Mt Lawley Golf Club

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I had originally tried to book a tee time at Joondalup Resorts Quarry/Dunes course, but the Quarry course was undergoing annual maintenance (so don’t try to book this course during January).  So I found Mt Lawley Golf Club was the next highest ranking course in Perth which I had to play.  I managed to get a booking a week before showing up by contacting the General Manager, as an interstate visitor, which was a simple process done by email.

Entrance to Mt Lawley Golf Club

Mt Lawley Golf Club originally formed in 1927, when local residents in the area initiated meetings to establish a golf club.  A site was selected (the current site) and funds raised, which initially saw the development of a 10 hole course which members eventually were able to play in 1930.  Due to the funds, many of the original members volunteered their own time to help clear bush, prepare the ground, plant trees, greens and fairways.  It was not until 1935, when further funds were sort, that the complete the 18 hole golf course was completed.

The Clubhouse

Map of Mt Lawley golf club

Scorecard for Mt Lawley Golf Club

On this day I was to play alone as it was early and there were not many players on the course. Not such a bad thing as it allows me to take a few more photos without holding anyone up.  This looked like it would be the first day I would be playing a top 100 course in the rain.  Luckily it was only light rain at times and did not have too much affect on equipment and conditions, also I did not have any wet weather gear for protection.

View from the 1st Fairway

Hole 6 – Large bunker covering front of the uphill par 3

Each of the holes on the course has a name, keeping in with Scottish tradition.  Some of my standout holes on the course were the 133 meter short par 3 sixth (Bunker hill).  With an uphill tee shot, requiring an extra club, you are faced with a large bunker covering the majority of the green front. This also helps to cover the exact pin position as you cannot see the flags base.  A two tiered green makes position from the tee critical.  There are some tricky undulations in the green which could quite easily see three putts.

7th – Dogleg right 350 meter par 4

Hole 7 (Western Bend) is a 360 meter dogleg right par 4.  Fairway bunkers are in play on the right side, but to ensure an easier shot to the green you need to be closer to the right side of the fairway than the left.  Bunkers protect the left side of the green, so if you end up on the left of the fairway you will have a tough shot to hit any back pin position.  The green slopes back to front with some substantial contours.

Finishing the first 9 in front of the clubhouse

Finishing the first nine is Halfway, a 500 meter par 5.  This hole has a long sweeping dogleg to the left, so from the tee you must play to the right (I learnt this the hard way).  Anything left will ensure you have to layup a long way from the green or take on the trees and hit over.  The green is angled to the fairway making this hole seem to curve forever.  Quite a long but narrow green, it is protected along the left by three bunkers and has the clubhouse in the background.  A ridge separates the back portion of the green, but the main issue will be hitting to the correct length.

Typical hole markers (sometimes how I fee) and 13th Pin flag

10th Hole – short par 4

Hole 10 (The Tenth) is a 313 meter par 4, dogleg right.  Playing downhill, the hole plays even shorter, which will tempt long hitters to take on the trees to carry the corner.  Bunkers are on the left side of the fairway and will catch any shot running through.  The green has two bunkers on each side of the hole, and also a swale in front to catch any short shots.  Slight contours are on the green but should not prevent too much difficulty.

Construction work on 12th green – Huge bunkers protect left side of the green

Boomerang, the twelfth, is a 382 meter dogleg right par 4.  This hole runs downhill from the fairway bunkers so any longer hitters could see them run through the fairway.  Trees run the length of the hole and are quite heavy on the right side.  This was the second hole which had its green under construction, so play was to a temporary green 50 meters short.  The green being reconstructed will be raised (as was the original) but have much larger bunkers protecting the left front, a place I would not like to find my ball in.  It also appears that there will be a significant slope to the green, although no-where near that which you will need to carry to ensure your ball reaches the putting surface.

The 13th green – 122 meter par 3

Hole 13 is a downhill shot to a green which is a similar shape to Australia and called Commonwealth. The pinflag for this hole therefore is different to others on the course, with the Australian national flag and also the Royal Standard of Scotland.

Locals on the 14th fairway – Short billed Black Cockatoo

Approach to the 16th green

Hole 16 (The Trap) was another excellent short par 4.  At 275 meters this hole will tempt longer hitters to fly the dogleg (right) which contains trees, heavy scrub and a large sandtrap.  The green is also fairly small so any shot from the tee finding the green is one to savour.  Most people will play to the base of the hill, this hole slopes down from the tee, then rises again to the green.  A bunker protects the front left, making pin placement difficult to see from the approach shot.  Definitely one of the best birdie chances on the course.

Looking back from the green of the 16th

Finish to the clubhouse – 18th uphill shot to finish the round

To finish the round, hole 18 (Home) is a classic. 341 meters in length, this dogleg left par 4 is all uphill. Two fairway bunkers protect the left, for those ambitious enough to try and take a short cut.  Heavy trees also are found left.  Play to the centre of right is safe and will allow a reasonable approach to the raised green.  Located in front of the clubhouse, this green is protected by a large bunker left, with various undulations surrounding the green.  Some large contours can be found on the 18th ensuring no easy putt before you finish the round.

In summary I would have to say that the course was a pleasure to play and would not hesitate to play again, even considering that two greens were out of play.  It is a course which takes full advantage of the land available, with quite good routing to ensure there is substantial difference in the holes.  The fairways were in great condition as were a majority of the greens, which were firm and fast.

The greenside bunkers were fairly consistent with the sand content, being fairly soft.  My biggest criticism would be of the fairway bunkers, which appeared to not be in the best state or presentable. Some had the appearance of weathering, whilst others appeared to have some sort of growth on the face.  This was not visually appealing.  I did notice some work being carried out on some of the bunkers greenside on the 8th par 3, but as stated most fairway bunkers certainly need some work.

Once the greens on the 11th and 12th are complete these holes will be back to their true course index rating and appear from the construction to be challenging greens.  I am sure the local members are counting down the days until these are complete, instead of playing to the current temporary greens which are in place.

To play Mt Lawley Golf Club:

a. If you live in WA you must play with a member
b. Your club has reciprocal rights with Mt Lawley
c. Interstate or Overseas visitors can play if members of a golf club