Course Overview
Listed below are some images and tips on how to best navigate the challenge that is Mandalay Golf Course.
Mandalay Golf Course since is now placed as the 59th best public access golf course in Australia.
Five-time British Open Champion and renowned golf course architect the late Peter Thomson, former principal of the golf course architecture firm Thomson Perrett has proudly designed the Mandalay Golf Course.
Peter and his team successfully converted flat grazing farmland into a stunning contoured golf course that will challenge players of all skill levels.
Thomson Perrett has designed many of Australia’s highly respected golf courses including The National, Moonah Links, Sandhurst, Hope Island, Twin Waters and The Links Port Douglas just to mention a few.
The Golf Course proudly follows in the tradition of these iconic golf courses and further enhances the Thomson Perrett golf course legacy.
Mandalay Golf Course since its inception has risen in across a range of golf course ranking institutions and is now placed as the 59th best public access golf course in Australia. With an official Golf Australia slope rating of 132, Mandalay Golf Course challenges players of all levels and is a golf course that you will want to play more than once.
Listed below are some images and tips on how to best navigate the challenge that is Mandalay Golf Course.
Navigating Club Mandalay
Hole 1 – Par 4 – 327m
Rating 13
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.
Hole 2 – Par 5 – 506m
Rating 6
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.
Hole 3 – Par 3 – 182m
Rating 10
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
Hole 4 – Par 4 – 383m
Rating 3
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.
Hole 5 – Par 4 – 327m
Rating 18
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.
Hole 6 – Par 5 – 512m
Rating 11
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.
Hole 7 – Par 3 – 164m
Rating – 8
This par 3 provides fantastic variety dependant on the tee you are playing and wind conditions. Playing uphill with a shallow green this par 3 demands nothing but a well struck iron shot preferably with a higher trajectory. For players taking the conservative option the left side of the green provides relatively flat landing area and will take away the risk of deep bunkers guarding the front right of the green and steep run off the right and back of the green.
Hole 8 – Par 4 – 396m
Rating – 2
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.
Hole 9 – Par 4 – 343m
Rating – 14
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.
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.
Hole 11 – Par 3 – 173m
Rating – 4
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.
Hole 12 – Par 4 – 367m
Rating – 7
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.
Hole 13 – Par 4 – 363m
Rating – 9
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.
Hole 14 – Par 4 – 374m
Rating – 12
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.
Hole 15 – Par 3 – 202m
Rating – 1
The toughest hole at Mandalay Golf Course, the 15th hole is not only long but it boasts some heavy bunkering around a green complex that is angled away from your playing position 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 with the smart option for many players targeting the front left section of the green, opening up the angle for any chip shot or long putt.
Hole 16 – Par 5 – 464m
Rating – 16
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.
Hole 17 – Par 5 – 489m
Rating – 17
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.
Hole 18 – Par 4 – 291m
Rating – 5
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.
Club Mandalay
430-450 Mandalay Circuit, Beveridge, Victoria 3753
e: info@clubmandalay.com.au
p: 03 9037 3700
Club Mandalay is located just off the Hume Freeway, a leisurely 45 minute drive north of Melbourne.
Mandalay Golf Course is a unique golfing experience and the premiere golf course in Melbourne’s North. Currently ranked in Australia’s Top 100 public access courses, we are proud to offer public tee times available 7 days a week.
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