The Grange Golf Club West Course

Magazine Ratings

With my Adelaide golfing experience half over, it was time to take on both the East and West courses at The Grange Golf Club. Only a handful of clubs in the country have two courses or more ranked in the Top 100 Australian Golf course list. So far the weather had been superb, but today was going to be a lot warmer. Note to self drink lots of liquid, non alcoholic in particular.

Entrance to The Grange Golf Club

Earlier in the morning I had played The Grange Golf Club East Course, with the afternoon seeing a round on the West course. A brief stop for lunch at the Clubhouse, allowing a reflection on the mornings round, was very enjoyable. The food was good, not to the heights I had seen at a few of the other clubs, but still satisfying.

Plaque with a history of The Grange Golf Club West Course

The club itself has an interesting history. Golf was first played on the land in 1910 by the ‘McCoy’ family, using the area which is the West course holes 1,2,10 and 18. After World War One the land was made available for soldiers for farming, but found crops would not grow due to the sandy soil. The first basis for a course was established in 1926, but it was not until 1956 that the West course was completed. Then in 1967 the East course was established.

In 2016 the West Course will be host to the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open. This will move between clubs in the city with Kooyoonga Golf Club hosting in 2017.

Water fountain behind the 18th

With the temperature starting to get a bit higher, around 30 degrees Celsius, it was tempting to duck under the fountain to cool off a little. Actually it was quite calming to watch, getting me in the right frame of mind to start the second round.

The Grange Golf Club West Course Map

This is truly the west course. A line could be drawn through the centre of the clubs property, with the two courses sitting either side.

Scorecard for the West Course at The Grange Golf Club

Having watched from the clubhouse for around an hour, as the last of the competition groups teed off, it was time to get back into the swing of things.

Hole 1 – 445 meter par 5

To start the round is the shortest par 5 for the course. The hole sweeps to the right, around a long waste area, which is in play from the tee. There is quite a wide fairway for the first shot, but it is possible to run out into the trees running the left side. The more you take on the waste area however, the closer you are to the green and reaching with the second shot.

Slightly elevated 1st Green

A large fairway bunker blocks out the view to the right, which works in well with the bunkers located front left and rear of the green. This creates a view from the fairway which seems there is a small area to actually lay up or attack with the second shot, however, there is quite a lot of room to play. From the outset the feel for the West course was quite different from the East, with the former seeming more established and traditional, compared to what at times feels like a tricked up East course. This was a good opening hole, asking a little but easing you into the round.

Hole 2 – 314 meter par 4

A shorter par four playing relatively straight, the big question is how far your tee shot will travel, potentially bringing into play the fairway bunker in the middle. There is also one much shorter to the right, which is the best angle to approach the green from. There are a few mounds found on the fairway which could leave an awkward stance.

Bunker protecting the middle of the 2nd fairway

Laying up close to the bunker will allow a wedge for the approach. The green complex has two traps to the left, but anything right or long will feed away down the slopes of the surrounds. Simple but effective hole.

Hole 3 – 392 meter par 4

A hole demanding a bit of respect, is this par 4 which is equal longest on the course (the 6th is the same distance). The challenge is obvious from the tee with this dogleg right. A huge waste area sitting on the inside of the turn has to be avoided, otherwise it will be almost impossible to reach the green in two.

Waste area beside the 3rd fairway

So the question is how much to take on of this danger. The hole is quite long so playing to the safety of the left, makes the approach even longer, but also is not the best line into the green. This fairway has a few ridges running the width, but just beyond the waste drops down to a lower level.

Approach to the 3rd green

The green complex itself is quite simple, being almost level with the fairway and a solitary bunker to the left. A slight undulation on the right portion could leave a tricky putt, but the main challenge for this hole is getting the ball to the green from the tee. I really enjoyed this hole with its challenges. Certainly makes you think with the first shot. If rewarded the hole becomes a lot easier, if not, one tough hole.

Hole 4 – 150 meter par 3

The first par 3 for the round is the longest of its type, by 1 meter. A medium length hole, the green sits out in the open, although two large trees come into the frame from the tee.

