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This is a snapshot of the course as seen through the eyes of Birinder S.Gill, Gilly, President of FHR
Hole 1: Wire Tailed Swallow
Par 3
Yardage: Blue: 121 yards; White: 115 yards.
This short hole played over a water channel from one end of the beautifully manicured gardens of Forest Hill Golf and Country Club. Constructed in 2020 this hole is connected to the Golf Range and to the Golf course through a tunnel. Named after the pretty wire tailed swallow this lovely hole is as attractive as its namesake. A Short iron shot takes you from one side of the hill to the other onto to a small green nestled below the ridge behind which is a lake.
Hole 2: Kingfisher
Par 3
Blue: 165 yards; White: 140 yards.
True to its name Kingfisher, a shot over the lake, well stocked with fish, onto a large green, slopes on the left and rear hillside to punish the errant shot. This green is gently undulating from left to right and is turfed with Tiff Dwarf grass. Built like the first from scratch in 2020, these two easy opening holes are a precursor to the course, which has many hidden treacherous elements. Our resident White Throated Kingfisher can be spotted keeping a vigil on the branches overhanging the pond next to the Boat House. He may even reward you with a quick acrobatic dip into the pond and pull out a fingerling.
Hole 3: Golden Oriole
Par 4
Yardage: Blue: 346 yards; White: 326 yards
This par 4 requires a well placed shot off the tee. The fairway drops away to the right. As pretty as the bird after which it is named, a lovely hour glass shaped green adds to the charm of the hole. To the right, upto midway point of the fairway is a lake, thereafter a huge bail out area keeps the ball in play while challenging the adroitness of the golfer. A driver off the tee is only for the brave, It would be wise to play a shot 180 yards off the tee and follow up with the approach to the green.
Hole 4: Treepie
Par 4
Yardage:Blue: 280 yards; White 260 yards.
Guarded by two hills on either flank and a promontory which can easily be carried. A tight fairway with a bail out area to the right. A miss to the right lands up in the adjoining fairway. Intimidating it may seem, the challenge therefore is to calm the mind and pull out the driver. A well hit driver could give the chance to eagle this hole. Definitely worth a try, so go for it! This large green was made in 2019. The last is an easy approach. Behind the green is a small pond, which is placed so as not to cause any trouble. You are likely to spot a Treepie flying overhead as you wind your way through the course. These inquisitive and gregarious birds can be easily spotted at vantage points. A bold one may catch up with the golfer in the Club House Gazebo to satisfy its curiosity.
Hole No 5: Indian Pitta
Par 4
Yardage: Blue: 332 yards; White: 305 yards.
As elusive as the pretty bird after which it has been named, the green is the most challenging to land on regulation. A slight dogleg to the left is protected by the shoulder of a hill, over which is the Tiger line. The second an uphill approach, both the drive and second need to be hit with the precision of a fighter pilot landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier. Named after the famed Indian Pitta, this rare bird is found is in this hilly environment along the fairway and the green, it's distinctive call easily recognisable. Only the blessed get to view its nine colour palette and the truly blessed may bag a par too!
Hole 6: Bee Eater
Par 4
Yardage:Blue 399 yards; White: 375 yards.
This extreme dogleg can be played either by laying up and leaving 190 yards to the green, or by throwing all caution to the winds and hitting it over the hill on-to a fairway angled to the left with a slight draw. Right of the fairway is a severe drop down the slopes, which are covered with dense undergrowth and a slim chance of recovery. Pretty green Bee eaters nest in the cliffs along the hill side. These birds will be flying together over the fairway watching your every shot.
Hole 7: Baya Weaver
Par 3
Yardage: Blue: 160; White: 140 yards
Baya Weavers have made this hole their headquarters, having woven their pretty hanging nests up on the branches of the Acacia. A short par 3, slightly uphill prepares for the onslaught of the battle yet to be fought at the venue of the succeeding hole. A brief and welcome respite may be enjoyed now. An easy geen, simple to read, the challenge is the visual deception off the tee. This too is a new green constructed in 2019. Beyond the green to the right on the shoulder is the tee off to the next hole, the most elevated part of the course.
Hole 8: Shikra
Par 5
Yardage: 526 yards ; White: 480 yards.
This hole requires precision, strategy and strength, all characteristics found in the resident raptor Shikra. A bird of prey found commonly in the land of Punjab. A challenging drive with no room for error, tee it up from the top of a hill with breathtaking views of the fairway. Take a deep breath and survey the lay of the land. The hillside to the right is protected by heavy growth of native Babbar grasses. Two wetlands stand guard, home to many a lost ball, just off the right side of the fairway. Bamboo thickets and bunkers on the left. An elevated green with descending slopes on the left with a green side bunker adds to the difficulty of the hunt! A east to west headwind reminds the golfer of nature’s might and awesome glory! This is the signature hole of the course!
Hole 9: Swift
Par 3
Yardage: 145 yards; White: 125 yards
This short par 3 is difficult to attack at its centre, the approach guarded by a mound. Tee off from the left of the 8th green over a lake. A lake which is unique for an amazing avian aerial display at dusk. Performed brilliantly by swarms of a few hundred or more swifts, which have migrated from lands unknown to Village Karoran for the winter. A enthralling rhapsody worthy of a standing applause, these birds put up a brilliant exhibition. The lake itself is shallow and its banks covered with bull rushes, a wondrous wetland which in the monsoon over flows further into the floodplains drained by the Patiali Ki Rao.
Hole 10: Indian Roller
Par 3
Yardage: 210 yards; White: 170 yards.
A long par three guarded by fairway and greenside bunkers. The challenge lies in its length. A water channel to the left of the green, red fountain grass and bamboo thickets should not bother those except the executor of the worst of shots. You might land up flushing out a peacock or peahen with her string of pea-chicks. A sloping receiving green descending from back to front is game to the accurate long iron hitter. You are likely to spot the handsome turquoise, blue and brown Indian Roller Indian Roller flying across the fairway. We really don’t know what’s on his mind but he’s definitely not preoccupied with Birdies and Pars.
Hole11:Baaz:Northern Goshawk
Par 4
Yardage: Blue 280 yards; White: 260 yards.
The round closes with two back to back par 4's. This par 4 is as exciting as it is short. This picturesque two tiered green is set to test the best, the upper level is even with the fairway and the lower dropping dramatically down to the lake’s edge. It's built at the very edge of the lake with an seemingly infinite back edge. A small group of Jamia Plams and a huge bunker guards one end. While thickets of Bamboos and a huge Shishum tower over its lower half. Tantalizing close but not impossible to drive on in one, if you are brave go for the green. The second, a chip or pitch couldn't be trickier. Your mettle tested constantly even while putting because of the accentuated slopes. Only the Raptor, Baaz Punjab's state bird, is agile strong and deft enough!
Hole 12: Grey Partridge
Par 4
Yardage: Blue: 290 yards; White: 270 yards.
This closing 12 th hole runs along the golf range and it's green is ringed by the private road leading to the clubhouse. A straight drive may set you up for a low score. Landing on is possible provided you can navigate the bunkers, keep in mind that further right is at least a double bogey. The green is heavily bunkered on both its right and left wings. You may be distracted by the common grey Partridge scurrying across from the range through the fairway bunker, making a bee line for some delectable titbits and to forage for seeds and insects. While you dear Golfer are ready for the beverage of your choice. The Nineteenth is not too far away!