Gold Coast, QLD | Winter Escape | 6 nights, 5 games

A straight forward par four, a gentle way to start the round. Forgiving off the tee with more room to the right than suspected. A good tee-shot leaves less than 130m for most players. A fat green makes for a large landing area. Playing tip: Aim to the right side of the fairway to leave yourself a good chance of reaching the green in two.

A tough, long, par four with a water carry and a well-protected green. The Green is protected with large bunkers to the right and a steep bank to the left which leaves little room for error. Playing Tip: Off the tee, the left side of the fairway means the smallest water carry and best angle to the green.

The large green makes for quite a simple par 3. The right hand side is the trouble spot, large bunkers make for a difficult up and down and the breeze will often push the ball toward them. Playing tip: Miss left if anywhere.

This short par 4 has the smallest green on the course. The fairway runs a ridge down the middle, too far right and its wet. Playing Tip: Aim at “Toddy’s Tree” (the last tree on the left), leave yourself 100-110 metres and play a pitching or sand-wedge to the green.

An extensive waste bunker down the left hand side is a scare factor on this hole. The green is generous in size and slopes globally from front to back. Playing tip: Hitting an approach to the right side of the green will lead the ball to roll toward the centre.

The first par 5 on the course. The large fairway is very generous for all golfers. A slight dog leg right and large obvious fairway bunkers all the way down the hole. One little secret: a sneaky greenside bunker hidden behind the large left bunker. Playing tip: Miss the bunkers! Easy.

A three shot par 5 this time. The tee shot needs to pierce two fairway bunkers. Miss the water on the right with room to the left of the second fairway bunker. The green is heavily guarded by large bunkers and only a small chute to run the ball up if that’s your strategy. Playing tip: Take 3 shots to get there.

A tough par 4 (stroke 6). A good water carry and straight drive. The closer to the green the better as front bunkers means the approach needs to come in quite high to a shallow green. Playing tip: Left side fairway with the drive

The hardest hole this side, mainly due to its length for a par 4. Hitting to in line with the cactus tree will still leave 160-180 metres, uphill and usually into the wind. Playing tip: Think about taking an extra club up the hill.

Water all down the left with a fairway that cambers toward it. The sweeping dog leg left hole plays again to a slightly elevated green. This green plays almost three clubs in depth (35 metres) but attacking a back pin is a risk as behind the green lays a steep slope into swan and duck territory. Playing tip: Block the water out! Hit toward the fairway bunkers that are a bit further away than you think.

Par 5 number three. A large landing zone to the right of the hazard, or cut the corner if you dare. Reachable in two for the big hitters. Dog leg left and more fairway bunkers thanks to Norman.

The last par 5. A strong drive down the left side is a good start. Staying left on the fairway opening up the narrow slanting green is the best option. Playing tip: Left is best.

A strong par 3 up the hill. A large green can leave a tricky putt if on the wrong tier. Playing Tip: Potential for an extra club up the hill?

From an elevated tee the hole plays all downhill. Not much trouble here unless the wind is blowing from the West. Playing tip: Rip the driver into one of the widest fairways on the course.

Narrow tough par 4. 15 is well protected with the right side bunker and tree giving no good options. All hazard down the left. Playing tip: A long an reasonably forgiving green. Just be straight for this hole.

Another short par 4. The water hazard is obvious. It is manageable for big hitters to take on the carry. Laying up onto the fairway is another way to make an easy 4. Playing tip: Be smart unless you’re hitting driver well. Take hybrid or 4 iron and then hit a wedge close.

Glades signature par 3. Left is wet. Right means a tricky shot back towards the water. Playing Tips: Requires a well struck tee shot. One of the quicker greens on the course if putting toward the water.

The hardest hole to finish. The long par 4 dog legs left with water all down the left. A strong drive will still leave a mid iron for most players. Playing tip: Take an extra club into the green, a false front will stop most balls from staying on the green.

A driver is suitable here, hit left centre of fairway. Approach the green from left to stay clear of large greenside bunker on right.

A good drive backed up with a strong fairway wood right centre of the fairway (watch the bunker!) sets a good third shot approach to all pin placements on a large green.

Correct club selection is important here as green has bunkers front and back. If you miss green, short left is your best option.

Your drive to right centre of the fairway will avoid a group of fairway bunkers on left and open up the green. Club selection on approach shot is important and is normally one more than it looks.

After reaching the fairway, the second shot should be aimed to the left hand side of the fairway to set up a short iron to the narrow green. Aim away from the deep greenside bunker.

Hit enough club to carry front greenside bunker. Front left is a safe option.

Must hit your drive left centre of fairway to stay clear of right fairway bunker. A high approach shot is required to stop the ball on this plateau green. Avoid the left hand greenside bunker.

A drive between the centre and right hand bunkers will open up the green and take the water carry out of play. Club selection for the shot to the green is important as it is well bunkered front right and rear.

There is ample fairway to the left hand side which will avoid bunkers and leave a mid to long iron to this large green, which slopes back to front.

