Metropolitan Golf Club

[Justin Ryan]

Since we have the Aussie boys checking in at the moment, perhaps they can help me with this one.  As in previous years Golf Australia magazine has released its course rankings.  Once again Metropolitan is rated fairly highly.  I've never been terribly impressed with Metro, and as one poster here put it to me, if you were compiling the top 30 holes in Australia you wouldn't include a Metro hole.  For mine it has a few interesting green complexes but is essentially a fairly average golf course in a very nice botanical setting.  If I was doing the 10 round split test I reckon I'd go the nearby Commonwealth on at least 7 occasions, probably more.

What puzzles me is that the architects on the GA panel as a group seem to rate it much more highly than the non architect panellists.  What is it about Metro the architects see that I am clearly missing?  Thanks.

[David_Elvins]

What is it about Metro the architects see that I am clearly missing?

The smartass answer would be that you are missing the fact they are members there.  

I agree that the course is slightly over-rated but...other than the tee shot on 9, the course is mistake free, which defintely works in its favour.  A lot of the architects have probably seen it in tournament conditions too, and it is the way that you can tuck the pins at Metro that creates strategy and sets it apart from alot of the other sandbelt courses.  

[Bill_McBride]

I don't think it was Metropolitan but could have been - but what was the course that we saw on TV a couple of years ago where the greenside bunkers actually cut into the green surfaces?  That was extremely cool looking......

[Chris Kane]

That was Metropolitan during the Accenture Matchplay Bill.  It does look very good, but IMO there is no way it is the ninth best course in Australia.  There just aren't enough top-class holes there.

[Shane Gurnett]

Justin. I think the answer is:

a) consistent perfect truf
b) no dog holes
c) some interesting greens
d) tournament exposure
e) the new work is an improvement on the old holes

Ask most golfers in Melbourne which is the best course on the Sandbelt and I will gaurantee you Metro comes out in front. It is a very good golf course, but I agree it perhaps lacks the standout holes that most of its neighbours can boast.

Shane

[Andrew Summerell]

If I was doing the 10 round split test I reckon I'd go the nearby Commonwealth on at least 7 occasions, probably more.

Justin,

How does it go with the 2 hours drive test

and the,

Member for the rest of your life test.

[Anthony Butler]

Justin. I think the answer is:

a) consistent perfect truf
b) no dog holes
c) some interesting greens
d) tournament exposure
e) the new work is an improvement on the old holes

Ask most golfers in Melbourne which is the best course on the Sandbelt and I will gaurantee you Metro comes out in front. It is a very good golf course, but I agree it perhaps lacks the standout holes that most of its neighbours can boast.

Shane

It is in great condition and a very pleasant round of golf but I can barely remember 2-3 holes there despite playing three times. I can rember about 14 holes at KH clearly about 6 at CWealth and maybe 4 at Vic. Have played all 3-4 times each.