Yarra Yarra Golf Club

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Originally having played Yarra Yarra Golf Club before starting my Top 100 adventure, but also before the major renovations in 2020, so it was inevitable that a return was necessary.

My original visit in 2009 tied in with the inaugural event of the Australian Masters (now defunct) rotating around the Sandbelt courses, as opposed to continual play at Huntingdale Golf Club. That year it was held at Kingston Heath with Tiger Woods in attendance. I was in town and noticed that Yarra Yarra Golf Club was holding an open day. As a part of my original goal of playing all the Melbourne Sandbelt courses, this was an opportunity not to miss. No photos were taken on that visit, which I regret.

The Clubhouse at Yarra Yarra Golf Club

A little bit about the club history, established in 1898 with a nine hole course at Eaglemont and known as Eaglemont Golf Club. With the city expanding an housing encroaching on the course, it was decided the club should relocate, with Rosanna being chosen in 1911, at which point the club was renamed to Yarra Yarra Golf Club. The layout was completed by M.G.B. Jefferson. With a loss in membership, the club in 1927 moved again to the current site at East Bentleigh, hoping that the sandy based area would change its fortunes. The partnership of MacKenzie & Russell were commissioned to design the course layout, which Alex Russell carried out alone.

Locker Rooms at Yarra Yarra Golf Club

After feeling the course had lost its way, the club was keen to restore the subtleties of Alex Russell’s original design. In 2017, Renaissance Design were assigned to return the course back to its unique position on the Melbourne Sandbelt.

Course map of the Yarra Yarra Golf Club

The restoration was started in 2018 and took around two years to complete. Two significant changes were the re-routing on the front nine, starting at what was the 6th hole, along with a massive removal of non-indigenous trees, allowing clear views across the land. Five greens were rebuilt to restore the ‘Russell identity’.

Yarra Yarra Golf Club scorecard

Play on the day was from the white tees, which were slightly shorter than those shown on the card, which are from the blue markers.

Hole 1 – 330m par 4

To start the round is a shorter par 4, which is the easiest index par 4 on the course. Slowly rising towards the green, bunkers are found on the right hand side of the fairway, shared with the second hole. Playing close to these offers the easier shot into the green.

Approaching the 1st green

An opening into the green is found, between bunkers either side. The putting surface slope back to front, however the back portion slope away. Not an overly complex hole to start, allowing you to ease into the round, which I tend to favour when starting out.

Hole 2 – 402m par 4

Heading back in the opposite direction, this long par 4 has a small hill to carry, with a bunker located on the right hand side of the fairway, before falling away slightly. The land slopes from the right on this fairway, so allowance should be made with the tee shot.

Long approach uphill to the 2nd green

For the approach shot to the green, for most, this will be with a longer club. There is a bunker complex well short of the green, sitting in the middle of the fairway. The green itself has an acute angle to the left, with one bunker on this side and another four down its right. Ample room at the green front for a running shot, which you would expect on such a long hole.

Hole 3 – 203m par 3

Moving to what was the previous first hole, is the longest par 3 at Yarra Yarra Golf Club. Playing from an elevated tee, there is ample open space short and right. Two bunkers well short, leading into the green.

Bunkers leading into the 3rd green

With bunkers pinching in on either side of the green, there is still plenty of room to run the ball in if required. Sitting slightly raised, the putting surface has gentle contours, with the green side bunker edges, slightly higher than the green surface. A challenging hole, more due to length, it has been designed to allow a variety of ways to play.

Hole 4 – 366m par 4 – At the turn of the dogleg

Playing to the most northerly point on the property, is this medium length par 4. With a dogleg to the right, bunkers are found at the inside of the turn. This is one of the holes with the most trees on the grounds. They sit all along the right side of the fairway, with others appearing at various stages down the left, in particular through the fairway at the dogleg.

View of the 4th green

The approach into the green, which angles away from the fairway to the right, needs to avoid a bunker front right and rear left. There are some strong slopes on this green, mainly to the left, whilst the back portion is away. Nice strategic hole, where placement off the tee will impact how the second half plays.

