Huntingdale Golf Club
(#46 on AusGolf’s Top 100)
Huntingdale Golf Club is often overlooked when Americans think about playing the Sandbelt courses. My guess for this is the lack of attention it receives in America in comparison with Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath. However, that is not to suggest it is not worthy of the effort to play. Quite the contrary, it is very enjoyable – playable but challenging, great condition, rich history and very welcoming staff.
While the club officially opened in 1941, it has historical threads to other golf clubs that can be traced back to 1896, first to the Surrey Hills Golf Club then to Box Hill Golf Club. Neither were in the sand belt area. But in 1938, the owner of the Melbourne Hunt Club was willing to sell the property, thus giving the opportunity to build a new course. Interestingly, the course was “designed” by C.H. Alison, an English course architect, who never saw the property. His layout was based completely on reports of the property. The responsibility of making Alison’s layout a reality was Sam Beriman.
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| Australian Masters Trophy |
Huntingdale offers only two sets of tees on the scorecard - Blue and Red. The Blue are for the men and played 6,344 metres (just under 7,000 yards), while the Red measure 5,420 metres (just under 6,000 yards). From the Blue tees and with over 80 strategically placed bunkers, Huntingdale offers a stern test for even the best players. Upon checking in, you should inquire about other tee markers so you play the length best suited to your game. By doing so, you will have a better experience.
If you are not one of the best players, you will still appreciate Huntingdale Golf Club. The course is very enjoyable and playable. The fairways are very well maintained and generous, so you didn’t have to hit the ball perfectly on a line every hole. When the ball finds the fairway, it will leave you with a good lie and a respectable shot to the green. Yet, miss the fairway, even by just a little, and you often will have a sandy lie that will make hitting the green a challenge. On a few holes, those bigger misses from the tee will require some creative shot-making to simply get the ball back in a position where bogey becomes a good score.
Unfortunately, it is easy to find a bunker if you miss the green. While the sand is very fine, the bunkers as a whole are firm; thankfully, you will rarely encounter any buried lies. For the better player, the greenside bunkers at Huntingdale would not provide a severe penalty. That said, playing from the fairway bunkers provides a different and more difficult test. Your first objective is to get the ball out.
The green complexes at Huntingdale are not severe, but they are not easy. The greens are rather large and have contours that require the correct speed and line to make longer putts. The surfaces (just like at virtually all Sandbelt courses) are firm, so it requires a well struck approach shot to hold the green. Any shot without much backspin will release and run out; this is especially true for bunker shots. You have to make sure you find a landing spot short of the hole in order to have it finish close. When you manage to miss a green and not end up in a bunker, you will find it easier to get the ball closer to the hole. One of the shots Americans will have to become accustomed to playing is the putt from well off the green (the “Texas wedge” as some call it). Often, the fringe is cut very close to the same length as the greens that it makes putting your best option, even from 15-20 yards away. As the saying goes, “A bad putt is often better than a good chip.” This is true at Huntingdale. The areas around the greens are magnificently manicured ... frequently making this your best option.
Upon completion, make sure you go in for lunch. The food is delicious and the staff is very accommodating. Make sure you put Huntingdale on your short list if you are going to play the Sandbelt.
Next week: Victoria Golf Club
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| 18th Green & Clubhouse, Huntingdale Golf Club |
