We take a look at London Golf Club's Heritage Course, the imposing layout for July's European Open.

As Justin Timberlake and Tony Romo discovered at Torrey Pines, stepping out on a tournament-ready layout can be a humbling experience. Fairways are claustrophobic, greens devilishly fast and hazards plentiful. There's a reason these guys earn the big bucks.

Since our last visit to LGC, to play the impressive International Course, the rough had grown to frightening length and the facility had benefited from the kind of meticulous attention to detail European Tour officials go weak at the knees for.

As you'd expect, every inch of the Heritage was immaculate, from tee box to green. Bunkers appeared to have been raked by tooth combs, and there was barely a divot mark in sight. If it's regular Tour events they're after, LGC are going about things the right way.

So what of the course itself? Designed by the game's greatest player, Jack Nicklaus, in 2005, the Heritage plays 7,208 yards from the championship tees and 6,771 from the whites.

As befits a Nicklaus track, there are plenty of risk-and-reward holes and course management is at a premium. If it's a straightforward bash, chip, putt affair you're after, steer well clear.

The 531-yard 12th is a case in point. From the tee players must choose either the play safe left, or attempt to bite off as much fairway possible by hugging the tree line to the right.

Either way, a further conundrum unfolds with your second. While the sensible shot is clearly to find the next section of fairway with a medium iron, the bold will need to avoid no less than 11 bunkers protecting the green for a chance at eagle.

When Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington and Co. reach the final hole at the European Open they'll find a par-four playing uphill to the grandstand, with water to the left of the fairway adding to the sense of the drama. After my drive settled in rough to the right, I found myself stood upon what was once a yardage marker fully 20 yards from the shrunken fairway.

As I said, these Tour boys really do earn their money.

Overall: First-class service from pro shop to the 19th, and a course in tip-top condition make LGC an indulgent golfing experience. Expect to lose plenty of balls, and leave with sand in your socks, and you'll relish the challenging layout.

Favourite hole: The par-five sixth, a classic Nicklaus hole which requires a bold tee shot to negotiate fairway bunkers on both sides and a difficult second over water for those brave enough to threaten eagle.

Value for money: The Heritage is a strictly members-only affair, but with five-day and corporate options among the available plans, you can still play here without the need for a mortgage. That said, the International Course is a decent alternative, and available to visitors with prices ranging from £55 - £100 depending on the season.

Details: London Golf Club, Stansted Lane, Ash, Nr Brands Hatch, Kent TN15 7EH

Website: www.londongolf.co.uk

Will Tidey / Eurosport