The National Golf Club (Old Course)

A simple tee shot to a wide fairway guarded by a bunker left, where the sole hidden problem is a hollow short left of the green reached only by long hitters. The prominent moonah tree provides a good driving line since second shots from the right side of the fairway have a greater chance of settling on the green.

A strong straight away hole that bottlenecks at the ideal drive length where contouring causes balls to feed to the middle. Fairway bunkering right and a cavernous bunker at the front left of the green provide definition and should be avoided. Many conservative players elect to lay up short of this bunker with their second shot as it requires great accuracy to reach the front right entrance to the green. Alternatively, the ball must be hit with enough elevation to hold the firm green.

The drive over a deep valley is played to a fairway sloping upward to a semi blind green. The second shot is played to a large green, where the surrounds at the right will see shots bounce toward the centre of the two terraced green. Shots to the top terrace should be played with plenty of club as the terrace is severe.

A visually exciting shot over a lateral hazard from tees which are very elevated. Judgment of distance is the challenge, particularly on windy days. The large green has a spine, running from opposite the centre of the left bunker into the middle of the green, which influences most putts.

The drive on this dog leg left par 5 advantages the player who hits the ball right to left. The second shot is played slightly uphill. The green is divided by a spine with a sloping left section and a flatter right section. When playing approach shots to the left section, an "extra club" is advised.

The fairway is generous in width until it bottlenecks beyond the corner of the dog leg. Shots to the front terrace of the green should be aimed well left. Shots hit to the rear of the two terrace green will often feed back onto the top terrace.

The magnificent coastline views makes this The National?s signature hole. Club selection is critical as whilst the huge green is particularly wide, anything hit short, long or left of the green is best forgotten. The deep bunker at the rear should also be avoided.

The fairway which is obscured from the elevated tee is of comfortable width with a helpful downslope. The second shot is played over rough to an elevated green or to either of two fairway sections, depending on power level.

Tee shots directed centre left are favoured. The choice of club for the second shot to a significantly contoured green will be influenced by prevailing wind conditions. When the hole is cut at the back left, an extra club will be needed.

A dog leg left followed by a twist to the right. From the tee a choice is offered to play safely to the right of two large fairway bunkers to a wide fairway or to take on the bunkers and possibly arrive on or close to the green in two. The huge green is shared with the 9th.

The blind tee is played over a rise to a wide fairway. Long drivers will take advantage of the downslope to set up a pitch to the green. Others will be left with a difficult second shot from a downhill lie. A shot to the middle of the green avoids the bunkers which attract short approach shots.

Big hitters may attempt to drive on or close to the green over the corner of a slight dog leg, whilst others may choose the safer option of an iron or 3 wood to the wider left side fairway. This hole presents a great birdie opportunity since it can be easily reached with a short iron second shot. Although, beware of a severe fall-away to the rear.

This long par 3 is normally played into the prevailing breeze. Par can often be saved from bunkers both sides but the task is made more difficult when the pin is back.

The powerful golfer has the option of driving the fairway bunkers and setting up an easy pitch to the green. The less adventurous will drive to a wide fairway to the right. In this instance, the second shot must be accurate to avoid the pine trees and bunkers, which surround the green.

Drives short of the dog leg corner leave blind second shots to a green with two definite terraces. Bunkers at the end of the fairway and one past the tree-lined right side catch big hitters in favourable conditions.

The tee shot is played through a deep valley to a relatively flat green against a backdrop of exquisite beauty. Shots hit back right, and those hit to the left side and which avoid the bunkers, usually find the green from contoured banks.

A par 5 with spectacular ocean views. Big hitters may drive across the dog leg from the elevated tee setting up a possible second shot to the green. A more conventional approach avoids the left fairway bunkers from the tee, with a second shot played short of further fairway bunkers within pitching distance of the green.

A dog leg with the tee and fairway protected by significant ridges on both sides. It is often sound strategy to play short of the visible fairway bunker, since reaching the green in two is rare from this hazard.