Longest green on the course at the 4th

Two large traps left and right will catch anything not hit correctly, although there is the ability to feed the ball in from the right. Playing to the longest green on the West course, this has some medium changes in undulation at varying points, but blends in with complex surrounds quite nicely. Enough short grass around the green allows for a variety of shots. Critical to land in the correct portion otherwise you could be left with anything up to a 120 foot putt.

Hole 5 – 463 meter par 5

This is the most northern point of the west course, playing a medium length par 5, which doglegs to the right. The fairway is quite wide at the landing point, although two fairway bunkers are found on the right. Another is found further up but will only be in play for extremely long hitters trying to cut the corner, or those not so long playing their second.

Housing overlooking the 5th green

The green site is quite open, compared to the tree lined fairway. Two traps are located either side of this slightly raised green, sloping from the back to the front. A relatively easy hole if steering clear of the trees. This was one of my least favourite holes on the course. More due to the green complex more than anything else. Housing overlooking the area took away from the look. The bunkering was fairly simple compared to others on the course and the green was relatively flat.

Hole 6 – 392 meter par 4

Equal longest par 4 with the 3rd hole. From the tee, only the pin flag can be seen of the green complex. The fairway plays to a very slight rise before running down slope to the hole. The main thing to consider on this fairly straight hole, is the sloping of the fairway to the right, bringing fairway bunkers and the rough on the right into play.

Down hill to the 6th green

Play will be off a slight down slope when making the approach. The green seems almost sunken slightly below the fairway at the end, although this is more illusion than anything else, as it is actually slightly raised above the surrounding ground. Two large traps protecting the front and left. A large putting surface slopes from the rear, but has a small false front also for those trying to run the ball in. An enjoyable hole, but one which can eat up shots if slightly off line. Even though it measures extremely long, the down slope will take a bit of distance off shots played.

Hole 7 – 294 meter par 4

The shortest par 4 hole on the West course, there is some risk and rewards with the tee shot. Play is over a slight rise to a fairway not overly wide, but has sufficient room for those trying to play safe. Line with bunkers either side, these are strategically placed, making the fairway snake along the way to the green.

Narrowest point of the 7th fairway

Those trying to drive the green will see the fairway narrow significantly with sand one side or trees the other. A raised green awaits the approach, angling away from the fairway, with a bunker to the right and steep slopes away on all other sides.

Effective designed 7th green

Any ball played slightly to the sides of this small green will more than likely roll away, especially middle left where a large undulation in the green is found. One of those holes that doesn’t look much, but can cause lots of joy or frustration. I particularly like the fairway bunker placement and the effectiveness of the green complex requiring an accurate shot.

Hole 8 – 120 meter par 3

From the shortest par 4 to the shortest and easiest hole on course. Although short, to play at most pin positions will require a carry over scrub and the large bunker at the front. A layup area is available to the right for players not capable of either making the distance or getting necessary ball flight. This keeps them out of trouble, but sill have a chance of an up and down. In theory, this is more relevant to longer par 3 holes with a longer carry, but none the less, to me this is a big plus in making it a well designed hole.

Well guarded 8th green

The putting area is more wide than it is deep. The rear sections are slightly raised on a shelf, making putts from the wrong portion, that more difficult. It was here that, due to some slow play in front, I let the group from behind join. Local members Barry, Gavin, Stephen were in the days competition, which would have been good to know from the start, since I scored 21 points for the front nine.

Hole 9 – 362 meter par 4

Finishing the front nine, is a medium length par 4, with a sweeping turn to the left. After the last few holes, which have had trees lining either side quite closely, this looks like a football field to land the ball. However there is lots of sandy areas and rough to find those not finding the short grass. The fairway traps are positioned well, with quite some distance between, suiting a ball shape right to left. As we move closer to the hole the ground slopes from the right.

Various slopes on the 9th green

A slight drop is found between the green and the fairway, with most of the green and surrounding areas still sloping away from the right. The front right bunker is strategically placed, to ensure the ball is not run in from that side. In fact running the ball onto the green here will require an almost perfect shot, if that is how you plan your approach. A lot of undulation is found on the putting surface, mainly leading toward the front left. From the tee this hole looks good to the eye, looking a lot wider than it actually was, but I was more impressed with bunker positioning. Very strategic on both the fairway and the greens. One of the more enjoyable holes on the course.

