Moonah Links Legends Course

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After reading some good reviews about the Moonah Links Legends Course, Melbourne compatriot James and I went south to the Mornington Peninsula to check it out.

2016 – Again with my semi-regular golfing partner James, some golf was required on a course which was not too boggy, due to the almost consistent rain after the last month. With the Open recently being held, we were also inspired to get to a links course for a bit of action. Moonah Links Legends course seemed a good choice, which we were not disappointed with.

Note – This is a combination of two visits a few years apart, which assisted in the actual story being on the website and a bit more relevant. All photos from 2012 visit unless stated.

Entrance to Moonah Links

The Moonah Links golfing complex is the largest golf tourism development of its kind to have been built in Victoria on the Mornington Peninsula. It is known as “The Home of Australian Golf”. The complex comprises of two courses, the Open Course and the Legends Course, includes a driving range and quality practice facilities.  Peppers Resort is also found on the same property, so is an option for accommodation if traveling far or just wanting to get away.

Moonah Links Clubhouse

My playing partner James making his way up to the clubhouse between all of the golf carts. We certainly enjoy our walks, but are in the minority here, with quite a few of the players utilising carts around the course.

Memorabilia in the clubhouse at Moonah Links

The clubhouse has a collection of various memorabilia, ranging from old trophies, clubs showing progression over the years, photos and scorecards for tournaments.  Well worth having a quick look at if you have time to kill. I am now inspired to play a course with a hickory set, just to see how much technology has changed the way we play.

Men’s locker room at Moonah Links

Some of the great names of Australian golf have utilised the facilities during major tournaments. There is also a gymnasium available for use.

Map of the Legends Course at Moonah Links

Moonah Links Legends Course scorecard

Why the name Legends course? Each hole has been named after a famous golfer. Play was from the white tees on both days.

Hole 1 – 473 meter par 5 – Aaron Baddeley

To start the round is a medium length par 5. Playing from an elevated tee, there is ample room on the fairway to land the tee shot and be close enough to potentially attack the green with the second shot. Waste is visible left (which should not really be in play) and over to the right. The fairway seems to run in a valley snaking its way along to the green.

Looking back from the 1st green

Dealing with a few small rises and drops along the way to the elevated green, two traps protect the front face. The putting surface is wider than it is deep, having a few hollows along the backside. A moderately challenging hole to start the round, but forgiving enough to let you ease into the round.

Hole 2 – 283 meter par 4 – Steve Elkington

Next is the easiest hole on course, a short par 4. Playing to a saddle in the fairway, which hides the bulk of the fairway beyond. Great use of the land to deceive the player, making it look harder than it actually is. There is also a bit of risk and reward offered with the tee shot. Hit nice and straight with the driver and there will be a short pitch into the green, but be a bit wayward, then face the hidden trouble.

Approach from the 2nd fairway

Through the saddle the ground runs away, before rising again to an elevated green. The left slopes back towards the fairway, but has out of bounds near housing, whilst to the right is a waste area, leaving a difficult shot to the green. Multiple bunkers protect the front of this wide green. Deceptive hole, but one which will reward the brave, or punish the not so wise.

Hole 3 – 151 meter par 3 – Tom Watson

From the easiest hole to the hardest par 3 on the course. This hole is all about picking the right club to carry over a large waste area, oh and avoiding the green side bunkers. Anything short will be repelled away with the steep slopes leading into the green.

Large target on the 3rd green

The putting surface is quite large and accommodating, which means hit the right portion or you will have a long putt. Sloping from the rear to the front, there is also a gentle slope found from left to right. Certainly a challenging hole for the first one shot type on the course, but one which sums up the styles of courses in the area.

Hole 4 – 324 meter par 4 – Greg Norman

Coming to the short par 4, named after one of Australia’s greatest golfers, this hole has a dogleg to the left. Playing from an elevated tee, the fairway has almost two sections, a lower portion where most will land there drive, then an upper portion leading into the green.

James and his unsuccessful attempt from the bunker

These two sections are separated by three bunkers, one which caused difficulties for my playing partner on our first trip. Just glad he had a sense of humour about this video.

