Topic: Golf Talk / Melbourne Membership...help?

Hi MJB1976, The best thing I can suggest is to get on the sandbelt because it will give you all year round the best conditions. I have been at Kingswood for 25 years and have never had to tee up a ball due to wet fairways. I know of several sandbelt clubs that have had to do this. Some of the non sandbelt clubs have cracks that appear in summer that your ball can disappear in them.
Check out what water supplies these clubs have (ie Keysborough has heaps of water storage and Kingswood is looking at an aquafier).
Get onto a course that has santa ana grass on the fairways because they are drought resistant and give awesome lies.
Some clubs even have huge debts which could threaten their futures.
Good luck with your search. A good club environment is critical in enjoying your time at a new club.

Topic: Golf Talk / whats with bullshit private membership prices ??

Why not check out The Dunes. Around $1600 . Terrific Group of people to play with. Sensational COurse. Only 40/50 minutes from SE.

Yes the Dunes is one of the best courses in the country. Make the effort if you haven’t played it. Bloody good value as well (don’t let that put you off!).

Topic: Your Favourite Golf Courses / Best greens in Australia

I’ve played all over Australia and the bent grasses on Melb Sandbelt are the best. Gold – Royal Melb greens (multi Coloured) Silver – Old Course National for condition, variety, challenge Bronze – Kingswood for all year round condition Special mention to Sandhurst 2 years ago in Vic Mid Amatuer and Huntingdale in late 80’s. Both very true.

Topic: Golf Talk / whats with bullshit private membership prices ??

If you have a hole in one, the insurance pays for shouting the bar….... up to a limit. I haven’t had to call on it yet! I played with a 23 year old in Perth last year who has had 7! He is becoming a pro! He said he hadn’t had one for a while!!!!!!!!!!

Topic: Golf Talk / game manager

Too true Muntz.

I do have a pre-shot routine – but it doesn’t take me ages to play and I’m not anti-social. There’s plenty of time to socialize when walking between shots, but once I get to my ball it’s “game time”. Quick check of the distance, work out the club given wind, etc, pick the club, then get into the “routine” . I stand a yard or 2 behind the ball for a few seconds and visualise my shot. It’s then a quick walk to the ball, grip, stance, check alignment, pull trigger.

Agreed, it doesn’t mean that I won’t play the wrong shot, but I’m not spending ages chosing my club, or messing around with my partners when I should be ready to play.

There was another thread about “how long is too long” to play a round of golf that I’ve been meaning to rant in about people dawdling down the fairway in the opposite direction to their ball – standing over a shot for what seems like forever before hitting the ball – not know approx. how far they hit their shots and so never knowing what club to hit etc. etc. I’ll think I’ll go there now!

Good advice about the pre shot routine. Keep it short but consistant. Great tip for good timing, hit shots with your left arm parallel to the ground. It feels like a 3/4 shot. Practice with a 7iron and see how well a 3/4 shot goes. The same distance if not more than a full shot. Watch someone like Ernie Els.

Topic: Golf Talk / Suggested Coach Sth East Melbourne

I can recommend David Cappaldo at Kingswood Golf Club. David is the Victorian Junior State coach and has spent time with Tiger’s coach Hank Haney from the USA. He is a straight to the point guy who will work with what ever level you are at. He has coached players who have gone onto the Europen Tour, women and juniors. You can even organise a lesson on course with him. That is worth the money because he was one of the longest hitters on tour. He has plenty of good stories to tell as well. Good luck

Topic: Golf Talk / Hit the range or golf course?

Congratulations Matt2209 on shooting 90. It always helps to go over your round and keep stats on fairways/greens hit, putts and up and downs. Over time this will highlight the areas you need to work on most. Make sure you get short game lessons as well. Tiger is pathetic at hitting fairways but is the best up and down player in the world. How many times do you see someone at the range whack 200 shots with their driver! Shots from 100mts in are critical. They can set up pars and birdies. Good luck

Topic: Golf Architecture / Cashmore designed 4th @ Kingswood

Hi Tony, the 4th hole (157m par 3) at Kingswood that you designed get’s many comments from members. It is a huge green with many pin placements. It is only played from the back pegs about once a month and many times is played at approx 140m. I would like to see a new tee (167m) built back past the 1st pine which means you can hide a pin over the right bunker. The first left hand bunker would have to be filled in to alloy the shorter hitters a chance to hit to the front left of the green. There are a number of benifits here. A spectacular looking whole where part of the pin is hidden (like 2 of the pars 3’s you designed at 13th beach- The best group of 4 par 3’s going around). The regular tee becomes the current back tee of 157m. The new tee would only be used for monthly medals (ie once a month). I would also like to see the back of the green mown closer to the water and no rough at the back. This would make the back pin approx 187m with a water denger if you are too long. I would like to hear your thoughts.

Topic: Golf Talk / Hit the range or golf course?

Firstly, go to the range once a week if you can. Get lessons from a pro and don’t listen to any other golfers advice, it will only stuff up your swing. When at the range, only hit about 70 balls and make half of them 7 iron and a wedge. This really helps with tempo and mechanics. When you get on the course and select your club and direction, then try and imagine your on the range and put a solid swing on it. This takes out any concerns over wind, bunkers water etc. I did the above with a good mate (now deceased from f…g cancer) and I reduced my handicap from 9 to 4. I still use this method today. Good luck, I hope this helps.

Topic: Golf Talk / whats with bullshit private membership prices ??

I have been a member of a Melb Sandbelt course for 25 yrs and have played in excess of 75 courses around Australia. I pay $3k pa and that includes $250 bar levy, all comp fees, golf insurance (equipment, liabaility, hole in 1 shout etc), locker, Vic golf magazine. I can pay by monthly direct debit of $250. I can play in the Sat, Sun, Wed and Fri comps. I can play any other day execpt Tues Morn (Ladies Day.) I can call in at any time to use practice facilites, have a beer, lunch etc. The course has never been closed because of water or drought. I have never played tee up during wet periods. I don’t have the time to do a 2 hour round trip down the Peninsula’s to play similar quality courses. The comrade is very high and you don’t have to really on mates time restraints. It’s also easier to stay for presentations, have a few drinks and catch a cab home if you need to. I love playing these other top quality courses but give me a good club with plenty of mates. The costs associated with the ground staff at my club accounts for a lot of the ongoing costs. If you cut the costs of staff, the course suffers. The head curator is a great person to speak to about maintenance costs including the labour intensity of Melbournes famous sandbelt bunkers. The club runs at a minimal profit and has no debt (unlike Southern / Spring Valley). Make your own choice based on your finances and circumstances. If you can afford it, you won’t regret it.