The National Golf Club

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A chance meeting with a member of The National in a local pub culminated in being invited to play the Old Course at the members guest rate of AU$100 (usually $300).

Everything about this place is classy. The club house was erected at an enormous cost and has a gym, restaurants, conference rooms, bars etc.. the pro shop is first class and the practice facilities are also top notch.

The Old Course is a beauty, the greens are large and undulating, the bunkering is some of the best I’ve seen anywhere and the layout is spectacular - all in splendid condition. Whilst not close to the shoreline there are several stunning views of the ocean.

The first tee shot is intimidating! And it never really lets up. The wind blew on the day I played - which I’m told are standard conditions. It is as tough a test as you could hope to play without spoiling the fun.

The par 3 7th is a fabulous hole and one at which you are sure to take your camera out. Beware the ocean winds. I made a 9 here! The 8th was a little ‘Mickey Mouse’ in my opinion but apart from that it’s a true test.

The Old Course werd getekend door RT Jones Jr. Je krijgt fantastische vergezichten op de oceaan en de Mornington Peninsula ten zuiden van Melbourne. Maar de baan zelf is een frustrerende Mickey-Mousebaan. Geen enkele goede slag wordt beloond. Alles werd aangelegd met geweldige bumps en valleien. Een overvloed van heel diepe, grote en moeilijke bunkers. Greens die onspeelbaar zijn wegens verschrikkelijke hellingen en bumps. Een baan voor masochisten.

Ik hoorde dat de andere baan, The Ocean, momenteel door Tom Doak onder handen genomen wordt. Dat belooft!

En de derde baan hier, The Moonah Course, werd door Greg Norman getekend. Wellicht had ik beter deze gespeeld en zo beloond geweest voor mijn omweg uit Melbourne van anderhalf uur verschrikkelijk verkeer.

The National Ocean course.

Ranked No. 30. Designed by Perrett, Thompson and Wolveridge.

This course starts off with a bang but the middle holes on this course aren't as good as it's 2 other courses. Tough finishing holes make up for the middle section.

Ok so I'd be waiting with baited breath to play the old course at the National. I've watched the golf course flyover on their website a number of times hoping it would live up to expectation ?

The old course. No. 10 on Golf Digest Top 100 list - is absolutely awesome.