A description of the nine-hole Winchelsea Golf Course, as experienced by visiting player Russell Karmel.

Set on approximately 40 hectares, the course offers tree lined fairways and regulation greens. A nine hole golf course (it has different teeing areas if you want to go around a second time), consisting of three par 3s, five par 4s and a par 5.

The first hole is a long par 4. A drive off the tee too far left or right will undoubtedly find the trees making it hard to reach the green in two shots. A good drive will set you up for a long iron to an unprotected green. Walking off the first green with a par is no mean feat. Which leads us onto the second hole. The second hole, a little over 100 metres in length, to me is the most enjoyable to play on the golf course. A pitching wedge over trees (yes you read right), will see your ball end up on a green rising from a disused quarry! If you go too far the ball will likely find one of several boulders. Good luck. Too short and you will be left with a pitch onto the green. Nevertheless, a good tee shot onto the green should result in a regulation par.

The only par 5 is the third hole, a dog-leg to the right. Again a tree lined fairway demands an accurate tee shot. Only big hitters could expect to reach the green in two shots. A standard fairway shot will leave you with a short approach to the green. A sand bunker (the only one on the golf course), situated right of the green should be avoided. Those who go weak at the knees seeing their ball find the white stuff are advised to aim left of the flagstick. Onto the fourth.

An attractive hole with large cypress trees lining the right side of the fairway. A good tee shot will be rewarded with a short iron to the green. But, to make things difficult you will likely have to steer your approach around a strategically placed five metre plus cypress tree located just short of the green. A deceptive hole, be prepared to chip from off the green and one putt to make par. The fifth hole is another par 4. With the hole running north to south, a north wind can make this hole very difficult indeed. Standing on the tee ground with the wind in your face, the green looks an eternity away. On a calm day, a straight drive off the tee leaves you with a medium iron to a sloping green. A par 3 awaits.

The second par 3 on the course, though not as unique as the first, is an aesthetically pleasing hole. Similarly to the fourth, mature cypresses line the right side of the hole and gum trees line the left side. You can expect a well struck six or seven iron to find a receptive green.

If you happen to ‘miss` the green from off the tee expletives could be interpreted as an indication of your limited golfing ability. A well executed chip and putt will put you in good spirits walking to the seventh hole.

The seventh hole is an example where good course management is required. The contours of this hole means the green is obscured from the tee. A telecommunication tower offers the right line to take off the tee. One of the easier holes on the course, a good drive will be rewarded with a short iron to a sloping green. An accurate approach will lead to a putt for birdie, however, if your shot misses the green left or right expect a difficult chip. The kikuyu grass surrounding the green tends to grab the ball. With this in mind you need to tread carefully.

The penultimate hole is a par 3. The teeing area at the eighth is adjacent to the seventh green. This hole slopes uphill to an unprotected green. A tip: don’t fall for the trap of under clubbing. An errant tee shot will result in making par unlikely. Overhanging branches lining the left side of the fairway  will probably interrupt any tee shot too far left of the green. And so it is that you make your way to the final hole. A challenging finishing hole, the ninth requires a penetrating drive off the tee. A long iron or fairway wood to the green would have you reaching for the putter. The mortals amongst us are more likely to need three shots to reach the green, thereby making bogey a respectable score. When playing the hole as the eighteenth, a dam (named after one of the club’s esteemed members), can prove to be a hazard. Flippers and a snorkel are on hand if necessary for the adventurous golfers inclined to retrieve their ball at any cost. Walking off the ninth green, you have two choices; a short walk to the tenth tee or a slightly longer walk to the car park. Come on, it doesn’t get dark for at least another two hours.

Well there you have it. Winchelsea Golf Course is a challenge. Why else would you play it?

Once you play the course, you will want to play it again and again and again.