Macarthur Grange Country Club - Course review

[Grunt]

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.

[jimandr]

Grunt,

Thanks for the review. As a member I suspect you were a bit kind on some of the stranger features of the course, and totally forgot perhaps the most important feature.

For those who have never seen this course, it is severely up and down hill. A cart is almost essential. Almost every hole is shaped into a valley, with relatively flat fairways, but big hilly slopes on one or both sides of the fairway, covered with 3 feet high paddock grass. Go more than 10m off the fairway and there is a big chance of not finding the ball. Always hit a provisional if you go in there.

A few of them, say 4, 6 or 12, would make good photos.

The Par 5's, being downhill, short and on hard running fairways, are too easy. Most of the 4's are good, and the 3's are very good.

Personally, the greens have killed me every time I've played there. Maybe Saturday will be different :roll:

The best thing (or worst, depending on your point of view) is that there is no other course I've played that is anything like it. Pretty close to unique I'd reckon.

[Pinglauncher]

Grunt,

For those who have never seen this course, it is severely up and down hill.  A cart is almost essential. Almost every hole is shaped into a valley, with relatively flat fairways, but big hilly slopes on one or both sides of the fairway, covered with 3 feet high paddock grass.  Go more than 10m off the fairway and there is a big chance of not finding the ball.  Always hit a provisional if you go in there.



Mmmm I better bring more than a dozen balls then :shock:

[Grunt]

The rough has been cut back alot but I do agree with Jim's assesment

[Grunt]

Well it seems that the ease of the par 5's on the course has got the attention of the course owners.
They are looking at ways to toughen them up. I have heard rumours of extending the length of the 14th by moving the tee block back to the fenceline.
That would add about 100m to the hole making it near on impossible to drive to the corner of the dogleg. Therefore making the 2nd shot a real risk/reward one with a blind 200m+ with water right and rubbish left.

Also rumours about Houses/ Villas being built on the course and another 18 holes added. Some of the current holes would be lost to enable roads and other such amenities to be built.

[Andrew]

Of course, if people didn't worry about par there would be no problem. The 14th is a tough 2 shotter, so they should just call it a par 4.

People have a stigma about courses that play under a par 70, yet it shouldn't really matter. MG should be a par 68. As a par of 70 it regularly rates 69, yet if they played it as a par 68 you would find the course would rate 70 far more often because people would feel pressured to hit those greens in two.

The 14th would be a better hole if the tee was moved a little forward & it was called a par 4 (425m). That would entice people to cut the corner which would result in a higher score average for the hole. The 9th could be a par 4 as well, but retaining it 446m length.

The 7th tee has room to be moved back 30m to give you a genuine 3 shotter. That would enable the course to retain its overall length. They should remember that 11, 15 & 16 have room to be lengthened as well.

[Grunt]

To lengthen those holes Andrew there would be a fair deal of earth reqd to be placed. I like the idea of making it par 68 but the owner wont have it, he wants par 70. He built the course to suit his game and if anything changes it will have to suit him first.

[Andrew]

He built the course to suit his game and if anything changes it will have to suit him first.


Don't worry, Jack Nicklaus did that for the first half of his design career as well. :lol:

[Grunt]

Well those of you who played yesterday, what did you think?
Also Alison & Amanda what did you think of it from a ladies perspective? Ther club is genuinely interested in your opinions. There have been sugestions of Ladies comp tees seperate from the Ladies/Beginner tees as they are at the moment. Should the index for the ladies be different?

[Pinglauncher]

Well those of you who played yesterday, what did you think?
Also Alison & Amanda what did you think of it from a ladies perspective? Ther club is genuinely interested in your opinions. There have been sugestions of Ladies comp tees seperate from the Ladies/Beginner tees as they are at the moment. Should the index for the ladies be different?

Grant, it is definately a course you need to play more than once so you have a better idea on lines to take off the tee etc :wink: I would be happier if the greens were quicker but overall I was quite impressed with the layout and look forward to going back again in the very near future.

[amanda]

Mac Grange is a bit like New Brighton in some respects - knowing lines to take for blind shots etc. I can see why there are few lady members. It's a long course into the wind and there are a few holes where a lady's golf game gives you few options.

As a mid-handicapper (yes - I know 22 isn't mid-way on the men's handicap scale but it is on the ladies), I had a fair few uphill pitch shots that are difficult in the best of circumstances.

