Spring Valley Golf Club

Magazine Ratings

An opportunity arose via a social golf day to play at another Top 100 Golf Course, Spring Valley Golf Club. I had noticed one for a bit latter in the year, but as I am a little impatient, couldn’t wait. Better to play now, than wait for the chance later, only to see it disappear.

Spring Valley Golf Club Entrance

The course itself is a little bit of a drive from the main road. It was a little confusing with some sort of social club also found in the same area. But once a hole or two were spotted, I knew I was in the right area.

Clubhouse at Spring Valley Golf Club

The clubhouse is quite large, with many areas available within to relax after the round, which we did with a lunch after our event. Even better is the outdoor area getting some fresh air during the warmer months. This overlooks a large practice putting area and the eighteenth green.

Locker room at Spring Valley Golf Club

Having a modern locker room with nice facilities, but lacks that bit of character. I have nothing against a modern facility, but do enjoy the charms of some old World character in the locker room.

Spring Valley Golf Club Map

The course does have a few holes routing back and forth, although generally there is dense scrub or trees separating the two, so they are not really seen.

Scorecard for Spring Valley Golf Club

Play for the day was from the white tees with a stableford competition. As this was a shotgun start event, our group started from the 2nd tee.

Hole 1 – 365 meter par 4

The usual start to the round is a medium length hole which doglegs to the right. Playing from a slightly raised tee, the shot will enter a slightly narrow between trees, before opening up to the fairway. This looks more intimidating than it actually is. Longer hitters can cut the corner slightly to gain further distance.

Looking back from the 1st green

Bunkers to the left are not the only trouble on this green. Small slopes away are found to the right and rear of a slightly raised green. There is some gentle undulations and slopes on the putting surface. Good opening hole that is not overly tough from the tee,  easing you into the round, which is always a good thing, but a bit more demanding for the second, A few options on how to play, ensuring flexibility dependent upon conditions.

Hole 2 – 363 meter par 4

A similar length hole follows, but this time with a dogleg left. Bit more work with the tee shot to carry some scrub before reaching the fairway, which is much narrower than the last.

Fairway bunkers on the 2nd

Bunkers sit on the inside of the turn, but can be carried, opening up the fairway a bit more. One noticeable thing was the great condition of the fairways. Looked fantastic and had a bit of run, with their firmness.

Approach to the 2nd green

There was a lot more going on around this green, with bunkers either side, but also some deep swales. Certainly more of a challenge than the first hole, but a joy to play. Has various strategies from the tee, which also offer reward and risk.

Hole 3 – 135 meter par 3

Next up is the easiest par 3 on the course. This short hole has bunkers front, left and right. The best place to miss is short right, with a large gap between the traps to the green, or long.

Well protected 3rd green

The green has some gentle slope from the rear, but overall is relatively flat. Not the most exciting hole on the course, more due to the overall layout being quite flat, but still a challenge.

Hole 4 – 323 meter par 4

From the easiest short hole, to the shortest par 4. With a dogleg to the right, covered with a few traps on the inside line, there is much risk and reward. Taking on too much of the corner could lead to tree trouble. Could be regrettable with so much fairway available.

Approach to the 4th green

Making the approach to the 4th green, really lets you know you are on the Sandbelt. Bunkers either side, with thick native shrubs surrounding the right trap. Great hole were you can receive huge rewards, or penalised tremendously if taking the wrong option.

Hole 5 – 145 meter par 3

Another par 3 symbolising the typical ground cover of the sandbelt, with waste leading up to the green. There is plenty of room right to miss, or even be short. Left is trouble, with multiple traps or thick grass.

Slightly raised 5th green

The green is raised on most sides leading off to large swales, which have been blended in between the putting surface and 6th tee. Nice hole which is very challenging into a strong headwind, which we encountered on the day. I love the scenery surrounding this hole.

Hole 6 – 345 meter par 4 – Craig teeing off 

A medium par 4 follows with a blind tee shot over dense foliage. With a dogleg to the left, it was like the blind leading the blind, as none of our group had previously played the course. The only thing visible was a tree showing the inside line of the turn.

Dogleg in the 6th fairway

The first view of the fairway is beyond the thick scrub, allowing the bunker on the left to be viewed. Luckily the fairway is fairly wide, although is possible to drive too far. Longer drivers could easily carry the bunker.

