The Best Of Melbourne and Sydney | 8 nights, 5 games

A long, accurate drive is required on this straight par four. Heavy rough and fairway bunkers make the first shot most demanding. An excellent starting hole.

A well placed tee shot will leave only a short, uninterrupted pitch to the green. However, heavy timber on the left could spell trouble for any wayward shots or shortcut attempts. Accuracy, not distance, is the key.

This is the shortest par four on the course. Most players will be looking for birdies here, but the terraced green is very undulating and could turn a potential one-putt into three.

The fairway is wide open, but a drive to the left affords the best approach to the heavily bunkered green. Once again, the green has many undulations and slopes from back to front.

Although this is the longest par three on the course, it is a fairly straightforward hole. There are plenty of sand traps on both sides, but the size of the green provides reasonable margin for error off the tee.

A difficult par four requiring a long drive and a long second shot. A string of bunkers waits to snare any approach straying right, although the area around the green itself is fairly clear.

The par five seventh hole is a definite birdie or eagle chance. Drive down the left centre of the fairway, short of the cross bunker. I favour a fairway wood or long iron to pass the small swale at the entrance of the green. Any shot short of the swale is very difficult to judge.

Another long par four requiring placement off the tee. The drive must be kept left to open up the green and avoid fairway traps and rough on the corner of the dogleg. The green is severely bunkered on the left.

A relief, but accuracy is essential. Many will use an iron from the tee. The green slopes from left to right and is virtually surrounded by bunkers and thick bush.

There should be plenty of birdies on this short hole, but any misdirected shots will finish in either heavy rough or one of the numerous bunkers, which surround the green.

This hole has many pitfalls. Fairway bunkers just over 200 metres from the tee, heavy timber on either side, and an out of bounds behind the narrow green. There will be more bogeys than birdies on this tough hole.

A solid par 5, and a real birdie chance with three well executed shots. However, the players, who take the shortest line along the left, must contend with fairway traps, thick timber, and an out of bounds.

Another potential birdie opportunity, but again the tee shot should be well placed. Any shot hit to the right will leave a more difficult approach over bunkers to the small green.

The longest hole, where birdies will be scarce. Bunkers 45 metres short of the green leave little opening for long hitters attempt to get close in two. An out of bounds left and behind the green provides an additional mental hazard.

This hole is considered by many to be one of the best par three's in Australia. The very narrow green is protected by deep bunkers on both sides and slopes sharply from back to front.

The first of a trio of great finishing par four's. This hole doglegs right with a large number of bunkers perfectly placed to deter or challenge long hitters. The extremely fast, sloping green requires a delicate putting touch.

An extremely difficult par four, particularly if the wind is blowing from the north. Any shot hooked to the left is 'dead', and the huge, sloping putting surface will produce many three-putts.

An accurate long iron approach is required to set up a par on this hole. The green is guarded by traps on both sides and like the previous 17, has many rolls and borrows.

The tee shot should be played right of the fairway bunker on the left. The second shot to an open green requires a long iron or fairway wood.

One of the most picturesque holes on the course. The hole is heavily bunkered and the green moderately contoured. Anything not landing on the green will bring about a tough second shot.

A two-tiered green sloping from left to right requires a tee shot to be played into the right hand side of the fairway. Such positioning opens up the second shot to the green. However, the greenside bunkers on the left is one to stay away from.

A fairway bunker jutting out from the right side of the fairway requires a tee shot down the left. The second shot should be played short of the bunkers, allowing a pitch to a slightly elevated green. This hole favours the long hitters.

Another hole made more difficult by the addition of a new championship tee. Two deep fairway bunkers are right in play down the left side of the driving area, the right hand fairway bunker is of little concern. The green features a huge slope off the shoulder of the right hand greenside bunker and if the flag is in the right half of the green an approach from the left half of the fairway - usually with a short or mid iron - is ideal. Widely regarded as one of the classic holes on the course.

The 6th is the second of three front nine par fives and the player must drive to the far left side of the dogleg if an approach over the huge gum trees that block both the shot and view down to the green is to be avoided. Jack Nicklaus, famously, carried the fairway bunker that stretches across the left half of the fairway (270 metres) with a driver and a small ball in the 1967 Australian P.G.A Championship. The green and surrounds have been redesigned, the new cavernous bunkers and heavily contoured green require skilled shotmaking whether from a long second or short third shot.

The longest par three on the course is characterized by a generous green sloping from the top right to the bottom left from the tee. A long iron or wood is required.