Looking over to the 4th green

From the bunkers to the green is a short shot of around 120 meters. The putting surface has some gentle undulation and is relatively small and surrounded by a hill on most sides. Nice hole, but I think this could be even better if the tee were moved up slightly, allowing a better chance to try and take on the corner of the dogleg. Currently only very long hitters would achieve this, so it isn’t really an option. The strategy from the tee is how close to the bunkers do you play to reduce the distance of the approach.

Hole 5 – 138 meter par 3 – David Graham

Moving onto the shortest and easiest par 3, the tee shot is again from a slightly elevated position. The ground runs down to a gully just short of the green, whilst two bunkers are located to the right. Depending on the tee being used, some of the ground and green can be obscured.

Looking back from the 5th green

Right of the green the land slopes steeply in, where I have seen a couple of balls managing to run down onto the putting surface, so not a bad place to miss. Landing short leaves a tricky pitch, especially to front pin positions. Nice par three, which is not overly challenging, but still a pleasure to play.

Hole 6 – 460 meter par 5 – Arnold Palmer

From the shortest hole on the course to the shortest par 5. The hole has a slight dogleg to the left, where traps are found enticing the player to shorten the hole. The fairway has ample room to land the tee shot, although some to the right is obscured, by foliage. Out of bounds is also found on both sides of the fairway, due to residential housing.

Wide open 6th fairway

Once you have moved beyond the bunker and trees on the inside of the dogleg, the hole opens up significantly. Two small bunkers are found well short of the double green (joining the 8th), which helps to deceive the distance to the hole. The putting surface is quite large with two tiers, rising as you move towards the rear. A variety of shots can be played into the hole, depending on conditions, with the ample room before the green. Simplest of designs, but still very effective and fun to play.

Hole 7 – 349 meter par 4 – Jack Nicklaus

Playing in the opposite direction is a medium par 4 with a slight dogleg left. From the tee a hill must be carried, with sand either side. Picking the right line is critical, as the turn is only slight. Taking on too much to the right may lead to heavy rough on the other side.

Approach from the 7th fairway

If long enough the ball will travel down the slope on the other side, shortening the approach. If not, it isn’t an issue a play will be level with the green, which is elevated.

The 7th Fairway (winter 2016)

Bunkers either side will catch the errant ball, but anything short will be repelled back down the hill. There is a large hill behind the green, but playing long to the wrong section will lead the ball to find one of the small hollows behind. This will leave a tricky chip/putt back, with the green sloping away. A large ridge is found through the middle of the putting surface, making it important to hit the correct side of the green. One of the more memorable holes on the course, due to its testing nature.

Hole 8 – 387 meter par 4 – Kel Nagle

Heading back to the double green, is this long par 4. Ample room is found on the fairway, but it is almost cut in two by waste areas and bunkering. Various small undulations are found on the fairway, which is joined slightly with the 9th hole. Ensuring the sand is not in play, is critical in reaching the green in two.

Last bunker on the 8th fairway

The land flattens out mostly beyond the bunkers, but trees and scrub help to narrow the fairway. The green has a gentle slope leading in and is quite large. Both times I have played, this hole has been into the wind, so keeping low is an option and with running the ball on. Tough hole which really has two distinct feels between the tee shot and the approach, but I do question the sand almost cutting the fairway in two. Really doesn’t test the player, as most will layup short of the trouble.

Hole 9 – 477 meter par 5 – Gary Player

Finishing the front nine is the longest hole on the course and hardest par 5. Waste is found most of the way down the right and is best avoided. A small hill helps to hide part of the fairway, but also protect those on the previous hole.

Approach from the 9th fairway (winter 2016)

The small green sits raised on a hill, with a bunker to its left. What is hidden, the large slopes leading away and the waste area at the rear. Some strong slopes are found on the putting surface. This is certainly a hole you need to play twice, as the green can be quite tricky in both the approach and putting. Nice challenging hole which will bear its teeth the closer you get to the pin.

Hole marker

Large wooden posts for the hole markers, blend in well with the environment. Since my first game, the pin flags have also changed, from being colour coding for placement on the green, to smaller triangles with the course logo.

