The 5th Is the Clifftop Showpiece

The 543-yard par-five 5th is one of South Cliff's most memorable holes. From the elevated tee the course opens out spectacularly, with views across Scarborough's South Bay and the North Sea.

The elevated drive offers a relatively generous landing area, but don't allow the view to distract from the wind. Establish its direction before selecting the target because the exposed clifftop position can significantly alter both carry and direction.

If the green is beyond comfortable range in two, use the second shot to create your preferred wedge distance. In favourable conditions the 5th offers a genuine scoring opportunity; into a strong North Sea breeze it can become a completely different hole.

The 6th Is the Toughest Hole on the Card

Immediately after the par-five 5th comes the 448-yard par-four 6th – stroke index one from the white tees. Its length alone makes it substantial, and its exposed position means the coastal wind can increase the challenge considerably.

Prioritise finding the fairway rather than forcing additional distance. If the green is beyond comfortable range after the drive, accept that the hole may need to be played as a three-shot par four.

Avoid turning a difficult bogey into a double by forcing a long approach from a poor lie. A controlled shot into a good short-game position can still provide an opportunity to save par.

The 17th Is a Superb Long Par Three

The 17th provides one of South Cliff's strongest inland holes. At 211 yards from the white tees, this is a genuine long par three played towards a green beautifully framed by the hillside and mature trees.

The important strategic detail is the miss. The contours on the left can help feed the ball towards the putting surface, while missing to the right leaves a considerably less attractive recovery.

Take enough club and favour the left-centre portion of the green rather than chasing a flag on the more dangerous side. A par here is an excellent result before the final scoring opportunity at 18.

The 18th Gives You One Last Birdie Chance

South Cliff finishes with a 477-yard par five from the white tees, creating a genuine opportunity to recover a shot before returning to the clubhouse.

After negotiating the 211-yard par-three 17th, the change in strategy is significant. A good drive can put stronger players in range of the green in two, while everyone else can construct the hole around a comfortable third-shot distance.

Don't force the second shot simply because the hole is relatively short. If the lie or angle is poor, lay up deliberately and trust the wedge. The clubhouse overlooking the finishing green provides a fitting conclusion to one of Yorkshire's most distinctive rounds.

Scarborough South Cliff

Course performance