RACV Royal Pines Aroona Binnowee Course (Old)

Magazine Ratings

NOTE: Before reading be aware this review is of the old design, pre 2014.

An opportunity arose with members of my local golf club, to go on tour to the Gold Coast for a week.  This was an opportunity to good to pass up with 5 courses being on the Top 100 list which I could play, so I didn’t hesitate to say yes.

The final round for the week was being held at RACV Royal Pines Resort.  This had recently been announced as host to the 2013 Australian PGA. During our visit they were busy preparing for the tournament which was three weeks away.  This lead to conditioning of the course not being ideal for play, sanded greens, efforts to grow the rough out, green keepers everywhere.

Accommodation at RACV Royal Pines

RACV own Royal Pines Resort and has plenty of accommodation, as well as other sporting facilities.  The resort has a total of 27 holes and was last listed in the AGD Top 100 in 2008. With major course renovations scheduled for 2014 it will be interesting to see if the course returns to the Top 100 listings.

Map of RACV Royal Pines

There are three loops of nine available at the course, which gives great choice for players, but also good when course maintenance is required.

RACV Royal Pines Scorecard

Play was from the white tees as it had been all week. Personally not my favourite, but with the differing abilities in the group, the most appropriate.

The Gold Coast 2013 Tour players – Left to right – Rob, Murray, Steve, Peter, Clem, Steve, Ian, Bob, Darryl, Carl, Walter, Barry

Having not played great golf all week, I found myself in the first group to be teeing off.  My main concern to not finish last.  Thankfully I had pulled myself from the bottom of the ladder a couple of days before.

Hole 1 – 328 meter par 4

The first hole, a par 4 measuring 328 meters, is a fairly straight tree lined hole.  Either side of the fairway has bunkers which are reachable to a narrowing fairway.

A sneak peak at the 1st green

The green is protected by two traps on either side at the front and one for any shot which maybe long.  A few humps and mounds can be found around the green.  On the day of our visit we found sanding of the greens had recently occurred so speeds were extremely slow.  This was in stark contrast to the day before at Lakelands where we had the quickest greens of the week.

Hole 2 – 373 meter par 4

The second hole, a 373 meter par 4, has a slight dogleg to the left with the ground having a slight slope in the same direction.  A bunker is located left to carry, for those trying to shorten the hole, whilst another is located further along on the right.  There is quite a bit of room to land your drive however.

Looking back from the 2nd green

Three fairly flat traps can be found around the 2nd green. These are also a little back from the putting surface, so you must carry some rough as well if you find yourself located in one.

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Hole 3 – 487 meter par 5

Things narrow slightly on the 487 meter par 5 third hole, which is the easiest par 5.  Water is in play for any errant shots left off the tee whilst the fairway is cut a little narrower, however there is still ample room between the fairway and trees that line each side.  A bunker is play on the right side for those playing to the wide side of the fairway.

Water is in play to the right of the 3rd fairway

Water runs down the last section of the fairway through the green, on the right. Ample space is available to the left, most being rough (but at least not water), although a large bunker sits out this side.

Playing partner Barry walking from the 3rd green

The green is quite large with some gentle slopes. A slight rise at the front is available to run the ball in. With generous fairways and room along the way to the green, the hole is not overly complicated. Some slight slopes and change in fairway direction along the way bring some interest to the hole.

Hole 4 – 358 meter par 4

A medium length par 4 with water down the right on the first portion of the fairway. Out of bounds is also found left.

Large gully through the 4th fairway

There is a large gully running through the 4th fairway, with is quite unusual. I assume this is for some sort of overflow from the water body. Can cause some difficult stance if the ball comes to rest here. The green is relatively flat with large bunkers surrounding. Hole offers some challenges from the tee.

Hole 5 – 162 meter par 3

Looking back from the large 5th green

With a large bunker left, the tee shot will need to carry to reach the green. Running the ball in on the right, brings the water into play. Out of bounds is also found left. Good par 3 allowing a variety of play.

Hole 6 – 482 meter par 5

With what looks like a narrow fairway from the tee, some hidden dangers lurk close by. A small water hazard hides to the left.

Long hitters will find the 6th green reachable in 2 shots

Have a slight slope down towards the green, longer hitters may be able to run the ball on without too much issue.

The 6th green is surrounded by bunkers

A slightly raised green, has bunkers on both sides, however left leaves the more difficult shot. Not the best of the long holes, with uninteresting terrain.

