Grunt
16th August 2005, 09:05 AM
Macarthur Grange Country Club - Varroville Sydney NSW
Macarthur Grange is a 5503 metre links style course with some of the biggest greens you will ever see. The greens are currently is great condition even with the lack of rain in the past few years.
1st Hole 318m Par 4 Stroke index 14
Gumnut Grove
A good starting hole that really only needs a fairway wood long iron off the tee. Those who use a driver risk running into bunkers on the right hand side of a fairway that slopes left to right. The green is protected to the front right by 2 bunkers.
2nd Hole 137m Par 3 Stroke index 12
Norfolk Rise
An uphill par 3 with a long thin green. A hill beside the right hand side of the green & a bunker to the left to trap errant tee shots. Shots that hit the hill 9 times out of 10 will run right across green into the bunker.
3rd Hole 390m Par 4 Stroke index 1
Lock Ness
Toughest hole on the course, normally played into the wind. The hole plays up and down 2 valleys to an long (20m+) elevated green. Simply just a slog into the wind to get it to the hole.
4th Hole 295m Par 4 Stroke index 11
The Hourglass
Short par 4 with the biggest green on the course 40m+ long and only 5m wide at the neck of the hourglass where this hole gets it name. Many a 3 or 4 putt here with the greens size and both subtle and extreme slopes in parts. Noting pin position here is vital.
5th hole 180m Par 3 Stroke index 7
Paul's Glory
Great downhill par 3, 50m drop to green from back tees to a left to right, front to back sloping green. Shots left of the green will run across towards the middle of the green. Also correct club is vital as shots just on the putting surface may suck back into 2 bunkers at the front of the green. Bunker at back is also trouble as it leaves a downhill bunker shot!
6th Hole 287m Par 4 Stroke index 4
Eagles Nest
Great risk reward hole. Go for the green and risk having to reload as the green is an elevated saucer with bunkers and long rough in the vicinity. Or the safe option is a mid iron to the fairway and short iron to the green. Fastest green on the course due to it's elevated position and exposure to the elements.
7th Hole 485m par 5 Stroke index 16
Varroville Way
Normally downwind par 5 that can be reached in 2. Fairway slopes right to left on the approach to the green so more than likely short shots will be in the rough or the 2 fairway bunkers left of the front of the green.
8th Hole 185m Par 3 Stroke index 2
Macarthur's Billabong
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/7762/8thgreenfrom11thfairwayyz9.th.jpg (http://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?image=8thgreenfrom11thfairwayyz9.jpg)
Back of 8th Green viewed from 11th fairway
Difficult par 3 due to the fact it is normally played into the wind, club selection is normally the major factor in parring this hole.
9th Hole 446m Par 5 Stroke index 17
The Tree
Another normally downwind par 5 that can be reached in 2. Fairway again slopes right to left and shots short of the green naturally track behind the tree that this hole gets it's name. Hole gets it's name from the Large gum that sits just to the left front edge of the green, branches hang out over the front of the green catching shots coming in high.
10th Hole 362m Par 4 Stroke index 3
Matt's Climb
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/8961/10thholelookingupfromtezb1.th.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10thholelookingupfromtezb1.jpg)
View from 10th tee
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/6695/10thgreenxu6.th.jpg (http://img157.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10thgreenxu6.jpg)
10th Green
Tough hole to start the back nine, 362m all uphill. Normally into the breeze so even more difficult. Correct club selection for second shot needed. Big green with back to front, right to left slope. Bunkers, Left front, Left middle, right middle and right back.
11th Hole 333m Par 4 Stroke index 5
Free Fall
http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/6062/11thteelookingtowards12fy8.th.jpg (http://img92.imageshack.us/my.php?image=11thteelookingtowards12fy8.jpg)
11th Tee
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/8876/lookingbackto11thteefroca5.th.jpg (http://img299.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lookingbackto11thteefroca5.jpg)
11th fairway viewed from 11th green
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/230/11thgreenoh0.th.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=11thgreenoh0.jpg)
11th Green
Shortish par 4 with water 190m from the back markers. Fairway slopes towards the water. Shot from fairway is to an elevated green that slope from back to front, left to right. Any putts above the hole here are tough.
12th Hole 325m Par 4 Stroke index 8
The Links
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/4564/12thfairwayfromteevx5.th.jpg (http://img258.imageshack.us/my.php?image=12thfairwayfromteevx5.jpg)
View from 12th tee
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/3940/12thgreenls1.th.jpg (http://img392.imageshack.us/my.php?image=12thgreenls1.jpg)
12th Green from RHS of fairway
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/6236/12thgreenfrombackpw4.th.jpg (http://img392.imageshack.us/my.php?image=12thgreenfrombackpw4.jpg)
12th green from back
Good Drive here will give a short iron approach to a two tiered green. Bunker can come into play on the right hand side of the fairway, just short of this gives a good shot into the green for most pin positions. Take note of pin position as shots above hole when it is on the lower tier will make 2 putts very difficult. Putting off the green is a big chance here!
