Yarra Valley | 5 nights, 4 games

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.

The shot to the corner is straightforward - a long iron or fairway wood for most - but the approach to the green plays longer than you think so take an extra club.

One of the smallest and flattest greens on the course, a well struck iron to the middle will leave a good chance of birdie. Much like the first hole, best to play an extra club.

The slope of the fairway pushes most drives away to the right so hug the flatter, left half. The bunkerless green may look easy from the fairway, but looks can be deceiving.

A tier running through the middle of the green divides the putting surface into a lower left and upper right section. Try and be on the half where the pin is.

Any drive short of the hill leaves a blind second. Aim further right for the approach than you think and allow the slopes to feed the ball around the flag.

Drive as close as you can to the right side of the fairway to leave an easier approach up the green and away from the bunker which eats-up any ball running near.

The bunker short of the green does a good job of making the approach shorter than it is but the green is large and long and needs more club than you think.

The green is one of the most undulating and fearsome on the course - approachwith caution. If the pin is near the creek, approach from well to the left.

The fairway slope will push anything but the best tee shot away to the right, leaving the more difficult angle into the green.

More often than not it's best to play at the middle of the green and take par, rather than flirt with any of the cavernous bunkers and risk ruining the day.

The slope around this green feeds any shot landing short away to the right. The best line is usually a touch to the left of the centre - over the edge of the bunker short of the green.

The sensible play here is an iron to the bottom of the hill. If the pin is on the left, play short of the big bunker, when the pin is on the right, keep to the left.

The big bunker short of the green makes the shot seem a little shorter (and scarier) than it actually is, and being uphill also makes it play a touch longer.

There's a slight advantage to those who can keep the ball to the right if the pin is tucked on the left side of the green, and vice versa if the pin is on the right.

The further left you can hit your tee shot the better the angle up this green. Many will be able to try for the green in two, but if laying up play as close to the creek as you can.

For most this is only a oitch or short iron, but the deep creek in front and bunkers beyond give this little shot plenty of teeth - aim for the middle!

The tee shot looks imposing but the fairway is wide so hot freely. The green is a different story - another boldly contoured putting surface sloping off at the front, right and rear.

This horseshoe green will be one of the most talked about on the course. The key to the approach is to position yourself on the same side of the fairway as the pin.

Eastern’s first hole is a gentle one and begins with a short, straight forward Par 4 giving golfers a good birdie chance. The ideal line is down the right side of the fairway; but ensure you avoid the deep bunker positioned there. The green complex is a moderate one in terms of break and speed and short left makes an up and down difficult. One of the friendlier holes on the course.

After a soft opening, things get a little tougher at the 2nd Hole. A moderate length Par 5 gives a couple of options from the tee. Playing left is the desired line – although narrower – and there is plenty of room right of the fairway bunker for the less confident. The green complex is one of the most difficult on the course and must be approached from the middle of the fairway. Any approach from right or left makes stopping the ball on the green extremely difficult. A lay up here leaving an approach of 60 to 90 metres is generally a better option.

One of the most spectacular, and difficult holes, awaits at the Par 4, 3rd hole. A downhill tee shot to a wide fairway sets up one of the most daunting shots on the course – a 200 metre carry over water to a difficult green. The smart play for most is to lay up out to the right, away from the water, and make par that way; although that can be ‘easier said than done’.

This hole is a favourite. The tee shot plays uphill adjacent to the 3rd hole with a big bunker splitting the fairway. Lose your tee shot right and you face a much more difficult second shot to a green that sits on an angle to you. The best line into the green is from the left; two bunkers long left and short right to the green can make Par difficult.

Another great short Par 4 that gives lots of options from the tee. A 200 metre carry is required to clear the bunkers on the right, making the approach easier. There is lots of room to the left, however the angle becomes poor and makes the second shot very difficult. A long narrow green makes getting the ball up and down from anywhere a challenge. A good chance for a birdie but six or more can also be on the cards with poor shot selection.

The first of the Par 3 holes at Eastern has the hills along the Yarra River as its back drop. The wind is often into the player’s face on this hole making club selection challenging. The large green provides numerous options for different pin locations. A birdie here is a real chance.

