Sitting at brissie airport waiting for flight to Melbourne. Thought I'd share some thoughts on a few courses I played over the week.

Sanctuary cove - pines course.

Always enjoy playing this course and have done so a number of times. Greens seem to be faster than hope island although still pretty slow compared to down south. Interestingly they sure redoing quite a few bunkers. What I didn't expect though was they covered the entire base of the bunker in bitumen. I know nothing about golf course design but was very surprised to that. My playing partner hit one in from about 150m and it took chunks out. Other than that the pace was good at 4.30hr and the fairways in decent nick. Played with two other hackers from nsw, one did ok, the other I think is still out there. Average but enjoyable day with 29 points.

Brookwater

Always wanted to play this but never have. Seemed ages out of Brisbane and clearly a course designed to flog houses. Plenty of those in Melbourne and generally are rubbish.
I loved brook water. I really enjoyed the layout and played the best greens I ever had in qld. They just hosted the qld open I was told and club champs were in few days so rolling greens daily. My bad shot is a snap hook which I think I had two on the day but thank god it wasn't a slice. I have no idea how you would play the course with a slice- slowly I imagine! Played off tips and played ok , a few birds, lots of pars and two donations to the timber gods.
Overall a course I will definitely visit again. Very fast round of just under three hours as only myself playing with missus nagging in cart and nobody at all in front.

Palmer coolum.

Was having dinner in fitzroy the other week and noticed they had a poster of Clive with big thumbs up advertising their palmer deal - all you can eat Parma for $30. Reminded me to play the course I'd seen on telly so many times. Arrived at 10 am and as most know by now, the place is a dump. Sad 80's qld I'm afraid. Felt sorry for employees.

Anyway it was only the golf I was interested in. Lost will to live on first hole. Some how, they forgot to mention all greens were heavily sanded. They were simply crap. After 4 holes I gave up even attempting to putt and just moved on to next tee.

Really glad I got to play the course but even apart from greens the course seemed its glory dates were over. The fairways had weeds coming through and the sheer lack of staff on the course was noticeable. I liked the layout and did donate this time to the water gods. Would never play again under current ownership and fear it may be another good qld course that will bite the bullet in a few years. Didn't bother scoring but took just 2.45hrs as only person there, on my nine at least. Saw 1 dinosaur and heard what I thought was Clive devouring a mignon on first hole.
Noosa springs

This was a surprise packet for me as never heard much about it. Course was great and greens rolled true and just a stimp or two slower than brook water. Loved the layout and really enjoyed my round. Was asked by two kiwi blokes to join them on the first and they were cracking blokes. New would be interesting when one of them went for a beer from the cart at 9.30am!

I intend to play this plenty on return but will bring a lot of balls next time. Started with three in the bag and by 17 had to borrow one from kiwi mate. Promptly put his new pro v1 into water and he then tossed me a battered up pinnacle. Great service except for balls $90 for a box which were $55 back home is a flog, but will come armed next time. Round about 4.45hrs, busiest course I played but again a lot of fun.

Now back to sunny Melbourne!