Each hole at Leongatha Golf Club provides a different challenge with position off the tee necessary for low scoring, especially on many of the dogleg holes where you might leave your driver in the bag.
The wide santa ana fairways are inviting, however an errant tee shot may well find the bush lining the fairways resulting in a difficult approach shot to the green. The excellent grass greens have subtle undulations that will test your putting skills.
Following are some tips from local PGA professional Josh Hall that may help with your round.
Hole 1 – 370m Par 4 346m Par 4
A wide fairway greets players on this challenging opening hole. The uphill approach to this elevated green is protected by a bunker on the right and a swale to the left . Approaching from the left side of the fairway is preferable.
Hole 2 – 321m Par 4 309m Par 4 (Pictured)
A semi-blind tee shot is up next. A conservative approach to this hole will yield a good result. The tee shot dog legs right. A 200 metre tee shot will leave you facing an uphill approach to a well bunkered green.
Hole 3 – 295m Par 4 280m Par 4 (Pictured)
Longer hitters can try to reach the green on this short downhill par 4. The green is a shaped like an hourglass with a narrow approach. The green falls away quite steeply left of the green.
Hole 4 – 175m Par 3 156m Par 3
This uphill par 3 plays at least one club longer. A strong hole where par is well earned.
Hole 5 – 305m Par 4 296m Par 4
Another short dog leg, this time right to left, that rewards a patient approach. A tee shot between 150 and 180 metres will leave a short downhill approach to the green.
Hole 6 – 475m Par 5 406m Par 5 (Pictured)
This uphill par 5 will test most golfers. The green can only be reached in two by the biggest of hitters. The smarter play is to play straight to the top of the hill, opening up the approach for the dogleg right at the green.
Hole 7 – 186m Par 3 152m Par 3
Another long par 3. This green can be extremely fast from behind the hole. Better being a little short than long.
Hole 8 – 316m Par 4 297m Par 4 (Pictured)
A blind tee shot on a straightaway hole. The green is protected by a bunker on the left and then it slopes away on the right requiring a precise approach.
Hole 9 – 411m Par 4 397m Par 5
The 9th hole is the first part of what makes up a tough stretch of holes. This long par 4 doglegs to the left. The south-westerly trade wind will push the ball to the right on the drive. Then the uphill approach plays back into the wind. This is another green where you want the ball under the hole.
Hole 10 – 386m Par 4 298m Par 4 (Pictured)
A straightaway par 4 that requires two quality shots to hit the green.
Hole 11 – 421m Par 4 414m Par 5
The hardest hole on the course. The drive suits a fade from the tee to compensate for the downhill right to left fairway. If the drive is long enough, you will get some extra roll down the hill. Another long uphill approach awaits. Par is well earned at 11.
Hole 12 – 362m Par 4 353m Par 4 (Pictured)
A medium length par 4 plays a bit longer due to the dogleg right and being slightly uphill.
Hole 13 – 312m Par 4 300m Par 4
This is a shorter length dogleg to the right. A bunker protects the right side of the fairway. If you decide to take on the bunker then consider playing a fade as you will run out of room on the other side of the fairway.
Hole 14 – 137m Par 4 121m Par 4 (Pictured)
A short par 3 that’s protected by a large bunker to the right. The front left section of the green slopes away and your ball can run off the green.
Hole 15 – 356m Par 4 296m Par 4
A medium length par 4 dogleg to the right. This green is protected by a bunker left and a steep bank to the right.
Hole 16 – 146m Par 3 133m Par 3 (Pictured)
This downhill par 3 is surrounded by beautiful natural bush. This plays a club less than normal. Beware of the steep slopes fronting the green and to the left.
Hole 17 – 341m Par 4 270m Par 4 (Pictured)
A fade from the tee suits this dogleg right par 4. This green is protected by a bunker to the right.
Hole 18 – 479m Par 5 414m Par 5
This Par 5 finishing hole will leave a decision for the long hitter on their second shot. The tee shot is straightaway. However the hole doglegs right with about 90 metres to go. Mature gums guard the right hand side and only a towering fade will clear them and hold the surface as they only cut out about 20 metres from the green. The other option is to play straight up the fairway to the end of the dogleg and pitch into the green protected by a front bunker.
