Waterford Valley Golf

Magazine Ratings

Needing a change in scenery I decided to head out east and play Waterford Valley Golf. Eight years ago was the last and only time I had played the course. Now with the inclusion of trying to complete the Top 100 Australian public golf courses, it was well overdue for a return visit. The one thing I like about Melbourne, is the number of good tracks which are available to the public, even in the Sandbelt region.

Clubhouse at Waterford Valley Golf

Located in a residential area, the first impressions are nothing to write home about. The clubhouse is located almost on the street, fairly small, but still has the basic needs for most golfers.

Map of Waterford Valley Golf

Even more interesting is the fact it was designed by the owners of the land, something that you do not come across very often, if at all. The area was not maintained and mostly under water for the previous fifty years. Mosquitos and snakes infested the land, be cautious, the later are still around, but has now been altered into a championship course.

Waterford Valley Golf Scorecard

One thing I noticed on my first visit all those years ago, was the fact that some hole changes had occurred fairly early on. The only reason I discovered this was my GPS giving very odd distances for the holes. In some cases saying the green was still in the distance, when in fact I was almost on top of it. It is mentioned that the distance of the course is quite variable, depending on who is playing and the wind conditions, but there is some thoughts that the local residents may have had some say. Signs do appear warning that golfers are liable for any damage to housing beside the course.

Hole 1 – 318 meter par 4

To start is a fairly tame shorter par 4. The hole plays relatively straight with a wide fairway, more so out to the right, than left. Well designed for right handers with a wayward first tee shot. Bunkers, then out of bounds are found out this side. The fairway feeds down into the first of the fairway traps.

Approach from the 1st Fairway

There are a few undulations found along the fairway, just to make it a little more interesting. The first green is almost triangular in shape with bunkers to the right. Surrounds of the green have seen the grass cut short for around 3-4 meters, before the rough starts. A good hole to ease you into the round, something I always like.

Hole 2 – 162 meter par 3

The second will start intimidating those with a fear for water. Me, water doesn’t exist, except in the beer I like to drink after the round, or if I do happen to splash one in, which happens every now and then. For any right pin positions a full water carry will be required, but there is plenty of room to bail out to the left for those not feeling too confident.

Wide bail out area before the 2nd Green

The area leading up to the green on the left, has ample room to land the ball, or allow for any miscue on a left to right shot. The green itself is quite large so there is plenty of room for your ball to find the putting surface. On my day of play the greens were quite firm and running at a reasonable pace. I was told later they had been cored a month before, so this made a lot of sense to their condition. A challenging hole, but very enjoyable, with allowances for all levels of player.

Hole 3 – 313 meter par 4

Another shorter par 4 was next, but this was a lot more challenging than the first. Measuring almost the same distance, this hole has a few different strategies that can be taken. The hole has two water hazards down the left, separated by a large bunker. I can say that bunker would be the last place you would want to find yourself, as the approach to the green would be extremely difficult. To the right there are two fairway traps, just to make you think about what club to hit from the tee. There is ample room on the fairway before the second hazard, after which point things get a bit narrower. Ideal line would be middle to right portion of the fairway, ensuring the water is not found.

Approach from the 3rd Fairway

For any real long hitters, the green is heavily fortified on the right, but these are also in play for those coming in from that side for their approach. The ground before the green runs slightly up a slope, with the putting surface area being smaller than the previous greens. A good hole which makes you think from the tee and also on the approach.

Hole 4 – 331 meter par 4

A medium length par 4 is next which turns to the right. This hole had the warning about hitting houses. A very wide fairway, until you reach the turn, where bunkers encroach on the right. Play is over a small rise for the tee shot.

Playing down to the 4th Green

The approach must be made down a gentle slope to another small green, which is protected on either side by traps. The interesting thing here is the extra room available out to the left beyond the bunkers, instead of the fairway narrowing from each side towards the green. Certainly requires an accurate approach though, as there is not a lot of green to work with if you miss wide.

Hole 5 – 119 meter par 3

The easiest and shortest par 3 on the course. With fairway from tee to green, you could almost putt the ball the whole way. A large trap is quite short of the green and to be honest looks out of place and of no use to the strategy.

The large bunker quite short of the 5th Green

Three traps are located at each point of the putting surface, with a large swale also found at the rear. I like short par 3 holes being put in as you will always think it is an easy par, but not always end up that way. This hole allows for a lot of different play, especially in strong windy conditions.

Hole 6 – 470 meter par 5

Next we find a hole with a bit of distance. The hardest par 5 on the course, this hole has a championship tee place quite far back, making the hole 608 meters. This brings a water hazard in play to the left, but most people have to tee off 100 meters further on, making this quite a different hole.

