The Cut Golf Club

A line of sight fairway bunker some 240 metres from the tee should be avoided. Assuming the fairway is reached a short iron is all that is needed to find the elevated green, but if the wind is blowing, a low running shot might be the better play. Four will inevitably prove to be a good score here, particularly if played into the sea breeze.

From an elevated tee with spectacular views of the coast, two deep, cavernous fairway bunkers located in the ideal landing area suggest a lay-up, therefore a 3-wood or long iron might be preferable to the driver. From the fairway a short iron is all that is needed to reach a flattish, perched green exposed to the elements.

From the tee the golfer is seduced with panoramic ocean views whilst at the same time much of the fairway is obscured by a large sand dune. Bunkers in the right side of the fairway are short of a generous landing area, which can be reached by a 3-wood or long iron. 30 metres short of the green the fairway narrows and the brave may contemplate 'threading the needle' with the driver. If successful a birdie or eagle awaits. For most a short pitch from the wider section of the fairway to a protected green should result in par or better.

The visual splendour of this wonderful par 3 will ensure golf remains the day's sport of choice. The green, is nestled under a massive dune, which protects the putting surface from the prevailing winds. A well struck mid-iron will be needed.

An elevated tee exposes the entire hole, tempting the golfer to shorten the challenge by taking on the cavernous fairway bunkers guarding the inside of the dog-leg. Finding these bunkers will almost certainly make par impossible and bogey a challenge. The second must either pierce the bunkers guarding the approach or otherwise lay-up short. A large flattish green is receptive to the golfer prepared to attack.

This is another shortish par 4 where taking driver is not required. The fairway is wide but narrows considerably around the 240 metre mark with unforgiving rough penalising errant shots. Assuming the fairway is reached a shortish iron is all that is required to find a green guarded by a clutch of bunkers on the right and large mound on the left. Depending upon the winds strength and direction par may be a suitable reward for some good shot-making however this hole has the potential to spoil a good start.

With the irrigation lake guarding the right side of this fairway the drive must either lay-up short of the left hand bunker, located to keep the golfer honest from the tee or otherwise take on the water from where the golfer will find the ideal line to the green. A bunker guarding the left hand edge of the green will cause problems for those not prepared to take on the challenge of the water but if the green is found, par of better should be a very real proposition.

The longest of the par 4s on the course plays uphill for its entire length. The prevailing winds should assist, however, large strategically placed fairway bunkers will influence decision making on the tee. Generous fairway width invites use of the driver, although wind direction and tee markers will ultimately influence club choice and determine whether the right hand side fairway bunker can be carried. Carrying the bunker is very tempting because if successful substantial distance is taken off the length of the hole and par or better becomes more likely. Bunkers guarding the right hand side of the green should be avoided if par is to be a reality.

This is an exposed and elevated par 4 where driving accuracy will be key to posting a good score. Wind will be a factor in choosing the line from the tee. An elevated and undulating green awaits a mid to long iron shot. Any golfer leaving this green with a par or better should undoubtedly be in a good frame of mind to begin the back nine experience.

The blind tee shot hides the fact that you are about to embark on a golfing journey that will be memorable for its uniqueness to Australian golf. The fairway seeps through a valley enclosed by Peppermints trees. The shape of the fairway should assist in ensuring a well-struck tee shot runs to the bottom of the valley, into the ideal landing area. A well struck long iron will be needed to reach the large green guarded by sand on the right. Accuracy from both the tee and fairway is needed on this hole if par is to be threatened but importantly, par will be an important number as you embark on the mind game that is the closing 8 holes.

From an elevated tee the short par 4 lists and rolls all the way to the elevated green perched on the primary dune high above the Indian Ocean. From the tee a 3-wood or even long-iron might be the best play to reach the ideal position from which to approach the green. The green, blind from the bottom of the fairway rolls and dips such that the accuracy of the approach shot will be the most important element in the pursuit or par or better. For to be on the opposite side of the green to the pin will almost certainly mean that 3 putts and a resultant 5 becomes the order of the day.

Enough of the easy holes! You might just have to hope that when you arrive at this elevated tee, perched literally on top of the beach, the wind is blowing in a favourable direction, or not at all. As one of the most exposed holes on the Australian coast the 12th is never likely to be a pushover. The fairway meanders between some ruggedly wild sand dunes, which dictate the line of play from the tee. Anything other than an accurate tee shot will not be good enough if par is to be challenged. From the landing area some 15 metres below the tee elevation the fairway rises again to a green literally parked on the beach to which a fairway wood or long-iron will be needed. Once on the green the distraction of the crashing waves nearby might be the biggest challenge en-route to the hole. Par will be a welcome score on a hole that will become synonymous with golf at The Cut.

This hole turns us away from the beach and plays slightly uphill to a wonderfully large green partially hidden from view by a wild looking sand dune short left. Dont let this worry you as the hole is actually much less daunting than its appearance suggests. Not only is the green spacious but it is also receptive and depending upon wind speed and direction, should be easily found with a long-iron. If birdie presents itself here take it with open arms as there might not be too many more opportunities as you turn for home.

Again, an elevated tee shot to a sweeping fairway some 15 metres below the height of the tee. The fairway is relatively wide and the ideal line should be the left hand side fairway bunker, which is in clear view. If your game is all about risk taking then I would suggest that the right hand side fairway bunker might be the challenge you seek as it can definitely be flown when the prevailing wind is about. If successful in flying the bunker the green is several clubs closer and par becomes easier. The fairway itself turns and moves graciously through its own natural valley with the last portion engulfed by Peppermints and bunkers. Again accuracy is the key to making a good score on this demanding par 4.

This shortish par 5 represents an to pick up previously dropped shots. From the tee the fairway is wide enough for it to be easily found with the driver, unlike many of the holes before it. The only real caution being The Cuts bunker of hell guarding the right hand side. From here the fairway climbs through a narrow high-sided valley before turning at right angles for its last 60 metres. If the tee shot is long enough it will be very tempting to fly the corner of the dog-leg as the smallish but blind green becomes very reachable.

This hole commences from the highest spot on the golf course, which has a commanding view of the 17 th and 12 th holes below and the Indian Ocean beyond. It might be worth taking some time out to ponder life while awaiting the tee shot as the views from the tee are unsurpassed. The green on this short par 3 is partially hidden such that if the pin is tucked in the back portion of the green only the flag will be evident. Because of its exposure, wind direction will be vital in terms of the degree of challenge presented. With no formal bunkers to speak of and at only 134 metres this hole will yield its share of 2s but it is the amount of others that the hole will be remembered for.

The key to success on this hole will be ensuring the less than generously proportioned fairway is found. To achieve this I would suggest you go nowhere near the driver but instead grapple for a mid to long-iron that only needs to find the saddle, resulting in an easy task to find the broad rolling green. The elevated green has some interesting pin options, particularly in the rear where the conjoined green (with 11) presents an interesting and challenging location to be putting to.

This is the longest and the most demanding par 5, particularly if played into a morning breeze. When the sea breeze is blowing the hole becomes a very different proposition where the drive becomes the key to a good score. From an elevated location above the beach the hole follows the coast before disappearing inland behind a high dune. The brave may challenge the dog-leg and if successful will be rewarded by extra roll. From the landing area the fairway dips and rolls before climbing steeply to a green perched high on a ridge adjacent to the clubhouse. A cluster of bunkers in the second landing area and surrounding the green must be avoided if a routine par is to be made. Hopefully 5 or better closes out the round, which should encourage golfers to return and take on the wonderful challenge that is The Cut.