Going for fairways wasn't a problem - at the average driving distance of 110m (according to GD) there was always plenty of room. But the 2nd shots (and 3rds on par 5s) definitely play a different strategy to the men. For example, men would hit driver, fairway wood, then a short iron into a par 5, but women (even low markers like Mrs Miro) would most likely hit driver, fairway wood, fairway wood. I think this makes the course more difficult for the average lady golfer.

I've played a fair few ladies charity days at different golf clubs and when I tell them I'm from New Brighton, they often say they feel sorry for me. The feeling I get is that they play golf to socialise and to enjoy a feeling of accomplishment when they make par (most don't think birdie is ever possible). The majority of WGA members are golfers in the 20-35 handicap range - they want a course that isn't going to punish them and make them feel emotionally exhausted.

So Mac Grange is going to attract mostly 1 type of lady golfer - the sadist or perfectionist like me - who loves golf, wants a challenge and doesn't mind feeling beaten by the course at the end of the day - because it means you want to come back and do really well next time.

Those lady golfers who want a nice easy time of it and are in it for the social aspect are more likely to be seen at places like Bexley and Bankstown (where there is a huge ladies contingent - nice and flat, few blind shots).

Overall Grant - you'll definitely see me back at your course again - I need to do better than 100!

[miro]

Grant,

Alisons general impressions of the course were it was probably a bit better for women than men. The course has quite a few challenging tee shots for guys but the forward tees substantially reduced that difficulty. The speed of the greens drove us both mad -great condition but so SLOW. For women with Alisons length the course distance is fine i.e. its not too long. I can see the course however being more difficult for women who play the ball "closer to the ground" given the occasionally extreme contouring of the fairways.

[Grunt]

Thanks Girls I will pass the comments on, Anyone elses comments will be passed on too. You can only improve a place with feedback

[Grunt]

I got bored this afternoon and did a survey of the course rating over the comp round I had played in the last 12 months. In 51 rounds since 19/2/05 the course average CCR is 68.3
The results are as follows
CCR 68 24 times
CCR 69 21 times
CCR 70 3 times
CCR 71 3 times

The ACR is 69, does the ACR get updated at a set time or is it up to the individual club to get it re-assessed?

[AndyP]

Grunt, what is the average for the monthly medal day? The ACR of 69 may be from the back. If you play on different days all the time, you might be playing different tee positions.

[Grunt]

Grunt, what is the average for the monthly medal day? The ACR of 69 may be from the back. If you play on different days all the time, you might be playing different tee positions.

68.6 off the back, lately the comp rounds that are not medal days the tees are only 3 or 4 metres max in front of the plates.

[AndyP]

68.6 off the back, lately the comp rounds that are not medal days the tees are only 3 or 4 metres max in front of the plates.
Plus different pins. Maybe the greens are faster too.

I don't see many decimal ACRs around anymore. 68.6 -> 69?

[Grunt]

Greens at the moment are not fast at all. Also the greenkeepers don't seem to be listening to the pro shop staff.

I know 69 is the rating I just wanted to show how it is not that far from 68.

[BrisVegas]

wynnum from the plates on sunday was a CCR of 68. That's about as high as it ever gets. Tough to reduce your handicap when par is really 2 or 3 under...

[Grunt]

That is what I have been thinking BV. I have beaten my handicap and not lost anything several times.

[AndyP]

Same at Nambour. Monthly Honours on Saturday was 2 under. Have only seen the CCR get to par in one round in the Club Champs.

[Grunt]

I will try and get some pics tomorrow for the review, plus update the review.
Just have to remember the camera is in the bag, I have this bad habit oof having the camera and only taking 1-2 pics or even worse none.

[Grunt]

Well Changes afooot for Macarthur Grange. THe owner has pulled the pin of sorts. I received a letter today saying that the Tacca Family was getting out of operations of the Golf Club and passing the leasehold to the company that runs Shellharbour Links & other clubs in QLD & Vic.

[Andrew]

Grant,

How does that effect the club as it stands now ?

Have the Tacca’s left the club in debt ?

Do you know what the financials are involving the leasehold exchange ?

[Grunt]

Don't know any more than what has previously said but should learn more as time passes. Not sure if they have just walked away from Managing the course but still own it.

[Grunt]

The QLD course that this new company also manage is Logan City. I heard today that they are pretty tight with money. Word is they want 500 members by Xmas & 1000 by next March. Interveiws were being held at the club today for the current staff.

