Course Tour
Hole 1
A strong par 5 to commence the round. Long hitters will keep their drive down the left to enable them to reach the green in two. Average length players can play a long iron or fairway metal for their second, staying left of the right hand fairway bunker, leaving themselves a short iron into a generous picturesque green sloping from back to front and slightly right to left.
(NB. While on the 1st tee, have a look at the pin placement on the 9th hole to your left.)
Hole 2
After negotiating the first par 5, another challenging par 5 beckons. A drive that starts at the fairway bunker on the left and fades to the right is the perfect shot. The longer hitter will have an opportunity to go for this green in two (avoiding bunkers at the front and at the left of the green). The shorter hitter will lay up with a fairway metal or long iron to the middle of the fairway, and play a short iron to a green that slopes down, like most holes at KGC, from back to front. This green is longer than it appears due to a hidden section at the back which slopes away, so, when the flag is at the back perhaps play a little short to avoid running off.
Hole 3
Recently renovated, the 3rd hole has become one of our best par 3’s. A short to mid iron in most conditions, the right selection of club is required to combat the strategically placed bunkers front and back of the green. A tee shot short of the green risks running down into the Penalty Area in front.
Hole 4
The first par 4 is a tough one. Not due to the length of the hole, but to the fact that it requires an accurate tee shot between water left and fairway bunker right. Long hitters may dare to hit over the fairway bunker. A good tee shot opens up this hole for a second shot to a generous green sloping back to front and left to right.
Hole 5
A beautiful short par 4 with reward for the aggressive golfer, but danger lurks with thick bushland left, and a drive right of centre invites potential tree trouble.
Hole 6
A par 4 – great for the average player who fades the ball right. The long hitter may take on the corner to leave themselves a short iron to the green. The average hitter will have a mid or long iron into a green well protected by bunkers both left and right.
Hole 7
Keep to the right side of the fairway on this par 5 – all the way to the green. Finish up on the left near the green, and you are in a ‘no go’ zone. Long hitters will be close in two but the approach is to a very testing green with slopes and undulations. A ball hit long will finish in a swale back right, and beware of water beyond and left of the green.
(NB. Take a look at the pin position on the 10th hole, on your right as you pass.)
Hole 8
A par 3 that requires just a short iron but beware the two big bunkers left and right that help protect the many pin positions on this undulating green.
Hole 9
A strong par 4 to finish the outward nine, requiring a drive shaping right to left so as to negotiate the gap between the two fairway bunkers. For most golfers this will leave a long iron or fairway metal to a well-protected and fairly flat green. A strong westerly makes this one of our most difficult holes, even for the professionals.
Hole 10
A fairly soft par 4 to start a challenging back nine. A long iron or fairway metal off the tee is ideally placed just short of the bunkers. This will leave a short iron to a large, well-protected green that slopes from back to front.
(NB. While on the 10th tee, have a look at the pin placement on the 18th hole to your left.)
Hole 11
A well-hit drive will reward the golfer as the fairway gently slopes towards the hole adding 20 metres to a straight tee shot. Most golfers will be left with a mid to long iron off a downslope to a slightly undulating green.
For ladies, this is a par 5 while men play it as a par 4.
(NB. Check the pin position on the 12th hole at left as you pass.)
Hole 12
This is a highly-regarded par 3. A long iron or fairway metal is required to land softly on a well-bunkered green. Players who fail to find this green from the tee can struggle to make par.
Hole 13
Longer drivers need to carry 200m from the back tee over the lake, aiming between the fairway bunker and the large gum tree on the corner (or directly over the bunker) to set themselves up for a short iron into the picturesque green of this par 4. Others will aim left of the gum tree (or try to thread between gum tree and lake) for a long second shot to the green.
Hole 14
A testing par 4 requires a left to right (or high, corner-cutting) tee shot to give the shortest possible approach into one of the smallest and most well-protected greens at Keysborough. Due to the length and shape of this hole, those not so long off the tee may require a good up-and-down for par on the men’s No. 3 rated hole.
Hole 15
A long iron or fairway metal is required to reach the green on Keysborough’s longest par 3. Although long, this hole gives the straight hitter a chance to make par or birdie with their tee shot. The place to miss this green is short, which leaves an easier up-and-down for par.
Hole 16
Although our shortest men’s par 5, and stroke index 18 (for ladies, par 4 stroke index 8 off a forward tee) don’t be fooled into taking this hole lightly. A straight drive off the tee will give the long hitter a fairly easy birdie opportunity. A little inaccurate left or right off the tee will create problems; out-of-bounds on the right and thick tea tree and water on the left. For those who can’t reach the green in two, your second shot needs to be placed centre or down the left, else a long bunker shot awaits you. Be careful with your approach shot to the green as left, long or right is bogey territory.
Hole 17
Another par 5, where a long and brave tee shot affords an opportunity to take on the fairway bunkers and easily reach the green in two. Others will aim left of the fairway bunkers and play their second to a generous lay-up area. Water on the right, plus bunkers both short and left provide some protection for an otherwise fairly easy hole.
Hole 18
A tough final hole that requires players who are having a good round to maintain concentration right to the end. Out-of-bounds to the right, a driveable bunker on the right edge of the fairway, and thick trees to the left make this men’s 413m par 4 a bit of a monster. Ladies play it as a par 5 off the same tee. After placing your drive towards the right side of the fairway, a mid to long iron or fairway metal is required to reach this well-protected final green in two, however there is plenty of lay-up space short of the green. The right approach club is a necessity – ending up on the wrong level of this undulating green can be perilous, not to mention both soul- and round-destroying!
To book a round of golf please call (03) 9798 1333 or email: proshop@keysboroughgolf.com.au