Western Australian Golf Club

Magazine Ratings

Making the trip to Perth to cash in on one of my birthday presents, playing one of the Top 100 courses, I decided to take advantage and play an extra course close to my hosts residence, Casa Del Como.  With only two courses left to play in the city, I decided on the Western Australian Golf Club, not really knowing much about the course before the visit.

Western Australian Golf Club sign

Hoping to take advantage of the local competition open to visitors, I arranged with the General Manager of the club, who was extremely helpful in making the booking. Unfortunately there was a little confusion on the numbers in the group so I missed out on the local comp, but this was not really an issue. Lets face facts, how often are you going to play well first time on a course, so it could only be detrimental to my handicap.

Clubhouse at the Western Australian Golf Club

The club is located in the hilly suburb of Yokine, 10 minutes drive from the city center.  Formed in 1928 after the land was transferred from Richard Hesford, part of the estate was used for housing, with the rest used for the course. Alex Russell was approached to modify and bunker the course in 1928, whilst in WA working on the Lake Karrinyup Golf course.

Map of the Western Australian Golf Club

Scorecard for Western Australian Golf Club

The first hole is a challenging way to start the round with a 220 meter par 3 hole, ranked three on the index. This offers a great view from the tee with a lake and fountain to the left and bunkers surrounding the green. The tee shot is down hill to a raised green, leaving a large false front to carry to the putting surface. There is ample room to lay up to the front right of the green for those that can’t carry the distance.

The green is quite large sloping from back to front, so receptive to balls carrying the distance. Pin positions on the right will be much easier than those on the right, due to the amount of undulations. It leave players having to start strong from the get go, as the first two holes are among the hardest on the course.

The first hole is a challenging par 3 measuring 220 meters

The third hole, a 344 meter par 4, has a large dogleg to the left. From the tee you are left with a choice of strategies. For the long hitters taking on the dogleg is an option to shorten the hole, a carry of around 210 meters, but anything short will destroy the chance of making par. Those deciding to play the safer route still face trouble, as a long line of bunkers will catch anything hit to long. If you leave the shot too short you still have to find a way of playing around the trees.

Forced approach to the third hole

The approach shot to the 3rd is a forced carry to a green protected by bunkers. Anything long will run off down the back slope of the green, leaving a tricky chip, especially if the pin is located towards the rear.

View from behind the sixth hole, a 493 meter uphill par 5

I was taking my time playing the front nine, trying to ensure I took in the scenery. One of the newer members of the club caught up, so we played the rest of the front nine together. It never ceases to amaze me the people you meet. He had only moved to Perth within the last year after leaving my home town of Sydney’s, being a member of the Bonnie Doon golf club.

My playing partner for the front 9, about to make his approach to the 7th

Hole 8 is a medium par 5 at 462 meters. The hole runs up a gradual slope for the first 300 meters with some fairway traps located on the left. The rest of the distance to the hole gradually increases in gradient. To the right a more bunkers to capture any second shots slightly pushed. This leaves anywhere up to 70 meters to play up hill before reaching the green, not an easy shot. Two further bunkers protect both sides of the green which slopes significantly from back to front. Anything above the hole will be difficult to stop when coming back, I can talk first hand from this experience.

Steep uphill shot to the 8th green – par 5

To finish the front nine is an intimidating 176 meter par 3, which has water to carry if you are to aim directly at the green. For the shorter hitters they can play to the right of the water and as long as it is wide enough, should remain dry without feeding down the bank. This would bring one of the four bunkers surrounding the green in play, or leave an uphill chip.

View from the 9th tee of this lengthy par 3

There are some slight undulations in the putting surface, almost leaving two distinct tiers. I am not one who likes starting or finishing nine holes with a par 3, but I must admit it didn’t bother me on this course. They were both quite different and took advantage of the scenery around as well as the large water body separating the two.

Perth city landscape looking from behind the 9th green

Heading off to the back nine, I noticed someone jumping in front of me. I didn’t really care as there was no group behind, plus this guy had just hit a great tee shot. Noticing this indiscretion he offered for me to hit, at first refusing but then changing my mind as it’s always good having someone to chat with.

