The National

The National Golf Club is a 54 hole private members’ golf club, providing three distinct golfing challenges (Old Course, Moonah Course and Ocean Course). The three courses have been designed by 3 of the world’s leading golf architects – Greg Norman, Robert Trent Jones Jr and Peter Thomson. As such the 3 courses, although located very closely to one another, offer the golfer a range of golfing experiences.

The Moonah Course was open for play in October 2000 and is a design by Greg Norman. It has a well deserved Australian course ranking of 8 and is set amongst rolling paddocks formerly part of the Gundabah pastoral property. Norman has done a great job with the Moonah course and the combination of the 4 challenging par 3 holes, 14 par 4’s ranging in length from 280 metres to over 420 metres and the four par 5 holes which meander through high valleys offer an enjoyable, if not challenging golf experience.

The Moonah Course is perfectly manicured and boasts some of the best fairways in Australia. The greens are also very true (and quick if you are putting from above the hole). The style of bunkering is what really defines the course. The bunkers are generally unkempt with long, wispy grass framing the edges. They provide a style which is very suited to the general terrain that the Moonah Course is located in.

Plenty of good birdie opportunities exist in the first 13 holes however the finishing 5 holes can easily ruin an otherwise good score. Starting from the 14th hole (a long par 4 of over 420 metres) followed by the 15th (deceptively tricky par 5) and the monster 16th (again over 420 metres playing downhill and then uphill) the course has a slight breather with the 190 metre par 3 17th! but then provides a very tough finishing hole (par 4 of around 400 metres) where par is a good score.

But do not let the last 5 holes scare you too much. The course is scenic in its own way (no ocean views as it is laid out in the paddocks lower than the Old course) and is very cleverly laid out taking full advantage of the rolling “Cups” country that is perfect for golf courses and unique to this part of Australia.

The National, located on the Mornington Peninsula approximately 80 minutes from the city of Melbourne, is a must play for any keen golfer. All three courses are ranked in Australia’s top 40 and there are some spectacular coastal views.