13th Hole 177m Par 3 Stroke index 6
Amen Corner
A downhill par 3 with a wide but short green. The green slopes from left to right , front to back with bunkers on the front right edge and one in the middle long. Tee position varies.
14th hole 457m par 5 Stroke index 18
Crooked Stick
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/3094/14thfairwayfrom12thteeje6.th.jpg (http://img133.imageshack.us/my.php?image=14thfairwayfrom12thteeje6.jpg)
looking back up 14th fairway towards tee
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/1149/14thgreensg4.th.jpg (http://img110.imageshack.us/my.php?image=14thgreensg4.jpg)
View of 14th Green from 12th tee, about 100m out
A short par 5 severe dogleg left that only needs a good drive to start a real eagle chance. 2nd shots will have to be left of the green as the fairway slopes towards a water hazard and bunkers short of the green.
15th Hole 142m Par 3 Stroke index 15
Mantle Piece
Wind really comes into effect on this hole. Hole is played over a valley, just short of the green can roll a few feet downhill or all the way to the bottom of the valley. Correct club selection can mean the difference between Birdie & Bogie+. Can be anything from a short iron to a mid one with bunkers left, right and long of the green.
16th Hole 341m Par 4 Stroke index 13
City Skyline
Downhill par 4 with the recent lack of rain is reachable for the big hitters. Shot to play is straight at electricity tower off in the distance. Long thinnish green with bunkers left and right, is big enough to see club selection come into the picture. Think one club less when hitting 2nd shots as it is about 10-20m downhill from the fairway landing zone.
17th Hole 173m Par 3 Stroke index 10
Postcard
Severely sloping back to front green, just about every pin position is tough with any putt from above the hole risks having to play your next from off the green. Large Gum tree left of the green seems to protect left hand side pin positions. Shots that leave downhill/sidehill putts normally mean 2 putts at best.
18th Hole 470m Par 5 Stroke index 9
Grange Challenger
Another reachable par 5 for the bigger hitters with dams on both sides of the fairway creating a narrow bridge like section to have to play your second shot through. Big hitters can sometimes bring the dams into play off the tee. Fairway slopes severely right to left as you approach the green sucking shots towards the dam to the right of the fairway. Another large green so shot selection is governed by pin position on this hole too.
Well there you all go my first course review, more pics to come.
Macarthur Grange is a 5503 metre links style course with some of the biggest greens you will ever see. The greens are currently is great condition even with the lack of rain in the past few years.
1st Hole 318m Par 4 Stroke index 14
Gumnut Grove
A good starting hole that really only needs a fairway wood long iron off the tee. Those who use a driver risk running into bunkers on the right hand side of a fairway that slopes left to right. The green is protected to the front right by 2 bunkers.
2nd Hole 137m Par 3 Stroke index 12
Norfolk Rise
An uphill par 3 with a long thin green. A hill beside the right hand side of the green & a bunker to the left to trap errant tee shots. Shots that hit the hill 9 times out of 10 will run right across green into the bunker.
3rd Hole 390m Par 4 Stroke index 1
Lock Ness
Toughest hole on the course, normally played into the wind. The hole plays up and down 2 valleys to an long (20m+) elevated green. Simply just a slog into the wind to get it to the hole.
4th Hole 295m Par 4 Stroke index 11
The Hourglass
Short par 4 with the biggest green on the course 40m+ long and only 5m wide at the neck of the hourglass where this hole gets it name. Many a 3 or 4 putt here with the greens size and both subtle and extreme slopes in parts. Noting pin position here is vital.
5th hole 180m Par 3 Stroke index 7
Paul's Glory
Great downhill par 3, 50m drop to green from back tees to a left to right, front to back sloping green. Shots left of the green will run across towards the middle of the green. Also correct club is vital as shots just on the putting surface may suck back into 2 bunkers at the front of the green. Bunker at back is also trouble as it leaves a downhill bunker shot!
6th Hole 287m Par 4 Stroke index 4
Eagles Nest
Great risk reward hole. Go for the green and risk having to reload as the green is an elevated saucer with bunkers and long rough in the vicinity. Or the safe option is a mid iron to the fairway and short iron to the green. Fastest green on the course due to it's elevated position and exposure to the elements.
7th Hole 485m par 5 Stroke index 16
Varroville Way
Normally downwind par 5 that can be reached in 2. Fairway slopes right to left on the approach to the green so more than likely short shots will be in the rough or the 2 fairway bunkers left of the front of the green.
8th Hole 185m Par 3 Stroke index 2
Macarthur's Billabong
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/7762/8thgreenfrom11thfairwayyz9.th.jpg (http://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?image=8thgreenfrom11thfairwayyz9.jpg)
Back of 8th Green viewed from 11th fairway
Difficult par 3 due to the fact it is normally played into the wind, club selection is normally the major factor in parring this hole.
