Gardiners Run Golf & Country Club

Gardiners Run commences with an interesting par 4 with bunkers on the inside of the dogleg that look to offer a risk / reward temptation, however the smart play is to play straight down the middle and be left with a mid-iron to a large flattish green.

This par 5 offers one of those special golfer moments as one crosses the ridge and sees the valley, 2nd green and holes 3 to 7 below them. Best played with a tee shot along the right hand side, which will use the natural contours to kick it back into the middle, the hole then entices golfers to go for the green.

Certain to be one of the courses most photographed holes this short par 3 plays over water and sand to a gently undulating green. There is room to the front right and short for the not so brave but what the heck have a go and have some fun.

This long par 4 plays uphill to a green surface that remains hidden for most of the journey. From the tee golfers need to be careful of the bunkers on each side of the fairway, then it?s a matter of club selection to find the centre of this large flattish green. Also beware of bunkers short and left of the green.

The 5th at Gardiners Run is a hole full of options and temptations. Playing downhill and at less than 300 yards in a straight line going for the green is possible, however both sand or water will catch the errant shot. Laying up sounds safe but a fairway bunker short of the green puts a premium on tee shot position. Holes with such a variety of strategic options are the essence of fun and tantalising golf.

With water down both sides of the fairway and in front of the tee this is one of the courses more testing tee shots. However the intimidation is more in the mind than reality as a generous fairway lies ahead. The 2nd shot is an interesting mid /short iron approach to a green set above ones eye line and protected by bunkers across its front.

Playing uphill this hole plays at least 1 club longer than you?d expect, and the bunkers and hollows that surround the green need to be avoided. The green also has a subtle ridge running across it ensuring this a more difficult hole than it first appears.

Playing downhill, this exciting par 5 offer beautiful views of the Yarra valley and beyond. A long straight tee shot sets up a 2nd shot and a reachable putting surface. For shorter hitters approaching from the left side of the hole will open up the well bunkered green.

This moderately long par 4 returns golfers back to the club zone. Playing slightly downhill this hole is best played along the longer but un-bunkered left hand side. The green is slightly stepped with a ridge running across its middle.

Being the most undulating hole, this par 5 is a reminder of the old Chirnside Park Golf Course with its uphill tee shot, the downhill approach to the green. Bunkers on the ridge provide direction for the tee shot with the safe play being to their left. From this ridge the rest of the hole is clearly visible and although playing shorter along the right side, the best approach angles are from the left side of the fairway.

A difficult par 3 that has the greens? front and right side completely protected by sand, for the shy there is a bit of a bail out area to the left. The green also slopes steeply from back to front so staying below the hole is a sound play.

This undulating par 4 is best played from the centre of the fairway, bunkers to the left will catch an errant drive. The front of the green is quite open and can be approached with either a high or low approach shot.

A most picturesque hole that has the backdrop of the Dandenong Ranges, this par 4 bends slightly to the right and with a fairway bunker on the outside of the corner golfers are tempted to hug the right side of the hole. However the angle of the green and location of greenside bunkers makes approaching the green from the left side a much easier alternative.

A beautiful hole with a well-structured green. Bending to the left off the tee, bunkers on the inside of the dogleg can be challenged and if the tee shot gets past these the golfers can be rewarded with a few more yards from the downhill bounce and a great angle to attack the flag. A green with a few subtle slopes that is certain to test ones putting skills.

A partially blind tee shot challenges golfers on this shortish par 4. A bunker on the ridge must be avoided and the best play is along the right half of the fairway. The approach to the green is from an elevated ridge and should only require a short / medium iron, this shot must avoid the deep bunker to the right of the green.

The last of the par 3?s is a shortish hole that features a distinct change in levels. A huge bunker runs along the right of the green, while a small bunker will catch anything long and left. Careful club selection is required to make certain you end up putting on the correct level.

This par 5 slides to the right off the tee requiring either a fade (left to right) shaped tee shot or a bold line along the right hand edge to the partially hidden fairway. From the landing zone the green is best attacked from the left side of the hole and long 2nd shots can use the slope and get very close to the green.

A difficult par 4 that plays over a ridge then down to the green, that is partially surrounded by water and sand. The longer the tee shot the better and those who elect to drive over the left half of the fairway can catch a steep down slope that can kick your ball back into the middle of the fairway. The approach to the green is there to tempt the fools and test the brave, but it is the wise golfer who plays for the middle of the green.