Courses
The North Course
HOLE #1
Dandenongs
HOLE #1 PRO TIP
The opening hole plays as a slight left-hand dogleg. A generous fairway into a relatively flat green. A good first opening hole to get you warmed up.
HOLE #2
Eastward Ho
HOLE #2 PRO TIP
After a generous opening, it's down to business with a strong par four which will play with a cross wind most of the time. It is important to take the bunkering into account from the tee as finding one of the fairway bunkers will make saving par difficult. A medium to long iron will be required to find the putting surface surrounded by complexes of humps, hollows and two bunkers on the right-hand side.
HOLE #3
Wall
HOLE #3 PRO TIP
The first of four par 3’s, this hole displays a prominent wall feature surrounding the back and left side of the green. This hole can also play primarily with a cross wind and will play a factor in shot selection. It is important not too stray too long or too far left or you may be left with a difficult shot over the wall.
HOLE #4
Long
HOLE #4 PRO TIP
A long, straight par 5 with out of bounds looming on the left. The safer option is to go right and take on the group of bunkers which link the 4th with the 5th hole. In a northerly this hole may allow longer hitters a chance to make it home in two shots. Bunkers front and left guard a double-tiered green.
HOLE #5
Whins
HOLE #5 PRO TIP
The 5th commences a trio of solid par 4s each with their own character. The wind will again influence strategy from the tee as a straight shot here is important to avoid bunkers left and right. The green is angled in a way to allow several options of approach into the green, however a fade for a right-handed player is the best fit for the approach.
HOLE #6
Pure Malt
HOLE #6 PRO TIP
A westerly wind is common which means the hole will often play to its full measure. Throw in a prevailing cross wind and accuracy is the main factor to hit the green in regulation. Bunkers guard the left side of the fairway with greenside bunkers protecting the front of the green from short-sighted approaches.
HOLE #7
Skye
HOLE #7 PRO TIP
Being middle or right hand side of the fairway is the aim for the medium length par 4 7th hole. Bunkers guard most of the left side from tee to green so the smart play is to approach the angled green from the right-hand side. The green primarily slopes from back to front and has two bunkers guarding the front left side. If out of position, the safe play is to find the middle of the green.
HOLE #8
Samson
HOLE #8 PRO TIP
The 2nd par 3 you will encounter provides a good test for any golfer. The green is heavily guarded by bunkering with the front bunker being deceptively further away from the green then it appears. The front pin position is tight but the rear of the green is broad and generous at nearly thirty metres wide. Therein lies the tip – be long to be conservative.
HOLE #9
Bluidy Burn
HOLE #9 PRO TIP
The name says it all! The burn which protects the 9th green will tantalise the longer hitters who dare to flirt with danger. This green can only be reached by two very long hits and may not be worth the risk with a water hazard running along the front of the green. The left fairway is further guarded by fairway bunkers that need to be negotiated however the fairway is generous down the right side to appease the more conservative golfer.
HOLE #10
Sandhurst
HOLE #10 PRO TIP
The star of the back nine requires a tee shot aimed at one of the many ancient River Red Gums which signify the Sandhurst development. There are two options from the tee: to play conservatively to the right side of the fairway thereby requiring a longer approach to the green, or to take the heroic line over the left side fairway bunker to provide the reward of a shorter iron to the green.
HOLE #11
Purgatory
HOLE #11 PRO TIP
The par 5 11th hole offers the opportunity of good scoring for those who subscribe to the risk and reward theory. The fairway is generous from the tee which, with a prevailing south westerly, will give players the chance of going for the green in two. Placing your tee shot down the right side of the fairway will give you the best angle to approach the green. The green is heavily guarded on the front with little room to run the ball up to the green requiring the approach to carry the full distance. A good scoring hole for the long hitter.
HOLE #12
Ray's Wagon
HOLE #12 PRO TIP
The 12th fairway angles slightly uphill then towards the left for the second half. Off the tee shave the right-hand fairway bunker. The reward for achieving this preferred position is that the green is angled better for the approach shot. Into the wind however, it is a line only the brave would attempt. This hole can be straightforward or difficult depending on where the pin is for the day.
HOLE #13
Crockies
HOLE #13 PRO TIP
The lucky 13th is the shortest hole on the course and is offset by two large, ancient Gums. The tee shot must negotiate two bunkers which guard the left side of the raised green. Mounds and hollows at the right and rear suggest careful club selection aimed to the tight heart of the green.
HOLE #14
Red Gums
HOLE #14 PRO TIP
The 14th hole provides a good opportunity to better par for the long hitters. The quality of the tee shot will determine your chances with bunkers, deceptive slopes and water that can prove challenging to navigate
HOLE #15
Wee Dram
HOLE #15 PRO TIP
The par 3 15th plays across the restored hollow of a former gravel extraction area. To carry this should not be an insurmountable task being well short of the green but as we all know, water can be a strange and powerful lure for golf balls. The elevated doubled tiered green with bunker on the right side suggest a left to right shape tee shot.
HOLE #16
Wurundjeri
HOLE #16 PRO TIP
The 16th is an enjoyable straightforward short to medium length par 4. There are tress on the left and a fairway bunker on the right to avoid. The approach leaves a short iron to a large kidney shaped two-tiered green.
HOLE #17
Thommo's
HOLE #17 PRO TIP
The par 5 17th requires an accurate tee shot between two large Red Gums to set up a long approach or lay up into the double green. The long hitters who can carry the fairway bunker will find themselves in a good position to hit the green in two. The out-of-bounds fence threatens the left side. The penultimate 17th has been purposely configured for an exciting do or die situation.
HOLE #18
Woe Betide
HOLE #18 PRO TIP
The final hole is a deceptive par 4 that offers a risk and reward opportunity. The key here is to avoid a watery grave so knowing your carry distance will determine which line you take off the tee. Those who take the water line will be rewarded with a great angle into the large green. A good finishing hole with a fantastic view of the 19th!