The 6th tee for most normal people

But even playing from the forward tee, this hole still plays difficult. It feels like the tee shot is to a narrow fairway, with trees one side and water to the left.

Approach from 6th Fairway

The hole makes a sharp right hand turn at the dogleg. At this point three fairway traps are found, but can quite easily be carried, depending on where you have placed the tee shot. Caution is still required as water is found left of the fairway and green.

Looking back from the 6th Green

The green itself feels like it is almost in an amphitheater, with trees lining three sides, along with a raised mound around the extremities. A few hollows are also found beside the green, contributing to the difficulty with the approach. Certainly one of the toughest and challenging holes on the course.

Hole 7 – 359 meter par 4

The longest par 4 for the front nine, this medium length hole plays with a slight sweep to the right. The main danger is water running down the left, as well as a fairway trap on the same side. Ample room is found to land the tee shot on the fairly flat ground. As you get closer to the green more undulation is found.

Side view of the 7th Green

The green complex has a slight slope leading up to elevated platform. To the left a mound partially obscures the left portion, making the area look smaller than it is. Not the most exciting hole, but still a challenge.

Hole 8 – 499 meter par 5

From the tee, this long par 5 leaves you guessing on what to do. The tee shot is through a break in the trees, with a carry over a narrow creek. The question is what line to take as you cannot see the green, nor what is beyond this opening. Hint, play to the right side of the opening as this hole turns to the right.

View from the 8th Fairway

With a fairy flat fairway, water is found on either side, although that on the right is clearly seen. The fairway narrows slightly closer to the green with a large bunker located on the left.

Bunker short of the 8th Green

Some slight undulations are found just in front of the wide green complex. A mound at the rear feeds down into another bunker. This was a testing hole, with each shot taken. If playing for the first time you are left guessing on where to place the tee shot, then the approach has to take into account the large bunker complex to the left. If playing conservatively, there shouldn’t be too much trouble encountered.

Hole 9 – 316 meter par 4

A short par 4 which has an extremely tight fairway. Probably the most intimidating tee shot on the front nine, water is found either side, although trees cover the hazard to the left. Fairway bunkers to the right, separate the two large water bodies. This hole is more about putting it in play from the tee.

Looking back from the 9th Green

The fairway is fairly flat, although a small dip is found before reaching the 9th green. A small bunker is found behind the green, which is probably more for safety, with a foot path and road not too far from the green. The putting surface has some gentle slopes, with a couple of swales and mounds surrounding. This hole is purely about accuracy with the shots, more so with from the tee.

Hole marker and pin flag

There is a slight walk from the 9th green back to the clubhouse, through the residential area.

Hole 10 – 330 meter par 4

Starting the back nine is this medium length par 4, which doglegs to the left. Another wide fairway to hit with trees down the left. Center to right is the ideal line, as the trees will block the approach if found or if the tee shot is not long enough.

Water carry to the 10th Green

The approach to the pin, must carry a small creek, although it is well set back from the hazard. The green complex is protected on either side by two bunkers, with mounds found at various areas around the green. Anything too long has will run down the slope and have potential to find water at the rear left.

Hole 11 – 509 meter par 5

The longest par 5 on the course has the Dandenong Ranges in the background. The hole is actually fairly straight in direction, but the placement of fairway bunkers and how the grass has been cut, gives a slight feel of some gentle turns being taken along the way. From the tee bunkers to the right are in range, but would require a very long drive to carry.

Approach from 11th Fairway

There is no doubt, that finding yourself in one of the large traps, can cause some issues, with little fingers in strategic areas to ensure not too much distance can be found when exiting.

Protected 11th Green

As for the green complex, mounds surround most sides of the area, but there are two large swales feed away on either side. A small ridge is found through the middle, leaving the back portion to run away from the approach. The hole has ample room on the fairway to keep the ball out of trouble, with smart placement of the bunkers to ensure some strategy is required.

Hole 12 – 356 meter par 4

With a turn to the left, the easiest par 4 on the course is extremely open. From the tee, the green can be viewed, going up a gentle slope. This allows the adventurous to try taking a short cut direct to the green, with the main danger hitting too far left and finding trees or the large area of rough by cutting the corner.

Hitting up to the 12th Green

Playing the approach to the green is up a gentle slope, with small mound encasing most of the complex. Two traps are either side, with the right slightly covering part of the green entrance. Best described as a traditionally designed hole which offers a little bit of risk and reward, mainly with the tee shot.

Hole 13 – 173 meter par 3

By far the longest and hardest par 3 on the course, especially if playing from the tips. Similar in concept to the second hole, water must be carried part of the way to reach the green or its run in area.

