In 2002 on our trip to Sct. Knuds we drove past Fredericia Golf Club. It looked very inviting and we decided at that time, that we would be back as soon as possible. Almost ten months passed - until the 14th of June 2003 - before we would stand on the first tee, but finally we where there. We had good company that day - a club member you gave us a guided tour around the course. Let us begin by saying many thanks for the tour - it was very enjoyable and informative to have such a dedicated third part allaying in our ball. We send a big complement to this particular club member.
The course in Fredericia is one of the most regular park courses we have played and it is quite interesting. The front nine holes are very different from the back nine in both appearance and difficulty level. Where the first nine hole are quite open, flat and without much vegetation the last nine holes are hilly with a lot of threes, water hazards and hedgerows. On the front nine the roughs are cut so that you can find your ball almost everywhere, which must be said to be quite fair. On the back nine you are at a greater risk of loosing a ball or two, but you can of course just hit it straight, right?? The weather was with us that day. It was one of the best days we have had since the 1st of June so there was little to complain about. The wind was light - sometimes fresh so it could cause some problems once in a while, but what the heck, the sun was shining and the temperature was some 20 degrees.
The training facilities are excellent in this club and there are plenty of space on each of the facilities. The driving range, which is partly, covered has a lot of great mats to hit from and even an area where you can practice your strokes from the grass. Next to the range there is a practice bunker and the sand is soft and nice to hit from. The same does not apply for the course, we might add!! A bit closer to the clubhouse you find an area where you can practice your short game (chip shots and pitching). The putting green is placed behind the clubhouse and here there is also plenty of space. The green is huge and without dramatic slopes and curves. The grass is soft and the speed is about medium. The ball rolls nice and even. There is absolutely no excuse not to practice if you are a member of Fredericia Golf Club because the facilities are just perfect.
On the first tee you have a view over the landscape which characterises the front nine. At a first glance it doesn't look that exciting but don't be fooled. There are many good holes here. The 1st hole is a par 4 (387y/354m) with a slight dogleg right and quite a few obstacles. First of all out of bounds runs along the right side even though you have to really slice the ball to hit it out, but sometimes the sight of a white stake is enough. (209y/191m) from the tee a big bunker is placed in the right side of the fairway and it looks very inviting. Stay away from it, as it will give you a difficult second shot over a small ditch that runs some (77y/70m) from the green. Two bunkers in front protect the green on this hole, so be sure to take plenty of club for your approach shot. The green is quite easy to putt and you have a good chance to score a par here. A good hole to start out with - not too hard and not too easy.
The 5th hole is a great (and long) par 5 (532y/486m) with a strong dogleg left (almost 90 degrees). This dogleg is possible to cut quite a lot to save some distance if you are among the long hitters and can carry the driver (219y+/200m+). If you can place your drive over the bushes on the left side and advance a long way down the fairway you will be able to go for the green with a long iron. Try it out!! The conventional way to play this hole is to follow the fairway and here you have to watch out for the bunker right where the dogleg has its outrun some (252y/230m) from the tee. From here you will face a tricky second shot down the fairway. Three bunkers are placed (138y/126m), (118y/108m) and (88y/80m) from the green. These bunkers are very well placed and catch many lay up shots, so you need to be careful, if you want to proceed to wedge distance. The green is protected by a bunker on the left front edge and nothing else - besides some really nasty rough - so hit the dance floor. The green is slightly sloped and not quite easy to read. A lovely par 5 which doesn't give away many birdies.
The 8th hole is a beautiful par 3 (189y/173m). It is placed out in the open and is very sensitive to the wind. You need to watch out for the two green bunkers, which are placed in front of the green, one on each side. Take a club extra just to be sure to clear the sand. If you should overshoot the green, it is no disaster as the rough is well trimmed here!! This holes finest purpose is to give you peace of mind. This is where you must use a minute or two to enjoy the fine view over the "Lillebæltsbroen". Save this moment, it is worth every penny.