A strong drive right centre of fairway ensures you don’t flirt with the water, however, this does provide a more difficult shot to the green. The green is well bunkered front right and back left.

A long drive right centre of fairway will leave you in good position for options. The safe approach is to lay-up right side of fairway to take the left side fairway bunkers out of play. Wind direction determines the difficulty of this hole.

A courageous drive left centre of fairway will leave you in a good position to attack the flag. Your approach shot has to be very accurate with water cutting into green on right hand side.

A difficult par 4 which requires a strong drive to the middle of the fairway, followed by a long iron approach. Take note of the fairway bunker to the right and the extensive greenside bunkers.

This feature hole will leave you with many options. Ensure club selection suits the pin placement and wind direction. Best of luck!

A well hit drive down the centre of fairway (don’t be right!) will leave you with your best approach. An extensively bunkered green front left and back right will test your approach skills.

Hit centre left with your driver to set up options for your approach. Safe option is to hit second shot between left side fairway bunker and centre fairway bunker which opens up green for a pitch approach.

Note the distances for this hole as club selection is vital to avoid front right and greenside bunkers. There are bail out areas to the right and behind the green.

A long drive down left centre of fairway opens up this large green for a cautious approach. The well bunkered right hand side of the green should be avoided.

The first hole is an Ode to joy, with a wide fairway and no bunkers to worry about. Nor is the green so fiercely guarded. Yet it has subtlety that is deceptive. It is advisable to travel down the left side which offers a better chance of approaching the green without bother. Coming at it from the right-hand side might present some difficulty, depending on the position of the flag.

Now begins the examination, the road test, because this is a hole only the mighty can reach in two, because the green is raised and not all that large. There is no way around its difficulty as you must be straight, and long. Bunkers to the right and left and further a tree or two. Patience though will pay dividends. Five will be well earned.

Here is one of the best par three holes anywhere. The bunkers are deep and imposing and the getting of the green in one shot, is an accomplishment to boast of. Beware of the deceptive early bunkers, they are well short of the green. But between them and the target is a safe reception. To be short is not so foolish.

This can be a problem par four, as the obstacles ahead are many and to be wild here is certain disaster. Tread carefully. even shortening down from the tee, to keep out of danger. From the halfway point it is defenceless and simple.

This is the "Pulpit" from which one can look around and down to trouble of all kinds. For a hole so short, the green is necessarily small and some pinpoint accuracy is required. If your confidence is low, play left and short. Three can be had from there.

This is a change of direction and strength, for here is a powerfull par four. There is a serious trial of a tee shot with bunkers straight ahead, but out of range of most. A small bunker at the front of the green challenges the second shot with steep sloping sides to the rest of the green. Again it is no sin to be playing short. There is not trouble there.

This is what might be called a "drive and pitch" hole, but that depends on the wind. The fairway bottlenecks around the 280 metre range, so that its hardly worth the risk. The green is a ridge of no real depth, but putting is possible from out and about.

A hole for men not boys. A par five with plenty of action. There are 8 bunkers along this hole, the first pair being an inspiration from the Principal's Nose at St Andrew's. Once past these it is advisable to proceed down the left side and ignore the green untill you get within close range. Those further bunkers are designed to cause trouble for the audatious.

Here is a picture all round, with the beautiful clubhouse as a backdrop. Par fours don't come any more adventurous than this one. For the long drivers there is a challenge from the tee to squeeze between bunkers, so it is better to go warily. The second shot has to be good to make ready for putting. No apologies for difficulty. A par is a capital score.

Keep left where there is a vast space and the passage peaceful. Just one bunker at the green to avoid, but be warned it is a demon! Putting is enjoyably flat. No borrows needed.

This is a hole of ridges and length. Yet all the troubles are there to see. Nothing of consequence is hidden, so hit forward with confidence over bunkers and rough. There is a wide area waiting ahead. Indeed the anti-area is generous in width, from which to make one's pitch-approach. The green is another flat one. Make the most of it!

A short par four, but made especially difficult by the fairway bunkering which is a minefield! There are two hidden bunkers along the right-hand line, so keep left and there should be no problem. The short approach is to a two level green. There are some interesting small undulations on both sides.

Now the going gets tough. A par four with lots of danger. There is a reward for driving past the fairway bunkers on the left, but consider if it is worth the risk. If you play short from the tee, the second shot is a real tester! The bunkers and the green will look you right in the eye. Wear a four proudly.

A deceptive par three with lots of generous space around the green. Yet the green is a small target tilted right to left. It is possible to putt up from the area to the right of the green but the chances of down-in-one are slim indeed. If you miss the green, miss short left, or not at all!

This may be the most difficult of all the holes depending on the wind. There is plenty of length. The fairway is bunkered right and mostly left, but the real test comes with the second shot. The green is set in a dell beyond a ridge and it sits up like a table top. This hole puts everyone to the severest test, so don't be disappointed with a five, fours are rare.

A temptation to drive near the green. But the penalty for missing the tiny gap is heavy. Best play along the right-hand route and take on the pitch to the green from a distance out. Keep out of the greenside pot too, it is a deep devil!