From the black tees this hole is a monster but from the blue and white tees, the hole shortens considerably. Hit your tee shot as hard and as far as you like towards the left side of the fairway bunker as there is plenty of room beyond. The second shot is played to a multi-level green that sits on an angle. Ensure you leave yourself plenty of green between yourself and the pin when chipping. Being on the same level as the pin when putting is a must. A strong hole where Par or Bogey are good results.

A long and challenging Par 3 awaits here. There is lots of room to the right of this large green making three a possibility but with the pin on the left of the green, the large bunker becomes more and more in play making the hole very challenging. Play to the middle right of the green where ever the pin is positioned, and you give yourself a real chance of Par, without causing yourself too much grief.

The front nine finishes with a downhill Par 5 with Eastern’s magnificent Clubhouse as the back drop. A powerful drive off the tee gives you a real chance at getting the ball close to the green in two shots. The second shot is also played downhill with more room out to the right as it seems but beware – the green is a difficult one to hold and very fast from above the hole. A good Par 5 where birdie is a real chance.

The second nine begins with a strong Par 4 that often plays into the wind – depending on the weather conditions this hole can play relatively short to extremely long. The tee shot is played downhill; and water down the left side will catch a wide tee shot. Playing down the right is the safe line but makes the second more difficult. Long on this hole is not a bad miss at all with a relatively flat putting surface.

Water lines the right side of the tee on this hole but will only catch a wide tee shot. Both the tee shot, and second shot are played to a generous fairway, but it is an advantage to have your second shot as far down, and as far left as possible – making your approach shot far easier. A big bunker guards the front right section of the green so it’s best to avoid that if you need to make Par – although Birdies can be made on this hole.

Hole 12 is the beginning of a three- hole stretch that can make or break a good day on course. A long and straight drive is needed to have any chance of reaching this hole that is played to an elevated and undulating green. If not on the putting surface, a challenging shot awaits no matter where you are, so best to hit the green and keep the damage to a minimum.

Standing on the 13th tee for the first time can be somewhat daunting. A shot of around 170 metres is required to circumvent the huge beach bunker which will catch any ball that is short and left of the target. The pin position can change the look of the hole completely, and par will always be a good score here. At first glance, short right looks to be okay, but it is far better having enough club to get on, or past the pin, and out to the right to avoid a big score.

If you thought the last two holes were tough, then take a breath and prepare for another one. After getting your ball on the relatively wide fairway, your second shot is played into a narrow area with water on both sides so simply hit it straight. The trouble doesn’t stop there – the approach to the elevated green is tough with short or long being penalised heavily. Short left is the best option if conservative and watch out if putting from above the hole as balls can easily run past the hole and finish off the green if you’re not careful.

A good chance for a birdie here. Ideally your tee shot needs to be played down the left-hand side of the fairway to give a better angle on the approach. The length of your tee shot will dictate how aggressive you can get on your approach but ensure you get on the putting surface as there are lots of run offs around this green. Short and left is not ideal at all.

There are decisions to be made on this tee as the hole can be played with a 3 wood or long iron from the tee; or use a driver and play down the right side of the fairway to save some yardage. There is more room to the right than it looks off the tee but go with what feels best on the day. Water guards the green short so it’s best to take an extra club if in doubt. The green is a large one with lots of pin position option. Another realistic Birdie chance.

One of the shorter Par 3 holes on the course, but not without its problems as it plays uphill and is guarded by bunkers that will catch any poor shot. Club selection can be difficult on his hole and it’s a tricky green, especially if you’re putting from above the hole. It is important to take enough club to carry over the large front bunker but be careful as long is definitely not the place you want to be. Take three and move on.

This long Par 4 will require every bit of extra length you can gain from your drive to reach the green in two. The tee shot is played downhill but what makes the second shot so difficult is how elevated the green is. A shot of 180 metres becomes 200 metres and needs to carry all the way on to the green to stay on; anything less will roll some 40 – 50 metres short of the putting surface. Take an extra club or two and hope for a Par, or a bogey at worst.

Elevated tees provide an inviting opening hole. With a hazard right and bunker left a well positioned tee shot allows an easier approach to a small two-tier green.

Fairway bunkers guard left side of this fairway. A precise approach from the fairway is a necessity to this elevated green. Advanced golfers may attack but safety is to the front left portion of the green.