The 10th hole is an exceptional golf hole. Par 4 at just (357y/326m) but with challenges to spare. First of all you need to place your drive correctly - preferably in the left side of the fairway - to open up the approach to the green. The drive needs to have the right length, because some (252y/230m) a water hazard is placed and this needs to be carried with the second shot. The drive is a little bit downhill, so be careful with your choice of weapon from the tee. You don't want to end up in the water, do you now!!?? On the other hand you don't want too long an approach shot to the slightly elevated green. The best solution is probably to hit your drive approximately (219y/200m) down the fairway, just left of the fairway bunker. From this position you will have no longer than (131-153y/120-140m) to the green. A nasty bunker lurks on the right front edge of the green so hit your best precision shot. It should be possible, if you don't have more than a short iron for this second shot to the green. On this hole is absolutely essential that you know the exact length of your irons and are able to hit them straight. Did we mention that out of bounds runs down along the right side of the hole!!?? Don't despair, if you don't get your par - the hole has got stroke 2.
 The 12th hole is one of the "great" ones. Not so much because of its length (144y/132m) but because of the design and the situation. You have to carry the ball all the way to the green over a water hazard some (88y/80m) and this can really make you sweat. A lovely and challenging shot which tests your nerves awaits on the elevated tee box and it is naturally always fun to be tested, right!? Trees, bushes and not at least two bunkers in front - one on each side, beautifully surround the green. These are not at all pleasant to visit. For some strange reason these two bunkers are of an excellent quality. They are nice and firm to hit from, and the ball acts like it should out of these bunkers. Strange that the sand in these bunkers has got the right consistency and the sand in all the others on the course have not?? If you hit the green in regulation, this does not mean that your troubles are over as this green is not easy to read. Your birdie is not at all secured yet and perhaps not even your par. The hole has got stroke 16, but is absolutely one of the most beautiful on the course. Look forward to playing it.
The 17th is a gorgeous par 5 (505y/462m). The drive is blind because you hit the ball over a small slope and right down into a ravine. The hole is narrow, so you have to choose the "straight driver" on the tee box. If you "loose" your ball in the right side, it will be a good idea to yell out FORE(.dk), as the 18th hole runs parallel with this hole. If you "loose" your ball out in the left side all you have to do is... to go look for it!! If you should find the fairway you will face a difficult choice - should you carry the water hazard that runs through the fairway some (82y/75m) from the green or should you lay up short of it?? Well, ok, if you have hit a big drive the choice is easy but perhaps the best thing would be to play it safe and lay up short. There are some (219y/200m) from the lake in the right side to the hazard, but what you cant see is that some (27y/25m) short of this, the fairway slopes downhill towards the hazard. Please think, before you play your shot. If you can settle with playing a short wedge shot to the green, it is not too bad after all, and this can easily give you a good birdie opportunity. The green is placed right next to the 18th tee, so please take in consideration the players that tee off here. The hole is great fun and VERY exciting to play. Well designed.
In general the course is in a fine condition in Fredericia Golf Club. The greens are real and nice to putt. The fairways are firm and well trimmed. The only thing, which we have to criticize, is the bunkers, which are very uneven with regards to the state of the sand. Some bunkers were soft, while others were very hard in the bottom and only with a few of them in an acceptable (in our opinion) quality. It was quite hard to perform well out of bunkers, which held such a big variation regarding to the state of the sand. Otherwise it is difficult to be unsatisfied with such a great golf course awaiting you in Fredericia. The clubhouse is a tale of its own and is probably one of the most spectacular we have seen. It has got a big, nice terrace with a fine view over the 18th hole and a barbecue that you can use for free!! That means that after a good round of golf you can slap some big steaks on the grill and enjoy the rest of the day. The pro shop is large and has a fine selection of all you can dream of at a good price. If you like parkland courses or just a well trimmed golf course in a stunning scenery you should definitely drop by in Fredericia Golf Club.
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