Australia and New Zealand | 17 day Sampler

A difficult opening hole is a prelude of things to come. The right half of the fairway offers a better angle into the green, but don't try to cut the corner of the dogleg where a deep gully lies in wait. Short hitters must beware the gully on their second shots, but once over it, there is plenty of room to the right of the flag.

You must avoid two sets of fairway bunkers here, or you won't reach this green in regulation. Play the drive safely to the left, and lay up short of the cross bunkers if you're not sure you can carry them with your second shot. The green is open on the left, but it tilts sharply to the right so it's difficult to get down in two from the left edge.

The green is partially hidden by the front bunkers, but it's one of the largest on the course. Aim fifteen feet to the right of the hole to take the left side out of play. Pay extra attention in reading this green as there are a lot of small breaks.

A solid tee shot just inside the fairway bunker sets you up for a big decision with the second. The safe play is to lay up just short of the deep fairway bunker, but better players will be tempted to aim out to the left of the green and fade the ball home. The green has a high tier in the back, play your approach long and left to give yourself the easiest two-putt.

A huge fairway is divided by two deep fairway bunkers. Most players are better off aiming down the right side, but long hitters might choose to go left so they don't run out of room. Going for a flag on the left side of this green requires a great deal of nerve.

An epic par-3 across a deep gully. Miss to the left and you can kiss your ball goodbye, but the green does bank sharply from right to left to steer balls back toward the hole -- if you can reach the green, that is!

An important tee shot, because a strong drive will carry the crest of the fairway and leave a considerably shorter approach; aim to the right center of this fairway. The downhill second shot is one of the most exhilirating on the course, but the green is a narrow target from the top of the hill.

This short hole plays over a gully filled with ti trees. It's all carry to the green, and uphill to boot, so take an extra club (or even two). There is some hidden fairway to the right of the green, which is the only safe place to miss.

Always take the high road here; from the forward tees it's better to hit a 3-wood or iron to keep your ball in view. Take dead aim for the center of the green on your approach; there is a bit of fairway short and right, but the contours of the green make it very difficult to save par from there.

Another critical tee shot, which should favor the right half of the fairway. The second shot sets up for a running approach which will feed to the hole from right to left, but you have to get the weight just right, as bunkers lurk short left and over the back.

A difficult par-3 which plays longer than it looks. The green is sharply tilted from back to front, so the front hole locations are the toughest -- it's a much wider target in the back.

This is the most wide-open driving hole on the course, and a great place to let it rip, because you want the shortest second shot you can get. The green is set at the end of a narrow ridge, profiled against Hawke's Bay. Play for the front right quadrant to keep the left side out of play.

The shortest hole on the course, but big numbers lurk all around this green, which is easy to reach but hard to stay on. Always play for the back right quadrant, since seemingly good shots can run off the front left of the green into the bunkers below.

The shortest par-4 on the course is quite possibly the hardest of them all. The green is dominated by a deep pot bunker at the left front and a steep drop at the back, so the safest play is to the far left. Be especially careful around this green, as the pot bunker has a gravitational pull far greater than its size.

The key to a long par five is staying in the short grass, especially when there is a 140-metre cliff on the left and a 20-metre drop on the right. Don't even go look over the left edge of the fairway if you are afraid of heights. Four short and straight shots will win the hole more often than not.

The tee, guarded by seagulls, is the only place on the course with a view to Black Reef. If you're not a candidate to reach this green in two, it's better to lay back to the widest part of the fairway from the tee, then stay right with your second for the best view of the green.

No laying back here: you'll need to hit your two best shots to get home in regulation on this uphill par four. Those uncertain of carrying the greenside bunkers can play safely to the right; if you drive in the rough it might be better to play straight ahead on the second and then pitch your third over the bunkers.

A counter-intuitive finishing hole, with its green offset to the right of the fairway. The punchbowl green setting will lure many players into aiming left for safety and hoping for a lucky bounce down onto the green. Be careful on this green, as putts from behind the hole can easily get away from you.

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.

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 straight away par 4. A tee shot left centre of fairway gives the best approach into the green. Be aware of the bunker and sever drop off on the left side of the green.

The rough on the left angles sharply inward. A good drive should be hit just inside the bunkers on the right. Be cautious of the severe drop-offs to the left and back of the green.

A great "little" golf hole with a wide open fairway. The challenge on this hole is the short second shot to a well guarded, undulating green.

One of the great par 5's in golf. Aim tee shot inside left hand bunkers. Longer hitters will have the option of going for the green in two. Laying up, be aware of the narrowing landing area and hazard on the right.

Less adventurous golfers should aim at the small fairway on the left hand side of the green. Consider an extra club, as you cannot afford to be short.

A tee shot aimed to the left centre of the fairway leaves the best approach to the green. The green is elevated and very deep; so take this into consideration when selecting a club.

Club selection is crucial on this demanding par 3. Don't let the views distract you.

