Mandurah - Western Australia - Australia

A well maintained slightly undulating parkland course with some great holes.

What I really liked is the presence of many dog-leg holes.

5, 6 & 7 are interesting, undulating holes, whilst the 14th & 18th will provide a challenge.

Many greens are elevated & in great condition.

A truly good members course!

I haven’t played this course since they changed 1 from a par 4 to a par 3, but I have played this course many many times in the Amateur Open event. Plenty of missed cuts I might add! A very tricky golf course, not my favourite layout but there are some good holes, like a lot of Perth, the standout feature of this golf course is its green sites, often prepared very fast, and missing in the wrong spots is penal. I’d play this over the Cut any day of the week, but not over Meadow Springs. A decent track.

Position is key to success at Mandurah Country Club; as fairways can be narrow and intelligent course management will lead to a round to remember. Get to the course early and take advantage of the practice green, this extra practice and knowledge will shave a few shots off the card later in the round.

There are plenty of holes where the driver can stay in the bag as length off the tee isn't always advantageous here, sometimes losing 20/30 metres may put you into prime position for that second shot into the green or further along the fairway. The course has bunkers well placed to catch the balls of all levels of golfer, as a whole, they're well maintained, full of sand and in good condition.

The greens are famous for being quick, always pure and, well looked after. The time put in on the practice green will help control your ball as it is easy to overhit a ball and in doing so, over or underestimate the break in front of you. Having no three-putts during a round is an achievement even for the low handicappers.

Through design the par-three 1st is a testing way to start, with a well-defended green, plenty of bunkers and accuracy required from the get-go, it is easy to misjudge and then end up using shots to get onto the green.

You work you way around the course playing pleasurable golf on well-presented holes. Errant balls are easy to find though it is also easy to find the boundary fence for the golf holes that flank the perimeter. Both the 9th and 18th are the stand out holes for me. Both golf holes have elevated greens that require accuracy to get on and be putting in regulation.

It is worth the hour drive south of Perth to head to Mandurah Country Club, make sure you pack your industrial-strength insect repellent as the mosquitos can be a bit troublesome. They also have some value for money specials, so phone up the pro-shop and get booked on!