Kooindah Waters

A short walk of 60 to 70 metres from the Pro Shop passing the putting green on the way brings the golfer to the opening shot, the 10th tee is another 15 metres or so further on. The first is a solid opening hole playing in a southerly direction. Wetlands lurk on the right, however the fairway width is quite generous and pars should be readily achievable, a comfortable opening hole.

Quite a challenging par 3 over wetlands but a large green and plenty of "bail out" to the left will keep the field moving which is so important at this stage of the game. Good players will be keen to attack this hole but must be careful not to "leak" to the right where wetlands await.

A reasonably strong par 4 requiring a well struck tee shot preferably with right to left shape, long hitters may well run out of fairway without the right shape. The green is guarded on the right by a pond which also doubles as the irrigation pond. Approach shots directed to the left centre of the green with a slight "fade" will reap the best results. Pars here will be well earned.

The feature of this hole is a large undulating green. The green is very open to the left and heavily bunkered on the right and the tendency will be to favour the left, but from here chipping and long range putting will be complicated by the undulations of the putting surface. This hole will be somewhat of a "sleeper", that is, looks easy enough but too often bogies will be scored.

This hole will prove to be a very sporting Par 5. The key for many players being whether to "lay-up" or "fly" the watercourse crossing with their second shots. A lay-up will certainly put greater emphasis on the approach shot to a rather small green which angles abruptly to the left. Certainly long hitters will be hopeful of reaching the green in two and putting for an eagle.

Although short this Par 3 hole will be no pushover. A shallow green places emphasis on distance control. The surrounds to the green will be quite complicated making for some interesting "up and down" recovery golf. A natural feel to this golf hole set in amongst the eucalypts creating a wonderful setting for what will be a very memorable hole.

A nice little Par 4 where most players will have a chance for a par. Good players will be hoping for a birdie, a nice drive left of centre with a little fade, followed by a crisp wedge and hopefully hole a short putt for a three will be the aim.

This is a definite two shotter for long hitters but the second shot must be precise, any slightly miss hit approach shot may well cause a blowout in the score. This is certainly a good example of risk and reward golf. For the average player a par should be readily achievable provided the third shot to the green is played with steady nerves. With a watery grave in front and bunkers at the rear of the green distance control will be paramount.

The key to this hole is a well struck drive anywhere on the fairway but the closer to the wetland on the right the easier the approach shot across the wetland. Some players after a short or poor drive will be forced to lay-up with their second shots setting up a short pitch over the wetland for their third shot. This hole is fraught with danger and in a "make or break" situation (given that for many players this may well be their final hole) will produce some exciting golf.

There is plenty of room off the tee, particularly to the left, which allows a little latitude to those golfers commencing their round on this hole. A large fairway bunker in the driving zone on the right will come to the attention of long hitters. A long drive which flirts with this bunker will set up a chance for a crack at the green with their second shot, albeit a very dangerous shot with out-of-bounds on the right and bunkers and wetland to the left. But for some the temptation will be too great. For most, a par five will be well earned here.

For good players a controlled 3 metal from the tee will be the best play, left side of the fairway will give the best angle of approach using a 7 or 8 iron. Good average players will take a driver from the tee and again play the left side of the fairway. A bunker 15 metres short of the green will then come into consideration as it must be carried to reach the putting surface in regulation, add two putts for a solid par and off to the next tee well satisfied.

This is the longest Par 3 on the course and will present a very stern test even for low markers. The green is guarded on the left by wetlands and a bunker however there is ample bailout to the right. The green is large and heavily contoured making chip and putt pars a difficult proposition. For a good player, depending on the wind direction, setting up next to the danger on the left and working the ball to the right is one option, or a nice draw shot which bounces forward using the contours of the green is another. This could well be a pivotal hole in championship play.

Another challenging hole requiring a well placed strong drive if par is to be threatened. The second shot, which for many players could be a mid to longish iron, must carry the wetland immediately in front of the green. The average player may well play this as a short par 5 taking three shots to reach the green.

A beautiful little Par 4, framed by a melaleuca wetland on the left and a mature forest along the right boundary. The green is also framed with large trees in the backdrop. The big boys will have a crack at the green with their tee shot, but if misdirected, a high score may eventuate. This hole is full of temptation even for a medium player. Keep a cool head and pars and birdies will readily be achievable, conversely a triple bogie is just as likely.

This is easily the longest Par 5 at Kooindah Waters and except for the very very long players this will play as a genuine three "shotter". Being a double dogleg the ability to shape the ball both ways will come into calculation, particularly on the second shot where there are at least four realistic options as well as the all-out option to be on in two. For the medium player par is not improbable but very controlled and intelligent play will be necessary. This hole will certainly expose any weaknesses either physical or mental.

A straight-ish, medium to strong Par 4. The most notable feature of this hole is the wetland on the left extending from the tee to beyond. A good drive and a bunker separates the driving zone from the adjacent wetland. A strong drive which flirts with the fairway bunker will set-up the best angle of approach for a mid iron second shot to a green heavily bunkered on the right. A formidable Par 4.

Although short, the island green virtually surrounded by wetland will put fear into most mortals. For duffers, a lay-up fairway on the left will provide some relief. Wind will definitely be a factor in the playing of this very heroic hole. All sorts of scores from a hole-in-one to double figures can be expected at anytime even from good players. Commitment and steady nerves are prime ingredients for success here.

By any standards this is a very long Par 4 fraught with danger from the tee through to the green. From the tee good players will be tempted to take-on the wetland skirting up the left in order to shorten their second shot. Two deep fairway bunkers lurk on the right at 240 to 250 metres out waiting to catch a slightly "leaked" drive. After a solid drive up the middle a 3 or 4 iron will be needed and ideally it will be a controlled fade which works off the wetland flanking the green on the left. Average players will be well advised to treat this as a short par 5 and with sensible play bogies should be readily achievable. A very memorable finishing hole.