Hole 5 – 296m par 4

Who doesn’t love a short par 4, with this being the shortest of them on the course. The fifth heads in a westerly direction. Playing relatively straight, there is a big choice on how to handle this from the tee. Quite a lot of width is found, for those wanting to layup before the fairway bunkers, but from the last of these, the fairway narrows substantially.

Approach into the 5th green

The green has been lowered substantially during the renovation, previously sitting as high as the uppermost point of the rear bunker. It now only sits slightly above the fairway, but falls away on the right. The front bunker has been squared up with the fairway, providing for more strategy with rear pins, which could be tucked behind. A small yet challenging hole where you choose your destiny.

Hole 6 – 121m par 3

Playing back to the east, is the shortest and easiest index hole on the course. This doesn’t mean the hole is a sure fire par. The long green is angled away to the left, from the tee and heavily guarded by bunkers. One slightly short in front, with another three down the left hand side. These are quite deep to play out of.

Deep bunkering around the 6th green

There are another two bunkers which sit to the right of the green, which are slightly shallower, however those not confident, may find themselves volleying shots from side to side. The putting surface slopes predominantly from rear to front. Any shot long on this hole will run down a steep slope, almost to the 2nd tee. Although only a small hole, there is not much respite, with sand on most sides. The best miss is to the right, leaving plenty of green to work with.

Hole 7 – 372m par 4

Heading south back to the clubhouse, for our second time, is this long straight par 4. The hole plays down to a gully where a cluster of bunkers pinches in, to narrow the fairway. Playing as close to these as possible allows the best line into the green. From this bunker complex the hole plays up a gentle slope.

The 7th is the last green on the northern part of the property

Three bunkers are found around this green, which are all fairly shallow, but the ones left and rear right are very large. An opening exists at the front to run the ball in and avoid trouble, although this will be difficult if coming from the left of the fairway, with the bunker blocking some of the entry. As for the putting surface, it slopes back to front and right to left. I struggle to get excited on straight holes, however a lot of thought has to go into every shot from tee to green. Take on the risk of the fairway bunkers for an easier approach or play safe with a more difficult approach.

Hole 8 – 505m par 5

Starting our journey on the southern part of the property, is the longest hole on the course, running along the western boundary. This will be a true three shot hole for most. From the tee play is downhill to a dogleg to the right. A cluster of bunkers are found on the inside of the turn, which sees a slight narrowing of the fairway. From this point, play is all uphill to the green.

All uphill to the raised 8th green

One noticeable change around the green is the removal of multiple bunkers, allowing more playing width and various angles available. There is still one bunker extending from the front left corner of the green, whilst the other is built into the right side. A false front is found to repel shots, on a green which slopes mainly from the rear to front. A tough hole due to length, but allows for a variety of ways to play. Significant improvements on what was originally here.

Hole 9 – 489m par 5

Back to back par 5’s, see us head back towards the clubhouse, for the last time on the front 9. This hole plays the opposite to the previous, turning to the left and playing uphill, although the tee is elevated for the first portion. I love the sweeping view of this hole from the tee box. A bunker complex extends into the fairway from the left, but still leaves a lot of room to find the fairway.

Bunkers extend into the fairway on the 9th hole

Sand will be found at varying points along the left of the fairway, making play to the right hand side, the safest option, but note the land does slope right to left. A final set of bunkers extend out to the center of the fairway, but short of the green. There is a false front on the putting surface, which also slopes mainly right to left. An exhilarating hole offering plenty to think about, but also to view.

The pin flag at Yarra Yarra Golf Club

Intermission – Interestingly the front nine play away and to the clubhouse on three occasions. Not something I have seen at any other course. The clubhouse is of a Spanish style and looks quite impressive externally. Inside is more old world charm. Overall the improvement on the front nine has been exceptional and long overdue. Now for the final nine.

Hole 10 – 306m par 4

For the start of the second nine, is another short par 4, asking a lot of questions. The green can be seen from the tee, but there is quite a bit also hidden. Plenty of fairway is on offer for those laying up on the plateau, before this starts to run down hill. A large bunker is found on the right, at which point the fairway narrows quite dramatically.

