Royal Queenland Changes

[pt73]

I just got back from playing in the Senior Am at RQ and wondered what the Qld Ozgolfers think of the changes made by Clayton.

I thought some of the greens and slopes on the surrounds were very severe on some holes but as a whole the course was in fantastic condition especially the greens.


PT

[sms316]

I heard that they sped the greens right up which would make things a real struggle if you don't hit the right part of the green on a lot of holes.

Easily the best course in Qld IMO.

[pt73]

Correct, one of the guys in my practice round group said the greens would be 11-12 on the stimpmeter, I'm not sure how true that was but they were very quick downhill.

They had some of the pins in diabolical positions too plus the greens were very firm, downwind was an interesting prospect keeping the ball on the green.

[sol381]

Totally agree...great course.. The greens look sever and in some places they are but it all depends on where you land the ball.. Obviously its easier said than done. I actually think the greens are perfect speed.

I heard that they sped the greens right up which would make things a real struggle if you don't hit the right part of the green on a lot of holes.

Easily the best course in Qld IMO.

[pt73]

Yes there were some pin positions that just weren't worth going for. If you left the ball short of the green in front you had a chance to get up & down but left/right/long was deadly in almost all cases.

[sms316]

Yes there were some pin positions that just weren't worth going for. If you left the ball short of the green in front you had a chance to get up & down but left/right/long was deadly in almost all cases.

As a general rule at RQ you need to hit the same side of the fairway (which are mostly very wide) as the side that the pin is cut. That way you don't have awkward angles across some of those big ridges running up the middle of the greens.

I heard that 17 was playing straight downwind, which is by far the hardest wind to play that hole. Anything short of a full shot is impossible to hold on that green when it is playing that way. Love a good par 3 that is really short. There aren't enough of them around.

[mrbluu]

As a general rule at RQ you need to hit the same side of the fairway (which are mostly very wide) as the side that the pin is cut. That way you don't have awkward angles across some of those big ridges running up the middle of the greens. I heard that 17 was playing straight downwind, which is by far the hardest wind to play that hole. Anything short of a full shot is impossible to hold on that green when it is playing that way. Love a good par 3 that is really short. There aren't enough of them around.

+1 re short par 3's

[pt73]

As a general rule at RQ you need to hit the same side of the fairway (which are mostly very wide) as the side that the pin is cut. That way you don't have awkward angles across some of those big ridges running up the middle of the greens.

I heard that 17 was playing straight downwind, which is by far the hardest wind to play that hole. Anything short of a full shot is impossible to hold on that green when it is playing that way. Love a good par 3 that is really short. There aren't enough of them around.

I agree, 17 is a cracking hole (actually all the par threes are good holes) and was downwind all 3 days with the pin on the back right, right front and left front. I missed it over the back left on day 2 and made 3, total luck with the chip as I had no clue what to do so just hit and hope.

One of the things I really liked about the layout was it made you think about your approach shots and even more so on chips where you had to be creative (i.e. not everything is a flop shot) or take your medicine and play safe.

[RMH]

They were actually slowed down from standard play for the week

[sms316]

They were actually slowed down from standard play for the week

Would RMH be Ralph Heading?

[Lagerlover]

Would RMH be Ralph Heading?

One of the nicest guys I've met.

[RMH]

Correct, have to work on my anonymity...

[sms316]

Correct, have to work on my anonymity...

Ex-staff members have a little insider knowledge.

If the greens were slowed down they wouldn't have stimped at 12 (as a few competitors alluded to) would they? I doubt they could be much faster than 10 at any stage due to the slopes on them.

[RMH]

11'2'' last day back to high 11's again ready for Pro Am Friday, measured on the only flat spot on the course, centre of 13. Checked it myself.

[Daves]

11'2'' last day back to high 11's again ready for Pro Am Friday, measured on the only flat spot on the course, centre of 13. Checked it myself.

Oh great, and fastest in the morning of course!

[Daves]

11'2'' last day back to high 11's again ready for Pro Am Friday, measured on the only flat spot on the course, centre of 13. Checked it myself.

Some were at that speed, others not quite so much. Depended on the grain, surprisingly grainy at times both in looks (looked almost silver from the right angle) and speed/break. Quite a few balls got putted off greens at times! And it was tough to get shots close, quite hard and bouncy.

We started on the 17th, one Pro hit one close, the rest of us bounced our shots over the back. That would have been fairly typical I reckon.

[Lagerlover]

I noticed Peter Shaw was top ten coming into this last leg of the weeks comp.

Anyone now where he finished?

[Daves]

I noticed Peter Shaw was top ten coming into this last leg of the weeks comp.

Anyone now where he finished?

= 42nd at 4 over.

[LeftyHoges]

...Depended on the grain, surprisingly grainy at times both in looks (looked almost silver from the right angle) and speed/break.

Oh God, I'm having absolute fits at just the THOUGHT of quick and firm grainy QLD greens. I think I'd hit / chip on, give myself a 3-putt on every hole and walk to the next.

[Ferrins]

Played there yesterday and would have to agree with the earlier posts Looking at joining but $6700 joining fee for a 6 day membership is a fair bit of coin.

[benno_r]

Oh God, I'm having absolute fits at just the THOUGHT of quick and firm grainy QLD greens. I think I'd hit / chip on, give myself a 3-putt on every hole and walk to the next.

Following up on this Lefty - now you have played (albeit at slightly lower green speeds).

[benno_r]

Played there yesterday and would have to agree with the earlier posts Looking at joining but $6700 joining fee for a 6 day membership is a fair bit of coin.

Thank god for distance memberships

[Ferrins]

Thank god for distance memberships

And you are?

[Ferrins]

I heard that they sped the greens right up which would make things a real struggle if you don't hit the right part of the green on a lot of holes.

Easily the best course in Qld IMO.

2nd behind Nudgee when they finish upgrading to Augusta standards.

[LeftyHoges]

Following up on this Lefty - now you have played (albeit at slightly lower green speeds).

You have to get to the green without wiping the hole to comment, my input is no good here....