Aim your tee shot to the left centre of the fairway. A very long, narrow green greets you, fiercely protected by bunkers on the left.

A severely uphill par 4 completes the front nine. Don't let the gully "bully" you, for a good tee-shot will easily carry. The tendency is to under club the second shot. This is a deep green where an extra club won't hurt.

Aim tee-shot right centre of the fairway. Be aware of the hazard on the left of the fairway, which wraps around the back edge of the green.

Aim tee-shot right centre of sloping fairway. A precise approach shot is necessary to this well guarded "island like" green. Shorter hitters should lay up short of the marsh.

Anything short or left spells trouble on this wide, shallow, two tiered green.

Aim your tee-shot right of the Totara trees in the far distance. This landing area will provide you with a good look at the well bunkered green.

This long downhill par 3 overlooks the Cavalli Islands. The green is protected by deep bunkers on the right and a severe drop off on the left.

The cliffs on the left and narrow fairway demand an accurate tee-shot. Longer hitters can reach this green in two.

A tee-shot on the right hand side of the fairway leaves a short downhill approach. Very long hitters may risk the hazards and drive the green.

On the tee, don't bite off more than you can chew. The large deep green will readily receive a long iron or wood.

Drives to the left spell trouble here. Continue to favour the right side of the fairway but be mindful of the bunker 110 meters out.

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.

A wide landing area for the tee shot is a forgiving introduction to your round. But the immediate risk/reward carry of the bunker on the second shot, and the various slopes feeding the ball away from the front half of the Opening green will alert you to the challenge ahead.

An apparently simple and wide open hole comes to life when pondering the shot into a very deep and narrow green, with three layers. There is no forgiveness for a wayward approach into the prevailing wind.

Look left to the fairway and you'll see a thin ribbon of green fairway, leading right to the blind green. The tee shot is best aimed at the left edge of the distant bunker, with a driver taking you down to the lower shelf of the fairway (not the best place to attack the common back, left pin). The safe play into the green is to play long and right.

The site of Barnbougle farm's first homestead, a rare still day will present a chance to go for the green with your tee shot, and putt for an elusive eagle. However, the sensible play is to either lay up short of the enormous bunker and accept the blind pitch into the green, or drive up the left side and open up your view at the flag.

While the coastal scenery & dunescape is distracting, the Turn hole demands a precise shot to the left hand side of the split level green, letting the contours feed the ball around to the pin.

With a tail wind big hitters can take on the sand hill, or the safe play is down the left hand side fairway. However short your shot in may be, this subtle green with its awkward depth perception rewards only the most precise approaches.

One of Australia's shortest golf holes, is also one of the nation's most challenging. A sweetly driven long iron into the wind, or a softly floating pitch shot when its still, don't miss it long or left, and you'll never be so glad to walk off with a three.

You can take the high road or the low road, with more room to the right hand side, but a longer shot into the distant green. A hole where the par is irrelevant, and your own shot shot selection and execution is everything.

A tee shot where driver rarely improves your position, a long iron up the left side will open your line into the green, or a 3wood up the right will reward the golfer with one of the best views at Barnbougle, looking beyond the green and up the never ending beach and distant dunes. The inviting clubhouse will recharge your batteries for the back 9.

The left side bunkers on this wide open fairway attract the aggressive golfers, while the multi layered green ensures that golfers are happy with a steady par to start the back 9.

When the wind is up, an eagle putt is available to those straight enough with their approach into this shorter par 5. However the common lay up to the left side of the green provides one of the most subtle short approach shots to the flag- to pitch, fly, bump'n'run or putt it to the hole.

Carrying the gaping bunkers short of the green tempt many on a still day, but into the prevailing wind the safe line is to the wide fairway left of the green. On your approach shot in, don't let the Bass Strait vista distract you from your bump'n'run to tucked away pins.

Shots into the right half of this mountainous green will feed balls to the lower left side, the long chip or putt will need to traverse humps and hollows. But don't fret, there is always a way to the hole.

The variety of driving lines is determined by the tail wind, as is the ability to reach the green in two. For those laying up, you choose to carry over or lay up short of the neck of fairway between wetlands. Green side craters await the errant approach.

The central bunker offers 4 lines off the tee; safely short, the safe left, tight right or beyond. The strategy you choose will be governed by the hole location- but regardless of the pin, don't miss this green left.

The green feeds away and right from the tee, so as long as you miss the short left bunker, a two putt par awaits. When the wind is up however, you'll have to hit one out of the screws to get it near.

The tranquility of the rivermouth disguises one of the course's most demanding tee shots. Thread the drive between fairway bunkers and run the ball up onto the diagonal green, protruding from the dunes.

A tee shot aimed at the left verandah of the clubhouse will leave you with an open shot into the green. With its valley of sin short right, the sand hills back and left, and beach all down the right, you won't find many prettier settings in which to finish your round of golf.