Hard to know what to say about this course - could be so much better, yet it's an enjoyable enough experience to not want to speak too ill of it. Teed off the 10th, which is a very tough proposition first-up but a great hole. The back nine is great, with a premium on hitting the ball in the right spot to score. Nothing special about the greens, but they ran true and the bunkers were well kept. 18 is a top dog-leg finishing hole where I imagine quite a few great scores have turned into less-so. The other highlight was the 14th, a driveable par-four where risk and reward are separated by only a few yards. The front nine wasn't so impressive, save for the 9th. The first is a gentle start, as is the 2nd. Now for the 3rd...I cannot understand any bouquets for this hole, only brickbats. The wall is a contrived monstrosity which can only owe to a homage to the Road Hole and Thomson's love of the Open Championship. It looks unfinished and ungainly. Yuck. Holes 4-8 have nothing particularly to them, and are saved by the 9th which is a magnificent dogleg par-five where the bigger hitters can chew off as much as they want, with fear of finding a watery grave. The green is protected by water left and a significant creek in front, with no bail-out right either. A perfect closing hole, which it was for us starting on the 10th - not to say 18 isn't as well. It had been a reasonably wet week but expected more from the greens, and some of the bunkers were hard/waterlogged as well. Possibly a more enjoyable experience in summer but can't see the attraction of joining here for the price, apart from access to two courses and a well-appointed clubhouse.

I AM A HUGE FAN OF SANDHURST! The course & club house is definetely for the modern golfer. The Club has a beautiful lounge, restaurant, gym, pro shop & locker room that's not so old fashioned as course like Victoria & Huntingdale (courses that I also love). The Champions makes you think - distances, spin, wind. The courses allows you to play all the clubs in the bag. We started off on the 10th, an open drive that allows you to grip it & rip it. The approach shot makes you think because if your too short then your in a very deep bunker, too long then you may have a huge putt, or too much spin then your down a hill.... Love it! The 11th has a generous sized green however you must hit straight & know the pin placement. Even if your a straight hitter, this hole is scarey due to the amount of bunkers some of which are DEEP! Not knowing the pin may leave a huge putt eliminating a guaranteed par. The 12th is fun! This is where you get back a stroke depending on the wind. You need to push boundaries clearing the driving bunker then laying up as close to the approaching bunker. If you know your distances down to the tee then you will shoot well on the 12th, if you don't, then you'll be playing a few tough shots. Basically the Champions is for the golfer who doesnt want to use the same clubs in the bag & who doesn't want to do the same old swing. Seeing all the young sponsored guys/girls playing here makes you realise this is a course for the future pro golfers. The course is challenging, in great condition, interesting & has a club house that makes you want to have a beer and socialize after a round. 9 out of 10 for me.