[Grunt]

Heard more yesterday at the Club.

Carts to be replaced with Electric Carts.
Resorts will continue to be the Greenkeepers.
Lease will be for 6 years.
Weekends will become members comp days with 6:30 - 12, 2 tee start both days.
New Professional Craig (did not here his last name) from Logan City.
Membership is rumoured to be maximum price of $700.
No club offical can have family working in the club. (Club Captain has resigned because of wife working the office).
Lots of disgruntled members.

[Grunt]

Well this week has seen me become better informed on the New Macarthur Grange Country Club.

On Friday we, the members received a package in the mail with a membership offer that is great value.
Foundation Membership $594 + $42.90 (affiliation & insurance fees)
Adidas Sports pack - includes (included if membership renewal before 24/12/06)
Pair of Adidas Golf Shoes
Adidas Golf Shirt
Adidas Golf Cap
Option of purchasing an additional Foundation Membership for a family member or friend
Foundation membership price guarantee: means that while you remain current financial member the price will never go up by any more than CPIMembership Rates
Pensioner Membership $69/month or $699 upfront
Full Membership $99/month or $995 upfront
Family Membership $149/month or $1495 upfront
Junior Membership - 11 years & under $149/year
Cadet Membership - 12 -17 years $275/year
Colt Membership - 18-20 years $495/yearGolf Office Structure has had a total revamp with a total of 3 PGA Pro's and 2 Trainees. Pro shop is being restocked and already looks more like a golf club pro shop rather than the resort course style pro shop of before.

I know I joined Bathurst and vowed not to renew but I am seeing the club going forwards rather than backwards.

If anyone wants to take advantage of my access to another foundation membership package let me know.

[marcel]

I know I joined Bathurst and vowed not to renew but



mate, you work for Qantas, you've been taught broken promises by experts.

[Fishman Dan]

What's the deal with the Adidas sweeteners? Ask if you can have a $100 tab on the bar instead of that crap.

[Grunt]

Well the tales of Macarthur Grange have had another twist this week. The new management company has had enough of the owners meddling and interfering in the management of the club. They are pulling the pin at the end of January. Not 100% on what is going to happen but heard today that the owner has found another management company to run the club.

[Fishman Dan]

Well well..

[Trung]

Grant..

It's a sh*t club. Get out of it...

You don't need to put up with their sh*t every week.

nor do we want to hear about it... :twisted:

[PeteyD]

C'mon Trung, this is better than Days of our Lives!!

[Bruce]

Mac Grange Country Club and Drama School.

[goughy]

Maybe they should get a group of women to run the club. There'd be less bickering, bitching and mind changing than now! ;) And you might get to see the odd cat fight; meow!!!

[Grunt]

Goughy, there is a woman there that is the root of all the problems and I mean root.

[Grunt]

Well the new manager has started and the changes are beginning to take shape or stories of the changes are.
Some of them are;

No Professional yet again, had 3 a weeks ago. :???:
Course is going to be swapped over and the 10th will soon become the 1st :-D, maybe my idea was actually listened too by the owner.
Pro Shop is moving downstairs, into the South West corner of the clubhouse.
Current Pro Shop area is going to be redeveloped along with some of the current clubhouse into a gym/fitness area
Deal in planning stages for the course to receive recycled water. Was told the deal is for a minimum of 100 000 litres a week :shock:Hopefully the changes are the last of the bad stuff to happen and the course may even get some little tweaks to make it a little better, trees/gardens, bunkers Etc.

[Grunt]

I have updated the review/course guide this morning and added some pics. Will take more over the coming weeks. I still forget the camera is in the bag.

Recent good weather has meant the course itself is going well, Bunkers are suffering though, through poor design/construction, they don't drain well at all and regularly have water puddling in them.

[Trung]

Consider that Mac Links is not far away. It's not good value to pay $30-40 at Mac Grange.

[Fishman Dan]

Perhaps you should discuss this with your commitee?

[Grunt]

Construction of the new Pro Shop is almost complete & work has begun in the clubhouse in the area that was the pro shop to be converted to a Gym area.

