Royal Melbourne - East Course: A Pictorial!!! (3rd hole posted)

[Kyle Henderson]

Links to other pictorials of my Australian exploits:
Barnbougle Dunes
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,47613.0.html
Barnbougle Lost Farm
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,47929.0.html
Metropolitan
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50812.0.html
The National- Moonah
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50449.0.html
The National- Ocean
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49598.0.html
New South Wales
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,48698.0.html
Portsea
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49351.0.html
Royal Melbourne - West
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,48238.0.html
St. Andrew Beach- Gunnamatta
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,48455.0.html
Victoria
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49756.0.html
Woodlands
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,48900.0.html

It is difficult for a great golf course to gain notoriety for all its virtues when it must share the stage with an even greater course. Such is the uphill battle faced by The Royal Melbourne Golf Club’s East course. The West is undoubtedly the the star of the show, and rightly so, but the incorporation of several holes from the East in the various composite routings used for major tournaments reflects much more than simple convenience for the galleries.

Disclaimer: Due to the intermittent showers that took place on the morning of my visit, my photography is somewhat limited in both quality and quantity, but I do hope the images will still provide a reasonably useful depiction of a highly pleasurable golfing venue. Perhaps we will also here news of the proposed course alterations from other members of this board…

1st hole:


The opening shot can be slightly unsettling for a first-time visitor. A scrubby wasteland must be carried and serves to conceal much of the fairway view. Moreover, the East’s opening green sits immediately to the left of the 8th green from the West course. Players must find their bearings and keep their head down until the ball is away.


Although it is quite short for a par 4, conservative tee shots may leave golfers too far back to have a good look at the approach. Here, the 1st flag for the East course is visible just above the left edge of a bunker shared with the West’s 8th hole.


From the crest, the green is seen cradled between bunkers at the front and back/left. An upslope just short of the putting surface will discourage under-hit approaches.


Looking back from behind/right to the large depression fronting the 1st green.

[Tom_Doak]

Kyle:

There aren't many "proposed" alterations of the holes on the East course.  We've reworked what we wanted to on holes 5-15 East this summer while they were in the process of being re-grassed.  Most of the work is quite subtle, but I'll try to mention it when we get to those holes.

[Kyle Henderson]

2nd Hole:



Long and uphill most of the way, the 2nd presents a stern test early in the round. Note: This hole is included in the composite routings used for major tournaments.

Tee shots come from well back and right of this vantage point,  and they must fade in the air or ride the side-sloping fairway to find an ideal approach position.


Amateurs will often play their approaches a bit short and offline, leaving difficult bunker recoveries. Better players should be able to carry the left side trap and find the green.


Right of the 2nd green, one can stand on 5th tee of the West Course and look across to the 6th green of the West in the distance. With so many possible routing configurations, some members must have trouble heading back to the clubhouse.


Thanks for chiming in, Sir Doak.

[Tyler Kearns]

Kyle,

I find Royal Melbourne East does not get the credit it deserves, as there are a lot of excellent holes throughout the course.  I think this photo thread will awaken many to the quality of this design, and ensure those playing the more famous west course will turn it into a 36-hole day.

The first hole at RME is ideal in my opinion, as you can be as aggressive or defensive as your first swing of the day allows. There is a lot of width to the hole and overall length is not an issue and a big number is very unlikely to be piled up.

The second hole is intimidating from the tee, and actually plays over the back corner of the first green. You really have to carve the ball left-to-right in order to stay in the fairway and not have a very long second into the elevated green.

TK

TK

[Mike_Clayton]

The tee is more to the right than these photos indicate. You do not get close to a view of the green from the tee. I am not sure if it ever was in view but the trees have got so thick - presumably in an effort to protect the houses on the right. For me it would be a better tee shot if you could see more. The second shot up the hill is a really good one and it's a hard hole - one of the hardest on either course.

Tyler.

You are right about the lack of credit the course gets. If it was a stand alone 18 hole course it would probably rank higher although it's around 6 or 7 in the country according to the latest magazines.
What would be interesting would be if Kingston Heath was the East at RM and The East was up the road at KH.

[Chris Kane]

Mike, the oldest Golf Australia ranking I can remember (maybe 1998 or 2000) had you personally ranking RMW at 1 and RME at 2...from memory the final tally went RMW, KH, RME. Can you imagine it reaching that level again following the Tom Doak alterations?

[Mike_Clayton]

Chris,

Since then Barnbougle and Lost Farm have been built and both, arguably, are ahead of the East.
I think it is a legitimate chance to be inside the top 5 in the country along with the West and Kingston Heath. That would be my ranking anyway - but 17 is not the hole it used to be because of the trees down the right.
I was out on the East during the Women's Open - and the new work looked good.it's a way from opening but it will improve what is already a really good course.

[David_Elvins]

Clayts/Kaney,

I think its drop in the rankings is legitimate. 

The previous work and boundary issues set it back.  Kingston Heath wouldn't be close to having a hole as bad as what 15 was for several years.  6, 7 and 8 werent too crash hot either.

Holes on flattish terrain really need to be in tip top condition to get the best out of them.  Kingston Heath has been in great condition for some time, Royal Melbourne East has not.  It is was a lot easier for the west course, with its exciting terrain, to provide great golf despite the poor maintenance.   

[Kyle Henderson]

3rd hole:


Placing a premium on tee shot placement over power, the left-to-right slope of the land must be accounted for in selecting a line of play from the 3rd tee.


If all goes according to plan, the approach shot will be played from an angle unimpeded by trees.


A very deep green requires an extra club or two to reach back/right pin locations. Even from a distance, the prominent putting contours are discernible.

[Scott Warren]

I don't love the large tree on the RHS about 100-120 from the green. Too easy for a drive to roll down behind it -- and you can't see it from the tee.

Blind ground hazards are one thing, large blind trees guarding the spot where the fairways feeds to are another.

Magnificent green, though.

I played 2-4 and 16-18 of the East again this week and they really are super holes deserving of sharing a paddock with the West. 16 is a wonderful hole and setting.

And FWIW, some thoughts and pics re: the East from the same day last March as Kyle's round: http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,48075.0.html