The opening challenge facing players at Celtic Manor's course for the Wales Open and 2010 Ryder Cup is the 465-yard par four 1st hole (All pictures supplied by the Celtic Manor unless indicated)
Accuracy is the name of the game approaching the pin at the par five 2nd, with two bunkers tucked tight either side of the green and thick undergrowth at the back
The first of the signature holes is the 189-yard par three 3rd where water first comes into play, so absolute precision is required on the sloping green
After the claustrophobia of the 3rd the course opens out a little on the 461-yard par four 4th - ideal for the big drivers in the field
The 433-yard par four 5th is a real test of golfing nous and nerve due to its left to right dog-leg and array of bunker and water hazards
Pack your sand wedge - or a bucket and spade - on the 452-yard par four 6th, because there's a lot of the soft stuff protecting the green
The 7th is the second par three on the course, with bunkers either side that have been deepened and a tree line behind that threatens to swallow over-hit balls
The 8th requires careful judgement off the tee, as the fairway bunkers have been raised to restrict the view of the pin
The 580-yard par five 9th can be extended to 666 yards, making it one of the longest in championship golf, but beware the sand traps
The 10th is a 210-yard par three where substantial deep rebunkering presents a tricky challenge off the raised tee
The 11th is a beautiful 562-yard par five lakeside hole that will tempt the big hitters to reach the green in two, but offers watery punishment for those who stray off-line
Players may be tempted to drive their tee shot across a lake on the 458-yard par four 12th, but the fairway is defended by a deep bunker
The par three 13th invites players to attempt a carry of 150 yards across water, but the green is fast and has two deep bunkers to its rear
The stunning 485-yard par four 14th is another hole that presents a potentially watery grave for both drive and approach shot - but an embankment behind makes it one of the best on the course for spectators
The 377-yard par four 15th presents players with a conundrum - to risk hitting from tee to pin over 270 yards of woodland, or follow the left to right dog-leg that brings the bunkers at the front of the green fully into play
The 499-yard par four 16th is a long and narrow hole cut into the hillside - meaning any shot that veers too far right is likely to disappear down a steep embankment
Continuing along the hillside, the narrow 211-yard par three 17th demands accuracy from the tee, especially when the wind is swirling - which it often is
The 575-yard par five 18th provides a fitting finale to the course, with a heavily defended green that will inevitably take its toll on all but the most exact approach shots
An alternative view of the 18th, demonstrating the views from the club house and banking
And last of all the '19th', the players' lounge where shots and tactics - good and bad - will be digested
What are these?
E-mail this to a friend 
Bookmark with:
What are these?