Mounding around the 6th green

A large bunker is found on the right, leading into the green, which is basically level with the fairway. To add shape to the putting surface mounding is found around some of the edges. At first I was a bit apprehensive regarding the design, but this did not look too out of place.

Hole 7 – 467 meter par 5

Coming to the hardest par 5, if you hadn’t realised, the course is basically lined by trees on either side. On the back nine this thinned out a little, but most holes were separated by these lines. The hole is basically straight, but the fairway traps force play slightly right.

Unsighted 7th green

The fairway is fair enough in width, but starts to rise towards the green, with traps found either side. Due to the rise in the ground, the putting surface cannot be viewed, making for a difficult approach. Challenging hole, but has good change in terrain to keep the player interested.

Hole 8 – 332 meter par 4

This shorter par 4 has a turn to the right playing down hill, making it enticing to take on the challenge of getting close to the green. The fairway is slightly narrower than previous holes, but there is more deep rough found either side, before reaching trees.

Play to the raised 8th green

The green sits elevated above the fairway, so accuracy is key in finding the putting surface. A trap just short of the complex is reachable from the tee and will come into play for those trying to shorten the hole. Good hole offering a lot of challenges and rewards. A lot of short grass on the green surrounds allow a variety of shots.

Hole 9 – 400 meter par 4

Finishing the front is the hardest hole and longest par 4 on the course. With a slight dogleg to the left, this fairway is one of the narrower on the front. A bunker makes the landing area smaller and is a challenge to carry.

Bunkering around the 9th green – Playing partner Andrew in trouble

With the clubhouse as a backdrop to the green, it blends in well. Numerous traps are found, with one deceptively short when viewed from the fairway,, but none are adjoining the green. The putting surface slopes from the rear, with the surrounds leading away. This was definitely a tough hole and takes some accurate shots to keep out of trouble.

Hole marker and pin flag

The hole marker is almost the standard design on courses within the Sandbelt, being a fairly solid plain white marker. I found the pin flags to be a bit more unique, not seeing anything similar on any course I have played.

Hole 10 – 122 meter par 3

To start the second loop is the shortest par 3. Although short this is no pushover, with a carry over dense scrub, before reaching a narrow green with bunkering either side. Very scenic from the tee, but can easily make that beautiful picture turn very ugly for the player.

Small narrow 10th green

A slight opening exists at the front of the green, although running a ball in here requires an accurate shot.  The only miss on this hole is slightly short or long. Wide on either side will find either sand or dense grass. Great testing hole to start the back nine, but not really the fairest hole on the course.

Hole 11 – 324 meter par 4

The last short two stroke hole for the day is the easiest par 4.  With a dogleg to the left, over a slight rise, the target remains blind. Bunkers are either side of the fairway, but can quite easily be carried.

Approach to the 11th fairway

The main danger from the tee is playing through the fairway or taking on too much of the turn finding the trees Playing to the left allows a clearer approach, which is mostly downhill to a green surrounded by bunkers. Nice hole which will test your decision making.

Hole 12 – 475 meter par 5

We find the longest hole on the course at the 12th. This has a slight turn left towards the green. Out of bounds is found to the left during the second shot.

View from the 12th fairway

This is the first of two holes which have water in play. For this hole water runs down the right of the green, then around the rear. The fairway leading into the green is quite generous however.

Looking back at the 12th green

The green complex has been built up slightly from the fairway, with all sides running away. The putting surface is almost like a wave, with a high point and a couple of troughs either side. I must admit a little surprise playing a hole with water on a Sandbelt course. This was a first for me, but it didn’t feel out of place (actually not quite true, I vaguely remember Huntingdale having a couple of holes with water in play). This wasn’t the most exciting hole, but quite playable.

Hole 13 – 341 meter par 4

Another hole incorporating the water body, this time with a forced carry from the tee. Certainly offering risk or reward from the tee, with the hole turning sharply to the right. Taking on more of the water and trees, certainly shortens the hole, but increases the risk. Quite easy to drive through the fairway if taking a safer option, so club selection is critical.

Slightly raised 13th green

Bunkers on either side of the green are partially separated, leaving a bit of short grass surrounding the complex. Good hole getting the adrenaline pumping on the tee.  Offers quite a few different ways to play.

Hole 14 – 188 meter par 3

Coming to the longest and hardest par 3 on the course. The green has bunkers running either side of the green, with one slightly short on the left.

