Lakelands Golf Club

My first experience playing at Lakelands Golf Club occurred in 2013. 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.

Lakelands Golf Club Entrance

During my ‘golf sabatical’ of 2018, I returned to visit the course, but this time with a lot more golf architecture knowledge under my belt.

Clubhouse at Lakelands Golf Club

Lakelands Golf Club was the first signature designed Jack Nicklaus course to be constructed in Australia (the only other being Heritage Golf & Country Club St Johns course). His design company had previously been associated with the redesign of The Australian Golf Club.

Map of Lakelands Golf Club

This resort style course has been built on relatively flat land, with some housing found built centrally in the course, but predominantly seen a few holes of the front nine. Water comes into play on part of the first nine holes, but a majority of the second require navigation.

Lakelands Golf Club Scorecard

A vast majority of the photos are from my second visit, giving an idea of current layout and conditions. I also had some dust issues with the lens, so it was good to update the photos without having a few black spots located in places. Different tees have been played on my visits to get a feel of the different lengths. All measurements mentioned are from the blue tees.

Hole 1 – 373 meter par 4

Play starts with a simple design, yet effective. A wide fairway with a bunker and water located to the left, offering some risk playing to this side, but leaving a clearer approach to the green.

Approach to the 1st green right of the fairway

A large bunker is covers the full length on the right side of the green. With putting surface angling slightly away to the right, making an approach from this side more difficult.

Hole 2 – 478 meter par 5

Next up is the first par 5 for the round, which is the easiest ranked hole on the course.

Looking down the 2nd fairway

There are numerous bunkers staggered along the fairway, which starts off wide, but narrows the further you get to the hole. Those who can’t reach the green in two, have the choice of playing close to the right side bunker, allowing an easy approach into the green.

Looking back at the 2nd green

The green angles away to the left, with a large bunker found protecting this side. Not the largest of greens, there is ample room either side to miss.

Hole 3 – 145 meter par 3

From the easiest hole to the shortest hole on course, along with being the easiest par 3. I quite like the tee locations, as they move further back the angle changes, increasing the amount of the front bunker to be carried.

View back along the 3rd green

The green angles away to the right, and has a rather odd shape. A large bunker is also found at the rear for those taking too much club.

Hole 4 – 355 meter par 4

Playing with a slight turn left, this par four has a collection of bunkers left of the fairway. These are all totally separated from the fairway and surrounded by rough.

Wide view into the 4th green

Longer hitters may find the right side fairway bunker. Play close to this will afford the best angle into the green for most pin positions. The putting surface angles away to the left, with bunkers front and rear.

Hole 5 – 481 meter par 5

A tee shot to a fairway angling to the left, with water and a large bunker down the same side, awaits at the fifth hole. Another bunker, located right, is found at the rise of a crest.

More bunkering along the 5th fairway

Another large bunker is found short right of the green, although playing out to the left offers a better angle for laying up.

Approach to the 5th green

The green sits slightly raised, with a large bunker found right of the green. This putting surface slopes away towards the rear.

Hole 6 – 152 meter par 3

A mid length par 3 playing slightly down a slight slope. With a clump of longer grass and a large bunker, which stretches down the right side, separate the tee from green.

Looking across at the 6th green

There is room out to the left for any miss, although playing to long will find the rear bunker. Probably the weakest of the short holes on the course.

Hole 7 – 332 meter par 4

Next is the easiest index par 4. Playing relatively straight, there is ample room to find the fairway, with bunkers staggered either side of the fairway.

View from the 7th fairway

For most pin positions, play from the right side of the fairway is best. The green sits slightly raised with a bunker protecting the left side. Another hole which is not great, being relatively flat and straight. 

Hole 8 – 324 meter par 4

Coming to the shortest par 4 on the course, there are a few decisions to make from the tee. A huge bunker is found down the left before coming to water, running all the way to the green. The center of the fairway has a small bunker.

Play across water to the 8th green

Hitting down the left side of the fairway is higher risk, but leaves a shorter shot into the green, although across water.

Looking back from the 8th green

Playing to the right of the fairway, leaves a longer shot, but more options leading into the green which slopes away to the left. A hole which has lots of options and I really enjoy playing. The bunker leading into the water seems a bit out of place, but is effective.

Hole 9 – 350 meter par 4

The final hole for the first loop is a medium length par 4. From the rear tee you shoot through what is almost a chute, with a carry over water and the bunker required to reach the fairway. Playing down the right opens the green for a variety of shots.

More bunkering along the 9th fairway

Bunkers are found down the right, which can be reached from the tee. Two large bunkers are found to the left leading into the green, which is raised on the left, allowing a green side trap to protect pins positions on the same side. The right of the green blends in with the surrounding terrain. Nice hole which offers a bit with both the tee and approach shots.

Hole marker and pin flag

Being a resort style course open to the public, there is a map of each hole near the tee. Quite handy for those who may only ever play here once. I like seeing logos on the flag, playing so many courses I can forget where I am 🙂

Hole 10 – 370 meter par 4

A challenging hole starts the second loop. From the tee take on as much risk as you dare, with water running the entire length of the hole. The fairway is not all that wide, so finding yourself driving through is not overly difficult.

View of the 10th green

With the green sitting close to the water, the only saving grace maybe the two bunkers found down the left of the green. There is a substantial rise at the front, so running the ball in is difficult. The cape hole design is one of my favourite styles, when water is involved.

Hole 11 – 481 meter par 5

Next is the hardest par 5 along with being the longest hole at Lakelands Golf Club. This runs along the eastern boundary of the property. Bunkers are found at almost equal distance either side of the fairway from the tee. This is the same for the second shot.

