I had the pleasure of playing NSWGC twice in the past three days thanks to an interclub event I am part of, after rounds earlier this year courtesy of the always-generous-with-invitations Michael Taylor.
So now I have played the new 3rd and 4th holes a handful of times each in different winds.
I didn't like either hole initially, and I still think the old 3rd green was far more attractive from the fairway, but both holes have grown on me a heap since I first played them.
The new 3rd green might be gentler and larger than what was there before, but the miss right is horrific and the front-left kickpad can really assist those who know to use it, especially if you fan the drive right and have a long way (160-180m) home.
Previously, the green perhaps didn't really lead to there being a favoured side of the fairway off the tee. Now, it's definite that the LHS is an easier shot than the RHS.
The 4th used to be a bit of a sleeper hole that was tougher than it looked, but not all that memorable. Very low key, and quite English.
The new green creates more reward for being well-placed off the tee and I like the way it nestles up against the native vegetation.
The removal of the blindness caused by the ridge across the fairway was controversial, but I do think the resulting hole is really good. Tough, fair and memorable.
Some pics from Jono Becker's recent visit.
3rd green
4th green looking back
The "new" (2008) 18th hole is still "regrettable", my opinion on that isn't changing! More fairway bunkers than the entire first 17 holes and a green unlike anything else on the course. And that surfeit of bunkers combines to make no strategic sense.