Played here on a soggy yet calm day on the 30/5/12 after getting my hands on a "great rounds" voucher (2 players for $69). Melbourne had a huge downpour a few days before, but I was always optimistic as most sand based courses have terrific drainage. This was indeed the case for the Sandhurst Champions course. We didn't hit off a sloppy fairway lie all day, even though we still had light rain until the 7th hole. The worst conditioned hole would have been the first, not thanks to some less that acceptable divot repairing efforts and the damp green. From then on it was only up up up in terms of the conditioning of the course. Although I felt the bunkering was a little bland at times on the front nine (wow, you have them bordering every hole on both sides), there is no doubt that this is a great layout and a pleasure/challenge to play. I feel the course would get you to think more with more creatively placed bunkers in different fairway locations. My view of the front 9 may be a little skewed as I wasn't getting off the tee the way I liked, but still managed to scratch a good round together that proved enjoyable. Highlights included the short 4th with the pin hidden by the mound, the 6th over the water with the eerie gum tree overlooking it on the right and the 9th with the green gated again by 2 gum trees (i think) on either side. Overall, I found the front 9 much tighter than the back 9, requiring straighter drivers and ideal placement/course knowledge. Next up came the back 9.... now this was fun. The 10th offers an open fairway to let loose with the driver & paired with the gorgeous undulations and elevated green, it makes for an easier yet beautiful opening par 5. The par 3 11th has a nothing bunker in front of it, but having such a large green makes club selection tricky as you have about 30 metres of difference between the front & back of the green. I must admit I was a tad disappointed with how short the 12th was off the blues (428 par 5), but we played it in calm conditions so there may normally be a bay breeze that holds it up as it was easily reachable in 2. Across the road, 13 and 14 played pretty easily as we both drove straight and were left with 8 iron & wedge in respectively. Par was easily achievable (birdie for me) given the lack of wind and thinking required. Then came the 15th. At index 2, you know you have a bit of golf coming your way, but a drive to the right hand side into a slight depression on the fairway keeps you safe from hazards, gives a little extra roll and opens up your next shot to the green. All the greens on the back 9 were in exceptional condition, most likely due to them being a little more elevated and the light rain disappearing. The 16th was basically an open & shut par three, with a large green and no real thinking/shot shaping/obstacles to come into play and the 17th was a relief to pull out something other than driver off the tee before playing an attacking shot uphill at a flag where you couldnt see the green. The 18th would be a monster off the back tees, but at around 400 off the blues and having a wide fairway (and the 11th to the right if you miss that bad), your tee shot isnt too much of a worry. A mid to long iron approach dead straight will leave you grinning if it gets enough legs as the 18th green is true and slightly uphill if you hit the front of it. Overall, it is a great course that compares easily to many courses around the area. It is a pleasure to play and the condition for winter conditions was exceptional. I will definitely play here again and hope they are always looking for new ways to better the course and bring in other elements/dimensions so it makes it more of a thinkers course with risk/reward scenarios.

I played North Course on Tuesday, and it was not a good experience. The course layout and their facilities are good, but the course is in bad condition. Almost all fairways have several ditches with sand across them, which makes your ball stop. Also several greens seemed as if they just have been sanded and aired out. I would check with the pro shop about how the fairways are before booking ...

I played Friday 4/11/2011. When reading some of the other reviews it sounds like we got pretty lucky with the weather. Not a breath of wind all day. Really enjoyable day overall- all staff (proshop, ground and bar) were all really friendly and obliging. Ground staff all friendly and said g'day as we played past them. Played early (7.30 start) and didn't see anyone in front or behind us all day so we were able to play at our own pace which was great. Course was in good condition. Fairways were in excellent condition without any mud despite some rain in the days prior and bunkers were good. Fairways are wide enough to be slightly forgiving on shorts that are slightly wayward Greens seemed to have just been cored and sanded in the recent past and were still quite sandy in places. Some were sandier than others which caused some shots to skid unexpectedly. Putts rolled true to the line although some greens were a little slower than others. Course didn't feel overly long to me so it gave a few options off the tee. Could take driver and give myself a short iron into the green or I could play a shorter club off the tee and use a longer club on my second shot as each hole required. Some nice short par 4's where low numbers are possible if you get your tee shot in the right spot. Good mix of par 3's. Some longer, some requiring the player to water. The par 5's were long but not overbearingly so. The 10th hole was perhaps my favourite. A good drive and a fairway metal or hybrid (depending on how long you hit it) to just short of the bunkers at the front of the green and birdie is a real possibility. Send your tee shot off the fairway or put your ball in the bunkers at the front of the green and you could looking at a triple or worse. I had one of my better scoring rounds of all time playing here so I became a bit of fan instantly Will be back for sure.

Not a bad course overall. Design is good with challenging holes requiring strong drives off the tees to reach some long par 4s. Plenty of variety and a definite memorable hole on the 3rd "wall hole", even though it does look a bit artificial and contrived. Greens ran true (and reasonably fast even though they were cored four weeks ago), fairways were lush although the members should all take a lesson in filling in divots. However after saying all this, I have one proviso. Do NOT play if it had just rained. The course must be built on a clay base as there was casual water on the fairways and some bunkers had turned into lakes.