Then duff, I top the ball and the tee nearly goes further than the ball (great way to impress I thought). I hit the next shot trying to draw around the dogleg only to clip the trees and send the ball crashing to the ground, so I offer to let this guy keep going without me. No not a problem he says after hitting a great draw into the green. At this point I half joke saying he must be a professional with the way he is so cleanly striking the ball. To my astonishment he replies that he is the club professional, Craig Bishop and also the recently appointed Western Australian state men’s coach.

Downhill shot to the 12th hole, a 288 meter par 4

It ended up being a fantastic experience playing the back nine with Craig. We discussed my quest, some of the issues in golf and he gave a lot of insight into the Western Australian golf course, making me see things in a different light. This was quite invaluable and certainly makes me want to study golf architecture in more depth.

The twelfth hole is played from the highest natural point in Perth. From the tee there are views of the city to the right, but more importantly a view over the entire length of the hole. The tee shot is all downhill on this 288 meter par 4. Ranked the easiest hole on the course, you must decide if you will go for safety short or to the right of the green, or take or try to land on the putting surface in one shot. Doing so brings five bunkers into play surrounding all but the back of the green, but if you go long it’s another hill you will be going down, leaving a difficult shot back.

Wisely, if you play to the right, there is a slight opening between the traps for any front pin positions. Otherwise all second shots have to carry a bunker to reach the green. The putting surface has two significant undulations at the front, one leading to a false front, whilst the rear portion had gentle slopes. A great hole to walk away with par whilst enjoying views of the city.

A small entry exists for those laying up to the side of the 12th green

Hole 14 was an interesting hole from a golf architecture point of view, something becoming of greater interest to me as I continue my quest. Being a 312 meter par 4, it is not overly long, but has some fundamental flaws which I will mention later.

From the tee everything slopes to the right. The tee shot must carry a hill, which then runs down to a valley before rising again to the green. From the tee you have to play your shot to the left due to the slope. This is essential no matter what club you use. The fairway is not overly wide and if the ground is firm, almost all balls will roll down into the rough due to the natural slope. This pretty much makes must shots from those using the longer clubs off the tee finishing in the one spot.

The green is protected two bunkers at the front and one at the rear, although this would be rarely in play. There is a slight gap between the two front bunkers but you are guaranteed to have a forced carry to the putting surface. The green itself has two distinct tiers and slopes from back to front.

View from behind the 14th green with its sloping fairway

So what are the issues on the hole?
1. The fairway width in firm conditions ensures most shots are hit from the rough. Potential exists to extend the fairway a little more to reward those managing to find the fairway instead of penalising almost all tee shots
2. The green is a forced carry. In fact it is not the only hole on the course with this situation. This forces one strategy only on the player, which is to carry a bunker to reach the green. There are no other real options available. Removed are the possibility to run the ball onto the green due to the slope and also the front bunkers.

Playing partner and club professional Craig Bishop, teeing off on the 15th

To finish the round is a medium length par 5, measuring 468 meters. The hole runs mostly uphill from the tee. Two bunkers are located left, with another on the right slightly further on, something some newer courses should take note of when being designed. This allows for more strategy from the tee, rather than forcing the player to try to find a narrow gap between to fairway traps.

As you approach the hole the view is enhanced by the clubhouse sitting directly behind. Four bunkers surround the green but there is an opening for those wanting to attach on their second shot. The putting surface has some mild undulations but is not overly difficult.

18th green with clubhouse in the background

So what is the verdict on the course?  It was a pleasure to play this hidden gem out in the suburbs.  For a parkland style course it was in great condition, featured some great holes and views of the city and was challenging for all levels of golfers.  I would certainly enjoy playing here again.

As Western Australian Golf Club is a private members only course, opportunities to play are limited to the following:

a. Invite from a member as their guest
b. Reciprocal club member
c. Golf club member from interstate or overseas

You will need to contact the club for appropriate times to play if not a members guest.