Royal Melbourne

[tanj]

BEST COURSE IN THE WORLD

That's just my opinion but I played it today as part of a swap day between Victoria GC and Royal Melbourne (I'm a member at Vic) and I must, it is the best course in the world and if not the country at least. It's no easy track, I'll tell you that but it's fair and rewarding and punishing. I just happened to have a good round today, 77 gross playing of 8 on the West Course (12/18 holes of the composite course are on the west course.)

Has anyone else played it? What other courses do you think are the best in the world?

[aussiefreddy]

I do believe VJ and Ernie rank it in thier top 5 in the world I know Kingston Heath is also in VJ's top 5.

We had the oppurtunity to play Kingston Heath and Royal Melbourne but my friend could not get on as he is a resident of Melbourne. I could get on because I was visting from interstate.

[slicktry]

Out of curiousity, anyone know the Guest rates? I am imaging they ain't cheap at all. ($250-400)???

 

God Bless

Jer

[terryt]

Unaccompanied domestic guest is about the $200 mark, some courses charge more for overseas visitors, I'm not sure if RM do so. The accompanied rate is $70 (or was earlier this year)

[djhgolf]

That's just my opinion but I played it today as part of a swap day between Victoria GC and Royal Melbourne (I'm a member at Vic) and I must, it is the best course in the world and if not the country at least. It's no easy track, I'll tell you that but it's fair and rewarding and punishing. I just happened to have a good round today, 77 gross playing of 8 on the West Course (12/18 holes of the composite course are on the west course.)

 

Has anyone else played it? What other courses do you think are the best in the world?

53740[/snapback]

 

 

I agree with your rating of RM West/comp. Awesome layout. And the condition for the first round of the Masters last year after that freak storm was amazing.

 

I herd that all the sandbelt's have annual restictions on Overseas vistors playing on Reciprical arrangements. As there seems to be alot more coming here then travelling over to there courses. And the green fees have gone up to 250+.

 

Dan

[roberto510]

Kingston Heath for mine is a far better test than Royal Melbourne. Royal seems to get upheld by so-called 'critics' as being "in a league of it's own", but I don't think that it can lay claim to this anymore.

 

Don't get me wrong - it is an absolute "classic" and a wonderful layout, but by the same token it does not test every facite of your game as the Heath does. The Par 5s are way too easy at RM, and I find that it does not test your middle and long irons (whereas you have to be a good player of these shots to shoot a good score around Kingston Heath). It is sad that technology has made Royal Melbourne too short for the majority of better players - it really is only a driver & PW/9 for me on too many of the holes.

 

Just my opinion, but I don't think RM is the #1 course in Australia anymore.

[tanj]

Wow! It's been a long time since I started this thread!

 

I must say that right now, Royal Melbourne's condition is terrible. Their fairways and greens are shot. It's so bad that they are even buying truckloads of water from Kingston Heath. Spending about $100K a fortnight for water. ;)

 

I agree that Kingston Heath is a very good track. I totally agree that the Heath test a different facet of the game. Yet, Royal Melbourne has a charm and the layout is slightly more creative I find. It's difficult to describe but I feel that Kingston Heath is far too restrictive while Royal has more options. What I mean is that off the tee, Kingston Heath will test your long game because you need to hit to very specific spots. Otherwise you're stuffed. At Royal, the long game is still tested but there are many varieties of paths to get you to the green. There is a risk/reward factor that I love. If you take a hazard or corner on, you get rewarded, but there is always a safer option that will still get you to the green. THIS IS JUST MY OPINION.

 

Josh

[FairwayFred]

Sand Hills GC in Mullen NE is the best golf course in the world.

[kwantfm]

I rate both Metropolitan and Kingston Heath above Royal Melbourne West.

[Chilidog]

You crazy Aussies....fortnights??? :drinks:

[roberto510]

fortnight = two weeks...

 

I didn't realise this was this term was unknown in the States :rolleyes:

:)

[joelt07]

Sand Hills...I agree!!!

[HISPL]

RMGC and Vic are both great clubs, I have had the pleasure of playing both and enjoyed both courses equally.

However, I did play both courses when they were having water problems and I do believe Vic was in a better shape due to their extra dam facility from what I understand.

[cardoustie]

Canadian guy checking in (I left Hobart Tas when i was 1)

I played RM composite about 24 yrs ago and the course is still top 5 for me

I believe I have a pic of me somewhere hitting a Mac persimmon driver over the corner of a HEAVILY BUNKERED dogleg

Bunkering and routing are fantastic is my main memory

Greens so pure and firm you were allowed to drag pull carts across them .. blew my mind

[JamesFoote]

I'm lucky enough to be a member of RM. I know the course has had some tough years, but at the moment it is in seriously good condition and with the new greenskeeper in, they are growing the rough and completely doing the course up over this summer. The east course will be out for 1 month and after that the west course will be closed for 3 months.

I'm a big fan of the west and prefer it to the east. But playing the composite course is just breathtaking. Every hole is a great whole, and i feel that it truly tests every golfers skills. I've been lucky enough to play good courses all round the world and i still enjoy every round i play at Royal.