New South Wales and The Lakes

[matty]

Im playing both courses in four and five weeks time. Very excited, especially about NSW. Looking at the course tour on their website I will definitely have to brush up on the bunker play beforehand. Some very intimidating bunkers. The fairways seem fairly generous, or am I kidding myself?

Any tips for either course?

[JADO75]

Are you playing nsw with the cops on the 17th July?

[Captain Nemo]

I've played both a few times.
Both outstanding tracks in their own right.
Some of the fairways are generous on both.
It's the greens, bunkering (both fairway and green side) and the wasteland areas that will catch you out.
Course management needs to be top priority!
Mackie is a member of the lakes, he pops on here a bit.
As for NSW, pup is a member but looks like he's gone awhal, or his dads the Internet cable from the computer......

[Minor_Threat]

Both courses you want to do your best to stay below the hole!

[Marto65]

Im playing both courses in four and five weeks time. Very excited, especially about NSW. Looking at the course tour on their website I will definitely have to brush up on the bunker play beforehand. Some very intimidating bunkers. The fairways seem fairly generous, or am I kidding myself?

Any tips for either course?

Take 3 Wood and go well left on 3 at NSW. Have a look at nearmap or google..

Try to hit it straight at NSW ... anything in the cabbage is gone forever.

And say hi to Bill Exten for me .... he used to be at Oatlands a while back.

[matty]

Some good tips there boys. Thanks MT, will keep it in mind. You're assuming I can aim for a specific part of the green I get that feel about every 20th round. Hopefully it's that day.

Marto, no 3 wood, but the 2iron looks like it'll get a work out.

Jado, correct. How do you know? You playing?

[Webster]

Matty, they are are both very good courses. Just go out an enjoy the days, play the way you normally would and soak it all in. Forget about the score. Take lots of photos.

[sms316]

If you can, go and have a coffee in the clubhouse before golf. One of the best clubhouse lounges in the country. If you are playing a members comp, either bring about $300 cash or don't check in first. They have a thing called "the chair" which means you pay for everything and then reconcile after the round.

[JADO75]

Yeh mate, played the last 3 years. It's a great day, last year was freezing so bring some warm gear.

[matty]

Forget about the score.

Great advice. Just enjoy playing the shots around the course.

[matty]

[QUOTE=sms316;810020]If you can, go and have a coffee in the clubhouse before golf. One of the best clubhouse lounges in the country.QUOTE]

Thats the plan. Looks great. The photo reminds me a bit of the Royal Melbourne clubhouse.

[matty]

Yeh mate, played the last 3 years. It's a great day, last year was freezing so bring some warm gear.

Cool. Hopefully catch up for a beer. Will bring the thermals!

[virge666]

Matty, they are are both very good courses. Just go out an enjoy the days, play the way you normally would and soak it all in. Forget about the score. Take lots of photos.

Best. Advice. Ever !

Stand up on the 8th tee at the Lakes, or the 6th at NSW and soak it all in.

Enjoy.

[JADO75]

Sounds good Matty

[BrisVegas]

NSW.
Don't hit driver on #1! An iron is all you need.
Good luck on #2 at NSW. anywhere on the green is a fantastic result.
Hit it further left than you think on #3. A hook shot here is ideal.
Try and hit a good drive on #5 to get over the ridge. Take lots of photos from here!
Make sure you play a ball from the back tee on #6
criikey, keep your drive in play and the course is so much fun.
Pray it's not howling on #13 & 14.
Don't miss it right on #17
Use the tailwind on #18 to have a crack in two.

[matty]

Thanks BV. Will print that out and use it as a cheat sheet!

[PerryGroves]

Matty, will be interested in your take, I love NSW although the sandbelt purists are somewhat dismissive, to be honest the first 3 holes are nothing special, two just annoys me. Following on from BV, don't hit it left on the 9th or 10th as some muppet who might be me did 2 weeks ago.

The Lakes is great fun, I am less enamoured with the small stretch from 3-5 although would argue that the holes are better than before. 10th is not as long as it looks, just hit the fairway and you have a result, right on your second shot will be in the hazard. The controversial hole is 13, which Clayton has copped plenty about, I didn't like it a first but after a few games I have come to think it's a pretty good hole with plenty of options.

It's a slightly different experience standing on the 8th at The Lakes, next to a freeway with a plane 100m overhead than looking out from the hill on the 5th at NSW, I like the serenity. Take your picture at NSW facing nth on the 5th, it's only The Shire down south, nothing to see there.

[KristianJ]

Take a moment when you're approaching the 3rd green too...an under appreciated view where you can see bits of St Micks and The Coast running up the coast line.

And on the 5th drop a ball from the top of the hill and watch it roll and roll and roll.

[JADO75]

Have something to eat before you get there, sfa in the pro shop or clubhouse early in the morning. Also get some of those disposable pocket warmers from BCF, they come in very handy. Driver off the first, eagle putt.

[matty]

Thanks Perry. I will report back.

The driver will stay in the bag a lot Jado, but not on 5. I plan to send my ball rolling, rolling, rolling down the other side.

[PerryGroves]

Also get some of those disposable pocket warmers from BCF, they come in very handy.

You do know The Lakes is in Sydney not Reykyavik.

[JADO75]

All I know is I'm not someone who gets too cold easily & the last few years we've been there it's been colder than a witches tit!

[Az2au]

I played both in March and both are great courses. They are totally different as I'm sure you are aware.

A great course tour for NSWGC can be found here: http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/i...c,48698.0.html

One for The Lakes here: http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/i...c,43966.0.html

No real tips per se other than what has already been listed. NSWGC reminds me of many of the Irish links courses I have played and that is true compliment in my book.

[Outcast]

Used to be a member @ NSW:

1. Don't miss the fairways or you are pretty much dead in Tea Tree

2. Hit way left of the obvious gap on 3; & I mean way, way left.

3. The view from the top of the hill on 5 is to die for

4. Remember, the bailout area on 5 is to the right!

5. Take at least one more club on approach to the majority of greens; most (not all) are uphill approaches.

6. 16 is longer than you think, do not attempt to cut the corner & do not hit it down the left side of fwy. Do not hit your approach over the back; this applies to a large number of greens actually!

7. There is no bailout area on 11 or 17; it's pretty much death if you miss left or right

8. The view from the top of the hill on 5 is to die for (sorry but, that was worth repeating)

9. The Poana greens roll very true but, are pretty slick

10. If its blowing a gale, good luck keeping your ball on the green.

11. No 1 tip, enjoy the hell out of a beautiful course & have a freshly cooked steak sandwich at the halfway house; they are fantastic.

[mackie]

Hope you enjoy the lakes mate, its a great course. We just have terrible greens.

The fairways etc are mint for winter time, just a shame our greens are not. To the point where the Aus Open may be moved this year.

On 13, take 3 iron off the tee, then little wedge in. Don't take driver its a suckers play.