Fantastic track and thoroughly enjoyed. A lot of fun in the wind having to create shots. Some awesome par 3s.

I read these reviews after hearing only good word from others. so was a bit unsure. Played today on my own in the morning and could not have been more impressed. Bunkers great, greens trye and good pace and the fairways beautiful. Its a course where you can play different shots and be very inventive. Im glad to be joining here and cant wait to play the Champions course.

Initially impressions are strong with a single lane drive through the North course from Thompsons Rd up to the clubhouse. members and residents would get a sense of pride on each and every trip via this route. The pro shop was helpful and being the home of the PGA, they have implemented the system that prints your score card prior to play with your details on it, as well as having the auto score readers. The course itself, once you start play is a typical Peter Thomson layout. Lots of mounds around the greens (that look unnatural) and little strategy from any of the tee shots required The majority of holes on this course are bunkered both sides of the fairway, ensuring that the course is asking you only one question from the tee"Can you hit the middle?" There is no reward on most holes for taking the fairway bunkers on as behind them is either rough, or no advantage for being there in terms of a better line to the green. Due to this major design issue, no holes stood out as classic or great holes to me. Compounding this is that the course gives a similar feel to Sanctuary Lakes ie soulless due to the proxity of the housing. One feature it has over Sanctuary Lakes is taht the pathways and access to the course for the residents is well designed for a course of this type, meaning there were many hot MILFS strutting their stuff during my round. I did like most green complexes. Not so much the greenside bunkering that in most cases is out of play, but the actual green shapes. Enough interest, but not overdone like National Old. The conditioning was ok (who cares anyway as it will vary day to day), however the recent rains has made the rough extrememly long. All this did was slow down play but this is not a criticism of the greenskeeper as many Melbourne courses are in this predicament with the fast growing grasses As a members guest, $45 is a fair price to play here. $75 for an off the street guy is pushing it a bit. However, a full member gets good value for his $3k outlay including 2 x courses, excellent clubhouse, bar levy and comp fees included, plus pool and tennis court use. It is probably not a course I would want to play every week due to its lack of soul and the fact the architectural merit is lacking from every tee shot. There are no choicesyou are forced into shots. i rate it as Waterford Valley on steroids. Same sort of feel, every hole gives you a chance, but at the end of the dayit just lacks that intangible that makes the great golf courses great. A soul.

Played Sandhurst North Course - overall , a very average course. The greens were in top condition - very quick and true.In stark contrast, the fairways were terrible - patchy. unrepaired divots and excessive cart damage. Very flat layout - feeling like you in a large paddock - not the type of course that is going to improve with age as virtually no trees - much better courses close by - Cranbourne kills it.

As said in previous review this course is well worth playing. Loved it. However the golf course itself is not the only reason to play golf. The pre and post golf events are just as important. The club needs to make visitors more welcome. Time to get rid of the old fashion members only bar area. The courses so called "high standard" does not excuse the arrogance of how staff and members talk to visitors.

Played here yesterday in what can only be descrobed as oppressive heat and humidity. Wanting a breeze was a double edged sword. Would have cooled us, but made the course very treacherous. The good bits first: The course itself was very well turned out, and we pretty much had it to ourselves (mid-week will do that...). My poor golf aside the course is a true test of your course management and accuracy. You go offline and you'll have a hard time finding your ball let alone hitting it. Bunkers put right in the landing zones (unfortunately) once again promote accuracy above all, including distance. Greens were true and reasonably slick although not unbearable. A bit of spin held your ball on. The bad bits: Not many, but both I think the club should target. Firstly pitch marks and green repair. Numerous times the greens were smattered and smashed with unrepaired pitch marks. Difficult for the club to police, but it really did affect the quality of some greens. But bigger than that. The 13th and 14th holes. Down across McCormick Rd, these two holes were bounded by temporary fencing and construction equipment. My ball actually ricocheted off a green side fence (thankfully back on) which was no more than a couple of metres from the dance floor. A course of such 'prestige' should make a better effort to protect itself from these developments. The 14th also had a temporary tee box (cordened off fairway), which apparently has been there for months. Not good enough. But on the whole, recommended if you are in the area and will really come into its own once established more. If it does, it will a true course to reckon with.