Well guarded 13th Green

The main difference is the bunkers preventing the ball running in from the shorter grass, so the only way to land the ball on the putting surface is to carry the water. Luckily the green is quite large, but caution with some of the banking quite steep, leading your ball to a watery grave. Certainly a tough hole with the elements potentially influencing play, as this area is a little more open. It also allows for those to layup if they cannot make the full distance to the green, which is I think is a good part to its design.

Hole 14 – 475 meter par 5

Playing the last par 5 for the day is indexed as the easiest. From the tee the fairway looks quite narrow, especially with the trees up the left and water to the right. Caution trying to take on the corner of the dogleg leading up to the green, as a bunker awaits.

Approach to the 14th Fairway

The second or approach shot will be up a gentle incline, with the fairway divided by a pathway. Landing area in front of the green is quite large, although the putting surface itself sits almost hidden, due to the slope. With a large trap to the left and various mounds around other parts of the green, an accurate shot will be required. Definitely much easier than the previous par 5 holes, although can be dangerous from the tee if playing too close to the banks of the water.

Hole 15 – 277 meter par 4

The shortest of the par 4 holes, this offers a great risk reward factor. From the tee it is possible to reach the green on this hole which would be considered a dogleg right, but requires an accurate shot. Two large bunkers are too the right, with water beyond those. The fairway is quite wide for those taking the safe route.

Hazard in front of the 15th Green

Lastly to reach the green in one, you have to carry the small water hazard. Is it worth the risk? Only you can answer that. The putting surface has three areas leading the ball to run off, with the rear area being the most punishing, as the green slopes from the back to front. Good concept with the hole, although not sure how many would take on the risk, as the green is not visible from the tee.

Hole 16 – 376 meter par 4

Starting the run home is the longest par 4 on the course. The hole is relatively straight with a slight carry to reach the fairway. It is the tree slightly off centre of the fairway that would cause some disdain. It is a fair distance to carry over the tree, so going around is the best option. Not often that you come across holes like this, in fact I have only ever had two others that I can recall, the old 1st at North Ryde Golf Club (although more an issue with the approach) and the 9th at Amstel Ranfurlie.

Approach from the 16th Fairway

After dealing with the tree, we have another hole with a forced carry to reach the green. Although not very wide, this waterway can force the strategy for some. It looks nice to the eye, although we have the last three par 4 holes with a carry to the green, so it gets slightly repetitive. Part of the green is deceptively hidden behind the large bunkers to the left.

Hole 17 – 167 meter par 3

The penultimate hole is a long par 3 which has the green slightly elevated. This is more pronounced with the small dip between tee and green. Three bunkers are around the green, although I don’t envisage the right rear would not come into play as much as the left side, due to the bank sloping away just before the trap.

Well protected 17th Green

The green complex has a very large bunker up the left hand side, which pin positions on this side would need to carry. There is a slight opening on the right which allows the ball to be run in, although there is one drainage area here which the ball may feed down to. Although different in design to three of the other similar holes, the distance does not vary greatly, which would be my biggest issue.

Hole 18 – 362 meter par 4

To finish the round we have the hardest hole on course. The fairway is quite wide, although danger exists on either side. Water to the left, which runs all the way to the green, and trees far right. These should only come into play for those trying to avoid the water on the other side.

Scenic shot into the 18th Green

Hopefully the last full iron shot of the day will have to carry a creek, running along the front of the green. Distance is critical as anything just reaching the putting surface will run back down into the water. A large trap is left protecting some balls from getting wet. A nice hole to finish on and if there is any money on a close game, will go to the person with the strongest nerves.

In summary I quite enjoyed my day at Waterford Valley Golf. The course had improved greatly since my first and only visit seven or eight years earlier. More so in condition of fairways, greens and surrounds than anything else, as the design had not changed. The course is generally fairly open and forgiving, especially where the holes run side by side, although there are a few holes where an accurate shot is required to hit the fairway. The fairways were fairly firm with a bit of shaping, giving a variety of shots required. The greens ran true but were not as firm as others I have come across.

Hole direction was mixed overall, but the back nine seemed to mostly go back and forward in the same direction. There were slight deviations, but overall wind conditions would be similar. I have to be critical that three quarters of the par 3 and 5 holes were of similar length, even if they did have different designs. On my day of play there were a mixture of white and blue tees in use, so this may add to that issue of similar distances. However on the front there were a couple of consecutive par 4 with similar distance, however design of the holes made it not feel that way. My biggest issue is the number of forced carries near the green, especially since they were all on the back nine. Worst was the last three par 4 holes played all requiring the ball to carry water. I think it would have been much better have this spread out, possibly removing from the short 15th. I do know that some of these are required for ensuring water is removed from the residential areas surrounding the course.

To finish on a positive, this course is well deserved of being in the top 100 public list. It offers a great variety of play, for experienced and beginner players.

How to play at Waterford Valley Golf:

1. This course is open to the public 7 days a week