Heritage Golf & Country Club (St John)

The Heritage Golf and Country Club was where the first private Nicklaus-designed Australian golf course, St John, was opened in 2001. Set in the spectacular Yarra Valley just outside Melbourne, the 18-hole championship course is laid out over gently undulating terrain with plenty of water to add both interest and danger. A second course, the Henley, opened in late 2006.

No expense was spared in the construction process at the Heritage as the Jack Nicklaus St John layout and the Tony Cashmore Henley track were both sand-capped which allows the growth of carpet-like fairways and provides first class drainage throughout.

The St John course can be stretched to just over 7,000 yards so it will test even the longest of hitters off the tee. Apart from the water hazards, the other striking features around the course include the quality of mounding and bunkering and the immaculate conditioning throughout.

The 407-yard, par four, 8th hole is considered to be the hardest on the whole course. After teeing off through a chute of trees, the approach shot will probably be played from above your feet as the fairway slopes from right to left. The green has bunkers either side with only a narrow entrance so the luxury of two putts for par may not be one enjoyed by too many golfers.

On the back nine, many think the 180-yard, par three, 11th is the best hole. There is water down the right side and a quarry face borders the left side of the green. The putting surface is nearly forty yards in length so club selection is critical to place the tee shot close enough for a par at worst.