A big fairway bunker has to be negotiated with the drive. The second shot should be placed on the right side of the fairway, which makes the approach considerably easier as the green slopes from left to right.

A perfect hole to drag out that tired old story of "when I was your age I could drive it across those trees". In 1968 Nicklaus flew it over the corner trees on this sharp dogleg right with a three wood and hit a wedge to the green for four straight days but "the trees were only so high when I was your age". They have grown up so tall now it's impossible to pull that shot off. Most play down to the corner with a long iron or a three wood and if the driver comes out it has to be perfectly faded around the corner or it runs through the fairway. The second shot can vary between a four iron down to an eight or nine. This is the most beautifully contoured and shaped green on the golf course - being on in two is no guarantee of a par.

A long dogleg left plays all of its length. The hole requires two good shots to reach the large green in two.

A testing par three. The green slopes diagonally as you look at it from the tee-box. The tee shot should be directed towards the left part of the green. Play conservatively.

Off the tee, the ideal position is the centre right part of the fairway to avoid sand traps on the left. The second shot should be played to the right side of the green, taking the front bunkers out of play.

Playing to a large, well bunkered green, a shot to the middle of the putting surface is desirable. if you miss the green, be prepared for a tough up and down.

A dogleg left as well as fairway bunkers on that side demand a shot to the right of the fairway off the tee. From there the second shot should be played to within pitching distance of the green with a chance for birdie. This hole favours the long hitters.

This is probably the most difficult of Metropolitan's par fours and again the strategy is simple and clear. A long bunker with a high lip sits into the left side of the fairway and a green that angles from its front left corner to the back right clearly favours an approach from close to the fairway bunker. A greenside bunker closes off the flag for those approaching from the right and only a big high fade will get the job done for those who fly their drives too far to the right.

This short par four doglegs sharply right around several deep fairway bunkers that have proved pivotal in deciding at least two Australian Opens. Bob Shearer in 1979 and Ian Baker-Finch in 1986 both drove into the bunkers and made killer bogeys that cost them their chance in those tournaments. Some can drive far enough to reach the green but it's almost impossible to keep such a long shot on the small sloping green. Often the pin placement dictates the best place to play to from the tee with the most difficult pin to get close to being behind the front right bunker, when the flag is there it's often easier to approach from 70 metres than it is from 30. A wonderful example of how great a well designed short par four can be.

A single deep bunker that is almost impossible to hit the green from, sits in the left side of the driving area. It's the one place not to go. Some curiously sited trees (but favorites of the members) 60 metres short of the green make for a blind second for those who have driven to the right, although that is the only effect they have in the play of the hole. The green is relatively large, not in truth that difficult to hit and only when the pin is tucked close to the bunkers do they have much influence on the approach.

The championship tee added for the 1997 Australian Open stretched this hole out to 433 metres and into a wind from the north it's a brutally difficult hole. The hole is actually dead straight and it is the blocked drive that is caught by the fairway bunkers down the right, but when the flag is on the left of the green it's clearly best to approach from close to the bunkers. In the 1979 Australian Open, Greg Norman hit two terrific shots, the second with a five iron, just under the tier of the two level green and then three putted to lose by one to Jack Newton. Eighteen years later in 1997, from almost exactly the same spot, Norman three putted in the playoff with Lee Westwood to lose the Open again.

A good open driving hole, this presents a wide area leading up to a big green with little danger. But it's a deceptive hole, with a hooked tee shot leading to danger in unplayable trees on the left. A deep trap on the right of the green, plus a grassy mound and deep rough on the left, makes it a little deceptive. A hard par four and not a lot of birdies.

A fast sloping green stands between a par and a possible eagle as this hole can be reached in two. There's plenty of room for the drive and a long iron can put big hitters on the green if they carry the bunkers guarding the entrance to the hole. Hitting too far left will find some thick ti-tree or maybe heavy rough - or the deep bunker.

This is a real birdie chance, with a good drive able to set up a comfortable approach pitch. But beware - the green slopes down over the back and it's easy to finish well past the pin. Bunkers on the left are dangerous, but it's an open approach.

A tough hole that is a good par if achieved. The drive goes over a hill, with fairway bunkers looming for the short shot. A wood or long iron approach must be straight, as bunkers on either side of the green are trouble.

Accuracy and the right choice of club makes this a superb par three hole. A middle iron is needed to cross a valley to the green, heavily fortified with bunkers. The fast green has a steep slope from front to back and is a tricky test.