Your breath may be taken away, and the wind may be into your teeth but the spectacular vista is worth it. From the back tee, most players cannot reach the green into a wind. So it is advisable to consider playing this hole as a par four instead of a three. There is a small fairway to the short right area, from where it is a simple pitch to the green. Whatever befalls you, this is an experience in courage or folly. You decide.

What a view. A long journey "home", with plenty to see and avoid. Keep right and you'll find no trouble, and at the end there is a mall green surrounded by bunkers and a hollow out front. This is the terminus and it is hoped you'll not be disappointed.

Dogleg left to a blind green with water on the right and out of bounds to the left. The play is a tee shot to the left side of the fairway short of the ridge, to leave a short iron onto a very elevated green. A deep bunker in the front right and also water to the right will catch any errant shot.

Short downhill Par 3 with water guarding the right side of the green and a small pot bunker to the front centre. A shot to the left of the bunker has a chance to roll around and catch the rear of the green. Green is steeply sloping, angled towards the water. A putt from the top tier could roll off the green into the water.

Another great short Par 4 with sand everywhere and water all down the right hand side. Layup short of the cross bunkers to leave a short iron onto a small tiered green surrounded by water. Small layup area to the left of the green will still leave a difficult chip. Anything over the back is in the water.

Good Par 5 which can be challenged by the longer hitter with a 230m drive over the water. Safe play is a shot to the left around the water, with a long iron second over the fairway cross bunkers, to leave a short iron onto the green which is protected by six bunkers.

Long Par 4 requiring a well struck tee shot to the right side of the fairway avoiding the large fairway bunker. Mid iron onto an elevated green with bunkers front, left and right. Long green with steep drop off to the right and rear.

Fine looking Par 3 with all carry over water from the back tee. Bunkers left and right protect the front of the green. Any shot right is likely to find water. Lay up short left for an easy chip up the green.

Dogleg left requiring length and accuracy. Drive to the left to allow a clear shot at the green, avoiding the small pot bunker in the middle of the fairway. then a mid to long iron onto an elevated green with a bunker guarding the left and water on the right.

Great hole which requires a drive to the left side of the fairway short of the fairway cross bunker. Next a mid iron to an elevated green with large deep bunkers left and right. Water protects the green right and era. A quality approach shot is needed to a sloping green for a rewarding Par 4 finish.

A strong hole with water to the left and right. Long hitters can attempt a drive down the right side of the fairway over the cross bunkers to leave a long iron to the green. Anything less than a perfect shot will be punished, with water to the right and deep pot bunkers to catch an errant shot. Safe play is a drive to the left side of the fairway to layup short of the cross bunkers, and an iron second shot to the right side will leave a short iron to a well guarded steeply tiered green. Don't go long or left.

Often playing into a head wind, the perfect drive is a slight right to left shot between the fairway bunkers to the wide area on the left side of the fairway, leaving a long iron onto an elevated green. Be aware of the steep drop off at the rear of the green and bail out area to the right side.

Long Par 3 hole guarded by deep bunkers left and right. Any shot short of the green should allow a simple chip to the flag. Large contours on the green makes it important to be on the correct level. Make a par and you should be happy going to the next tee.

Short Par 4 dogleg left. Deep bunkers protect the left side of the fairway. The longest drivers can hit a right to left shot over the cross bunkers to leave a short chip to the green. Everyone else will drive out to the right side of the fairway to leave a short iron to an elevated green with two large deep bunkers front and right. Watch out for the out of bounds left and water to the right.

Down hill Par 3 over a lake with the green guarded by two bunkers front and centre. Green looks smaller from the tee than it really is. Take enough club to carry the bunkers and you won't be far from the flag. Plenty of room to bail out down the left side for an easy pitch down the length of the green.

Long Par 4 over a ridge in the fairway to a blind green. Safe shot is a drive left to avoid the fairway bunkers, but this leaves a difficult angle from a downhill lie to the green. Longer hitters can try to drive over the fairway bunkers to leave an easier shot on the green. Water on the left will catch any errant approach shot.

Great Par 4 with water all the way down the right side of the fairway. Bunkers strategically placed in the centre of the fairway leave options to drive left or right. Left is the safe line, leaving a longer approach shot. Perfect drive right will leave a wedge or short iron. Right side of the fairway is very narrow with water on the right. Small green protected by bunkers to the left and water to the right.

Short Par 3 with green protected by water front and right. Small pot bunker immediately in front of the green. Plenty of room out to the left for an easy chip to the flag. Don't be short, as anything landing on the slope will go back down into the water.

Drive to the right side of the fairway on this long Par 4 to leave a long iron onto an elevated green, guarded by bunkers to the left and right. Steep drop off the left side of the green will make for a difficult chip to save par.

Short Par 5 with plenty of risk and reward. A birdie is in the making for two perfectly hit shots. The drive is out to the right side of the fairway avoiding the bunkers. The long hitters will be tempted to go for the green over the small lake. The safe shot is a layup to the right to leave a short iron across the water to a small tiered green.