The 10th green sits raised above its surrounds

One of the most difficult greens due to its size and popping up above its surrounds, if not finding the dead centre, the ball may easily be repelled down any of the slopes. Some will find this hole controversial, but I have seen this style appear in a couple of renovations over the last 15 years. I like the challenge presented. Try to take on the green in one, find yourself out of position and you may struggle. This does also offer various ways to play around the green with such short grass. Leave it to your imagination.

Hole 11 – 167m par 3

There are two other very famous par 3 holes on the Sandbelt. Royal Melbourne West 5th and Kingston Heath 15th. This is not far behind in stature. This mid length par three, is the hardest index of the one shoters.

Large bunker sits before the 11th green

The green is quite narrow but very long, angling away to the right, from the tee. Multiple tiers are found along its length, but it is contending with the mammoth bunkers protecting the entire front of the green which need more consideration. There is plenty of room to miss out to the left, which is probably more preferable than finding the extremities of the sand. A smaller trap is located at the rear, which is also best avoided, with the green sloping mostly away.

The 11th has to be one of Alex Russell’s best designs. In fact Tom Doak has stated, the collection of par 3 holes at Yarra Yarra, are the best in the southern hemisphere. I will take him at his word on this.

Hole 12 – 368m par 4

Playing along the southern border of the property, is this mid length par four, which turns to the right. Bunkers sit on the inside of the turn, with ample room to land the tee shot on the left. However the further left you go, the more difficult the approach. There is the chance to run through the fairway on the outside of the turn.

Approach to the 12th green

Two large bunkers are found either side of the green entrance, which sits elevated above the fairway. Another bunker is found left rear, where the putting surface has a slight tier change. Smart design, taking play away from the housing, reducing safety issues, but also with its play ability and strategy from the tee.

Hole 13 – 420m par 4

I will warn, take noticed of where the next tee is. Both the 13th and 16th holes are found next to each other and could easily be mistaken. Heading north is the longest par 4 and hardest index hole at Yarra Yarra Golf Club. Having a slight sweep of a turn to the right, the left hand side contains trees and sandy waste areas. Whilst there is two bunkers on the inside of the turn. The ground generally slopes from left to right on this fairway.

View into the 13th green

The fairway narrows in the middle portion of the hole, but widens as we get closer to the green. Two bunkers are well short of the green and will not be in play for most people. However a bunkers run the full left side of the long green, with two others at the right rear. The front right portion feeds the ball away. There is some significant slope from rear to front, so landing the ball in the correct portion will be crucial.

Hole 14 – 345m par 4

Heading back in a southerly direction is this mid length par 4, playing along the eastern boundary of the property. Previously the fairway was devoid of anything, other than grass. The renovations have seen the introduction of a series of three bunkers. These start in the middle of the fairway and are staggered angling away down the left. All in driving range and offering the best line of approach to the green. Plenty of fairway is available to the right for those playing safe.

Looking back along the 14th hole

Approaching the green, a bunker is found front right, which will be in play for any shot on that side of the fairway. Two further bunkers are on the left hand side. The green sits fractionally raised above the fairway, but it is barely a bump, allowing balls to be run in or putted from off the green with ease. Great improvements on the previous hole design, offering some strategy now.

Hole 15 – 146m par 3

The last par 3 for the round, is probably one of the more challenging holes, well I find it that way. Playing up a hill, the elevated green is quite narrow and sits well protected by deep bunkers either side. Quite an intimidating tee shot.

Bunkers surrounding the 15th green

There is quite a bit of space to lay up short of the bunkering, playing a pitch over them to a two tiered green, if you choose. The difference in these tiers is significant however, so finding the correct portion is critical, in particular if the pin is in the lower portion. I have seen some interesting shots from the bunkers here, going from one side of the green to the other. Quite easy to do considering how narrow it is. I love the challenge of this hole, however accuracy is at a premium.

Hole 16 – 452m par 5

Playing back in a northerly position, is this mid length par 4. With a turn to the right, the tee shot is up a gentle slope, bunkers come into play on the inside of the turn. Whilst the left has sandy waste areas to contend with. The fairway also gently slopes from left to right for most of the hole.

