the low handicapper the hole can be tricky depending on the pin-position. If you stay below the hole location, birdie becomes realistic. However if you get above it par becomes a good score you would happily settle for.

Nature: The area of the course known as Kellergarten (green of hole 14 and tee of hole 15) is home to the Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). Its natural habitat of both coniferous and temperate broadleaf forest surrounds the 15th hole. It is often seen in full view in autumn time, as it collects the nuts for winter storage. The life expectancy of a squirrel is an average of 3 years, with 75% to 85% of all juveniles not surviving the first year. This is mainly due to lack of food and predators. They make their nests often in old woodpecker hollows in tree trunks. They feed on a wide range of food; especially seeds of trees, nuts, berries and roots. They are not shy on the course and have been known to pick up golf balls in the past. So I hope you know how to use Rule 18-1, if it happens to you?

Hole 16

The 16th hole is a short par 4 measuring just over 300 meters from the championship tees. The tee-shot is played over the top of a hill and then the hole moves downhill to a well-protected green. The bunkers left and right of the green are large in size and catch many a wayward shot to the green. Behind the green and to the left of the green are out of bounds which also catch out many golfers who try to attack the green too much. The green is undulated and you will need to read the putt very well from wherever you are, if you are to putt well on this green. For the higher handicapper the green is reachable in two shots, but more often than not the bunkers will gather the ball. For the long hitter the green is driveable, but many golfers make the best decision to lay up with a long iron and leave a wedge shot in to the pin. Birdies are plenty here and can set you up nicely for the challenge of holes 17 and 18.

Nature: The forest behind the green of hole 16 is home to the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor). You will probably hear it drumming on the tree bark before you see it. It is the size of a house sparrow at 14cm in length, so you need to look carefully for its colourful black and white body; the male is identifiable from he female as he has a red crown. Woodpeckers are at home here in the Black Forest with 5 different types alone being seen around the course.

Hole 17

The 17th hole is a par 4 which dog-legs left uphill to a two tiered green. The fairway is tricky to hit as it is protected by two big trees and dog-legs severely around them. The second shot is hit uphill to the green through a row of cherry trees, left and right of the fairway. For the higher handicapper the hole is challenging, especially on and around the green. For the long hitter the drive is tricky as it is ether hit over the pear tree (which stands in the way of the fairway) or right of it with a shorter club, or left of it with a longer club. Once this decision has been made, the second shot can be with a long iron or a very shot club. The long hitters who go left of the tree are normally looking for birdie, and those who go right are accepting par as the best result possible.

Nature: There is wide variety of small songbirds to be seen on and around the course. One of the most special small birds can be found on the 17th hole, the Great Tit (Parus major). A beautiful well coloured bird with an unmistakeable song. They are cavity nesters and for this reason we erect bird boxes for them to nest in on the course. They are predominately insect eaters, with the rich in protein caterpillar high up on its shopping list to feed its young. A study in 2007 found that the Great Tit helped to reduce the caterpillar damage in fruit orchards by 50%. During the wintertime Great Tits remain all winter in the region. When food is scarce they will
join flocks of other small birds in searching for food.

Hole 18

The 18th hole is a tough but fair par 4 finishing hole. Boasting one of the widest fairways on the course and a relatively easy green to hit. The tee-shot it hit blind (except for the long hitters) so you will need to pick a suitable distant target to aim at. The hole slopes from left to right, so the second shot will be hit with the ball below the feet. The green is over 30 meters long, yet only 19 meters wide. There are 2 bunkers on the right of the hole and another bunker on the left short of the green. For the high handicapper the hole is relatively uncomplicated and the length of the hole, means it has to be two very good shots to reach the green. For the lower handicapper the drive should be hit to the left side of the fairway as this is the best angle in to all pin-positions.

Nature: The 18th hole is a popular site for a popular native of this region, the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia). In almost every village around the course you will find nesting sites of this majestic bird. They are as unmistakable in the air as well as on the ground. They can grow up to 125cm in length and have a wingspan of 200cm. Most White Storks migrate south during winter as far as southern Spain or even further afield to Africa. In neighbouring Alsace (a region in France) the White Stork is their iconic emblem; famous for bringing luck to any home it nests on. Let’s hope it brings luck to your 18th hole if you see it. Although if it happens to be walking in the fairway, please allow it time to get out of the way of your golf ball. Especially if the bird has a black bill instead of a red one, then it is a juvenile and hasn’t yet passed it golf rules exam!