Looking down the 11th fairway

Oddly enough, this hole was being worked on during my first visit. The green keepers advised that all bunkers were being worked on, to define the edges.

Hole 12 – 378 meter par 4

A longer par 4 which slightly turns to the right follows. The tee is slightly elevated, playing to a wide fairway with bunkers either side. Longer hitters could find water down the right of off line.

View to the 12th green

Finding the right side of the fairway leaves a difficult approach, which has to carry water. The left leaves a much easier line to a green which is predominantly level with the surrounds. Visually not one of my favourite holes, but there are quite a few options to consider.

Hole 13 – 384 meter par 4

The longest par 4 at Lakelands Golf Club is next. This again turns to the right, playing around a water body for most of the hole. The fairway has a bit of width with trouble either side.

Bunkers protecting the 13th green

There are some ideal lines to play, depending on pin position, but you could land dead middle of the fairway and not face too much difficulty. The green has a few slopes to contend with, especially at the front, where it runs back to the fairway.

Hole 14 – 117 meter par 3

The shortest hole on the course is also the most picturesque. Water separates the tee from the green so must be carried. 

Tranquility of running water near the 14th green

The green angles away to the left, with a large bunker found towards the front right. A running stream is found to the left, but looks a bit too manufactured for my liking.

14th temp green – 101 meters

The first time I played here the green was out of play, so a temporary green was in play. This was not a bad alternate hole. The bunker to the left separated the existing green from the temporary one.

Hole 15 – 374 meter par 4

Another mid to long par 4 hole is found, so the last 3 had all similar lengths. The tee shot is played to a fairway with a lot of slope. A large bunker is found to the right, which if carried opens the line into the green. Lots of risk reward on the tee shot.

The Raised 15th green

Ideally playing from the right of the fairway open up most pin positions, to this elevated green which runs away to the left. A bunker larger than the green, awaits any shot not quite on line. One of my favourite holes on the course, which offers some good strategy, but caters for all level of golfer.

Hole 16 – 471 meter par 5

Starting the run back towards the clubhouse, is this mid length par 5. Playing down slope to a wide fairway, bunkers are found at identical distances on either side.

View from the 16th fairway

Water potentially comes into play down the right for any wayward shot, but a central bunker splits the fairway. This leaves a decision to be made for those not attacking the green.

Looking down to the 16th green

Three bunkers surround the green, which slopes slightly left to right. Sitting level with the fairway a few options are available on getting the ball on the putting surface. 

Hole 17 – 188 meter par 3

The penultimate hole is the hardest index par 3, as well as its longest one shot hole. You have to carry the water to reach the green, although this time its a bit further than the previous par 3.

View across the water to the 17th green

Plenty of fairway is found short of the green, which allows the ball to be run in, although a central bunker must be navigated. Anything left may find the slope down to the water. The hole has a lot of options, catering for those who may struggle to reach the green, but does require that forced carry, which I always question in designs.

Hole 18 – 389 meter par 4

To finish the round is the hardest ranked hole on the course. A long bunker is found down the right, separating the fairway and water, which runs the entire length of the hole. The left side opens the green up a lot more.

View from the 18th fairway

A bunker is found right of the green, which angles away in the same direction. The left side of the green slopes away to a couple of collection areas. Certainly a tough hole to finish the round. 

Looking across to the 18th green from the 16th fairway

In summary, the first time I came to the Gold Coast, this was one of the courses I enjoyed more. Probably due to playing well. How times have changed. No longer do I look at a course and judge on my performance. There are certainly some solid holes on the course, along with some quite average ones.

Looking at the course makeup:

• Hole Directions – There was a good variety allowing for conditions to have wide ranging effects during play. A few holes saw play consecutively in the same direction or going back and forth. The 17th has a westerly facing tee, which may have issues late in the afternoon with sun, making visibility difficult
• Hole Lengths – Par three holes had a good variance in distance, the majority in mid length. There was some imbalance however with two of these being similar distance on the front nine. Par four holes ranged from short to long with the majority being either mid or long length. The front nine seem to favour the shorter holes, where as the back had a bulk of the longer par 4. There was also a few cases where holes of similar length were played consecutively on both the front and back nines. Par 5 holes were all longer in length, but they all played quite differently due to slopes or hazards
• Hole Layout – There was a great mixture in how the holes played, where two shots or more were required to reach the green. With a good combination found between both loops, there was an equal amount playing left, right or straight

Conditioning of the course was extremely high and quite stark between my two visits, as can be seen by a mixture in the photos. Tee boxes were consistently flat and provided some variation in play, depending on colour. The fairway were as expected for a semi tropical location, presented well but limited to run available.

Bunkers throughout the course were undergoing maintenance to sharpen the edges, after growth was left giving a more natural look. I like the look of a clean edge, but allowing for a more natural look can be great also. Greens were consistent with cut. They were firm, considering the morning rain, but all rolled well, without being overly fast. Grain was nowhere near as obvious compared to other courses in the region.

There were a few standout holes for me 3, 7, 10, 15 and 17. Considering this is basically a resort course, there is ample strategy to take into consideration on most of the holes. There were instances of bunkers being at similar distances from the tee, on both sides of the fairway. Not something I am really a fan of.

Overall this is a good course to play whilst on the Gold Coast. Not one I would play on every visit, but would not one I would leave off my rotation for too long.

How to play at Lakelands Golf Course:

1. Be invited by a member (for morning tee times on competition days)
2. Public access is available seven days a week