Hole 10 – 160 meter par 3 – Bruce Crampton

Starting the second nine (you don’t end up back at the clubhouse as this is one continuous loop), is the longest par 3. Waste is found either side leading into the hole which plays over a small gully. A solitary bunker sits to the right.

Large slopes around the 10th green

The putting surface is of medium size, with some gentle slopes, however those leading away at the edges of the green are a lot steeper. Tough hole playing into the wind, where landing anywhere near the green will be an achievement. Good use of waste leading into the hole, which helps to deceive how difficult the hole is to the golfer, with the green surrounds being quite clear.

Hole 11 – 272 meter par 4 – Bobby Locke

The shortest par 4 on the course, can also be extremely difficult, depending on the conditions. Using hills on either side, blocks the view of land available, although it isn’t an overly wide fairway. My last visit saw strong cross winds, which made the ball travel 15 meters sideways. On a narrow fairway, that makes for a tricky tee shot. With firm ground it is easy to run through the fairway, so club selection is critical from the tee.

Chip to the 11th green

Bunkers are found leading into this green which has a large slope at its front. Either side are large slopes leading down to the putting surface, but long sees slopes away. Both times playing this hole I have had great tee shots, yet walked off wondering what the hell happened. Love how a small hole can cause such havoc.

Hole 12 – 472 meter par 5 – Peter Thomson

Heading out to the far end of the property is a medium length par 5. Playing from an elevated tee, you must travel over a couple of hills, with the last blocking the view of the green. Bunkers are in play either side of the fairway, although the ground slopes away from those on the right, making them more difficult to reach. When playing the second, take note of the large pole in the distance, which is the direction of the green. Quite easy to take the wrong line as the approach is blind.

Deceiving slopes on the 12th green

The last shot is down the hill to a green deceiving green. A large swale is found shot, which helps to elevate the green. At first look the putting surface appears to slope toward the front, however it actually slopes away. Landing towards the front of the green is critical to ensure the ball does not run through. Not the toughest hole on the course, but one which can be testing, with its blind shots.

Hole 13 – 367 meter par 4 – Norman Von Nida

Heading back in the opposite direction is the most difficult hole on the course. From an elevated tee, the ground falls away before rising in the distance. Waste from the previous hole is in play on the right, whilst a bunker is also located left. If playing into the wind, it will be difficult to reach the rise, leaving a blind shot to the green.

The punchbowl 13th green

Play from the left side of the fairway allows the best approach to this punchbowl green. This is one design that is not often seen, but a secret favourite of mine. Not sure why, but I really enjoy playing to these complexes and it is not because of the sides bringing the ball back onto the putting surface. I have yet to be that lucky. This green is quite long, with a couple of gentle slopes found from the rear and left. One of my favourite holes and it is all because of the punchbowl.

Hole 14 – 391 meter par 4 – Ossie Pickworth

Although the previous hole was the hardest on the course, it was not the longest par 4. This title belongs to the 14th. With a slight turn to the left, play from the tee is over a hill, which blocks view of how deep this gully really is. The fairway then rises again with bunkers either side. It wasn’t till my last visit that I realised how the slopes affected the ball. With both my playing partner and myself having drawn the ball, we both expected to find ourselves in the left waste area. To our surprise both were in the middle of the fairway.

View from the waste beside the 14th fairway

From here the approach is to a green raised slightly. Missing to the right here is not good, with a strong slope leading away from the green. The putting surface has two tiers, with the rear section significantly higher, so landing in the correct portion of the green is also critical. A hole which plays easier than its distance, due to the downhill nature for the first half of the hole. I did like the testing green here, which allowed for a variety of shots to be played.

Hole 15 – 335 meter par 4 – Jim Ferrier

Another standout hole is this mid length par 4, with a strong dogleg to the left. In fact it is almost a ninety degree turn. The problem is it is a standout for the wrong reasons. With a large waste area hiding behind a small hill full of dense grass. Safest and really only way to play is to the wide open fairway. The post in the distance shows the line not to exceed. Play right of this.

