Established in 1995 by local farming family the Harrisons, the course was created on 70 acres of grounds once owned by the industrialist, philanthropist and entrepreneur Sir Titus Salt.
Our nine hole, par 70 course with greens built to U.S.G.A standards and set in beautiful parkland is considered quite unique amongst 9 hole courses.
Standing 450ft above sea level, its sheltered and playable almost all year round. The greens remain playable throughout the seasons due to their construction - only taken out of play when frost, snow or water logging prevents their use. However, the greens generally drain very well and therefore the times when they are not in play tend to be few and far between.
We are lucky to have many old and established trees throughout the course, giving a real feeling of maturity which belies the fact that the course is only a "teenager" in terms of age.
Most holes have two alternative tees which offer a very different second half and the maturity of the course has to be seen to be believed. Over recent years the quality of the course has been recognised by a number of bodies, with the "Golf World" magazine labeling Crow Nest in 2010 as one of the worlds top nine hole golf courses. A grand title and one of which we are quite rightly proud.
Holes 1 and 10 - St Giles
The wide fairway on the this hole invites a powerful drive, but a good approach shot is vital to the dogleg green protected by a deep bunker.
From the second tee the green is out of sight, either shoot over the trees on the edge of the range or take a shorter shot toward the 2 bunkers and the out of bounds.
Hole 1
White : 357 yards | Yellow : 330 yards (SI.7) | Red : 314 yards (SI.9)
Hole 10
White : 333 yards | Yellow : 325 yards (SI.12) | Red : 307 yards (SI.10)
Holes 2 and 11 - The Spire
This hole is stroke index 1 on the course, and for good reason. The whole left side of the hole is OOB, bunkers on the right of the fairway are ideally positioned to catch a wayward drive.
The green is steeply sloped around the left and rear and is protected on the right by 2 bunkers. An easy place to ruin a good card
Hole 2
White : 417yards | Yellow : 410yards (SI.1) | Red : 405yards (SI.1)
Hole 11
White : 418yards | Yellow : 411yards (SI.2) | Red : 405yards (SI.2)
Holes 3 and 12 - Coach Road
The 3rd hole is a real challenge, a long dogleg right edged by trees with more on the fairway.
You have a choice of tee shots here. The apparent safer option to play into the fairway will leave a long second shot to the green, but beware of the valley out of sight. Alternatively try to go over the trees to leave a simpler iron into the green.
Hole 3
White : 475yards | Yellow : 464yards (SI.3) | Red : 418yards (SI.7)
Hole 12
White : 456yards | Yellow : 454yards (SI.4) | Red : 386yards (SI.8
Holes 4 and 13 - The Bats Belfry
The tee shot is tight between trees over rough and a ditch from an elevated position. Trees and bushes line both sides of the fairway with a lateral water hazard all the way down the left hand side.
The green is walled along one side to catch any short pitch shots.
This is very much, a risk and reward hole as the brave can make birdie just as easy as making a triple bogie.
Hole 4
White : 285yards | Yellow : 272yards (SI.13) | Red : 259yards (SI.13)
Hole 13
White : 266yards | Yellow : 264yards (SI.16) | Red : 261yards (SI.14)
Holes 5 and 14 - The Old Boat House
The Old Boathouse is a short par 3 over water.
The green slopes steeply toward the lake and is flanked by trees on both sides with the lake extending around the side of the green. A bunker at the rear will catch any long shots leaving a tricky shot back onto the green toward the water.
Hole 5
White : 129yards | Yellow : 120yards (SI.17) | Red : 107yards (SI.15)
Hole 14
White : 121yards | Yellow : 119yards (SI.18) | Red : 118yards (SI.16)
Holes 6 and 15 - Mansion House
The former site of Sir Titus Salts Mansion.
Trees line both sides of the wide fairway and a lateral water hazard guards the right side of the fairway.
The green here is one of the toughest at Crow Nest, guarded by two bunkers and steeply sloping, any putt from the sides or above the pin will be very hard to judge.
Hole 6
White : 353yards | Yellow : 347yards (SI.5) | Red : 340yards (SI.3)
Hole 15
White : 366yards | Yellow : 361yards (SI.6) | Red : 357yards (SI.4)
Holes 7 and 16 - Salts Drive
From the 7th tee the hole is almost straight, but from the 16th tee trees encroach heavily making for a much harder first shot.
Fairway bunkers and gorse bushes protect the left side and the large green is guarded by 2 deep bunkers on the right.
Hole 7
White : 281yards | Yellow : 279yards (SI.15) | Red : 277yards (SI.11)
Hole 16
White : 298yards | Yellow : 290yards (SI.8) | Red : 283yards (SI.12)
Holes 8 and 17 - Wills Pearl
This long par 3 hole is tougher than it first seems, bunkers protect the green at the front while a long shot will leave a blind return to the green and may even finish in trees.
Correct club selection is crucial here, on a windy day this is made even harder with the tees at the the highest point on the course.
Hole 8
White : 207yards | Yellow : 198yards (SI.11) | Red : 168yards (SI.17)
Hole 17
White : 188yards | Yellow : 180yards (SI.14) | Red : 171yards (SI.18)
Holes 9 and 18 - Stable Way
The longest hole on the course offers a memorable finish to your round, at 526 yards you need two strong shots to leave a shot to the green.
The tee shot is between 2 tall trees, if you clear these the fairway slopes away making for some very long drives, more trees offer danger off the fairway.
The green is protected by two bunkers at the front and is steeply sloped in the middle, with the lake and more trees pushing into the fairway.
Hole 9
White : 524yards | Yellow : 519yards (SI.9) | Red : 455yards (SI.5)
Hole 18
White : 513yards | Yellow : 508yards (SI.10) | Red : 433yards (SI.6)
