Yering Meadows Nursery Course

Magazine Ratings

Taking advantage of my work colleague’s membership of Yering Meadows and using the opportunity to catch up socially was a good reason to play this Top 100 golf course.

Yering Meadows is located in the suburb of Yering, located in Victoria’s Yarra Valley wine region. Nestled within a valley region, there are many spectacular views available, like the early morning hot air balloon rides that fly near the course as well as the large hills that run along some of the course.

The modern clubhouse has great facilities and views over the valley

The club actually started out as the Croydon Golf Club in 1925 after the district had become well established. Initially a 9 hole course was built in 1926 in Dorsett Road, it was later expanded to 18 holes designed by Alex Russell in 1932.

By 2008 the club had moved to its new location in Yering on a 27 hole course designed by Ross Watson, selling the previous site for housing land development. I was advised that on the new course, planting walnut trees have also been carried out on excess land, which will help blending in with the winery area and provide extra income to the club. This is the ideal situation for a club where its existing membership base can move to a new course, plus have cash in the bank, rather than a brand new course trying to seek members.

Map of Yering Meadows Nursery Course

The course is made up of three sets of nine, Nursery, Valley and Homestead. This gives multiple configurations and a bit of variety for play. Each loop comes back to the clubhouse.

Yering Meadows Nursery Scorecard

Hole 2 – 357 meter par 4

A hole which has strategy all over it. With a dog leg to the right, from the tee the choice will determine how the approach will be made. Taking on the dog leg shortens the hole, but leaves to bunkers to carry in reaching the putting surface. Playing to the left allows a variety of shots to get the ball on the green as it remains fairly open.

Hole 3 – 180 meter par 3

The longest and hardest par 3 on the course, will punish those with a strong fade (for right handers). Water is located to the right, along with two traps, although there is ample space to the left to miss or layup. Anything long will encounter a green sloping away on the return shot.

Hole 5 – 496 meter par 5

The longest par 5 on the course has water running the first two thirds of the hole down the left. Longer hitters can carry the first section, but must ensure not to play to far to the left as the slope will feed the ball into the hazard.

Approach to the 5th green

The second shot needs to avoid the fairway traps to the right and also the water, although this means you really have sprayed the ball. Being to the left allows a clearer shot at the green. This hole allows for a bit of strategy with each shot, quite an enjoyable par 5.

Hole 8 – 481 meter par 5

The second par 5 on the course, plays slightly shorter, but a bit more difficult. The hole turns significantly to the right after the tee shot, beyond the water hazard on the left. Anything slightly off line down this side will end up wet.

Approach from the 8th fairway

For those full of confidence (and distance) there is the possibility to reach the green by playing over the water hazard and finding the fairway running into the green. This is an extremely risky shot but can be very rewarding if made. Safety can be found out to the right, but the last water hazard has to be carried to reach the green.

Looking back from the 8th green

Playing the final approach has water to be carried and sand at the back of the green to be avoided for those taking too much club. Another good par 5 which allows for a variety of play.

Bi-plane taking off from the nearby airfield

The course itself has various surroundings to distract from the golf. There is a local airport for light aircraft (on my first visit I found this very distracting), a model airplane field (to hear even higher pitched motors) and a shooting range.

Hole marker on Yering Meadows Nursery Course

Hole 15 – 298 meter par 4

A shorter par 4 which is one of the easier on the course, but does have its risks. Water runs along the left and front of the green, which only extremely long hitters would be able to carry. The ideal play is with a long iron/hybrid down the middle of the fairway, avoiding traps on either side.

Looking back from the 15th green

This will usually leave a short approach shot which must carry the hazard at the front of the green. The putting surface is quite large with a subtle tier change towards the rear.

Hole 17 – 375 meter par 4

Playing into the sun made the 17th very difficult. This hole is quite long, especially into the breeze. With a dogleg right, fairway bunkers are in play off the tee. Anything left on the approach shot will run away from the green due to the large slope.

Hole 18 – 360 meter par 4

Finishing with the hardest hole on the course, play is with a slight turn to the right. A water hazard is located to the right, which long hitters can carry, but maybe not so much into the wind.

Looking back from the 18th green

The approach is up a steep hill to a green with bunkers front and rear. There is also a significant tier in the putting surface.

In summary, since playing the course in August 2011, I have since played again in December 2011. I must admit there was a vast difference in the course conditions, partly due to weather, seasons and man made intervention.

On my first visit, during the middle of winter, it was evident that the grass was in a ragged looking state, anywhere that rough was located, but also appearing patchy in places. This was definitely due to the season and since that time spring has been very favourable.

The greens were in top shape on my first visit, with a true run and being fairly firm, even after a few heavy downpours. On my last visit the greens were very slow. I was advised that they had recently been fertilised, but I also noticed a good saturation occurring upon my arrival, due to the immense heat predicted for the following two days. Even so by the end of the round I expected some further speed to be evident due to the greens absorbing the water, but this was not the case.

The fairways where in good condition, firm with quite a bit of run, but had some overly wet areas throughout lower areas of the course. This was evident on both visits, so I am not sure if there are some drainage issues at the course, but they did not seem to compromise play at all.

Lastly I found the bunker sand to be overly compacted. Now we know that if you don’t hit the ball in the bunker you won’t have the problem, but this is not always by choice.

The course has its natural ground showing if well away from the fairway, which is typical for the region. The ground can get fairly dry, so there are some areas which remain patchy with grass, having visible dirt areas between some of the grass.

I would have to say that the back nine was a lot more difficult than the front, with some holes being extremely punishing if you are slightly off line. In saying that there is a good mixture of distances within the hole types as well as directional changes, allowing for varying conditions.

Me, unfortunately it wasn’t a conquering moment with the course winning

How to play at Yering Meadows:

The course is semi-private, with social play available seven days a week, although on weekends limited tee times are available. Members do have competition days, so play would need to be outside of these times. Contacting the pro-shop would be advisable before your visit to organise the best time.