The National Golf Club – Long Island Course

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The National Golf Club Long Island course, formerly Long Island Country Club, located in the Melbourne Sandbelt holds its own against some of its more famous neighbours. This par 72 course originally built in 1938, is on land that has been used for different purposes over the years, from sheep and cattle grazing, to peanut farming.

It was a good opportunity to catch up with a recently retired friend, Joe, who I had recently played with at Sanctuary Cove Resort Palms course, two weeks before.

Clubhouse at Long Island Country Club

The clubhouse would not look out of place in rural England, due to its architecture. Giving a great view over the first hole, there is also a large seating area outside on the grass, giving a village feel. On our day of play we were playing with two current members of Long Island Country Club, John and Jim.

Course map of Long Island Country Club

Next door is the more well known Peninsula Kingswood Golf and Country Club. The biggest difference between the two courses is that Long Island Country Club is relatively flat. I found Peninsula to be a lot more hilly over both of its courses. I found that there was not a lot of variation in the direction which holes had been laid out. Two thirds ran along a North-South axis (six North-South and six South-North), whilst the remaining third were on a East-West axis (three running East-West with the other three West-East).

Long Island Country Club Scorecard

A recent merger has occurred between The National Golf Club and Long Island Country Club. This has seen the emergence of Australia’s first 72 hole golf club. Quite a smart merger on behalf of The National Golf Club, giving its members a course which is now closer to Melbourne city. Tee times being allocated for members of each respective club had to be agreed upon, to ensure Long Island Country Club was not overwhelmed, seeing their regular members forced from being able to play. This will be curious to see a year or two down the track, how this merger has progressed.

Hole 1 ‘Forward’ – 355 meter par 4

Starting with a medium length par 4, this has a very slight curve to the right but predominantly flat from tee to green. Trees line either side of the fairway, but on the left they do not start until around the 100 meter mark.

Slightly raised first green

The green complex is protected by a bunker around twenty meters out, then one on either side of the hole. The putting surface has gentle sloping, but green speeds are pretty quick and firm. We would encounter some very tricky pin positions on the day, which was enough to drive you crazy with some of the results of missing the cup. A hole not too difficult to get the round started.

Hole 2 ‘The Pines’ – 334 par 4

Not ranked high on the stroke index, but with a strong head wind, not an easy hole. This mid length par four has out of bounds down the left as well as a bunker ready to capture anything slightly off line. The hole plays straight and slightly down hill. There is some room to the right, although going too far will bring a large tree into play.

The 2nd Green

Further bunkers lead up to the hole on the left, but the right is left very open. The green slopes from rear to front and is level with the fairway at the front. Gentle contours can play tricks here dependent on the pin position. John in our group had a simple put from above the hole, but to his dismay found the ball rolling six feet pass. The green tricks had started.

Hole 3 ‘Long Shot’ – 165 meter par 3

Playing the first par 3 for the day, we are given the the toughest, being the longest and hardest of the three shotters on the course. This looks visually appealing with the rough and sandy areas surrounding the green areas of the green and short lead up fairway. From a slightly raised tee would look even better.

Well protected third green

Faced with a green angling away, bunkers are found to the front right and left of the green complex, the green remains fairly flat to the surrounding areas, sloping predominantly from the back.

Hole 4 ‘Marathon’ – 502 par 5

The first par 5 is again the longest and hardest of its type on the course. With a dogleg to the left, the tee shot makes the fairway appear narrower than it actually is, due to the encroaching trees close to the tee. Fairway bunkers are in reach on either side from the tee.

The dogleg in the 4th fairway

Narrowing at the dogleg, the fairway turns slightly left, with a few mounds to avoid before reaching the green.

The 4th green with the 12th sitting close by

With a large bunker to carry, this green also has a steep false front. There is a lot more undulation to contend with compared to the previous greens.

Hole 5 ‘The Gum’ – 461 meter par 5

Two par 5 holes in a row, not something which I like to see, this has out of bounds down the left side also (hit it far enough left and you will be playing Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club. Play is to a fairway which falls away.

Approach from the 5th fairway

The hole eventually turns sharply left nearer the hole. Don’t hit right (to a fairway bunker) or to long as the fairway will eventually run out.

The 5th green

Protected by bunkers on either side, the slope of the green is from the rear.

Hole 6 ‘Skye Road’ – 396 meter par 4

With two of the longest par four holes in a row, as well as being some of the hardest on the course, the sixth plays over a large mound before finding the flatter areas of the fairway. Playing relatively straight from an elevated tee, there is thick tree foliage to the left, beyond which is out of bounds and a thinner line of trees to the right.

Rising up to the 6th green

Playing to the green, the surface is raised with the middle of the green falling away on either side to the edges. Again bunkers are found on either side.

Hole 7 ‘The Elbow’ – 404 meter par 4

Playing slightly longer that the sixth, the hardest hole on the course requires two good shots to reach the green. Playing over another mound in the fairway, the hole breaks to the right.

Approach from the 7th fairway

Playing the approach, a fairway bunker on the left needs to be avoided, with further traps on the right of the green.

The raised 7th Green

With the green complex being raised, the front and rear slope away steeply. A tough but memorable hole.

Hole 8 ‘Hogsback’ – 310 meter par 4

Being the shortest par four on the course, does not make this the easiest. Playing over a valley to a hill, this sees the fairway fall away to the left or right.

