Whilst it is a nine-hole design, the course can be played as an eighteen-hole round with alternative tees to be played from, on Holes 10-18. It can be especially difficult when the prevailing wind blows strongest, and the small, challenging greens have caught out even the most assured of short games in the past.

Alongside the small greens are some of the tightest fairways and your ability to position the ball from the tee is paramount. Thick rough awaits those who stray from the well designed layout.

The layout of the course begins inland working out towards the railway line before circling back on itself along the coast line providing amazing views of St Bees Head. The long par 4, 5th / 14th runs along the cliff edge and is highly regarded as the toughest hole on the course and one of the most challenging par 4’s in the County.

Regardless of its degree of difficulty this is a quite stunning hole with great views of the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man on a clear day and St Bees Head in the distance behind the 5th green. Running back alongside the 5th / 14th is the 6th / 15th as the course progresses using the natural undulations between the 1st / 10th.

The 9th / 18th is a fabulous par 3 finishing hole with the teeing ground positioned yet again beside the sea at the highest point of the course. With pot bunkers surrounding the green and the wind from the Irish Sea making it a difficult club choice, the challenge of St Bees Golf Course is truly never over until its over.