Nice course, still in early stages, once tree planting is completed will be tougher than it is now. Not overly long course, but don't stray too far off the fairways. Some greens are really hard to hold. In great condition.

The review below me is a stinker, If a proshop puts you off a golf course why get of bed. If you get a chance to play it, worth every cent. Muppet in the higest regard

We played the Champions course. Nice layout. Fairways are a bit bumpy but that may be due to the drought. My only problem which is a big one is the pro shop. The staff there have a lot to learn about making guests feel welcome. I have played some very exclusive courses with higher standards, but never have I meet a more arrogant staff.

was dissapointed! greens didnt role that well fairways had to many sandy lines slows you ball down. but my favourite hole had to be the 9th. overall a ranking of 3/5

agree with the 1st review, great course, great layout, its only fault its a little far from the cbd. A great course in a true link style. wind, water and lots of deep long rough.

Three words tough, tough and even tougher. Golf at its best, got on a corprate day a few weeks ago. If you got to pay its worh every cent. Is everything a “true sand belt course” should be. Great fairways, bunkers & green are A1. Make sure you bring your ” A GAME” when you play. Will be even better in 6 – 12 months time once the course takes hold a little more as its only new.

I played at Sandhurst in the Vic Mid Amateur Oct 07 and found the course layout to be excellent. The selection of par 3’s were very interesting and the “Wall” hole was a standout. It also had 2 or 3 signature holes, the par 5 9th is a classic over water twice hole and the par 4 12th is a great risk and reward hole allowing you to go for the green, the 18th is also a beautifully designed hole. My one disapointment was the actual conditioning of the course, the greens were very hard and quite slow and many of the ground outside of the fairways was in a terrible state, some allowance can be made with the drought but to take full advantage of the set up this course could be great if the condition improved.

In a long line of new courses built on the outer edge of suburban Melbourne, the Sandhurst Club, located approximately 35 kilometres south-east of the Melbourne CBD, is another creation by famed golf course designer Peter Thomson. On completion, Sandhurst will feature 36 holes, and an extensive residential development component. It will also be home to the PGA of Australia, and may even host tournaments. Hundreds of homes have already been constructed within the development. The North course at Sandhurst has been playing for more than a year. Construction is due to start on the Champions course shortly. This layout will hope to see play as soon as January 2007.

For many like myself who have been disappointed by the work of Thomson's design firm in recent times, the thought of visiting one of their latest creations, on a flat, clay based property, within a real estate development, in a windy and barren region was not accompanied by rapturous enthusiasm. I am pleased to report that I was pleasantly surprised by Sandhurst.

The course opens gently enough with a short, wide par 4 boasting a green of ample size, to help ease golfers into their round. Those who find the first tee in the early hours of the morning may enjoy a wonderful view of the sun rising over the Dandenong Ranges in the distance. The sight of the rising sun is off to the side, and so can't be used as an excuse for a poor opening drive.

A Move Away From Tradition

The first hole gives golfers an indication that Thomson has made a move away from his traditional pot-style bunker shapes. Albeit small, the departure in style is significant. The spherical shapes, grassed or revetted faces, and appreciable depth found on bunkers at Moonah Links Open, Hope Island, The National (Ocean) and others, have softened for the Sandhurst layout. The bunkering is a little more free form in appearance, and of less penal depth. It is largely in keeping with the site and the skill level of those most likely to play the course most often. Mind you, there is the occasional deep green-side trap which provides a nasty punishment for missing the green. Such traps usually reside in close proximity to championship pin positions, guarding small tiers and hard-to-find segments of greens.

