Preparations for this week’s Sunshine Ladies Tour event have been excellent with Royal’s championship course in great condition. Greens rolling well, most bunkers playable despite the heavy sand. The white sand presents a beautiful aesthetic but does impact playability as balls often plug. Tournament weeks are better as the faces are levelled with errant shots running into a flat area. Fairways excellent and definition through the first and second cut impressive. Thick rough has become testing. East’s strength is its demanding 4s. On the 5s longer hitters get full value for a solid tee shot. Par-3 fifth is my favourite, a green guarded by water short, bunkers left and right. Being downhill it plays shorter than 150 from club tee.
