The Moonah Course feature video
About the Course
Taking its name from the ancient indigenous coastal Moonah trees scattered throughout the property, Moonah calls for strong tee shots and intelligent play, offering hole after hole of challenging shot-making. Featuring serpentine fairways and towering dunes, the par-5s here are a standout feature, rewarding bold, accurate play. By far one of the most enjoyable walks in Australian golf, and one of the nation’s very best courses.
From the designers
Greg Norman
“As anyone who has closely followed my career as a player and as a designer knows, I have great affection for traditional links courses as found in Scotland and Ireland. There is something truly pure about links golf, and this is the philosophy that my team and I followed when we designed the Moonah Course at The National.
“Knowing that golfers like to be punished, we built a fair but challenging golf course, and the fact that it has been so well received is a testament to the land that we were given to work with as much as anything else. I firmly believe we created the Moonah Course in the spirit of how golf is meant to be played, and I’m very proud of how it has matured.”
Bob Harrison
“The links land at The National is wonderful. It was a privilege and great fun to have the chance to build golf holes in these dunes. It was also a little scary – there was the responsibility to make the best of the opportunity and the realisation that the golf world would be watching and waiting. In the early days before the course was complete I used to stand at what is now the curve in Cups Drive and look in awe at the dunes stretched out below. I could hardly wait to get amongst those dunes and the thousands of natural golf holes they contained.
“The road is paved now and the courses in play, but the thrill is just the same when you round the curve and they come into view below. There is also the satisfaction that our course has been acknowledged and ranked No. 9 in Australia in its first year. You’d have to have no soul not to love this land. There can’t be many better places in golf than the abandoned corner of the property where our 11th hole sits, in the last hour or two of twilight on a clear day.”
The Moonah Course – The Breakdown
The Moonah Course – 1st Hole
Par-4
295m 333m 340m 368m
Finding this very wide fairway should not be too difficult. All the trouble is around the green, which is not large and can be difficult to read. Attack the flag only if you are confident of nipping the ball otherwise err on the side of landing short or on the front.
The Moonah Course – 2nd Hole
Par-5
403m 435m 459m 497m
A par five hole running to the north with an intriguing green set obliquely to the line of general play. Strategy for playing this hole will vary tremendously according to the power of the player and the wind conditions on the day. One thing is certain though, more pars and birdies will be made by treating it as a genuine 3-shotter, than by succumbing to the temptation of attacking the green directly for two.
The Moonah Course – 3rd Hole
Par-4
328m 340m 365m 394m
A gem. This slight dog-leg left invites a draw from the tee. Anything played to the left of centre invites a favourable bounce to shorten the journey. The second shot must be played with regard for the raw bunkering beyond the green. Putts from the front of the green are invariably slower than players will read.
The Moonah Course – 4th Hole
Par-4
339m 348m 375m 401m
The course tends to favour the long hitter and this hole presents no exception in that regard. A powerfully struck tee shot affords a much easier second shot to a green where very obviously shots will feed to the left on landing. The green is heavily protected away from an opening on the front right, and any errant shot is likely to be punished.
The Moonah Course – 5th Hole
Par-3
113m 136m 145m 150m
An unusual hole across the top of a ridge. The tee shot must be played with precision to control direction in prevailing cross winds. To miss the target left will usually end in disaster. To miss right affords some prospect of recovering for a par.
The Moonah Course – 6th Hole
Par-4
260m 290m 349m 364m
A challenging short par four where accuracy reaps rewards. This is a ‘must hit’ fairway, because it is a really difficult green to find from the rough or fairway bunkers. The firm green will only reward a soft approach (unless headwinds prevail). Perhaps the most challenging greenside bunkering to be found anywhere on the Cape Schanck courses.
The Moonah Course – 7th Hole
Par-5
432m 453m 482m 511m
A slice of pure links beauty, but a genuine challenge. The landing zone from the tee is framed by deceptively deep bunkers on both sides. A rear pin placement will favour running approach shots, to a green which is about 3 – 4 clubs in depth. The aggressive play is to take on the left fairway bunker and kick forward off the down-slope to set up a birdie chance. In general, the left rough is not severe, and this encourages aggressive play.
