Portsea has a lot going for it, being laid out upon 100% free-draining soil with its holes flanked by non-negotiable coastal vegetation, mainly tea-tree, interspersed with cypresses/pines on a few holes and even Moonah trees.
No bowling alley, the fairway-widths are sufficently wide and inviting to make hackers feel at home; narrow enough on 'tight' lines to challenge good players. Just about the only level stances and lies to be found are on the tees, and within the clubhouse.
Too many courses hang their hat on the scenic 'wow' factor over what's happening on the ground. Portsea's charm is that it has both elements in spades. Minus cliff-top and coastline eye-candy, Portsea's glorious vistas are as a result of elevated teeing grounds and the long, broad dunes.
In no way is it a links, not even close, yet when the wind whips up and the fairways are bouncy, some could mistakenly try and sell the illusion.
One endearing feature is how several of the holes have adjoining fairways; that is, if you want them to be. Your
tee-shot may stray accidently and be fine, or you may play purposefully to the other fairway. At other holes, just the barest pulled drive will result in a lost ball.
Portsea sports a terrific seaside look and feel, lots of inter-hole variety, untold dramatic rises and falls in elevation and smallish greens that place a premium on shotmaking. You'll endure your share of 'table-top dancing' on these surfaces.
In keeping with the elevation changes, there is a good mix of second shot approaches to greens, seemingly, suspended from the clouds, yet others, towards low-lying greens in distant valleys. In part this explains why golfers never complain of being bored at Potsea.
Perhaps one of Portsea's greatest under-appreciated virtues is that it doesn't have to be in top-notch condition to enthuse golfers. While it can really glisten at times, usually it presents in that throw-back unsophisticated look which is indicative of a club that has tight budgetry restrictions. Indeed, an argument could be mounted that if more courses had this restriction, we'd all be better off.
There are twenty-eight courses on the Mornington Peninsula; just as when you go to Scotland you must squeeze in Prestwick, North Berwick, The Old Course and Cruden Bay, when in Melbourne/Peninsula, you must play Portsea. Another thing: a round at Portsea is dirt cheap.