As many of the world's top golfers found at the Open championship yesterday, howling winds are not the perfect conditions for golf.

But you can add a sheer cliff-drop to the almost constant swirling winds at one Bradford golf course whose "hell hole" is regarded as one of the toughest in Britain.

Up on the moors, Baildon Golf Club's members start playing the second hole on top of a huge rocky bank that makes novice players quake in their golf shoes.

For the hole is 180 yards from the tee across a massive chasm and is known as the Quarry Hole.

The par-three hole has now been ranked the sixth most difficult in the country's top 100 extraordinary golf holes.

The club's assistant professional Sean Wright, pictured, said it appears more daunting than it really is.

"It is a difficult hole and if you do it in one it's a fluke but players do get used to it," said the 22-year-old former Salt Grammar School pupil.

"Some people can do it one above par and for others it can be up to 15 shots."

Professional Richard Masters said it was the weather that could make it difficult.

"Because you're so high up you're exposed to the wind and the rain. If it's blowing a gale it can be the hardest hole on the course," he said. "It's definitely challenging."

Assistant secretary Louise Milne, vice-captain of the women's team, said the women's average in 1998 was just over one above par and this year's was similar.

"Our average is surprisingly good and we do have some players who can do it in one," she said.

The men's average so far this year is 4.14 shots.

Honorary life member Gordon Brand, who came second in the British Open in 1986, said he could not remember completing the hole in one but he has done it in two shots for a birdie - one under par.

"I've been up there in really bad weather and you feel like you're going to be blown off the cliff," said the 47-year-old, of Ilkley.

Designed by famous golfer Tom Morris in 1891, the banks were formed with the rubble from when the reservoirs in Bingley Road were made.

The hole is featured in a new book, Britain's 100 Extraordinary Golf Holes by Geoff Harvey and Vanessa Strowger.