9th Hole 446m Par 5 Stroke index 17
The Tree
Another normally downwind par 5 that can be reached in 2. Fairway again slopes right to left and shots short of the green naturally track behind the tree that this hole gets it's name. Hole gets it's name from the Large gum that sits just to the left front edge of the green, branches hang out over the front of the green catching shots coming in high.
10th Hole 362m Par 4 Stroke index 3
Matt's Climb
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/8961/10thholelookingupfromtezb1.th.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10thholelookingupfromtezb1.jpg)
View from 10th tee
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/6695/10thgreenxu6.th.jpg (http://img157.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10thgreenxu6.jpg)
10th Green
Tough hole to start the back nine, 362m all uphill. Normally into the breeze so even more difficult. Correct club selection for second shot needed. Big green with back to front, right to left slope. Bunkers, Left front, Left middle, right middle and right back.
11th Hole 333m Par 4 Stroke index 5
Free Fall
http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/6062/11thteelookingtowards12fy8.th.jpg (http://img92.imageshack.us/my.php?image=11thteelookingtowards12fy8.jpg)
11th Tee
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/8876/lookingbackto11thteefroca5.th.jpg (http://img299.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lookingbackto11thteefroca5.jpg)
11th fairway viewed from 11th green
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/230/11thgreenoh0.th.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=11thgreenoh0.jpg)
11th Green
Shortish par 4 with water 190m from the back markers. Fairway slopes towards the water. Shot from fairway is to an elevated green that slope from back to front, left to right. Any putts above the hole here are tough.
12th Hole 325m Par 4 Stroke index 8
The Links
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/4564/12thfairwayfromteevx5.th.jpg (http://img258.imageshack.us/my.php?image=12thfairwayfromteevx5.jpg)
View from 12th tee
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/3940/12thgreenls1.th.jpg (http://img392.imageshack.us/my.php?image=12thgreenls1.jpg)
12th Green from RHS of fairway
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/6236/12thgreenfrombackpw4.th.jpg (http://img392.imageshack.us/my.php?image=12thgreenfrombackpw4.jpg)
12th green from back
Good Drive here will give a short iron approach to a two tiered green. Bunker can come into play on the right hand side of the fairway, just short of this gives a good shot into the green for most pin positions. Take note of pin position as shots above hole when it is on the lower tier will make 2 putts very difficult. Putting off the green is a big chance here!
13th Hole 177m Par 3 Stroke index 6
Amen Corner
A downhill par 3 with a wide but short green. The green slopes from left to right , front to back with bunkers on the front right edge and one in the middle long. Tee position varies.
14th hole 457m par 5 Stroke index 18
Crooked Stick
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/3094/14thfairwayfrom12thteeje6.th.jpg (http://img133.imageshack.us/my.php?image=14thfairwayfrom12thteeje6.jpg)
looking back up 14th fairway towards tee
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/1149/14thgreensg4.th.jpg (http://img110.imageshack.us/my.php?image=14thgreensg4.jpg)
View of 14th Green from 12th tee, about 100m out
A short par 5 severe dogleg left that only needs a good drive to start a real eagle chance. 2nd shots will have to be left of the green as the fairway slopes towards a water hazard and bunkers short of the green.
15th Hole 142m Par 3 Stroke index 15
Mantle Piece
Wind really comes into effect on this hole. Hole is played over a valley, just short of the green can roll a few feet downhill or all the way to the bottom of the valley. Correct club selection can mean the difference between Birdie & Bogie+. Can be anything from a short iron to a mid one with bunkers left, right and long of the green.
16th Hole 341m Par 4 Stroke index 13
City Skyline
Downhill par 4 with the recent lack of rain is reachable for the big hitters. Shot to play is straight at electricity tower off in the distance. Long thinnish green with bunkers left and right, is big enough to see club selection come into the picture. Think one club less when hitting 2nd shots as it is about 10-20m downhill from the fairway landing zone.
17th Hole 173m Par 3 Stroke index 10
Postcard
Severely sloping back to front green, just about every pin position is tough with any putt from above the hole risks having to play your next from off the green. Large Gum tree left of the green seems to protect left hand side pin positions. Shots that leave downhill/sidehill putts normally mean 2 putts at best.
18th Hole 470m Par 5 Stroke index 9
Grange Challenger
Another reachable par 5 for the bigger hitters with dams on both sides of the fairway creating a narrow bridge like section to have to play your second shot through. Big hitters can sometimes bring the dams into play off the tee. Fairway slopes severely right to left as you approach the green sucking shots towards the dam to the right of the fairway. Another large green so shot selection is governed by pin position on this hole too.
Well there you all go my first course review, more pics to come.