The Gunnamatta Course feature video
About the Course
Situated by the thundering whitewash of Gunnamatta Beach, Doak embraces the natural ‘cup’ and ‘bowl’ undulations of the region’s sandy terrain, delivering generous fairway width, natural, strategic bunkering, and imaginative green shapes with intriguing contours, designed to challenge short game creativity.
From the designer – Tom Doak
“It’s got a character all of its own – it’s perfect land for golf. Plus you’ve got wind in play, it’s going to be firm and fast out there, so you’ve got just the right conditions for great play too.
“The bunkers and greens that we build, along with the routing, determine the feel of the course, and our style isn’t that similar to the Norman or Jones courses next door, so I didn’t spend as much time thinking about differentiation as I might if Bill Coore was building next door.
“I think many people will single out hole 2, especially if they remember the same hole on the Ocean course – it’s a much shorter par-4 and I think it’s much more exciting than before, even though we kept much of the original bunkering and just moved the green site. After that, the routing skips over into what used to be the back 9, and it’s harder for anyone to remember how the old holes compared to the new ones.”
Gunnamatta – The Breakdown
Gunnamatta – 1st Hole
Par-5 18
398m 430m 453m 490m
A spectacular view of Bass Strait to the left, and Port Phillip Bay in the distance, greets those about to commence the round. The options are to drive safely to the more generous lower left portion of the fairway, or challenge the upper plateau on the right for a better angle of approach. For the bigger hitters, this hole presents a realistic early birdie opportunity. The short grass left of the green is a deceptively difficult spot from which to get up and down.
Gunnamatta – 2nd Hole
Par-4 16
257m 273m 286m 340m
A thrilling short par 4, which tempts longer hitters to drive at the green. The smart play, arguably, is to lay up and leave a comfortable approach distance. Avoid the bunkers short of the green which leave an awkward carry for the wayward golfer at this early point in the round. An out of bounds fence lurks perilously close to the left edge of the putting surface.
Gunnamatta – 3rd Hole
Par-4 13
252m 286m 312m 355m
A generous fairway, with pin position dictating the ideal line off the tee. A pin located on the right is best approached from the left of the fairway, and vice versa. The shot in can afford to be long, with balls typically feeding back down off the rear slope. Anything short of the green will roll back to the foot of the steep embankment which protects the green.
Gunnamatta – 4th Hole
Par-4 2
320m 368m 374m 405m
A visually striking hole from the tee, but one which plays brutally long into a headwind. Bunkers guard both sides of the fairway, requiring precision from the drive. The approach to the green is relatively unprotected, but it’s quite easy to run through the back to light rough. Par is always a welcome relief.
Gunnamatta – 5th Hole
Par-3 9
141m 159m 159m 192m
The undulating putting surface can render a two putt all but impossible, especially coming from the top right terrace to the lower left section. It can be a sound play off the tee to hit well to the right of the green and let the ball feed back down, avoiding the bunker which guides the front right. A tee shot which drifts too far to the right, however, will hold up above the green and make for an awkward downhill second.
Gunnamatta – 6th Hole
Par-5 7
444m 444m 518m 544m
An expansive landing zone awaits on this hole, with more room available on the left than the view from the tee conveys. An imposing sandy quarry on the right is normally able to be carried unless the hole is playing directly into the wind. In favourable conditions, longer hitters may reach in two for an eagle putt, despite ‘hitting blind’ on the second shot. Those playing the hole more conventionally will face a short third, to a generous and bunkerless green. A lower approach which uses the contours short of the green may be easier to stop than one which flies to the green.
Gunnamatta – 7th Hole
Par-4 12
257m 266m 305m 332m
With a slightly elevated green tucked behind a sand dune, there is no line of sight on the approach for players who have driven up the right-hand side of the fairway. The green is heavily contoured and places a premium on ‘touch’, even on some of the shorter putts. When the hole is cut on the small raised plateau of the green, the approach must be precise.