The Moonah Course – 8th Hole
Par-3
108m 139m 135m 140m
Another elevated, exposed par three with the question asked about precise ball striking from the tee. Three distinct pin locations on the green provide variation and challenge along with a test of putting prowess. A shot left short, or one which finds the deep bunkers front right, will limit the opportunity for par. This firm windswept green calls for a soft approach shot.
The Moonah Course – 9th Hole
Par-4
218m 245m 289m 313m
A semi-blind tee shot which is particularly challenging for shorter hitters who play to the heavily contoured narrower section of fairway. If hit strongly, and left of centre, the drive will leave a basic pitch to a firm yet fair green and a relatively good chance of a birdie.
The Moonah Course – 10th Hole
Par-4
310m 334m 356m 374m
A strong drive past the fairway bunker is required to maximize run on the fairway downslope. The true links style amphitheatre around the concave green feeds approach shots towards the centre. A second shot played to the centre of this challenging green will consistently reap reward. A hole that will tempt many to go for the flag when the shot is rarely ‘on’, especially to pin placements at the rear of the green.
The Moonah Course – 11th Hole
Par-4
290m 300m 334m 359m
This tee shot plays to a receptive plateau. The choice of club for the approach needs to be carefully considered to avoid bunkers, and out-of-bounds, on the back right. Slopes favour shots hit over the front left bunkers, which are two clubs short of centre green. A wonderful, natural golf hole, where the golfer cannot help but feel a part of the landscape. If the approach to the green is being played from a short drive, height and carry are a premium on the shot to utilise the surrounding contours.
The Moonah Course – 12th Hole
Par-5
471m 489m 510m 532m
Length appears to be the only issue at first glance. The hole is, in fact, a test of placement with birdies and pars set up by coming in from the left of the centre fairway after two shots. Whilst the powerful hitter has the edge, the hole will also reward patient and conservative play.
The Moonah Course – 13th Hole
Par-3
130m 135m 159m 170m
A hole where luck can intervene. For best results, play the tee shot to the right of the pin on all occasions other than when the wind is blowing hard off the left. Despite its benign appearance, the distance can be hard to judge and par is always a good score.
The Moonah Course – 14th Hole
Par-4/5
383m 383m 420m 422m
A strong downhill par four of tremendous challenge. The drive to a wide and downward sloping fairway affords an improved angle for those who can place the shot left of centre. A well-struck drive may still require quick elevation on the second shot to this section of a picturesque double-green, with slopes to the right and rear of the green affording some forgiveness.
The Moonah Course – 15th Hole
Par-5
441m 454m 495m 524m
The drive wants to go right to avoid the penal grass, which runs the length of the left-side fairway. There is plenty of bounce and roll here for straight hitters. The approach is the pivotal shot on this hole. A thoughtful shot which seeks to use the slope on the green to best advantage, will consistently yield a better result than one which blindly attacks the pin.
The Moonah Course – 16th Hole
Par-4/5
375m 379m 422m 447m
This is a wonderful driving hole. An aggressive club selection on the second shot may help to avoid the four deep bunkers that are short and left of the green. Contours at back of green will usually assist a longer approach. The hole tends to ‘play long’ and will often require a different strategy depending on wind conditions. The fairway bunkers are among the deepest on the course and must be avoided at all costs.
The Moonah Course – 17th Hole
Par-3
147m 147m 170m 204m
Wind consideration is important from sheltered tees. Tee shots which limp to the front right of the green will often feed down to the swales. The most effective shot to this green is a low running draw, coming in off the right, but anything too far right sets up a perilous chip from uncertain terrain. Par is always a victory.
The Moonah Course – 18th Hole
Par-5
330m 337m 387m 412m
The drive played to the left half of the fairway will run into an up-slope and lose distance. The right side is flatter but brings the trees into play. An arrow up the middle, and then another to the deceptively narrow green, is the ultimate play. The deep green, which is around three clubs in length, will tend to draw most approach shots towards its centre.