If the first hole lulls one into a false sense of security, the second provides a rude awakening, with two full shots needed to reach the green almost 390 metres away. The par 4 second (index 5) is one of several tough two-shotters sprinkled throughout the round. Left and right side fairway bunkering is provided at the 220-255 metre zone from the tee, with ample room short of the traps. Clearing the left-side hazards with a big straight drive not only provides a shorter approach, but greater visibility of the putting surface.

Sandhurst's par 3 third hole boasts one of the more unique features in Australian golf. Those familiar with courses in the UK will know of the par 4 13th hole at North Berwick, named The Pit. This hole, on a course designed in the 1870's, features a flat expansive green complex separated from its fairway by an ancient drystone fence, which was no doubt erected centuries before the golf course was laid out. An eccentric hole, which Tom Doak describes in The Confidential Guide as "one of a kind". If only it stayed that way.

The designers of Sandhurst have seen fit to nestle the wide flat green of the par 3 third, hard against a new and purpose built, three foot tall stone fence. It guards the left and rear of a large rectangular green. Its effect on play is not as marked as one might expect, as there is plenty of bail-out short and right, and the green is very large. The wall is a penalty somewhere between sand and water in severity, with those missing long or left still able to secure a par or bogey. Yet, this hole provides as great a lesson as any, that the individual, quirky features found on the game's oldest courses, can only be mimicked with peril.

The first par 5 of the day is the fourth hole, and at 517 metres from the championship tees, its name "long" is apt if somewhat unimaginative. This genuine three shot hole runs north to south. It punishes the long yet errant hitter with bunkering at the left and right sides of the landing zone, with minimal offset. A central fairway bunker is thoughtfully placed in the second shot landing zone, demanding more than a modicum of thought. Those aiming well left of the trap with their second will find the green slopes away from them, albeit gently. Two facing traps found at the left side of the green must also be cleared from this side. Take the central fairway bunker on and win, with a long, accurate second shot, and the approach is far less complicated.

Central fairway bunkering is again thoughtfully executed on the 5th hole. With the aid of a prevailing breeze, one may aim a drive down the left side of this south to north par 4, to a narrow slither of fairway left of the central hazard. The green complex is far more receptive to an approach from the left side. Drive to the right and a green in regulation is far less likely. The 5th green complex is thoughtfully bunkered, and boasts good levels of internal movement.

The easterly running 418 metre par 4 sixth is the toughest hole on the course. By now, the tranquillity of the opening hole has long passed, with three of the five toughest holes encountered in the first hour of play. Small and sparingly used left side traps adorn the sixth fairway, suggesting that this is the optimum position from which to approach the green. From there, a long fade can be played around a broad yet shallow pair of facing bunker to the expansive two-tiered green beyond. I suspect a front pin is best approached with a low running approach, accurately threaded between two green front bunkers. With an easterly wind somewhat uncommon in these parts, the sixth hole will usually play long. Prevailing northerly and southerly winds will act as appreciable crosswinds, and the parallel fairways of holes 2 & 7 provide some respite for errant tee shots.

The seventh hole is somewhat lacklustre, and one of several holes between 330 and 380 metres, demanding little more than two straight shots. Play here is somewhat uninspiring. Inexplicably, fairway bunkering belligerently guards the unappealing left side of the fairway. The desirable spot from which to approach the green is the right, and yet, it is wide and easily accessible. Admittedly the front left quadrant of the 7th green is well bunkered, placing a premium on accurate iron play to those tacking a left-side (medal) hole location.

The second opportunity for a hole in one arrives in the form of 170 metre par 3 eighth hole. A centrally positioned bunker 20 or so metres short of the green complex could deceive those on the tee into underclubbing. Play is directed towards a curvy green, which is deep yet narrow and bunkered on both sides. Into a strong prevailing southerly, many members will need to pull a club of considerable length to reach the putting surface.

