Welcome to the Mandalay Golf Course walk-through.

Keep reading to for some helpful tips and hints, hole-by-hole!

Hole 1 – Par 4 – 327m 

A relatively gentle opening tee shot with a wide fairway and primary landing area. A long iron or fairway wood left of the fairway bunker will open up an ideal angle to this two-tiered green. Any wayward shot into the green will be penalised with deep bunkering left and right and steep embankment on the left side of the green.

This hole is best played conservatively from the tee allowing a short or middle iron into the green.

1st hole

1st Hole

Hole 2 – Par 5 – 506m

The first of the par 5’s on the course, the 2nd hole provides a risk and reward opportunity for those players brave enough to take on both the tee shot and second shot. Bunkering right off the tee and a water hazard left of the fairway extending the length of the hole, makes this a challenging prospect for the aggressive player.

A solid tee shot left of the fairway bunkering followed by a lay up to within 80 – 90 metres of the green leaves the ideal angle for an accurate wedge shot. This green complex is raised up with a false front and steep embankment behind the green.

2nd hole

2nd Hole

Hole 3 – Par 3 – 182m 

One of our signature holes at Mandalay Golf Course, the 3rd hole provides a scoring opportunity with a downhill tee shot to a large green with two large sections separated by a spine running across the green.

A deep bunker at the front right of the green traps many players trying to access any back-right hand pin position, more than often leading to a bogey. Mere mortals should play left of the bunker with better players shaping a tee shot from left to right to challenge and back hole position

mandalay 3rd hole

3rd Hole

Hole 4 – Par 4 – 383m

This long straight away par 4 is one of the more difficult propositions on the course. The tee shot is lacking any protection from fairway bunkering however, British Open style rough both left and right of the fairway will swallow any errant tee shot. The green complex itself it quite receptive to approach shots played from a distance with a run up onto the left side of the green.

Deep bunkering behind the green will penalise any approach shot coming in too low along with any approach shots to the right section of the green most likely falling victim to some signature Thomson Design bunkering.

fourth hole mandalay

4th Hole

Hole 5 – Par 4 – 327m 

Positioning off the tee is integral for taming this short par 4. Long hitters will be tempted to cut the corner of this drivable hole, however with a severe two-tier green, any tee shot pulled left will result in a very difficult recovery.

Conservative play off the tee will secure you a short distance into the green however big hitters will no doubt take on the challenge of trying to carry the cross bunkers and reach the green.

mandalay fifth hole

5th Hole

Hole 6 – Par 5 – 512m

 This lengthy par 5 will be a three-shot proposition for most players with a water hazard left of the fairway and signature Thomson design bunkers scattered left and right.

The raised green surrounded by deep bunkering puts pressure on your approach shot, however the large size and relative flatness on the green will give you great opportunity to make your birdie.

sixth hole mandalay

6th Hole

Hole 7 – Par 3 – 164m

 This lengthy par 5 will be a three-shot proposition for most players with a water hazard left of the fairway and signature Thomson design bunkers scattered left and right.

The raised green surrounded by deep bunkering puts pressure on your approach shot, however the large size and relative flatness on the green will give you great opportunity to make your birdie.

seventh hole mandalay

7th Hole

Hole 8 – Par 4 – 396m

Arguably to toughest of the par 4’s on the Mandalay layout, the 8th hole from the tee provides a generous landing area with bunkering left and right, however these will only catch those tee shots well wide of the fairway. The true test comes with your approach shot into the green with the average approach shot being played from over 165 metres.

The green complex itself comprises some signature Thomson Design features inclusive of deep bunkering and the green being set on an awkward angle from the fairway. Shots played into the front right section of this green will take the majority of the risk away however will leave you a lengthy putt depending on the pin position.

mandalay 8th hole

8th hole

Hole 9 – Par 4 – 343m

Providing a fantastic opportunity to pick up a shot at the end of the front side, the 9th hole is a short straight away par 4 which is driveable for the longer hitter depending on the wind conditions.

The multiple tiers and undulations in the green provide an array of pin positions which are not all visible from the fairway upon approach however shots played to the correct portion of the green will collect towards the hole giving an opportunity to make your birdie.

ninth hole mandalay

9th hole

Hole 10 – Par 4 – 322m

The opening hole of the back nine demands a solid tee shot with heavy bunkering extending along the left side of the fairway and long rough on the right side. Positioning will take precedence over length with an accurate and well controlled approach shot required to hold this green.

