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Huntingdale Golf Club

Course Review

Situated in the heart of Melbourne's famous Sandbelt the course is a very tight driving course, with the hard and fast greens that are so typical of the golf courses in the region.

left - the tough 18th, Pic by David Scaletti

Prior to the 1999 Masters, the old Huntingdale course underwent some significant surgery at the hands of Newton, Grant and Spencer. The alterations were primarily aimed at improving winter drainage for the members, but the team clearly intended to toughen the 1941 layout against the type of scoring that saw Matthew Goggin break the Masters record the previous year, and yet still be pipped by five shots by the winner, Brad Hughes, with an incredible 24 under total of 268.

The dramatic changes begin at the longest championship par five in Australian golf, the 555m 14th. After the second set of bunkers off the tee, fairway mounding has been introduced to encourage surface run-off into the pond on the left before the green. The result is a much tougher shot required to get home in two, threading a narrow gap between greenside bunkers to reach the long, narrow green. This green, and those on all the finishing holes, was completely rebuilt with significant undulation.

It was the extensive alterations to the greens that caused so much controversy from the Pros. during the 1999 Masters. They felt that the old Huntingdale character had been destroyed, and replaced by greens tricked up in the style of every other US resort-style layout.

A huge lake has been introduced in the centre of the triangle created by the 15th, 16th and 17th holes. The new 141m par three 15th green perches like an inverted saucer above the lake with severe slopes down into the water for anything that misses left off the tee, and an array of sand traps on the right. It was a pity to lose the old 15th, one of the classic sand belt par threes, but an expanded putting surface was desirable to create more diverse pin placements.

The 351m par four 16th has been re-bunkered so that a really solid drive is required into a headwind to carry the first bunker guarding the ideal approach from the right of the fairway which slopes gently upwards to the green. The real danger is a deep and nasty bunker in the left of the fairway some 230m from the championship tee. It is impossible to play for the green from some parts of this trap. Once again, the old green, known as the flattest on the course, has been sculpted with swales and bumps.

The 17th hole is a tough, long but gentle dogleg right of some 425m. The large lake is now quite visible from the tee, and threatens to swallow any ball that is struck too firmly or played with too much right to left movement. Severe fairway mounding has been introduced, culminating in huge bumps and hollows all around the roller coaster green. A ball played to the wrong part of this green is most definitely in three-putt territory.

The finishing hole, 410m slightly uphill to the green is incredibly tough for the members due to the new bunkers that replace the mounds on the left. This is the best design change from the Masters’ perspective, because the old grandstands often provided a free drop for a ball pulled left. Now a carry of over 200m is required to negotiate the huge bunkers and set up a mid iron approach to the vast green. Craig Spence rifled a six iron 170m to within a metre of the pin to clinch the 1999 jacket from Greg Norman. There’s only a small gap between the huge island bunker in front of the green, and another to the left which is why the members who need to drive right of the sand find the hole so tough. Once again, the green, surrounded by grandstands and the newly renovated club house with its upstairs Fosters entertaining suite for the Masters has been remade with swales and mounds.

Further changes made prior to the 2001 Masters
The magnificent Huntingdale layout underwent more surgery at the hands of Newton-Grant-Spencer after the 1999 changes to the finishing five holes that caused so much controversy. These include an enhanced and daunting proposition from the fourth tee, with bunkers bolstering the challenge along the left hand side of this 350m downhill dogleg right. The green has been significantly enlarged and reduced in height. It used to be ringed by bunkers, but under the right wind conditions may now entice daring long hitters to attempt to drive it. Those that play to the fairway just short of the corner bunkers will find that a huge gum has been removed from the left, simplifying the approach.

The classic short par four fifth hole was also replaced by a tough uphill par three of nearly 200m. This features an interesting three-tiered green that will surely see some wicked pin placements and several three putts.

Green Fee access - Access to this private club is restricted to members, guests of members and Golf Club Members from Interstate and Overseas upon payment of the applicable green fee. ausgolf can advise about playing Huntingdale, or for travel advice please e-mail golf@ausgolf.com.au