Tee plate and pin flag for The Grange West Course

Although some might think, why on earth do you include photos of the tee plates and pin flags, I always like to giving a feel for the total course experience. It is always interesting to see how a course presents itself. Sure most have tee plates and certainly all have a pin flag, but sometimes they are a bit more unique in design. I am always happy to see a clubs emblem on the pin flag as nothing gets more boring than seeing a plain old white flag on every course.

Hole 10 – 462 meter par 5

To start the back nine is the hardest par 5 on the course. The hole is narrow from tee to green.

Play uphill to the 10th green

The hole is fairly flat up until around 100 meters out where it is slightly uphill to the green. Probably the most interesting part of this hole was the putting surface. Having a few small tiers and slopes allowed for some interesting pin positions. This was one of the least interesting holes on the course. Playing very straight on a narrow fairway, mean’t the hole was more about target golf than anything else.

Hole 11 – 339 meter par 4

A mid length par 4 with a slight dogleg to the left. The tee shot offers some rewards if you are prepared to take on the risk, carrying the bunker or even the trees on the left to shorten the hole. Playing straight down the middle is over a slight rise in the fairway, which if carried can lead the ball to run down a small slope. Plenty of options available from the tee.

View from the 11th fairway

Playing to the hole, requires a carry over a small valley, to a green protected by a large bunker in the middle of the fairway. Certainly a stark contrast to the previous hole, with a lot of options available from the tee to the green. Allowing play of the hole to be done in a multitude of ways.

Hole 12 – 149 meter par 3

Getting to the hardest of its type on the course, this mid length par 3 is like playing into an arena surrounded by trees, with a relatively narrow opening to enter. Once inside there is ample room surrounding the green complex.

Wide open areas surrounds the 12th green

Sand traps protecting the front left and right, of this slightly raised green, give some protection to the relatively flat putting surface. An opening is available to run the ball in if required, especially into a strong headwind. An interesting par 3, but nowhere near the best on the course. I much preferred the other three, which offered a greater challenge and variety in play, especially on the putting surface.

Hole 13 – 467 meter par 5

The last par 5 encountered is also the longest hole on course. Play from the tee is to a fairway, slightly raised, with gentle slopes to the right. With a slight dogleg to the right, there are denser grass and a fairway trap waiting for those trying to shorten the hole. I was told by one of the members the gradient of the fairway had been reduced, as most of the time balls would end up on the right or off the fairway altogether.

Approach from the 13th fairway

A narrowing fairway towards the hole starts to see further bunkers come into play around the green. The putting surface is raised on the right side, due to the ground sloping significantly. This leaves the left half level with the fairway, although running the ball in from this side makes a shallow sand trap as a potential resting spot. A tough hole into a prevailing wind, this offers a lot more variety compared to the tenth.

Hole 14 – 142 meter par 3

The last one shot hole for the day is this mid length par 3, playing slightly up hill. The ground here also slopes to the right, but a large rise before the green will see any shot with not enough power, failing to reach the putting surface.

Raised 14th green

Bunkers are located either side of the narrow area at the front of the green. The putting surface has two tiers to contend with, so landing on the right portion becomes critical. Not the most visually stunning of the short holes, but there a bit of variety is on offer, with potential pin locations and how the green is structured.

Hole 15 – 359 meter par 4

Starting the run home of consecutive par 4 holes, this plays relatively straight from the raised tee.

View of the 15th green

Hole 16 – 375 meter par 4

Hardest index hole on the course.

16th green

Hole 17 – 378 meter par 4

17th fairway

17th Fairway

Hole 18 – 331 meter par 4

Approach to the 18th Green

I can say the staff were very helpful, making me feel welcome, from the proshop to the bar. Lunch service was good, allowing me to watch those teeing off on the West 1st hole, but also coming up the West 18th.

Watching the Woman’s Australian Open being played, 4 months after playing myself, I can see a huge improvement in the conditioning of the course. This is to be expected when hosting such an event. It was still enjoyable looking back at some of the holes and how the professionals play them.

How to play at The Grange Golf Club:

1. Be invited by a member
2. Be a member of club with reciprocal rights
3. Limited opportunities for visitors