The National Golf Club is a 54 hole private members' golf club, providing three distinct golfing challenges (Old Course, Moonah Course and Ocean Course). The three courses have been designed by 3 of the world's leading golf architects - Greg Norman, Robert Trent Jones Jr and Peter Thomson. As such the 3 courses, although located very closely to one another, offer the golfer a range of golfing experiences.
The Ocean Course, whilst located next to the Moonah Course, is a complete contrast to its neighbour. The course, opened for play on December 26, 2000, is a classic Thomson, Wolveridge and Perrett design. Many Thomson courses include links style pot bunkers placed strategically in the middle of fairways tempting the golfer to go for it (and be rewarded if successful) or lay up (and face a longer shot in for your approach). The Ocean is no exception and many of the green surrounds also are framed by this style of bunker. The course is a gentler test than the Moonah with a number of short par 4's but still has its fair share of tougher holes.
The opening hole is a medium length par 5 played from the highest point in the course alongside the clubhouse. The view from the tee shows the layout of the course and hitting a good drive on this hole provides a realistic chance of hitting the green in 2. The split fairway tempts the big hitters to take the short line and be rewarded or play the more conservative route and less risky.
A number of greens on the Ocean provide a testing putting challenge as they contain severe slopes which can easily lead to a 3 putt (or worse). A good rule of thumb is better to be below the hole than above. A number of holes provide realistic birdie chances and in particular a few short par 4 holes (6th, 13th and 15th) offer the long hitter the chance to drive the green. But as is often the case with these types of holes if you go for it and fail you will be severely punished.
The tough 18th provides a finishing hole where par is a very good score. Played into the prevailing wind the 18th is over 400 metres with a tight driving area flanked by bunkers and a slight uphill approach shot. The multi million clubhouse stands ominously over the 18th hole and the happenings on the hole below provide a constant source of amusement for members in the clubhouse relaxing over a drink after their game.
The National, located on the Mornington Peninsula approximately 80 minutes from the city of Melbourne, is a must play for any keen golfer. All three courses are ranked in Australia's top 40 and there are some spectacular coastal views.
Hole
1, Par
5
(464
m)
Choose either the high side or low side and drive confidently, as the green may be reachable in two if the wind is with you. Otherwise lay up to the 100 metre mark for your best option. The shot into the raised green must be full and bold, as the slope at the front catches the weaker shots, and sends them back down the hill.
Hole
2, Par
4
(345
m)
Only the long hitters will be concerned about the fairway bunkers, so a drive at them or just right will leave you with the best approach. The green here is also set high, so once again be bold with the shot into the green, perhaps taking one more club, as any shot left or short may roll well back.
Hole
3, Par
3
(165
m)
A par 3 is a good score here. A very hard green to hold if the pin is on the right, and two deep bunkers guard this side, so perhaps it is wiser to be left of centre, and if the green is missed, then it leaves an easier up and down for par.
Hole
4, Par
4
(387
m)
You must not flirt with the quarry (unless playing the front tees with the wind behind). Left centre of the fairway is preferred for a longer but simpler approach. The green is unguarded but tricky, and it slopes from right to left.
Hole
5, Par
4
(320
m)
If the conditions favour a carry over the fairway traps, do so and be rewarded with a short iron into an elevated green. A full approach to the heart of the green is required, as anything short or right will surely roll back, leaving a very difficult chip. The left side of the green may be the safer side to miss.
Hole
6, Par
4
(360
m)
Avoid the fairway traps here. The wind direction may influence your decision to use driver or just an iron off the tee. Ideally your drive will leave you a mid iron to a green that slopes severely left to right. Be careful also of the deep hollow at the front of the green.
Hole
7, Par
5
(492
m)
Stay just left of the fairway trap with the drive and the slope will sweep the ball long and left to the edge of the fairway. Difficult to reach in two, so lay up to the 100 metre mark. A bold full shot uphill to the difficult two tiered green is required. A par five here is a good score.
Hole
8, Par
4
(383
m)
The safer line is the left half of the fairway. Only the bold long drivers will play down the right. A long second to a partly obscured green awaits. If you lay up, just short and right of the green will give you the easiest chip. Rated as very difficult, so a bogey is not that bad a score.
Hole
9, Par
3
(177
m)
Long uphill shot to a tricky green. Better to miss on the right side for a slightly easier up and down. The bunkers on the left must be avoided as the green slopes away to the right. Also rated amongst the most difficult, so par is a good score here.
Hole
10, Par
5
(495
m)
Plenty of room on the right side of the fairway, and if you catch the downslope, you may have a shot at reaching the raised green in two. If laying up, the right side is preferred for a better angle into the green.
Hole
11, Par
3
(157
m)
A bold shot that carries to the heart or the back of the green is required. Short and left is to be avoided, as the ball will be swept away down the slope. Better to have a long putt from the back of the green than a difficult chip from off the green.
Hole
12, Par
4
(357
m)
A long drive to the right half of the fairway sets up the best view and approach to the green. A big sand dune obscures your view of the green if you are too far left with the drive. The right half of the green is also preferred, as anything too far left may sweep off the putting surface.
Hole
13, Par
4
(275
m)
The ideal drive will be in the right centre of the fairway on this straightforward looking short par four up the hill. The danger is in choosing the right club into the two tiered raised green, and the shot requires some nerve. It is open and exposed to the elements.
Hole
14, Par
3
(150
m)
The middle of the green is the safest option here, no matter what the pin placement. The green is set high on a ridge, with the clubhouse in full view. Concentration is required, as any shot long or short will be punished.
Hole
15, Par
4
(332
m)
Take in the panoramic view of the coastline, and then drive into the left of the fairway. The large undulating green is only visible from this side, and is set deep into the sand dunes. You can choose a low running approach, or a full shot with a short iron.
Hole
16, Par
4
(334
m)
The fairway pot bunkers must be avoided, with the ideal line being down the left side. The green is raised and open to the elements, so caution is required. Whether you choose a low running pitch or a high full shot, you must play to the right side of the green, as everything sweeps from right to left.
Hole
17, Par
5
(462
m)
A long confident shot into the right side of the fairway is required. From here, lay up into the bottom of the valley. Take heed of where the pin is placed though, as you may not be able to see the flag from down there. A bold, full shot is needed into the green, as anything short will come a long way back down the hill.
Hole
18, Par
4
(408
m)
A daunting prospect here, with the clubhouse in sight, and your two very best shots are required to reach the green. The bail out area short and left of the green is quite wide, but leaves a tricky chip to a long narrow green. A par four will be a very satisfying finish to the round.