View Full Scorecard
Front Nine
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 |
| Green Tees | 295 | 403 | 328 | 339 | 113 | 260 | 432 | 108 | 218 | 2496 |
| Red Tees | 333 | 435 | 340 | 348 | 136 | 290 | 453 | 139 | 245 | 2719 |
| Blue Tees | 340 | 459 | 365 | 375 | 145 | 349 | 482 | 135 | 289 | 2939 |
| Black Tees | 368 | 497 | 394 | 401 | 150 | 364 | 511 | 140 | 313 | 3138 |
Back Nine
| Hole | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4/5 | 5 | 4/5 | 3 | 4 | 36/38 | 72/74 |
| Green Tees | 310 | 290 | 471 | 130 | 383 | 441 | 375 | 147 | 330 | 2877 | 5373 |
| Red Tees | 334 | 300 | 489 | 135 | 383 | 454 | 379 | 147 | 337 | 2958 | 5677 |
| Blue Tees | 356 | 334 | 510 | 159 | 420 | 495 | 422 | 170 | 387 | 3253 | 6192 |
| Black Tees | 374 | 359 | 532 | 170 | 422 | 524 | 447 | 204 | 412 | 3444 | 6582 |
The Moonah Course – The Breakdown
The Moonah Course – 1st Hole
Par-4 6 18
295m 333m 340m 368m
Finding this very wide fairway should not be too difficult. All the trouble is around the green, which is not large and can be difficult to read. Attack the flag only if you are confident of nipping the ball otherwise err on the side of landing short or on the front.
The Moonah Course – 2nd Hole
Par-5 12 8
403m 435m 459m 497m
A par five hole running to the north with an intriguing green set obliquely to the line of general play. Strategy for playing this hole will vary tremendously according to the power of the player and the wind conditions on the day. One thing is certain though, more pars and birdies will be made by treating it as a genuine 3-shotter, than by succumbing to the temptation of attacking the green directly for two.
The Moonah Course – 3rd Hole
Par-4 4 12
328m 340m 365m 394m
A gem. This slight dog-leg left invites a draw from the tee. Anything played to the left of centre invites a favourable bounce to shorten the journey. The second shot must be played with regard for the raw bunkering beyond the green. Putts from the front of the green are invariably slower than players will read.
The Moonah Course – 4th Hole
Par-4 2 3
339m 348m 375m 401m
The course tends to favour the long hitter and this hole presents no exception in that regard. A powerfully struck tee shot affords a much easier second shot to a green where very obviously shots will feed to the left on landing. The green is heavily protected away from an opening on the front right, and any errant shot is likely to be punished.
The Moonah Course – 5th Hole
Par-3 14 14
113m 136m 145m 150m
An unusual hole across the top of a ridge. The tee shot must be played with precision to control direction in prevailing cross winds. To miss the target left will usually end in disaster. To miss right affords some prospect of recovering for a par.
The Moonah Course – 6th Hole
Par-4 6 6
260m 290m 349m 364m
A challenging short par four where accuracy reaps rewards. This is a ‘must hit’ fairway, because it is a really difficult green to find from the rough or fairway bunkers. The firm green will only reward a soft approach (unless headwinds prevail). Perhaps the most challenging greenside bunkering to be found anywhere on the Cape Schanck courses.
The Moonah Course – 7th Hole
Par-5 10 10
432m 453m 482m 511m
A slice of pure links beauty, but a genuine challenge. The landing zone from the tee is framed by deceptively deep bunkers on both sides. A rear pin placement will favour running approach shots, to a green which is about 3 – 4 clubs in depth. The aggressive play is to take on the left fairway bunker and kick forward off the down-slope to set up a birdie chance. In general, the left rough is not severe, and this encourages aggressive play.