The narrow 15th fairway

Trying to carry the waste is almost impossible with a narrow fairway barely able to hold the ball, due to further waste area beyond the fairway. Finding either of these two areas will leave a difficult approach.

The raised 15th green

The green is quite raised, with two large traps built into the left side. As for the putting surface it is not large, but has some tricky slopes to contend with. Challenging green complex, but the hole is not well designed. Really only one option from the tee, which is play to the open fairway.

Hole 16 – 159 meter par 3 – Gene Sarazen

The last one shot hole for the course, is a medium length par 3, playing slightly down hill. The first thing standing out is the size of the green. When first opened, it claimed to be the largest green in the Southern hemisphere. Not sure if this is still the case, but you shouldn’t have any issue finding the putting surface. Curious why this hole was called Gene Sarazen though. When ever I hear that name, my first thought is ‘the shot heard around the World’, holing out on a par 5, that being the 15th at Augusta National during the 1935 Masters tournament.

Extremely large 16th green

The green might be large, but finding the correct portion near the pin is critical. Both times I have played, the pin has been at the rear, sitting up on a ledge running the entire width. The front portion includes various plateaus and undulations, but by far the hardest part will be playing to the upper shelf. I am curious about how large this is compared to the 13th at Barnbougle Dunes. There will be some interesting putts or chips on this hole, with such a large putting area. One which you won’t get bored with too quickly.

Hole 17 – 364 meter par 4 – Ivo Whitton

Coming to the penultimate hole, there is a large hill to get over before reaching the green. Narrowing at the peak with encroaching trees, those long enough to carry will have the approach shot shortened dramatically.

Waste beside the 17th fairway

The second half of the hole has its own challenges, with a large waste area to the right, leaving a difficult shot to a raised green.

Looking back from the 17th green

With bunkers also found around the green complex, as well as a steep slope at the front, hitting an accurate shot the full distance is crucial. I quite enjoyed this hole, presenting some risk from the tee, but more so for the green complex. On both my visits here, I’ve been punished, but that is more bad play on my behalf, than the design. Makes me want to go back learning from my mistakes.

Hole 18 – 390 meter par 4 – Michael Scott

The finishing hole is a long par 4. Having a fairly open fairway, there is trouble mainly to the left, with a group of bunkers, but also out of bounds. Further bunkers come into play short of the green, but carrying those may allow the ball to run on quite some distance.

Looking back over the 18th green and memories of the round

The green slopes away on most sides, but is a reasonable target to hit. Front left will allow the ball to run on, if carrying the bunker built into the hill, but being too wide might find the swale beyond. Not the strongest designed hole to finish on (nor on the course), but one which could quite easily change the outcome of a match.

In summary, the course is good, catering for all levels of player. Certainly suited for a majority of golfers, evident by the number of players on the course. Compared to that of Moonah Links Open, which can be quite penal, it is a nice track. The Legends has a lot more open space, rough pushed back from the fairway, but still some great designed holes which impress. There is good use of the land available, although the back and forth routing gets repetitive.

Looking at the course makeup:

• Hole Directions – There was a some variety allowing for various conditions to effect play. The vast majority where either North/North East or South/South West facing. A lot of backward and forward with hole directions, so at times a bit of repetition. Hole 1 had an easterly direction, which would see the morning sun causing problems. Whilst hole 18 has a westerly facing tee, which may have issues late in the afternoon with sun
• Hole Lengths – Par three holes where all medium length, with two only having 1 meter difference. They did play quite differently however due to hills and wind conditions. Par four holes ranged from short to long with the majority being mid length. A good mixture with the styles played and varying distances, making none feel repetitive. Par 5 holes ranged from mid to long with the latter 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 two to one, with two holes playing reasonably straight

Biggest criticism are a few badly designed hole. In particular the 15th. Both being short, but not offering the golfer a realistic chance to taking on the challenge to cut the dogleg. Some slight modifications on would improve this dramatically.

The good points however do outweigh the bad. This adds to a decent collection of courses, available to the public in the Mornington Peninsula.

How to play at Moonah Links Legends Course:

1. This is a public accessible course. Either book on-line or contact the pro-shop to make a booking