Difficult 8th green

Our playing partner had relayed horror stories on this difficult green. The approach shot will likely see you standing with an awkward stance, due to the nature of the fairway. The green slopes from the middle towards the edges at the front and rear. Subtle contours will leave putts running away from the hole. This was one of the standout holes, offering great risk and rewards for your strategy.

Hole 9 ‘Lookout’ – 130 meter par 3

A short par 3, this is the easiest hole on the course, so the index says. Playing from a slightly elevated tee, the green is protected on either side by bunkers, with another short right front, stopping any player running the ball in low.

Long 9th green

The putting surface is very long with gentle slopes to the left side. Putting from the wrong portion could see a few extra shots gained.

Hole marker and pin flags (they only come in red, red or more red)

Hole 10 ‘Dog Leg’ – 350 meter par 4

The strongest dogleg on the course, the hole is almost like a boomerang with a strong dogleg to the left. Very deceiving tee shot as the fairway runs out eventually. Favours a shot shape of right to left.

Cutting the corner on the 10th fairway

At the turn the fairway falls away to a lower tier at the same level as the green. Thick rough and plants should be avoided at all costs on the left.

Avoid left side of the 10th green

The best side to approach the slightly raised green is from the right. A huge bunker is located the length of the green on the left side. This was a memorable hole, one which needs to be played more than once, especially to get an idea of the lines that are possible from the tee.

Hole 11 ‘The Lane’ – 338 meter par 4 – Joe stuck in the long stuff

Another mid length par 4 which turns slightly to the left. A small area of rough needs to be carried to reach the fairway.

11th fairway bunker complex

From the tee a large bunker complex on the left is in play. Staying close or carrying will shorten the hole. The further right the longer the hole becomes, but does take the greenside bunker out of the line in.

The 11th green

A lonely greenside bunker protects the front left. The putting surface has gentle slopes and feeds away around the surrounds.

Hole 12 ‘The Spot’ – 141 meter par 3

A medium length par 3, which looks intimidating to reach the green surface. Any miss on this hole should be short to slightly right.

Well guarded 12th green

The green is slightly raised, giving more depths to the bunkers found on either side of the green. This putting surface is long and has stronger slopes to deal with.

Hole 13 ‘Still Waters’ – 471 meter par 5

The last par 5 hole, before a run of five par 4 holes. With a dogleg to the right,

Approach from 13th fairway

Only two holes with water in play, this is found on the left side around the driving distance. Approaching the green fairway traps are found down the left side.

The 13th green

Playing up a slight slope to the green, the green complex has a large deep bunker to the right.

Hole 14 ‘The Curve’ – 364 meter par 4

Starting a run of five par 4 holes, most of which are the most difficult on the course, this medium length hole doglegs to the right. A slight water carry is required on the left, whilst a fairway trap on the right is reachable.

Approach from the 14th fairway

Making the approach to a raised green, a double bunker is located to the left, with a single built into the right side of the green. The green surrounds run away from the putting surface in all directions.

Hole 15 ‘The Hill’ – 378 meter par 4

A longer par 4 which doglegs to the left. Play is to a hill where the dogleg starts. Anything left will be difficult, with a large bunker complex and trees making the approach shot difficult to impossible. Taking on the left side can shorten the hole significantly however, so weigh up the risk.

Approach from the 15th fairway

If reaching the hill, the down slope making the second shot shorter. The approach will be up a slight slope, to a green which is protected on either side by bunkers. This was another of my favourite holes.

Hole 16 ‘The Valley’ – 325 meter par 4

A dead straight hole from tee to green. Playing from an elevated tee this shorter par four has a wide landing area. Fairway traps to the left are reachable, but playing too far to the left could prevent an approach to the green.

The raised 16th green

Playing to this raised green, traps are located down the entire right hand side. The putting surface slopes mainly from the left.

Hole 17 ‘The Rise’ – 384 meter par 4 – Jim teeing off (hidden in the dark)

The penultimate hole is a long par 4 which curves slightly to the right. Fairway traps on the left can be reached from the tee, making it difficult to reach the green on the second shot.

Play up the slope from 17th fairway

Making the approach to the green is up a gentle incline, with further traps located to the right. The green is raised slightly on the left side and slopes mainly towards the front.

Hole 18 ‘Do or Die’ – 378 meter par 4 – John teeing off

Similar distance to the previous hole, play is from an elevated tee to a fairly straight hole. Tree line the fairway and are the main danger encountered on the way to the green.

Fairly flat 18th green

Avoiding the bunkers either side of the green, there is plenty of room surrounding the last green. A mound above the right side green creates a small undulation and further slope in what is a fairly flat green.

In summary I found the following. There was a good mixture of holes, offering variety in the angles of play and distances. The main issue is overcoming the bland flat land, which has been done on quite a few of the holes. The other is the repetitiveness on some of the distances being similar on subsequent holes, 6 & 7 or 17 & 18. About one third of the holes stood out above the rest. I liked the clean cut of the bunkers, reminding me of some of the top courses in the country, but one stand out was the green design. Subtle contours and slopes found made these a lot trickier than they appear. Gladly they are at a reasonable speed for their design.

The condition of the course was mostly good and consistent throughout the course. There was some difference in sand depths for bunkers on the middle holes, although the best way to overcome these are not to land in them.

Overall I enjoyed the course and would like to play again in less windy conditions

How to play Long Island Country Club:

1. Introduction from a Long Island C.C. member
2. Be an interstate or overseas visitor (contact Long Island Country Club for tee times)
3. Attend an open day. Keep an eye on GolfLink or the clubs website

Note that with the merger with The National Golf Club, this may change in the immediate future.