Artfully Routed

The par 5 ninth is artfully routed with water running down the entire left side of the hole. It asks golfers to bite off as much as they dare with their tee shot. Those playing Sandhurst can either thread a long drive down the left side of the hole, or fade a ball to the expansive right side of the fairway. The more aggressive play down the left appreciably shortens the second shot. It can be aimed at a bunker complex on the left edge of the fairway, unreachable for most club golfers. More water is to be found approaching the green, with a small canal hard against the front edge of the putting surface. Although only several metres wide, it will no doubt claim its fair share of balls, much as similar bodies of water do, on the home hole at [url=www.iseekgolf.com/coursereviews/review.php?cr_id=18]Sanctuary Lakes[/url], and the third at Carnoustie.

The 10th hole was one which appeared to have changed considerably when thinking back to my site visit prior to course opening. At 375 metres, this slight dog-leg left boasts fairway bunkering on the inside of the hole. An expansive and unbunkered right half of the fairway reduces the chance of balls meeting windows of houses built near the inside of the dogleg. Unfortunately, it also sees the hole almost devoid of strategy. The right side provides the easiest approach to this green complex, which is bunkered at its left. If only the traps were on the right of the putting surface and the premium was placed on nearing the bunkers on the left side of the fairway, this hole would be so much more.

The 11th is another par 5, a whisker short of the 500 metre mark. In a theme that is replicated several times throughout the course, parallel fairways appear undivided, with broad expanses of fairway grasses melding together quite neatly. In the case of the 11th, the player on the tee is literally begged to smash a drive as far as he can down the left, along the parallel 12th fairway, free from the encumbrance of any rough or sand traps for 300-odd metres. The hole provides a number of different routes to the green. Nearing the 11th green, one must negotiate a series of thoughtfully placed hazards, and safely hit on to the double green. This surface is used for the 11th and 17th holes, and is a safe if somewhat uninspiring example of this design feature.

In much the same mould as the 7th & 10th, the 12th is another long hole boasting a high index (No. 2) where the golfer is asked to play two long straight shots to a relatively flat green, with little inspiration to be found between tee and cup.

The par 3 13th is the shortest hole on the course and measures 137 metres from the plates. It is at this time where the accompanying housing development is at its most visible. It has to be said that construction rarely encroaches upon the course, yet the owners of the house immediately behind the green have something to answer for, with their cream rendered home appearing markedly out of character with others around it, and seemingly in conflict with the building code prevalent at the site. Back to play, the 13th hole is simple enough, and the kidney shaped green provides a little interest with a small degree of internal movement at the posterior half of the putting surface. The most pertinent factor on this hole will doubt be wind strength, especially when playing lofted clubs from the tee.

Favourite Hole

The 14th hole was my pick of the bunch. At 321 metres from the championship tee, and 277 metres from the members' tee, this hole provides a deal of risk and reward rarely encountered on Thomson's designs. A diagonally positioned triumvirate of bunkers, on a direct line between tee and green runs away from the putting surface, and towards a large landing zone to the golfer's left. One may conservatively play towards this expanse of fairway, short and well left of the traps, and off the direct line to the flag. This play will yield a wedge or nine iron approach to a putting surface which is slightly off camber. One may alternatively blaze away on the direct line to the green, negotiating the triple pack of bunkers. Clearing these obstacles sees a small flick with a lob wedge and a definite birdie chance.

The final par 3 of the day is the 15th, and at 178 metres, was a little too similar in yardage to the 3rd & 8th for my liking. Perhaps this fact was compounded by the routing of the 15th hole, which is parallel to the 3rd, and of almost identical length.

The chance to pick up a shot lies in wait at the 16th hole, which is 300 metres from the medal tees and 320 from the championship plates. The driver landing zone is quite narrow with a solitary right fairway trap pinching the fairway in at 240 metres. Another two-tiered green awaits, with the only real difficulty being that of locating pin position, on a putting surface almost 40 metres deep. The penultimate hole is a par 5 of 528 metres, where yet another central bunker awaits for those straight tee shots, between 225 metres and 240metres from the tee. Apart from this hazard the path from fairway to the left side of the shared green is relatively straightforward.

