Victoria Golf Club

Yes Melbourne, sand belt this, sand belt that. I recently saw an amusing meme about Melbourne suburbs recently. The sand belt area was amusingly described as “bush land golf courses and remnants of nations manufacturing sector”. Which is amusingly probably true.

While the manufacturing sector has taken hits over the years the sand belt courses go from strength to strength. Greeting you at Victoria is a tree lined driveway, and a statue of Peter Thompson over looks the short but tricky first hole.

It is a truly glorious sight, with the typical bunkering and Australian vegetation blending in seamlessly. From the enormous putting green, you can look down the 1st, 10th and the slopes of the 18th hole. And the famous clubhouse, where one can be accommodated.

Recently I have been playing a fade off the tee, and the course seemed to favour this. My favourite holes were the 1st, 15th and... hmm honestly all of them! The first is particularly notable as a short par 4. Noted as a birdie or double bogey hole, the tight green is surrounded by bunkers, with a small entry point front left. To add visual confusion your landing area has fairway bunkers confusing your view.

I was pin high in a bunker right with a 4 iron, with no real play at the front left hole location, so ended up in the left bunker, got out to 5 feet and missed my par save.

The 15th is another drivable par 4 in the right conditions, but there is severe bunkering down the left and an enormous slope at the back of the green that will leave you on a fairway somewhere between the 10th and 11th holes!

The par 3s are all ridiculously difficult. Tight greens surrounded by severe bunkering and slopes. Either hit the green or be faced with a bunker shot or chip up an embankment.

The greens were redone recently, so they seemed a little sandy, but they were still smooth and true, but not as quick as one might expect.

Wooden flag sticks with canvas flags are a nice touch as well. At this event a Christmas dinner was provided, with friendly service in a very “old world” club dining room. In the Hallways peter Thompson memorabilia dominates, but member Geoff Ogilvys US Open win is also highlighted prominently.

After finishing 18 all I wanted to do was skip dinner and play another 18, that’s how enjoyable it was. Maybe some other time!

Yes Melbourne, sand belt this, sand belt that. I recently saw an amusing meme about Melbourne suburbs recently. The sand belt area was amusingly described as “bush land golf courses and remnants of nations manufacturing sector”. Which is amusingly probably true.

While the manufacturing sector has taken hits over the years the sand belt courses go from strength to strength. Greeting you at Victoria is a tree lined driveway, and a statue of Peter Thompson over looks the short but tricky first hole.

It is a truly glorious sight, with the typical bunkering and Australian vegetation blending in seamlessly. From the enormous putting green, you can look down the 1st, 10th and the slopes of the 18th hole. And the famous clubhouse, where one can be accommodated.

Recently I have been playing a fade off the tee, and the course seemed to favour this. My favourite holes were the 1st, 15th and... hmm honestly all of them! The first is particularly notable as a short par 4. Noted as a birdie or double bogey hole, the tight green is surrounded by bunkers, with a small entry point front left. To add visual confusion your landing area has fairway bunkers confusing your view.

I was pin high in a bunker right with a 4 iron, with no real play at the front left hole location, so ended up in the left bunker, got out to 5 feet and missed my par save.

The 15th is another drivable par 4 in the right conditions, but there is severe bunkering down the left and an enormous slope at the back of the green that will leave you on a fairway somewhere between the 10th and 11th holes!

The par 3s are all ridiculously difficult. Tight greens surrounded by severe bunkering and slopes. Either hit the green or be faced with a bunker shot or chip up an embankment.

The greens were redone recently, so they seemed a little sandy, but they were still smooth and true, but not as quick as one might expect.

Wooden flag sticks with canvas flags are a nice touch as well. At this event a Christmas dinner was provided, with friendly service in a very “old world” club dining room. In the Hallways peter Thompson memorabilia dominates, but member Geoff Ogilvys US Open win is also highlighted prominently.

After finishing 18 all I wanted to do was skip dinner and play another 18, that’s how enjoyable it was. Maybe some other time!

Beautiful, classic course. Cooch grass, fast greens, amazing bunkering.