The Moonah Course – 8th Hole
Par-3 1 1
108m 139m 135m 140m
Another elevated, exposed par three with the question asked about precise ball striking from the tee. Three distinct pin locations on the green provide variation and challenge along with a test of putting prowess. A shot left short, or one which finds the deep bunkers front right, will limit the opportunity for par. This firm windswept green calls for a soft approach shot.
The Moonah Course – 9th Hole
Par-4 16 16
218m 245m 289m 313m
A semi-blind tee shot which is particularly challenging for shorter hitters who play to the heavily contoured narrower section of fairway. If hit strongly, and left of centre, the drive will leave a basic pitch to a firm yet fair green and a relatively good chance of a birdie.
The Moonah Course – 10th Hole
Par-4 13 5
310m 334m 356m 374m
A strong drive past the fairway bunker is required to maximize run on the fairway downslope. The true links style amphitheatre around the concave green feeds approach shots towards the centre. A second shot played to the centre of this challenging green will consistently reap reward. A hole that will tempt many to go for the flag when the shot is rarely ‘on’, especially to pin placements at the rear of the green.
The Moonah Course – 11th Hole
Par-4 17 11
290m 300m 334m 359m
This tee shot plays to a receptive plateau. The choice of club for the approach needs to be carefully considered to avoid bunkers, and out-of-bounds, on the back right. Slopes favour shots hit over the front left bunkers, which are two clubs short of centre green. A wonderful, natural golf hole, where the golfer cannot help but feel a part of the landscape. If the approach to the green is being played from a short drive, height and carry are a premium on the shot to utilise the surrounding contours.
The Moonah Course – 12th Hole
Par-5 11 2
471m 489m 510m 532m
Length appears to be the only issue at first glance. The hole is, in fact, a test of placement with birdies and pars set up by coming in from the left of the centre fairway after two shots. Whilst the powerful hitter has the edge, the hole will also reward patient and conservative play.
The Moonah Course – 13th Hole
Par-3 15 15
130m 135m 159m 170m
A hole where luck can intervene. For best results, play the tee shot to the right of the pin on all occasions other than when the wind is blowing hard off the left. Despite its benign appearance, the distance can be hard to judge and par is always a good score.
The Moonah Course – 14th Hole
Par-4 5 7
383m 383m 420m 422m
A strong downhill par four of tremendous challenge. The drive to a wide and downward sloping fairway affords an improved angle for those who can place the shot left of centre. A well-struck drive may still require quick elevation on the second shot to this section of a picturesque double-green, with slopes to the right and rear of the green affording some forgiveness.
The Moonah Course – 15th Hole
Par-5 9 13
441m 454m 495m 524m
The drive wants to go right to avoid the penal grass, which runs the length of the left-side fairway. There is plenty of bounce and roll here for straight hitters. The approach is the pivotal shot on this hole. A thoughtful shot which seeks to use the slope on the green to best advantage, will consistently yield a better result than one which blindly attacks the pin.
The Moonah Course – 16th Hole
Par-4 1 4
375m 379m 422m 447m
This is a wonderful driving hole. An aggressive club selection on the second shot may help to avoid the four deep bunkers that are short and left of the green. Contours at back of green will usually assist a longer approach. The hole tends to ‘play long’ and will often require a different strategy depending on wind conditions. The fairway bunkers are among the deepest on the course and must be avoided at all costs.
The Moonah Course – 17th Hole
Par-3 7 17
147m 147m 170m 204m
Wind consideration is important from sheltered tees. Tee shots which limp to the front right of the green will often feed down to the swales. The most effective shot to this green is a low running draw, coming in off the right, but anything too far right sets up a perilous chip from uncertain terrain. Par is always a victory.
The Moonah Course – 18th Hole
Par-5 3 9
330m 337m 387m 412m
The drive played to the left half of the fairway will run into an up-slope and lose distance. The right side is flatter but brings the trees into play. An arrow up the middle, and then another to the deceptively narrow green, is the ultimate play. The deep green, which is around three clubs in length, will tend to draw most approach shots towards its centre.