The final hole is a slight dogleg left, where the golfer is again asked to bite off as much as they feel comfortable. Threading a long drive over the water's edge, and left side fairway traps yields a more desirable angle of attack to the green. Bailing to the right half of the fairway sees little risk, but a more demanding approach. Another rectangular green is used to finish the hole, with two tiers again employed, the higher half at the putting surface's rear.

Pleasantly Surprised

It is difficult to believe that a barren, flat, clay-based site, which is a component of a property development, could yield a course which is superior to those built by the same company on well-financed, undulating, sandy, coastal sites. Yet I suspect those who play Sandhurst will enjoy it more than they enjoy [url=www.iseekgolf.com/coursereviews/review.php?cr_id=19]Moonah Links Open[/url] or The National (Ocean). Sure, the central bunker theme is repeatedly employed. One could also grow tired of approaching two-tiered greens, higher at the back, with tiers separated by a uniform ridge, and each tier boasting relatively little internal movement. Having said that, green structures were neither overstated nor horrendously tilted. The change in bunker shapes and aesthetics was a welcome sign at Sandhurst. I was also most pleased to see the designers employ fairway traps of modest depth, allowing the golfer to chance their arm and attempt reaching the green with an heroic sand save when in hazards 120 -160m from the putting surface.

Sandhurst proved more interesting that I suspected it would. The course itself was uninspiring in parts, but it offered some fun in others. Those who visit the course will no doubt enjoy having a crack at the first green if they warm up properly beforehand. The 5th, 9th & 14th holes will also prove fun. The routing is a little strange, with the two shortest par fours found deep in the round (holes 14 and 16) and with one shot holes found prior to each. With a plethora of longer holes on the front, most of which are far more difficult, the nines are somewhat unbalanced.

The course had seen a reasonable amount of rain in the days leading up to my visit, and is only just over one year old. The pro shop staff reported that the course was a little soggy in parts, yet I didn't encounter so much as a hint of a puddle on my way around. Whilst certainly well cared for, the course will likely face drainage issues in times ahead, given it's subsoil type. The new turf, covering recently installed fingers of supplementary drainage pipe, seems to confirm this.

When Jack Nicklaus used the term 'a good members course' years ago, we reeled in horror when he applied it to Royal Melbourne. The term does however aptly describe Sandhurst. While it never reaches dizzying heights, the course will no doubt provide hours of fun for its members and residents. It may also provide Peter Thomson with five minutes of respite from those who have criticised his designs in the last few years.

Excellent course for most types of golfers, suiting low to mid range handicaps.

Not overly long, but the wind does play a huge part, especially if from the North or West - Holes which would normally be a driver and 8 iron can end up being a driver and 4 iron.

Even though classified as a links course, there is only 1/2 doz pot bunkers, so getting out of a bunker is very fair. Greens are big and the truest around.

One thing to note, ensure you hit your irons high, as most greens are protected by front bunkers.

Additionally excellent practise facilites which will be opening by October, and exceptional clubhouse.

Played Sandhurst last week and was very unimpressed with the course and the condition. If you walk in of the street they will charge you almost $100 to play. For that you would expect to at least get beautiful FAIRWAYS.

This is the area that let the course down, there just wasnt a bed of couch on the fairways. Most of the time it just looked like they had mowed the paddocks that had been there for the last 200 years.

Now writing this I cant even think of holes that stood out as really great golf holes. Maybe hole 9 was the best but the fairway was again awful! Clubhouse ad practice facilities are excellent but I dont think they have been put in the right place. As when you go in for a bar afterwards you sit there and watch people practice, instead of having views over a couple of greens.

I was lucky I only paid $44 to play there but I wouldnt pay that again until I hear some really good news about it!!!!