Hole 7 – 142 meter par 3

The next par 3 is the easiest hole in the course and probably the most scenic, but only from the back tee. From here water must be carried to reach the green. From the social tee the hole is a straight forward shot to a raised green.

The 7th green has steep slopes on most sides to contend with

A large bunker is located to the left, with most sloping going away from this point. The putting surface has more undulation to contend with.

Hole 8 – 331 meter par 4

Play on this shorter par 4 contends with a slight dogleg right. Bunkers are found down the inside line, but can be carried to shorten the approach.

Looking back at the 8th green

Large mounds are found at the turn, which could leave a difficult stance. The green has a couple of bunkers left to avoid. Nice hole offering a range of play from the tee.

Hole 9 – 396 meter par 4

To finish the first loop is the hardest hole on course, as well as being the longest par 4. Playing relatively straight and down a gentle slope, bunkers are staggered either side and in play.

Making the approach to the 9th green

The green is quite large, with one bunker to the left and two either side towards the rear. The surrounds right are relatively flat, allowing the ball to be run in. Left however has more undulation. On the day of play a corporate stand was being erected for the PGA Championship. Tough hole, more through distance than anything else.

Hole marker at RACV Royal Pines

Each nine hole loop has an identifying colour. This is either blue, green or yellow. Our play was on the green and yellow course.

Hole 10 – 282 meter par 4 shortest par 4

Starting the second loop, sees a tee shot to a wide fairway. Water is found left, whilst multiple bunkers are staggered down the fairway.

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Barry playing from the 10th fairway

The rough was being grown out to reach championship conditions, leaving some difficult shots for amateurs.

Hole 11 – 135 meter par 3

The shortest hole on course is found at the 11th. A par 3 with water to the left, although this should really be out of play, except for quite wild shots. A large valley is found leading up to the green, which is surrounded by sand traps. Quite scenic hole which allows for a range of play, although hitting the target should be the aim.

Hole 12 – 543 meter par 5

Coming to the longest hole and hardest par 5 on the course, from the tee if water intimidates, close your eyes. Parts of the landing area is hidden by a few trees.

Approach to the 12th green

Water is found on the last portion of the fairway to the left and rear. Being full of algae, made this quite unappealing. One large trap is located to the right, which is likely to catch its fair share balls. This does leave a shot onto the green with water behind though. One of the better par 5 holes on the course.

Hole 13 – 342 meter par 4

A nice medium length par 4 with a slight turn to the right. Water is reachable to the left, so caution is required with club selection. Bunkers are in play around the green, which is slightly risen above the fairway.

Hole 14 – 155 meter par 3

With the last par 3 for the day, this plays along side water to the left, hitting back towards the clubhouse. Some large undulations are found leading into the green, which has a large protecting the front right portion.

Looking back from the 15th green

The green is quite wide, but not overly deep. Another trap is located rear for shots too long, whilst either side the land slopes away. Quite a good par 3 which will test all levels of player, whilst still allowing a range of play.

Hole 16 – 378 meter par 4

A longer par 4 with water down the left, this hole has a penal element with the approach via a forced water carry. Being out of position off the tee, may require a layup. The green is quite wide, with plenty of short grass short. One of the challenging holes on the course, which will leave those finding the target in two, with a large smile.

Hole 17 – 325 meter par 4

The penultimate hole is a shorter par 4 with water running the entire left side of the fairway. There is ample room however for the tee shot, although too far left may bring trees into play for the approach.

Approach to the 17th fairway

A large swale is found short left of the green, whilst bunkers are right. Being slightly elevated requires some thought for the approach, with water still in play. Great short hole offering a range of strategies to the player.

Hole 18 – 460 meter par 5

The last hole is the shortest par 5 on the course. With a wide landing area from the tee, a line of trees with one bunker is located right, whilst further trees and water are down the left. The hole turns slightly to the right for the second shot.

View of the 18th green

Numerous traps along with water almost surround the green, make this a difficult target, one which those attacking will have great reward or risk.

Overall I found this course was one of the weaker design wise from my trip to the Gold Coast.  It has wide fairways, making it more enjoyable for higher handicaps, with lots of layup areas. There was a lot of water found throughout the course, so any wilder shots would be punished.

A lot of maintenance was being carried out on the course, in particular the greens had been sanded, whilst the rough areas being allowed to grow out did not help. Obviously they were the worst condition for the week, but with preparations being made for the upcoming tournament, totally understandable.

I will be interested to see the course after the scheduled changes are made in the coming years and whether there is a great improvement.

1. This is a public course. Please contact the proshop or book your tee time on-line