Any pin position on the left side of the green will be well guarded by a deep bunker short left of the green, most players however will be attacking this shot with a short iron so the reward is worth the risk for those who choose to

mandalay tenth hole

Tenth hole

Hole 11 – Par 3 – 173m

Another of the challenging par 3’s at Mandalay Golf Course the 11th hole provides a force carry over a water hazard if you choose to play towards the green with a layup option available short left of the green. The two tiers of the green can make or break your opportunity on this hole and any approach shot played to the incorrect tier will be punished through a lengthy putt through the most undulating section of the green. Bunkers left and right guard the green which is most receptive to a higher shot shaped from left to right

mandalay eleventh hole

11th hole

Hole 12 – Par 4 – 367m

This picturesque par 4 demands a tee shot played with a slight right to left ball flight through the tall pine trees positioned on both sides of the fairway. Once navigated, the approach shot is played to a large and relatively open green complex that is quite often affected by the prevailing winds with shots played with a lower trajectory more likely to provide a good result.

This green is often one of the fastest on the golf course so ensuring your approach is underneath the hole will provide a greater opportunity to score.

mandalay twelfth hole

Twelfth hole

Hole 13 – Par 4 – 363m

The 13th hole is the first of a series of three difficult holes asking for solid ball striking and control on all shots. The tee shot past our signature windmill is guarded by bunkering on both sides of the fairway along with long rough right of the fairway for any tee shots well wide of the landing zone.

The approach shot is played to a narrow and deep green complex which is difficult to find as the majority of shots played into this hole will be from over 150 metres. Controlling trajectory on your approach shot is also key as this section of the course is often affected most by the prevailing wind.

mandalay thirteenth hole

Thirteenth hole

Hole 14 – Par 4 – 374m

This straight away par 4 is a test for players of all levels with a tee shot played to the middle or right side of the fairway providing the best angle into this green which heavily sloped from back to front.

Bunkering to the left side of the green will punish any errant approach shot and a steep drop off behind the green could also provide a challenge. Approach shots positioned underneath the hole will provide a comfortable experience on the green however any downhill putt will be fast and generally with significant break.

mandalay fourteenth hole

Fourteenth hole

Hole 15 – Par 3 – 202m

The biggest challenge of the day comes at the 15th hole. Its not only long but it carries some heavy bunkering around a green complex that is angled away from where you are from left to right.

Due to the shape of the green shots played from left to right with a higher trajectory will give you a greater chance of holding the green. The smart option for many players will be targeting the front left section of the green, opening up the angle for any chip shot or long putt.

mandalay fifteenth hole

Fifteenth hole

Hole 16 – Par 5 – 464m

This short par 5 begins a fantastic trilogy of finishing holes to the Mandalay layout with pine trees positioned both left and right of the fairway giving a narrowing effect visually to the hole. Tee shots that find the fairway will give players a fantastic opportunity to reach the green in two shots.

Deep bunkers however guard the front right and left of the green and will punish any shot that comes up short. Birdie awaits for those players who can navigate the bunkering and heavy rough.

mandalay sixteenth hole

Sixteenth hole

Hole 17 – Par 5 – 489m

The 17th hole, in contrast to the opportunities provided on the 16th hole, will demand solid length and accuracy from tee to green if you are to secure your par 5. From the tee the fairway width is generous with a single bunker positioned to the left side.

The second shot is where decisions must be made with bunkering to the left of the fairway and middle right of the fairway starting at 80m from the green all the way to the green itself. The best angle in is from the left side of the fairway between 50m > 75m opening up the green for you pitch shot.

mandalay seventeenth hole

Seventeenth hole

Hole 18 – Par 4 – 291m

The signature hole at Mandalay Golf Course, the 18th encapsulates the view to the clubhouse and beyond this the historic Mount Fraser. The tee shot for this challenging par 4 is best played to the left side of the fairway short of the fairway bunker. Heavy bunkering in the right side of the fairway should be avoided as a layup will be required.

The second shot plays uphill to an undulating green guarded on both sides by bunkers and a false front sloping away from the green. Conservative approach shots played to the centre of the green will provide a great chance to finish your round in style.

mandalay eighteenth hole

Eighteenth hole