Virginia Golf Club

You may stand on the 1st tee with an optimistic frame of mind but the opening hole can provide much aggravation. Two straight shots should set up a strong birdie opportunity on what is a fairly flat green. If you stray off the tee however, it’s likely to kick start of chain of events that will lead to a much higher score…

The 2nd hole is great example of risk and reward golf. A creek winds its way down the right side of the hole and pinches into the fairway at the 235m mark. Those who choose driver and play aggressively can be rewarded with a short approach shot to a wide green. The risk… is that their ball will stray a little right and will never be seen again!

There’s a large ridge through the middle of the 3rd green which may cause you grief both off the tee and on the green. If your ball drifts slightly off target, it could be swept off the putting surface by the steep slopes. Putting is never an easy task on the 3rd and if the hole is cut in the back right position, brace yourself for a wild ride.

You’ll immediately know what shot is required from you when you stand on the 4th tee. A powerful fade should leave you in the middle of the fairway with an uncomplicated approach to a two-tiered green. Be careful not to miss it right off the tee. The trees are thick and your only option will be a punch out back into the fairway.

It is important to be accurate with your tee shot at the par 4 5th. Overhanging trees could interfere with your approach if you drift too far right or left with your drive. The green features a large tier in the middle and if you’re any hope of making a putt, you’ll need to make sure your ball is on the same level as the pin.

The wind plays a big factor with drives on the 6th, the longest par 4 on the course. With the benefit of a prevailing south-westerly, longer hitters can reach the top of the hill and leave themselves a short approach off a flat lie. It won’t be that easy if the wind pops up from the opposite direction. You’ll be faced with a blind shot off a side hill lie with a long iron in your hands.

One must be careful when driving off the 7th tee. Any drive pulled left is in danger of slipping through the out-of-bounds fence. If you take the “coward’s option” and bail out right, you won’t find the hole much easier – there’s a grove of trees and bushes. The green is very narrow but if you can find it in regulation, you should have a chance at making birdie.

A wide fairway will greet you when you reach the 8th tee. It’s a great opportunity to pull out the driver and give it a rip. There is a steep bank at the front and back of the green so be careful to choose the right club or you may have a fiddly up and down.

The 9th is a brutal par 3 which requires a long iron. It can play as long as 200m if the hole is located in its toughest position – back left. The green is the most difficult to hit in regulation so make sure you take all the elements into consideration when standing back on the tee. Short short is the best place to miss it.

You’ll hopefully have a trouble-free start to the back nine on the short par 4 10th. The hole sets up perfectly for a right-to-left tee shot around the trees which shield the corner of the dogleg. Trouble lurks through the fairway however so be careful not to hit it too far. With a green that slopes heavily from back-to-front, you’re best to leave the ball under the hole if you want a makeable birdie putt.

The par 4 11th challenges players with a particularly narrow driving area. The fairway bunker at the 240m mark off the tee is the least of your problems. Those straying left or right will need plenty of luck to have a clear shot at the green. When the pin is tucked over the deep front bunker, getting your approach shot close is no easy assignment. A deceptively tricky hole.

The 12th is the easiest hole at Virginia Golf Club. Only a short iron is required to reach this par 3 which features a generously large green. Three bunkers do their best to punish those who stray from their intended line but if you are on target, you’re likely to have a good chance at a birdie.

It’s the shortest par 5 on the course but there are plenty of ways of finding trouble on the 13th. The fairway narrows at the 250m mark off the tee with trees lining both sides. Those looking to attack the hole will need to be wary of the lake and four bunkers which guard the narrow green. It’s easy to make a birdie but there are plenty of times when it seems just as easy to make a bogey.

The green on the short 14th is the smallest on the course. Fully enclosed by trees, you’ll need to judge the swirling winds if you want to finish on the putting surface. You might also like to avoid the very deep bunker which protects the front of the green. Just a friendly suggestion…

The 15th is a lengthy par 4 which can play extremely long when the south-easterly wind is blowing. A draw is required off the tee so as to avoid a large paperbark which defends the left side. The second shot is played to a long, skinny green which sits a tricky angle. There are very few places where you can miss this green and have an easy up and down.

The 16th is the longest hole on the course but it is a relatively simple birdie opportunity… provided you avoid the two deep fairway bunkers off the tee. There’s just one bunker up at the large green and bigger hitters should have no trouble reaching the green in two shots with a prevailing breeze.

There’s plenty of landing room on the long par-4 17th – the fairway is generously wide. Your problems are likely to arise on and around the undulating green. Well guarded by two bunkers, a player is always happy to walk off with a par. The hole always plays as one of the toughest during big events.

The final hole provides a fitting challenge if you’re looking to finish off a good round. The landing area for your drive is quite narrow with a fairway bunker on the right and a thicket of trees on the left. If you can avoid trouble off the tee, you’ll have a relatively straight-forward approach to green protected by a grass bunker and high mounds. Best of luck!