Well guarded 14th green

Knowing you club distances is the biggest key here. Well also dealing with the conditions. The green angles away to the left, but has plenty of room at the front to run the ball in if required. Testing hole, but plays quite fairly for all levels of player.

Hole 15 – 369 meter par 4

Some sandy waste exists in front of the tee, which needs to be carried to reach the fairway. Pity there isn’t a bit more sandy waste areas around the course as it would enhance it greatly. The tee is right next to the rubbish tip area, so can get on the nose a little here. Glad we were not in the middle of summer.

Approach from the 15th fairway

The fairway slopes away running down to the hole, with a slight turn to the left. Bunkers are on either side of this narrow green, but a large opening exists at the front, although a small swale is also there, so running the ball in is difficult. On our day of play this was into a direct head wind, making the distance a lot longer. It felt good to not be so confined within tree lines here, with a bit more distance from one side to the other. Certainly a challenging hole and will make you work hard for a good score.

Hole 16 – 389 meter par 4

Playing from an elevated tee, this hole doglegs to the right. A line of bunkers are found on the inside line, which can be carried for longer hitters.

Slightly raised 16th green

The fairway is quite wide, narrowing towards the green. There are traps either side, but with the green only slightly raised, multiple options exist playing the ball into the green. We were racing before the rain was predicted to hit the course. Unfortunately it started as soon as we reached the green. Another good hole offering many options for both the tee and second shot.

Hole 17 – 465 meter par 5

With rain teaming down, the easiest hole and shortest par 5 became a little more difficult. Struggling to see and hold the club, what was looking like a fantastic day, just got a little miserable. Trees deceivingly made this fairway look narrower than it actually was. Staggered bunkers are reachable from the tee, but in the conditions we found, not very likely.

The 17th fairway

The hole make a slight turn beyond the last fairway bunker to a green rising slightly from the fairway.

Waterlogged 17th green

The rain eased slightly as we reached the green, however the water was like a river through the middle. All members of our group really didn’t learn from the other in how hard to hit the ball. We had missed the siren for a stop in play, not that I complained as I had the opportunity to finish playing the course.

Hole 18 – 377 meter par 4

The last hole is a nice way to finish the round. This longer par 4 is fairly straight, with the tee shot having to go through a chute to reach the fairway, before it widens dramatically.

Play uphill to the 18th green

The approach shot is uphill to the 18th green. Bunkers guard the front portion and have to be carried to reach the green. With the clubhouse in the background, it is a nice scene to finish the round. A deceptive hole from both the tee and the approach.

In summary I have to say Spring Valley Golf Club impressed me greatly. It was a lot better than I had expected, with many bad comments being found on-line. I would say this is comparative to Woodlands Golf Club and was a joy to play.

Looking at the course makeup:

• Hole Directions – There was a good variety allowing for conditions to have wide ranging effects during play. Every point on the compass was covered, with an even distribution with efforts made to not having starting holes facing the rising sun, or finishing holes facing the setting sun
• Hole Lengths – Par three holes had a good variance in distance, the majority in mid length. Par four holes ranged from short to long with a vast majority being mid length. Par 5 holes ranged from mid to long with the former being the majority
• Hole Layout – There was a decent mixture in how the holes played, although an overwhelming majority tended to favour turns to the left, where two shots or more were required to reach the green. This outnumbered those turning to the right almost two to one

The conditioning of the course was great. Tee areas were in fantastic condition, the fairways were firm enough for the ball to run a little. The greens were a little softer than expected, but there had been scattered showers for the two days before. I found the bunkers, when in them, to be very consistent with the sand.

Presentation of the course was reasonable. Due to varying winds over the previous day, there was a bit of loose tree material found in varying parts of the course. This was not drastic enough to have a detrimental impact.

Customer service, although a private club, was good. Certainly making myself as a visitor feel very welcome. This definitely increases the experience.

A course I would enjoy playing again without hesitation. This did feel like a true Melbourne Sandbelt course, like the more famous eight in the neighbouring areas.

Official photo of myself with the winning prize for the day

I must say thank you to The Social Golf Club on organising the event, which made it much easier to access the course. Also for the prize which I was lucky enough to win, although this was the furthest thing from my mind when attending the day.

How to play at Spring Valley Golf Club:

1. Be invited by a member
2. Be an interstate or overseas visitor who is a member of a golf club
3. Play in a Social Day event held at the course (Social Golf Club etc)

I played in a Social Day event being run by The Social Golf Club which also included lunch.