Gunnamatta – 8th Hole
Par-4 8
230m 271m 321m 342m
A downhill tee shot invites golfers to open their shoulders. Many will, however, elect to play conservatively, directing a fairway wood or long iron towards the right fairway bunker. In contrast to the previous hole, a dune guarding the front left of the green eliminates line of sight for approaches from the left fairway and rough. The distinctly boomerang-shaped green is protected by bunkering to the right and front middle.
Gunnamatta – 9th Hole
Par-4 6
239m 262m 308m 373m
A wide landing area beckons the driver to play long. For every yard gained off the tee, the second shot, played to a semi-blind green becomes exponentially easier to judge. Lofted approaches risk being punished in windy conditions, and conservative approach shots the back of the green will often bring three putts into play if the pin is cut at the front.
Gunnamatta – 10th Hole
Par-4 1
326m 326m 393m 430m
Arguably the most difficult hole on the course, this long four provides a stern yet manageable test mid-round. Par on this hole will require a solid drive and a long accurate second shot. Cavernous bunkers encroach from the left rough, forcing the more conservative to aim well right with their drive, albeit costing them distance. Difficult surrounds make getting up and down a precarious challenge.
Gunnamatta – 11th Hole
Par-3 3
123m 148m 208m 208m
A wonderful long par 3 inspired by the 16th hole (Calamity) at Royal Portrush. A left-to-right shaped tee shot is aided by contours short and left which will work the shot back towards the green. Tee shots which miss short or right result in a steep pitch to a blind and heavily-sloping green.
Gunnamatta – 12th Hole
Par-4 10
314m 330m 361m 369m
Ample room exists out to the left of the fairway but the best line into the green is from the right. The long, narrow green requires a precise approach. Accuracy and distance control are tested here as putting from above the hole is often challenging. Up and down par attempts from the left of the green also require deft touch.
Gunnamatta – 13th Hole
Par-5 14
349m 429m 457m 513m
A seemingly narrow funnel on this reachable par five, opens up to tumbling terrain feeding steeply from right to left. An aggressive tee shot played out to the right fairway affords better visibility of the green and better prospects of finding the green with a long second shot. Those approaching from the lower left portion of the fairway must take at least one extra club for the uphill approach.
Gunnamatta – 14th Hole
Par-4 5
289m 309m 374m 391m
Another invitation for a strong drive is offered here. Better visibility of the flag is the reward for tee shots played to the left of the broad fairway, but that part of the landing zone is well-guarded by sand. Any approach shot which stays out to the left affords an array of options to those who have missed the putting surface with their second.
Gunnamatta – 15th Hole
Par-4 15
243m 285m 317m 328m
Options abound from the tee on this hole, with a large stretch of fairway visible ahead. An additional and deceptively large portion is available well to the right, but obscured by coastal vegetation. Despite the visual discomfort off the tee, those driving right are afforded better visibility of the green, while golfers electing to take the more obvious path are faced with an uphill second shot, with much less of the green sighted.
Gunnamatta – 16th Hole
Par-3 11
107m 107m 177m 187m
An exacting test late in the round. Tee shots to this mid-range par three will almost inevitably rely on the mercy of the winds. A green in regulation and two putt par will always amount to a small victory against the course.
Gunnamatta – 17th Hole
Par-4 17
215m 249m 269m 271m
A driveable par 4 which often forces players to show restraint. Whilst an aggressive drive can yield a short approach, or even an eagle putt, there is little margin for error. Anything too far left off the tee becomes immediately problematic. The prudent play of a conservative tee shot, leaving a comfortable distance for a short approach often presents as the smart play.
Gunnamatta – 18th Hole
Par-4 4
382m 413m 428m 455m
A striking vista greets golfers playing the final hole. A long drive will climb the imposing fairway, which narrows slightly in the landing zone, and feed on over the rise. A shorter tee shot may be punished unduly if it fails to locate flat ground on the crest of the hill, and may take the green out of play altogether. A large dune obstructs the line of sight for approaches from the left fairway. The green bears distinct segments which invite the risk of a three putt to finish.