Lighting for the Driving range/Warm up area is installed and it's construction is due to start once club renovations are complete. The range will face out towards the dam between the clubhouse and the 17th tee for those of you who know the course. I think netting will be constructed on the other side and i think it will be restricted to Iron play only

Once Pro Shop is moved downstairs the course will be played 10-18,1-9. It may actually make a tougher start with a hole pretty much straight uphill to start. That said the back nine seems to be an easier nine and the finish to the old front nine means that the course may even play easier. I have been told it will also avert the bottleneck that the par 3 2nd holes sometimes causes, speeding up play. It will also give a good finishing hole now that players can watch the last hole from the balcony of the clubhouse.

Hopefully the changes will all happen smoothly but who knows with Mac Grange.

[Grunt]

More Changes for Macarthur Grange

New Head Pro - Steven Youdan
New Assistant Golf Manager -

Driving range opens in 6 weeks
Gym opens in 6 weeks
New pro shop open in 2-3 weeks
Course routing turned around so you tee off 10 when the above happens.

[Grunt]

Another little update for you all, Mac Grange now has an image on Google Earth, used to be blurry.
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/9343/macgrangeii5.jpg

[AndyP]

Did you put the flags in? It's a nice touch.

[Grunt]

Yes I did AP, was going to put pins in but it got too cluttered.

[Jono]

More Changes for Macarthur Grange

New Head Pro - Steven Youdan
New Assistant Golf Manager -
Driving range opens in 6 weeks
Gym opens in 6 weeks
New pro shop open in 2-3 weeks
Course routing turned around so you tee off 10 when the above happens.

Where's the driving range going to be, Grant?

[Grunt]

Beside the clubhouse between the 10th tee & 18th Hole, hitting towards the 17th tee. My guess it would be 6 irons at most.

[Grunt]

Some more changes made New pro shop now operating on the South Western lower corner of the clubhouse, in Behind the old 10th Tee which is now the 1st hole.

[Fishman Dan]

I thought you hated the place. Perhaps we should lock this thread?

[McCoy]

Perhaps we should lock this thread?

Seconded.

Grunt, just come and join me and Jono at RAE. Every time you post something about Mac Grange I'm going to tell you to join RAE.

[Grunt]

I am only doing it to let people know what is happening there. Yes I do have issues with management, not the course itself. I guess, yet again, I am not doing the right thing in some of your views/opinions.
At the present point in time if my Hobie Cat purchase is found i wont have time for weekend golf so my Bathurst membership will be even better value.

[McCoy]

Actually I quite enjoyed playing the course and I've still got a 2 for 1 voucher so I'll be back at some stage.

[Fishman Dan]

I have every intention of playing there some day, just to see what all the fuss is about. I also want to chuck something at the kid in the Pro Shop to see if he reacts as well, but I might wait until the end of the round.

[AndyP]

I also want to chuck something at the kid in the Pro Shop to see if he reacts as well, but I might wait until the end of the round.
:lol:

Are we running a book on whether Grunt signs up for another year or not?

[Grunt]

Just another update for you guys if you want to play there, Visitor rates are now $31 including cart. Great Deal considering members pay $30 :shock:

[3oneday]

I think that in the price they should also include a synthetic grass mat that you can throw down with each shot ;)

:lol:

[Eag's]

I think that in the price they should also include a synthetic grass mat that you can throw down with each shot ;)

:lol:

Good call mate ;)

[AndyP]

It's a bit dry? Or are the fairways shoddy?

[3oneday]

Think turf Test wicket, 5th day ;)

[Eag's]

It's a bit dry? Or are the fairways shoddy?

Both Andy :shock: and you rarely get a good lie around the greens :neutral:

[Trung]

Would you pay to play Mac Grange again?

[Eag's]

Would you pay to play Mac Grange again?

Nope :-s

[3oneday]

Absolutely.... once more ;)

[Chopper]

It's a bit dry? Or are the fairways shoddy?

Last time I played there it was a dustbowl. You had to land your ball in the rough on some holes so it would roll onto the fairway otherwise it would just roll off into garbage.:shock:

I cant complain though because I had the best game of my life, was off 26 at the time and had 48pts. Highlight of the day was outdriving Grunt on the longest drive.:lol:

[Eag's]

Highlight of the day was outdriving Grunt on the longest drive.

That wouldn't of been to hard :razz:

[Grunt]

Mac Grange website just relaunched, unfortunately it is just like the management, Crap. Nothing on it is correct, Driving range is not yet open but the site says it is, No details on prices, lots of blank pages etc. It was constructed by a place that does Gym Software and websites and it shows.