Rated as the most difficult green on the course, the early shots are crucial. A sharp dog leg makes it vital that the tee shot carries a minimum of 200-metres across dense rough and fairway traps, in order to leave the ball in the right position. The elevated green slopes towards the front and produces many three putts.

A deceptively easy-looking hole where club selection is vital. The tee shot must be well-placed, with the narrow green and difficult undulations making long putts tough. It goes uphill from the tee, with plenty of bunkers, especially for those who over-shoot the green.

The 8th Hole is a deceptive Par 4 that requires a well judged second shot, to a flat green, that slopes towards the back bunkers.

The 9th Hole is a testing Par 4, uphill to the green, well bunkered on both sides.

A tempting hole for the big hitters, especially if they attack the pin by cutting the corner. But that's where the danger is, as the sand bunker is huge and a miss can be penalised. It's short, but suits the disciplined players who go the right way around. But watch the long drivers tackle that corner!

A deceptive hole that tempts the big hitters who challenge the fairway trap and rough on the left as they go direct. A second shot to a sloping green is a long haul and must be accurate, with bunkers guarding the entrance. A drive and a four iron can still produce many bogies.

A lengthy fairway which requires a couple of long shots, especially off the tee where some early bunkers await the strong hitters. This modified par four becomes difficult into the northerly wind.

The 13th Hole is a challenging short Par 3, with a pitched green making it difficult to get close to the pin.

The 14th Hole is a very good Par 4 with the green sloping right to left, making it hard to get close to the pin.

The 15th Hole is a short but tricky Par 5 which can be reached with an iron. The green slopes sharply to the front.

An extremely tough Par 3 noted for its extensive bunkers and small green. Woods are often required from the tee, however don't overplay, lay up short to find an easier approach.

Again two long shots are required, with the drive passing some bunkers on the left-hand side of the fairway. It's a tight driving hole and the second shot to a modified green needs a mid to short iron depending on the wind. Dangerous traps on the right make for a straight approach.

This is a pleasant-looking hole, but full of danger. A dog-leg to the right means the drive must carry upwards and over 200-metres to present an approach shot from a downhill lie. The green looks awesome, well-protected by bunkers, but a good eight iron lobbed nicely will pay dividends.

A relatively easy starting hole. Only the very longest hitters would consider taking on the corner bunkers and then only with a helping south/south westerly breeze. Keep well right with your second shot using a club that will keep you short of the right hand chain of bunkers. Ideally your approach shot should finish below that hole if the pin is in front half of the green. From above the hole an extremely slick putt will result.

A long narrow green from an elevated tee, which with varying wind conditions and pin placement can play from a short iron to a fairway metal club. Avoid the right hand bunker when the pin is back. The green falls away sharply to the left at the rear.

Long drivers can reach the water hazard (which is not in view) with a tail wind. Play to the right where there is ample fairway, avoiding the difficult left hand corner bunker. This sets up the best angle of attack to an obliquely set green. Lay up left if the water carry is too daunting. The two-tiered putting surface is fairly flat, sloping gently to the water on the lower level.

Club selection is critical to this shallow green fronted by water. The safest line is to the centre. The back left bunker shot brings the water hazard back into play.

Doglegging right from the tee, the corner bunker can be carried only by long hitters with a helping wind. The second shot should be kept well right on a right to left sloping fairway. The approach is to a narrow fronted green with well-protected bunkering. Putting from above the hole will require caution.

Stay well left of centre to avoid a natural bounce to the right, which will give you the most difficult approach to this green. The further left you drive the more inviting and easy the approach shot becomes to a two-tiered green.

From the Member's tee this hole is not long, however, the approach shot to a long narrow green is full of trepidation. Bailing out to the left to avoid the water leaves a difficult third, where a full range of options - putt, chip or pitch - is available.

A long hole into the prevailing summer breeze. The drive should be directed to the right side to obtain the best view of the green, which is partially hidden on the left side. This brings into play the right hand fairway bunker, which can be carried, in favourable conditions. The safe approach play is right and short to a green which is difficult to hold and protected front left by a deep bunker.

A very tough driving hole where the right hand side of the fairway ensures a clear approach to a green deeply bunkered on the left hand side. When the pin is back over-clubbing is the safest approach as the embankment behind the green invariably feeds the ball down to the putting surface.

A ball driven to the right side of this fairway will generally roll back to the centre of the fairway. The second shot is deceptive and an extra club is generally the correct choice. To run a ball onto this green will require a line left of centre to avoid falling into a deep depression, to the right of the green.

A very long, narrow and flat green. Careful club selection is required. The left hand bunker is set well back, so a miss to this side generally finds the grassy hollow and the easiest recovery spot.