Accuracy and the correct club selection makes this a strong par three. With a large putting surface a generous run-up to the middle/left of this green provides some relief from the right hazard and bunkers that surround.

A deceptive hole with course knowledge making this a real birdie chance. Position safe to the left of the large fairway bunker or longer hitter straight over at the green. The small fast sloping green is tilted from left to right.

The first of the great par 5's on this course. All emphasis is placed on hitting this fairway. With a hazard left and a bunker right, place your drive in the fairway and second shot within short iron distance to the green. Club selection needs to be precise with approach to this deep green.

A long par four with plenty of options. Drive short of the bunker in the middle of the fairway or take it on. Right side of this fairway provides the biggest advantage. Shorter hitters watch your second shot as water weaves in front of the green.

Simple in theory but though to execute! This short par 3 sets a tricky challenge for all level of golfers. Favour the front of this green with a sever drop off long.

The hole that all golfers talk about. Hit tee shot straight at the three bunkers in the distance, longer hitters just left. Work out how far you want for your third or become a hero and fire your second at the green. There is more room left of this green than it looks.

A strong hole with a par being a good score. Tee shot to the right side of the fairway will leave a long up hill shot to a deep two-tier puttiong surface. Avoid the two bunkers right of this green and two putts to finish this hole is a good result.

Precision is a necessity on this visually spectacular par 5. A tough driving and lay-up hole with a hazard down the right side. Room right of this green provides some relief and a definite birdie chance if you stay dry!

This hole will test all level of golfers. The longer you hit, the tighter this fairway becomes. A tough second to this small sloping left to right green makes for a great risk reward hole.

With a green surrounded by bunkers a high flighted shot is required. The subtle tier in this green provides a great putting surface for making a birdie or saving your par. You will be tested from this point in so enjoy this short hole.

The longest of the par 5's starts with pleasure and ends with torment. Many options are presented with your lay-up and approach to this hole guarded by hazards. Take note of water yardage carries and bunker placements to navigate your way down this hole.

Visually a very tough short par 4. This fairway is wide before the first of the right side bunkers. Longer hitters have a narrowing landing area. Play it safe or take this hole on and be rewarded. Precision down this entire hole is a must.

A tempting hole for the longer hitters. Take the driver and fire straight at the green but that's where the danger is. This semi island green is guarded by water. With many options it's short but suits the disciplined player.

Normally playing towards a northerly wind this par 3 can play long with a water carry required to get on the left side of this green. The centre of this green feeds left helping to soften this hole. Lots of room short right provides some relief.

With no water guarding either side of this fairway the only question needed answering is what line to take with longer hitters over the right side bunker. This deep green requires precision to provide a short birdie chance.

A tough par 4 requiring distance and accuracy. Avoidboth hazard and bunkers with your tee shot and face mid-long iron up the hill. This two tier green has a false front right edge but is also a good area leaving a simple approach.

This mid length par 4 is best attacked with precision. A long iron or fairway wood to the left side of this fairway is best suited. A large putting surface awaits with bunkers guarding the front right of this green.

An elevated green with bunkers and collection areas make this a tough target to hit. Best approach with a short iron or pitch shot. Avoid the scattered fairway bunkers off the tee and a birdie is a real chance.

With stunning views this down hill par 4 provides a stern test. Drive long and straight towards the right side bunker, this fairway will feed your ball left. The left greenside bunker and collection area in front of this green make for a deceptive approach.

All that can be seen is bunkers on this, the shortest of the par 3's. This green is rather undulating from back to front. A fantastic short par 3.

An elevated first half of this hole feeds down to a well guarded lay-up and approach area. Tee shot should be directed towards the right side of the fairway with a sever drop off left. Attack with caution and be rewarded.

With a hazard right and bunkers left a well positioned tee shot is required to tackle the large putting surface with a short approach shot. This is an inviting birdie chance.

Precision is needed with a well guarded green of bunkers, collection areas and a right side hazard. This two-tier green that slops towards the hazard provides some assistance in finding a right side pin position.

With an index of number 1 on this golf course a tough test awaits. This fairway needs to be found with hazard left and bunkers right. Water feeds in front of this sloping back to front green. Par on this hole is a great result.

This climbing par 5 is covered with scattered bunkers the entire way up the fairway. Avoid these and the best angle of approach is from the right to a fantastic small two tier green.