Mount Lawley Golf Club

A straightaway par 4 with a generous landing area for tee shots. From a good drive a mid to short iron is required to reach the green which is guarded by a deep bunker short right. Approach shots missing the green will leave a difficult chip with the mounding on the left and swale on right side of green.

The large pine on the horizon is the aiming point for what is the only blind drive on the course. Longer hitters can draw their tee shot around the sweeping dogleg, however a word of warning. Don't cut too much off the corner, as the long bend could result in your second shot being blocked. An accurate approach is required to an awkwardly angled green.

Longer hitters can drive across the corner bunker, however it is the second shot that determines how the hole should be approached. Aim right so that the slope brings your shot back to the middle of the fairway where you'll have the best opportunity of getting your third shot close. A bump and run approach up the front bank is often the best option, but allow for a big sweep to the left. Strong contours on the green will test the putting nerves, particularly when the green is running fast.

A drive just short of the fairway bunker gives the flattest lie and best angle into the green on this strong par 4. A long iron or fairway wood landing short of the green will generally bounce on or leave a straightforward chip. A subtle ridge running the length of the green can leave some challenging putts and the odd misread is not uncommon.

Old pump house used to be located near by.. Large trees create a classic chute through which the drive must be threaded. Although a wide landing area awaits the drive, the fairway falls away to the left and right, shedding errant shots towards the tree lines. Distance control is critical on the approach shot for any chance of a birdie.

Uphill par 3 where the base of the flag not visible from tee. A two tiered green makes club selection critical. Finish on the correct tier and a birdie is a real possibility - finish on the wrong tier and you'll have to work hard for your par.

A solid fade finishing on the right side of the fairway sets up the best angle into a strongly contoured green. You can play safe to the front of the green, but if the pin is cut left or back, you'll have your work cut out saving par. A braver shot will require precision in distance and direction if the protecting bunkers are to be avoided. The reward however will be birdie opportunity, or at least a solid par.

A strong par 3 that shorter hitters can reach by running a low shot though the narrow entrance to the green. Errant shots will find themselves in the greenside bunker or grassy hollow to the right. Aim to leave yourself an uphill putt on this strongly contoured green.

Drive to the right side of the fairway to give the best angle around the sweeping dogleg. Only the brave will hit their second shots across the trees on the corner. A more conservative line keeping to the right side of the fairway will give the best angle into the long and narrow green. A ridge separating the back third of the green ensures a difficult two putt if your approach stays on the wrong side of the ridge.

A sweeping dogleg challenges the long hitters to take the short way home across the corner trees. A more conservative long iron finishing close to the fairway bunkers will set up the best line into the green. Subtle green contours can leave deceptive putts, but definitely a birdie opportunity.

The toughest hole at Mount Lawley requires a strong drive to the corner to leave a direct shot to the green. Anything short of the corner leaves a blind shot that must be drawn around the corner and over the hill. A severely sloping green will test the nerve on all but the shortest putts.

Long hitters can take on the challenge of threading their drives between the fairway bunker and the corner trees, but a more conservative shot just short of the bunker will leave a midiron to perhaps the most difficult target on the course. A precise approach to the elevated green is necessary to avoid the protecting bunkers and carry the bank at the front. Once on the green, don't be deceived by the modest looking slope, it's steeper than it looks. A two putt on this green is a good result.

The shortest hole at Mount Lawley is also the one most affected by the wind. Played from an elevated tee either into the prevailing sea breeze or with the morning easterly, club selection is critical. Shaped like the map of Australia, pin positions are often described by their 'geographical' location. When the wind is blowing, Alice Springs represents the safest target, even when the pin is cut at Kalgoorlie or Broken Hill. A definite birdie hole that just as easily becomes a bogey hole if anything less than full concentration is applied to the tee shot.

A drawn tee shot hugging the left side will gain maximum run off the reverse cambered fairway. The prevailing sea breeze brings the fairway bunkers into play and a solid shot up the left side of the fairway is required to avoid them. This side will also give you the best angle into the green. An accurate pitch will set up a birdie opportunity on a subtly contoured green.

A strong par 3 where a solid tee shot is required if the large front bunker is to be carried. A safer approach is to draw the tee shot through the opening on the right side of the green. The moderately contoured green will reward a well-struck tee shot with a good birdie opportunity.

A classic short par four that dares the long hitters to power a drive around the dogleg into a tight green. A more conservative iron to the base of the hill leaves only a short pitch to a green above eye level. Judge the distance correctly and you'll have a great birdie opportunity.

A reachable par 5 for the long hitters, particularly when the prevailing sea breeze is blowing. Aim to draw your tee shot between the fairway bunkers to gain maximum distance up the hill. A strong fade will skirt the fairway bunker over the hill on the right and run up the steep bank onto the plateau green. A more conservative second will leave either a delicate pitch or a bump and run shot that must negotiate the swale cut into the front of the green. Take care when putting - the relatively flat green produces more breaks than appearances would suggest.

A solid draw up the hill will leave you on the inside of the dogleg and give the best approach into a challenging finishing hole. Aim your approach to allow for the right to left slope on the green. When the greens are running fast, this is the fastest of them all. A downhill putt for the money will test the nerve of even the best putters.