A very good driving hole from an elevated tee. The dogleg left is protected on both sides with bunkers. The easier approach is from the right hand side, from where the two-tiered and deeply bunkered green is opened up.

The fairway bunker left is reachable by the longer hitter although this is the side to play from for the best approach to an elevated green, which will provide some testing putts if you do not finish in the correct quarter of the green.

A ball driven toward the left hand bank will invariably find its way back to the fairway. There is plenty of room to the left on your second shot to avoid the right hand depression and long deep fairway bunker. The third shot is deceptive and generally requires a stronger club than the eye tells you.

To a deep two-level green the tee shot is best played from right to left. A running shot on this line is generally effective.

A long drive is required if you want to challenge the green, which is set obliquely to your approach shot and is protected by very deep and extensive bunkering. The green is three-tiered and putting from above the hole is a test for even the best putters.

Arguably the best hole on the course. You are tested from the tee, where only a strong and straight drive will allow you to "go" at the pin. The green is again set obliquely to the line of play and precise club selection is needed to find the correct part of this long green and to avoid strategically placed bunkering. The green is relatively flat but has subtle breaks.

An ideal finishing hole which will test the ability of the longest hitters to get home in two. Generally a lay up second shot is the correct approach leaving an intimidating third shot to a deep three level green with water at the front and down the entire right hand side.

An easy drive and pitch par 4. The green is new and quite undulating. On the drive beware the bunkers to the right.

A testing par 3 from the back tees. If you miss the green it is better to do so short than long. As a general rule this applies to all holes at New South Wales.

A hidden dogleg which starts with a blind tee shot through a chute between the tee tree. Depending on how much of the dog leg is cut off you can have anything from a 4 iron to a wedge into this elevated green. Very steep drop over the green. Par a good score.

Off the tee aim for the large hump to the right hand side of the fairway. The approach shot needs to cross a ridge to reach the hourglass-shaped green guarded by a bunker and 2 grassy hollows.

A blind hole. Aim for the ridge 230 metres away from the tee. There is not much fairway left to land the second shot, so accuracy is the key here. The green slopes to the back with 2 sandtraps left and front right.

A classic par 3. Depending on the wind, it can be anything from a long iron to a wedge. If still, take one more club as it is slightly uphill and the green slopes towards you and the sea.

A straightaway uphill par four, but the shot is very demanding with Tea tree either side of the fairway capable of severely punishing any stray shots. Depending on the wind for the long hitters, it might be just a wedge or a nine iron with a southerly, but into a nor-easter it's a longish iron or even a wood. A very steep and difficult green and many a four-putt has been made during tournaments.

Your line is over the dip in the hill in the distance. If your second shot clears this dip then it is a pitch to a well bunkered green. Ideally, your second shot should be slightly left of the dip as this improves the angle of approach.

The driving line is further to the right than you might think. There is a clump of bushes (2 or 3 feet high) about 70 metres from the back tees. Go straight over that small clump and you will be set up in the middle of the fairway to attack the pin.

A mid length par 4 with a fairly tight driving area followed by a medium length approach to a long green. Take note of where the pin is as the club selection will vary. Beware the bunkers on the right of the green!

Another scenic par 3 which looks over the whole course. Wind is a big factor here and generally you are playing into the wind so take enough club.

A hittable par 5. The landing area on the drive is wide. The longer hitters will be able to hit these green in two. But beware of the bunkers, they are deceptively difficult.

A dog leg left par 4. After a well hit drive (depending on the wind) a mid to short iron is all which is left to a green which slopes back to front. Again below the hole is the preferred option.

A wonderful par 4. Not too long but very spectacular. Long hitters can chew off a fair amount of the dog leg and be left with a short approach to a green perched high on top of a hill. Do not be long on your approach!

A famous difficult par four which is ranked as the hardest hole on the course's stroke index. An uphill tee shot through a narrow chute needs to go about 220m to reach the top of the hill and so offer a view of the green. The tee shot is extremely difficult into a wind, but once you reach the corner there is little trouble near the green.

A tough par 4 which dog legs left at about the 260m mark. Aim further right with your drive or else your second shot may need to be hit over trees. The approach requires more club than you may think.

A deceptive par 3. The wind is a key factor here and although it may seem calm on the tee special notice should be taken of the flagstick and how the wind may be affecting it. Do not miss the green to the right as a very daunting approach awaits.

Avoid trees to the right and further away on the left. From here a wood will carry the hollow on the right some 130 metres away from the green.