View Full Scorecard
Front Nine
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 37 | |
| Green Tees | 398 | 257 | 252 | 320 | 141 | 444 | 257 | 230 | 239 | 2538 |
| Red Tees | 430 | 273 | 286 | 368 | 159 | 444 | 266 | 271 | 262 | 2759 |
| Blue Tees | 453 | 286 | 312 | 394 | 159 | 518 | 305 | 321 | 308 | 3056 |
| Black Tees | 490 | 340 | 355 | 405 | 192 | 544 | 332 | 342 | 373 | 3373 |
Back Nine
| Hole | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 73 |
| Green Tees | 326 | 123 | 314 | 349 | 289 | 243 | 107 | 215 | 382 | 2348 | 4886 |
| Red Tees | 326 | 148 | 330 | 429 | 309 | 285 | 107 | 249 | 413 | 2596 | 5355 |
| Blue Tees | 393 | 208 | 361 | 457 | 374 | 317 | 177 | 269 | 428 | 2984 | 6040 |
| Black Tees | 430 | 208 | 369 | 513 | 391 | 328 | 187 | 271 | 455 | 3152 | 6525 |
Gunnamatta – The Breakdown
Gunnamatta – 1st Hole
Par-5 18 18
507m 470m
A spectacular view of Bass Strait to the left, and Port Phillip Bay in the distance, greets those about to commence the round. The options are to drive safely to the more generous lower left portion of the fairway, or challenge the upper plateau on the right for a better angle of approach. For the bigger hitters, this hole presents a realistic early birdie opportunity. The short grass left of the green is a deceptively difficult spot from which to get up and down.
Gunnamatta – 2nd Hole
Par-4 16 8
340m 286m
A thrilling short par 4, which tempts longer hitters to drive at the green. The smart play, arguably, is to lay up and leave a comfortable approach distance. Avoid the bunkers short of the green which leave an awkward carry for the wayward golfer at this early point in the round. An out of bounds fence lurks perilously close to the left edge of the putting surface.
Gunnamatta – 3rd Hole
Par-4 13 12
355m 312m
A generous fairway, with pin position dictating the ideal line off the tee. A pin located on the right is best approached from the left of the fairway, and vice versa. The shot in can afford to be long, with balls typically feeding back down off the rear slope. Anything short of the green will roll back to the foot of the steep embankment which protects the green.
Gunnamatta – 4th Hole
Par-4 2 3
405m 394m
A visually striking hole from the tee, but one which plays brutally long into a headwind. Bunkers guard both sides of the fairway, requiring precision from the drive. The approach to the green is relatively unprotected, but it’s quite easy to run through the back to light rough. Par is always a welcome relief.
Gunnamatta – 5th Hole
Par-3 9 14
192m 159m
The undulating putting surface can render a two putt all but impossible, especially coming from the top right terrace to the lower left section. It can be a sound play off the tee to hit well to the right of the green and let the ball feed back down, avoiding the bunker which guides the front right. A tee shot which drifts too far to the right, however, will hold up above the green and make for an awkward downhill second.
Gunnamatta – 6th Hole
Par-5 7 6
544m 518m
An expansive landing zone awaits on this hole, with more room available on the left than the view from the tee conveys. An imposing sandy quarry on the right is normally able to be carried unless the hole is playing directly into the wind. In favourable conditions, longer hitters may reach in two for an eagle putt, despite ‘hitting blind’ on the second shot. Those playing the hole more conventionally will face a short third, to a generous and bunkerless green. A lower approach which uses the contours short of the green may be easier to stop than one which flies to the green.
Gunnamatta – 7th Hole
Par-4 12 10
332m 305m
With a slightly elevated green tucked behind a sand dune, there is no line of sight on the approach for players who have driven up the right-hand side of the fairway. The green is heavily contoured and places a premium on ‘touch’, even on some of the shorter putts. When the hole is cut on the small raised plateau of the green, the approach must be precise.
