Metropolitan GC is known as the best conditioned course in Australia, and one of the best in the world- comparisons have even been made with Augusta National because of the magnificent carpet of santa ana couch fairways, and immaculate presentation of bunkers and greens. But Metro has more to offer than it's wonderful presentation.

It is a joy to play, and demands a golfer put some thought into his game. The fairways are wide, but the distinctive clean edged bunkering is everywhere. Fairway bunkers push you one way off the tee, and then challenge you again with approaches to greens amply protected by more sand.

There is no better example of this than the long par 4 first hole. The 'safe' drive to the right side of the fairway avoids a larger bunker complex at driving length on the left. As with much of the fairway bunkering at Metro the bunker intrudes well into the fairway, and draws the player’s eye. However the green is heavily protected on the right side, and has more gaping bunkers well short and right as well- meaning the safe tee shot to the right will then demand a long approach over a number of bunkers to reach the green. It is strategic, it is difficult, but it also eminently fair as it is all laid out before you on the tee.

Welcome to Metropolitan!

The first 6 holes at Metro are absolutely world class in my opinion. The aforementioned opener is followed by a devilish, but picturesque par 3, a dogleg par 4, short par 5 with tricky elevated green, and very tight tee shot over sand and rough, and a par 4 and par 5 that flow through the native gum trees and shrubbery. The vegetation is dominated by the red flowering gum that became the club logo, and it frames the holes beautifully. The bunkering is wonderful, and the crisp lines eat into those santa ana carpet fairways and demand your attention. But it is the sculpting of the fairways around the bunkering that really impresses me. I don't know of any other course where these dips and hollows in the fairway carpet are so captivating – they give movement to the fairways in such as way as to make them a natural extension of the bunkers.

However after hole 6 the course is laid on flatter terrain. This is a result of the land swap in the 60's. There are many good holes later in the course- the par 3 11th is a gem. And the short, tight dogleg par four 16th is memorable with bunkers everywhere. The longer par 4 seventeenth hole is unique with a copse of non native trees protecting the right side of the green. And the closing par 4 is a strong hole.

However as good as the course is, it does not consistently match the quality shown in those first 6 holes. The latest revision by Crafter + Mogford Golf Strategies may well rectify this!