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The National Golf Club is 54-hole golf club, made up of the Old Course,
Moonah Course and Gunnamatta Course.
The Old Course is on a hill near the ocean some 100 meters (300 ft.) above
sea level. Each hole is completely separated by matures trees, which is
different from the other 2 links courses. The course is quite challenging.
You need to hit the ball straight as errant shots are severely punished.
Furthermore, the tees are arranged so that the longer the hole, the higher
the tee and the greater exposure to the wind. The fairways are weaving and
the greens are highly undulated. Even though you hit the greens in regulation
if your balls are far from the pins, you have a big risk of 3 putts. The
course consists of a number of holes with ocean views, a number of “inland
holes”. You can enjoy spectacular coastal views.
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A long and straight par 4. The longer the shot is, the narrower the landing
area becomes as it is squeezed by trees on both sides and 2 bunkers on the
right. If you hit these bunkers 250-270 yards off the tee, you can’t hit
the green on the next shot. The green is highly elevated and double-tiered.
A large bunker at the front left of the green is some 8 meters (30 ft.)
deep and should be avoided. |
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A dogleg to the left. The tee shot is over a deep ravine. The best route
is to drive over a semi blind bunker on the left of the fairway, which requires
a carry of 250 yards. The second shot is uphill. The green is large and
double-tiered with a big slope. |
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A downhill par 3 over a lake. The front of the green borders the water,
so judgment of distance is especially important. The green is wide and protected
by bunkers on both sides. This is the only hole where water comes into play.
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A signature hole over a ravine with thick vegetation. This hole has breathtaking
beauty. The right club selection is critical as the green is around 80 yards
wide but not deep. A bunker at the rear comes into play. The tee shot must
carry the ravine and land softly on the green. There is only 1 place to
hit the ball…and that is on the green. The backdrop of this hole is the
magnificent coastline. This hole was selected as one of the best 500 holes
in the world by US Golf Magazine in 2000. |
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| A slight dogleg to the left with a sharp downhill first followed
by an uphill. Although the tee shot is blind, you can enjoy a very long
drive thanks to a helpful down slope. A long hitter can reach the green
in 2 but a large and deep bunker protecting the front of the green comes
into play. The second shot is played directly to an elevated green or to
the lower tier of the fairway below the green or to the fairway right of
the green, depending on players’ distance and ability. |
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An “S” shaped par 5 with a dogleg to the left first followed by a dogleg
to the right. From the tee the choice is to play safely to the right side
or to make a short cut by hitting over two large bunkers on the left of
the fairway which needs a 230 yards carry. Two fairway bunkers on the
right come into play on the second shot. The green is protected by deep
bunkers on both sides, so an accurate approach shot is required.
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A slight dogleg to the right with a blind tee shot. The second shot is gently
downhill. A long drive can take advantage and use a wedge to the green.
If it is a medium drive, it will be a demanding second shot from a downhill
lie to the heavily bunkered green with a 7 iron or so. The green is slightly
elevated and triple-tiered with a concave center. |
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| A gentle downhill, dogleg to the left. You need
a carry of 270 yards to clear a series of bunkers on the left corner, so
it is safe to drive to a wide fairway on the right. The second shot must
be accurate to avoid not only pine trees left and right of the green but
also bunkers around the green which is linked with the 10th green.
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| A dogleg to the right. The tee shot is downhill
and a drive short of the dogleg corner leaves a blind second shot to a green.
The green is double-tiered from right to left with a 2 meter (6 ft.) drop
and if you hit the green on the level different from the pin’s, the next
putt will be very difficult. |
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| A sharp dogleg to the left followed by a slight
dogleg to the right. The tee drops toward the ocean. A long hitter can reach
the green in 2 but a precise carry of 260 yards from the elevated tee to
clear bunkers on the left corner is needed to set up a possible second shot
to the green. Alternatively, you can drive safely to the left of the bunkers.
Then, the second shot is downhill and a large bunker 100 yards short of
the green will limit the landing area of the shot. The green is split by
a central spine and requires an accurate approach shot. You can enjoy spectacular
ocean views on this hole. |
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It takes 1 hour and 40 minutes from Melbourne City and 2 hours from the
airport by car. You need to be accompanied by a member but opportunities
exist for interstate and overseas golfers if they bring letters of recommendation
from their own golf clubs. Yardage sticks are in meters. Anyone can play
from back tees.
The course was ranked 14th in Australia by Golf Digest 2006. The other
Robert Trent Jones Jr.’ designed courses in Australia are Joondalup
Resort CC (The 20th of the above ranking), Hyatt Regency Column GC
(31st), Meadow Springs G&CC (52th) and Cape Schanck Resort (81th).
There is Golf
Harbour CC in New Zealand.
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2nd Par 4 459 yards (2)