Gunnamatta – 8th Hole
Par-4 8 1
342m 321m
A downhill tee shot invites golfers to open their shoulders. Many will, however, elect to play conservatively, directing a fairway wood or long iron towards the right fairway bunker. In contrast to the previous hole, a dune guarding the front left of the green eliminates line of sight for approaches from the left fairway and rough. The distinctly boomerang-shaped green is protected by bunkering to the right and front middle.
Gunnamatta – 9th Hole
Par-4 6 16
373m 308m
A wide landing area beckons the driver to play long. For every yard gained off the tee, the second shot, played to a semi-blind green becomes exponentially easier to judge. Lofted approaches risk being punished in windy conditions, and conservative approach shots the back of the green will often bring three putts into play if the pin is cut at the front.
Gunnamatta – 10th Hole
Par-4 1 5
430m 393m
Arguably the most difficult hole on the course, this long four provides a stern yet manageable test mid-round. Par on this hole will require a solid drive and a long accurate second shot. Cavernous bunkers encroach from the left rough, forcing the more conservative to aim well right with their drive, albeit costing them distance. Difficult surrounds make getting up and down a precarious challenge.
Gunnamatta – 11th Hole
Par-3 3 11
208m 208m
A wonderful long par 3 inspired by the 16th hole (Calamity) at Royal Portrush. A left-to-right shaped tee shot is aided by contours short and left which will work the shot back towards the green. Tee shots which miss short or right result in a steep pitch to a blind and heavily-sloping green.
Gunnamatta – 12th Hole
Par-4 10 2
369m 361m
Ample room exists out to the left of the fairway but the best line into the green is from the right. The long, narrow green requires a precise approach. Accuracy and distance control are tested here as putting from above the hole is often challenging. Up and down par attempts from the left of the green also require deft touch.
Gunnamatta – 13th Hole
Par-5 14 15
513m 457m
A seemingly narrow funnel on this reachable par five, opens up to tumbling terrain feeding steeply from right to left. An aggressive tee shot played out to the right fairway affords better visibility of the green and better prospects of finding the green with a long second shot. Those approaching from the lower left portion of the fairway must take at least one extra club for the uphill approach.
Gunnamatta – 14th Hole
Par-4 5 7
391m 374m
Another invitation for a strong drive is offered here. Better visibility of the flag is the reward for tee shots played to the left of the broad fairway, but that part of the landing zone is well-guarded by sand. Any approach shot which stays out to the left affords an array of options to those who have missed the putting surface with their second.
Gunnamatta – 15th Hole
Par-4 15 13
328m 317m
Options abound from the tee on this hole, with a large stretch of fairway visible ahead. An additional and deceptively large portion is available well to the right, but obscured by coastal vegetation. Despite the visual discomfort off the tee, those driving right are afforded better visibility of the green, while golfers electing to take the more obvious path are faced with an uphill second shot, with much less of the green sighted.
Gunnamatta – 16th Hole
Par-3 11 4
187m 177m
An exacting test late in the round. Tee shots to this mid-range par three will almost inevitably rely on the mercy of the winds. A green in regulation and two putt par will always amount to a small victory against the course.
Gunnamatta – 17th Hole
Par-4 17 17
271m 269m
A driveable par 4 which often forces players to show restraint. Whilst an aggressive drive can yield a short approach, or even an eagle putt, there is little margin for error. Anything too far left off the tee becomes immediately problematic. The prudent play of a conservative tee shot, leaving a comfortable distance for a short approach often presents as the smart play.
Gunnamatta – 18th Hole
Par-4 4 9
402m 394m
A striking vista greets golfers playing the final hole. A long drive will climb the imposing fairway, which narrows slightly in the landing zone, and feed on over the rise. A shorter tee shot may be punished unduly if it fails to locate flat ground on the crest of the hill, and may take the green out of play altogether. A large dune obstructs the line of sight for approaches from the left fairway. The green bears distinct segments which invite the risk of a three putt to finish.