Looking back along the 16th hole

From the mid point of this hole, play is down a gentle slope until reaching the green. Bunkers are found at various points along the left, with a couple short of the green, coming into play when trying to run the ball in from that side. There is also a set extending from the right, out within the middle of the fairway. These are part of the 19th hole complex. The 16th green slopes mostly left to right, but also slightly away. Various undulations are found around the green, to make shots a little more interesting if not staying on the putting surface.

Hole 17 – 366m par 4

Coming to the penultimate hole, play is again to the south away from the clubhouse. This mid length par 4, has trees either side of the tee, which continue down the left, but thin out on the right hand side. In fact part of the 17th and 18th fairways are joined for a short length. Playing down a gentle slope until reaching the green, this is the only fairway without a bunker on the course.

View of the 17th green

With bunkers on either side of the green entrance, there is also one solitary bunker at the rear left. The putting surface sits slightly proud of the fairway, but slopes away steeply at the rear. Not my favourite hole on the course as I felt something was lacking. Almost feeling like this was a hole to get you to the final tee.

Hole 18 – 447m par 5

For the final hole, we turn back to the north to the shortest par 5 and easiest index hole at Yarra Yarra Golf Club. The tee shot is up hill, to a hole playing with a slight turn left. Fairway bunkers are found to the left, and offer the best line into the green if trying to reach in two. Another set of bunkers are found further on to the right, which will come more into play for longer hitters.

Approach into the 18th green

Another bunker is found on the left, short of the green, but there is plenty of space to the right to land the ball. The green has an acute angle to the right of the fairway, with bunkers either side to the entrance. Sitting raised above the fairway, the sloping here is strong from rear to front. A nice hole to finish on, offering various strategies and a chance to score well.

Hole 19 – 140m par 3

As with most bigger clubs these days, there is a 19th hole, which is located next to the 16th. This is a mid length par 3, playing through a chute of tress to an elevated green. One bunker is found short of the green, with four others at the rear, which come into play on the 16th but also offering some protection from errant shots. I haven’t played this 19th, so can’t comment too much on its play ability.

Looking at the course makeup in a statistical manner:

• Hole Directions – There is a limited variety in hole directions, if comparing coverage on a compass. With over 80% running in a northerly or southerly direction, and quite a few back to back, there is little chance to gain respite if the wind is unfavourable. There are a few which run in an easterly or westerly direction, spread out at mainly at the northern or southern sections of the course. This is greatly due to the parcel of land the course is found, but trying to retain its hole length
• Hole Lengths – There was an even balance in the par three hole lengths. Two were all in the mid length distance, whilst the other two were split between short and long. These were evenly distributed between the front and back nines and both mid length holes were considerably different. Par four holes ranged from short to long with again being evenly distributed percentage wise, both among the three categories and throughout the course. It was great to not come across two par 4 holes in a row, where they played the same length. Par 5 holes, well there weren’t any in the short category. They were found in the mid to long range and were unfortunately not quite well split up over the nines. Two long holes in a row on the front and similar on the back (although one par 4 was found between)
• Hole Layout – How the holes played was a little disappointing, where two shots or more were required to reach the green. The bulk were playing either straight or with a right turn. Only one hole turned to the left on the course. These were split evenly throughout the nines however and didn’t feel repetitive

The conditioning of the course was excellent from tee to green. There had been a drastic improvement since my last visit, three years before. Admittedly that was just after the first stage of renovations had been completed. Since then, everything has bedded in nicely.

Standout holes for me were 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 18.

Overall the renovation has been a tremendous improvement on what is good grounds for golf. A case of stripping back the layers, with a mixture of vegetation removal, green rebuilding and allowing the land to be seen. Bringing back some of the original Alex Russell design elements, along with some other takes by Renaissance Golf, was a good decision by the club. The course is strategic, but allows for a lot of fun when playing. One of the biggest takes from my visit.

Art within the men’s locker room

To play Yarra Yarra Golf Club you need one of the following:

1. Be invited by a member
2. Interstate or overseas visitor (must be a member of a golf club outside VIC), access only Monday to Friday
3. Play one of the charity/open days held throughout the year. Keep an eye out on the Yarra Yarra Golf Club website