A nice gentle opening hole, however, it can certainly be a rough start if you are not careful. An accurate drive is required to the centre of the fairway. If you push too far right your ball with get stuck in a small grass gully, too far left and it will roll through the trees on the the 2nd fairway. Both positions are not a disaster but will require a tougher pitch onto the green.

The green is protected by bunkers front left/right and bunkers to the left and right of the green. It is very difficult to hold this green, so in the summer it is best to pitch 2/3 feet in front and roll the ball onto the green, rather than pitching directly on the green.

The opening hole is called ‘The Oaks’ after the majestic oak trees that used to stand to the right of the fairway. The hole slopes downhill all the way but an accurate drive is essential in order to find the green with the second shot. There is a bunker on the left and, on the right, and a grass mound to catch any shot which is poorly hit. The green too is tricky for its slopes away from the tee and well-hit shot required if the ball is to stay on the putting surface.

Via Dorking GC