Flinders Golf Club

Maxwells - This exciting opening hole is played from an elevated tee that provides spectacular views across Westernport to Phillip Island and Bass Strait. The short length of this Par 4 will tempt the longer hitters to have a crack at the green, however a predominant wind off Bass Strait blowing across the fairway will punish the errant tee shot. The more conservative player will play a fairway wood or middle iron into a narrow landing area leaving a short approach to a heavily bunkered green.

St Andrews - One of the more testing holes on the course drives need to be left of centre to open up a well guarded green. The greenside bunkers and contoured green make getting up and down a real challenge so they are best avoided if possible.

West Head - A long Par 3 playing every inch of its yardage especially on the days when the prevailing headwind is blowing. Tee shots landing short should favour right of centre as the fairway slopes from right to left. Par is more easily achieved if short of the green rather than long.

The Coffin - Flinders' best-known hole, designed in 1926 by Dr Alistair Mackenzie. The perfect tee shot will land on the plateau between the two ravines (coffins) leaving an approach shot to a severely sloping green that needs to finish below the hole to allow an uphill putt. On Navy training days cannon fire provides an additional hazard.

Beach Hole - The magnificent coastal view makes a loss of concentration a real danger. Played along the cliff top that borders the left hand side of the fairway, a good tee shot is required to avoid strategically placed bunkers on both sides of the fairway. Longer hitters can attack the green with their second shot however a '3 pack' of grass bunkers at front calls for the strategic play. A wayward slice will be punished by a cluster of greenside traps.

The Hill - When a south-easterly breeze is blowing, swooping hang gliders provide a unique backdrop to this hole. A difficult driving hole with a blind tee shot up and over the hill, best line is right of centre to avoid the mounding in the left rough with any tee shot starting left a good chance to disappear over the cliff-top. Take one more club to compensate for an uphill approach, and when on the green remember the putt will break towards the sea.

Casuarina - A beautiful driving hole of a punishing length which justifies its rating as one of the course's hardest, this hole requires two solid shots to reach a well-contoured green that provides further challenges before play on this hole reaches its conclusion.

Pine Gap - A dogleg left, tee shots must be aimed right of centre to avoid bunkers on the left hand side of the fairway. On approach, take enough club to carry the bunkers on the right hand side while taking care not to stray left where a grassy swale waits combined with a sand bunker.

Tea House - A tough shot to a narrow green, bunkered both left and right, this Par 3 is at the highest point on the course, and wind consideration is important with club selection.? If the tee shot does not bring a smile, look to the right as you leave the tee and the view will certainly remind you that a bad day on the golf course beats a good day at the office.

Darley - A good driving hole that winds its way slightly right with mounds down the left, and where cypress trees positioned on the right collect many errant tee shots. An uphill approach shot to a green that slopes steeply from back to front leaves players who fly the flag a treacherously quick downhill putt.

Fairly Dell - Another great short Par 4, a blind tee shot is played over a tree-filled dell onto a fairway that slopes downhill towards an enticing set of 3 bunkers. A long Iron or 3 wood best suited for positioning, then onwards to right hand dogleg green. A white marker placed over the dell provides a line that keeps tee shots well clear of the out of bounds on the left side of the fairway. Approach shots require skill and although short in length the hole is considered par material at best.

Aunt Sally - This is our signature hole with a spectacular view from an elevated tee.? A small green that requires a precise short iron shot with gentle zephyrs make club selection on this hole difficult.? With bunkers front and left and grassy hollows to the right, par is difficult to achieve if the green is missed.

Racecourse - The tightest drive on the course, this hole is a solid dogleg left. The drive is played from an elevated tee to a narrow landing area that slopes left to right. Long hitters can cut the corner and be rewarded with a short pitch to the green, however there is no margin for error. For higher handicappers it is advisable to leave the driver in the bag. A well-contoured green presents further challenges. Par is more easily achieved if short of the green rather than long.

Shooting Gallery - A deceptively difficult hole with tee shots played from a protected teeing ground being exposed to the wind as they travel closer to the green. The wind is always stronger than anticipated so take a longer club than you feel is necessary, as the bunkers will swallow most shots landing short of the green.

Siberia - Depending on the wind conditions this is a long or short Par 5. Aim at the fairway bunkers from the tee as they are out of reach of the average golfer. The second shot does not hold many dangers, although the bunker strategically located 20 metres short deflates many attempting to get home in two. On approach, take an extra club to allow for the elevated green making sure you avoid the cluster of bunkers short of the green.

Lambertiana - Picturesque tee shot down a fairway lined by Cypress trees left, and three strategically placed bunkers right, waiting to catch the errant drive. A well-positioned tee shot will ensure an easy approach to the green.

Lakeside - A strong Par 3 that is susceptible to the wind with the result that it always plays longer than you think, take care playing this hole as many a fine round has come unstuck here. A tee shot to the middle of the green still leaves the player the challenge of reading the subtle contours of this green.

Home - A challenging dogleg to complete the round, the tee shot must be directed right of centre to avoid the fairway trap left. This being accomplished the iron can be aimed at the heart of the green, with sufficient club taken to avoid the pot bunkers short right. Your final putt will bring to an end, a round played on one of the most picturesque courses in Australia.