Course Review
We played Royal Pines on a hot, humid March day. Thankfully there is a lot of shade and the numerous water hazards give it a pleasant feel.
The abundant birdlife is quite special too. It is a 27-hole course, the 3 nines being named gold, green and blue.
The gold and green are the tournament 18, which we played.
The original Maruyama layout was redesigned by Graham Marsh in 2014.
Marsh made the course a more challenging tournament course, with the greens better defended and sharper more penal bunkers.
It is now a high-quality tournament ready, resort golf course.
The numerous water hazards create risk reward opportunities.
The green course was our first nine and was an ideal start- it was attractive, plenty of hazards to avoid and interesting shots.
The gold course was our second nine and demanded more of the golfer. The layout was both strategic and fun, with the finishing holes quite testing.
Overall it is a championship style resort course that is demanding but enjoyable to play.
Notable Holes
GREEN COURSE
1st Hole: par 4 with the green tucked away behind a mound
4th Hole: par 4 with water down the left, numerous fairway and greenside bunkers and an interesting shaped green. The pin was far back left when we played, giving you no room for error.
5th Hole: par 3 with good mounding and bunkering. It has a false front and is a good hole. it is a shame that apartment towers dominate the skyline.
5th Hole on Green Course
7th Hole: par 4, index one. Water features on this hole. There is water down the lefft side of fairway and you need to carry a water hazard to get to the green. The water and birdlife make for an attractive hole.
Water carry to 7th green
GOLD COURSE
1st Hole: Par 4 that has a nicley bunkered green with lots of contouring
1st green on the Gold Course has nice contouring and bunkering
4th Hole : par 4 with water encroaching on the right as you get nearer the green
7th Hole: par 3 with a lot of water to carry from the back tees. A well designed hole especially from the back tee. It borders the neighbouring botanic gardens and the birdlife is stunning.
7th hole, gold course back tee
There are a range of quality resort courses on the Gold Coast to play.
All are easily reached from the Gold Coast or Broadbeach, and are available for visitors to play.
The Travelling Golfer can put together a golf tour to the Gold Coast.
The Travelling Golfer specialises in small group tours and customised self-led tours. We are based in Melbourne Australia and have over 35 years experience organising golf tours to places throughout the world.
Contact us now for a free consultation.
