Melbourne Public courses over Christmas

[Machair]

I'm heading to Melbourne for a family christmas. Obviously, need to take my clubs to avoid going insane.

I'm staying in Carlton. Can anyone recommend good public courses?
8 years ago, I used to play Northcote. Had concrete like clay from memory. Also used to hit off at the driving range in Albert Park.

Anyone up for a round?

[dan]

yarra bend comes highly recommended.

[Bruce]

Are you prepared to travel a bit? Either peninsula offers some great public access courses.

Unfortunately I won't be around to host.

[spanner039]

Yarra Bend is 'bout the only public worth playing close to Carlton.

As Bruce said pick a peninsula some great courses all about an hour away.

Happy to play.

[Machair]

Well, since I'm flying in from Perth, I guess a drive to the Peninsula wouldn't kill me.
Especially with all the posts.

Any courses in particular?

[Machair]

Ok, so someone sent me this list.

moonah links
the dunes
st andrews
eagle ridge
the national
cape schanck

I thought The National was private and you can't exactly walk right on.

In any case, I only have time for one round - what's the best of the bunch?

[kev]

St. Andrews or Moonah links for my money. Depending on the day, I could join you.

[Webster]

Portsea will take your money too.

[Machair]

Cheers Kev, I'm up for a hit. Will look the courses up and sort something out.

I'm also going to Ballarat/Daylesford way for a day. Any decent tracks out that way?

[crops23]

The course at creswick I think is meant to be a pretty good track its RACV owned I think a few years ago they hosted the vic open

[Machair]

is this the one?

http://www.forestresort.com.au/the-course/

[hardboiled]

That would be the one. We stayed and played there last year. Quite a tight challenging course.

[Puji]

I played Moonah Legends on Saturday.

What a terrific track. amazing condition.

Most fun I have had playing golf in a long time.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

[BronsonMarc]

This is a good track. Tight and challenging, but plenty of risk reward holes. Get it wrong, kiss the hole good bye. The 15 hole is one of my all time favourites. 140m lake carry on the second to make the green.
is this the one?

http://www.forestresort.com.au/the-course/

[Bruce]

Don't go to Forest Resort. Just don't.

It will only encourage them.

[ernie smells]

St Andrews Beach is the best course on the Mornington Peninsula.
If you are going down to play only one course it is THE course to play.

[Machair]

Ok, this may well be a stupid question...

But is the Old Course at The National worth a crack? Trying to get a booking today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8TtSV7CLAyQ

[ernie smells]

Yes National Old is definitely worth playing. The views alone are worth it. It's a tough course though, you really pay for missing fairways.

[IanO]

Cheers Kev, I'm up for a hit. Will look the courses up and sort something out.

I'm also going to Ballarat/Daylesford way for a day. Any decent tracks out that way?

Ballarat is a nice course except that it seems to always sleet whenever i go there