Royal Perth 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.

One of the most difficult par 3's by anyones standards. Long irons threaded through the narrow opening from the tee to a very small moat styled green is a challenge for all players. Tee shots missing the target require excellent chipping skills to secure a par. The deep greenside bunker on the right is almost certain to produce a bogey or worse! The handicap golfer is better not to attack the green from the tee. Approach shots from short of the green are not quite so difficult. Rated Royal Perth's hardest hole with good reason!

The first par 5 offers a good birdie opportunity for the longer hitters. Like most of the holes at RPGC the fairway is narrow, placing emphasis on straight tee shots. From a good drive the second shot will leave a short pitch to the green, guarded by a bunker left and large mound out right just short of the green. Two bunkers on the right of the fairway short of the green will catch an errant second shot, making a par more difficult.

Bordering the southern end of the course this short par 4 without any bunkers still provides a challenge, especially when played into the prevailing sea breeze! From the tee, position is the key with right of centre giving a clean view of the small green. Usually a long iron is sufficient from the tee leaving a high iron (8 or 9) second shot. Tee shots too far left are blocked out by big pine trees in the narrow neck of fairway making approach shots more difficult, especially into the wind. Putting is often deceiving in judging the pace, particularly from beyond the hole.

A strong par 4 that requires a good drive to a narrow split level fairway. With out of bounds close on the left, many drives, helped by the prevailing left to right wind finish on the adjoining 16th fairway. The second shot must carry a bunker 30 metres short of the green - from a good tee shot this would usually be a 5 or 6 iron. Missing the green right will bring a severe mound and slope into play and a par difficult to achieve. Making a par is always satisfying.

Considerably easier than the second hole this par 3 requires a 6 or 7 iron tee shot aimed right of centre to avoid front left slope on green and left greenside bunker. A deep bunker at front right of green is best avoided so if in doubt with club selection take one more to ensure carrying the bunker. The putting green like most at RPGC is flat with a run-off on the front left corner of green.

Like the third hole, a birdie opportunity, especially for the longer hitters. From a good drive avoiding the fairway bunkers the green is in reach. Length and accuracy is required to miss the four cross bunkers diagonally positioned, and pot bunkers left. A lay up short of the cross bunkers leaves a short iron to the green - disappointed if par is not achieved.

This short par 4 back to the clubhouse is proof that length isn't a pre requisite for a good hole. Unlike the short 4th hole the 8th is heavily bunkered on the left fairway short of the green - best avoided to ensure a par. Most players use a fairway wood or long iron from the tee, leaving a full pitching wedge to hold the green which slopes from front to back. Definitely a birdie opportunity if played properly into position with tee shot. An excellent short par 4 for all golfers.

The shortest par 5 is a great birdie chance. The tee shot needs to avoid the fairway traps on right side to allow a long iron or fairway wood (metal) second shot to the green. Length is not an issue for the long hitters but accuracy is required to stay out of the traps guarding the green on both sides. The putting surface is very flat and one of the larger greens at RPGC.

Tee shots on this hole are not for the faint hearted if a driving club is selected. The landing area is extremely narrow with over hanging trees on either side of fairway blocking out the shot to the green.Many players elect to use a long iron or 3 wood (metal) for position from the tee.Ideally right of centre is best position, to have a clean view of the green from a mid-iron distance.The greenside right bunker is the only hazard on this demanding par 4 where accuracy is a premium.

Parallel to No 10, this par 4 offers a more generous landing area from the tee with just one bunker on the right edge of the fairway.

Situated in the centre of RPGC, the shortest of par 3's but the most interesting. Unlike the majority of greens at Royal Perth which are flat the 12th features a well defined tier creating a split level green. To reach the top level tier requires a 6 or 7 iron whilst the bottom level is one club less. The green is surrounded by bunkers for the errant tee shot and not an easy up and down, especially when the hole is cut on the top tier. The putting surface will test the skill of all players.

This longest par 4 has recently been made more interesting with three fairway bunkers and mounding near the green. Requires a long drive on this demanding par 4 of 417 metres. The landing area is generous by Royal Perth standards and a long iron or fairway wood (metal) is needed to reach the green. The wide green features strong mounding across the back of the green and a bunker front right that gets a lot of use! The putting surface gently slopes from back left to front right. A par here is always acceptable.

Only 146 metres, but a testing par 3, especially when exposed to the strong south-westerly wind. Tee shots into the strong cross wind are difficult to judge. The green is well bunkered left and right and at back of green with two bunkers that are definitely not the place to be! Under calm conditions a 6 or 7 iron. Into the prevailing wind it can be at least two clubs more to reach green. One of the faster greens for putting, especially from behind the hole.

Definitely one of the most narrow and difficult par 4's around. The tee shot has to negotiate an extremely narrow opening for the first 100 metres. The landing area opens out before the fairway bottle-necks all the way to the green. A good tee shot will leave a long iron to the green which is a small target protected by a large pine tree that over-hangs the front left corner. There are no secrets to this tough hole other than it requires two well executed shots to reach the putting surface.

Always offers some respite after playing the 16th. A much shorter par 4, well bunkered from the tee and at the green.Players have an option of taking on the fairway bunkers or laying up, leaving a 6 or 7 iron second shot to the green.The green is wide, but not a lot of depth, so the approach shot has to be precise to carry the right front bunker and stay short of the pot bunker cut into back mound.Not long, but an interesting par 4 requiring thought to obtain best result.

This final hole like the previous par fives is a birdie opportunity. A long straight drive missing the fairway bunkers right, and grass mounds on the left edge provides the chance to attack the second shot. It is possible for the longer hitters to reach the green in two, but it also requires accuracy to miss the cluster of bunkers beginning 60 metres from the green. The majority of players will lay-up short of the bunkers leaving a short iron approach. The green bunkered left and right, slopes gently from back to front offering golfers the chance to finish with a birdie.