With its wide fairways and large putting surfaces, the course doesn’t appear to be the most difficult test around yet it plays far tougher than first impressions suggest.

Thomson/Wolveridge pot bunkers are dotted across most fairways like moon craters, all designed to swallow anything bouncing towards them. The greens are mostly broad and feature gentle rather than wild undulations but those subtleties ensure they are difficult to read. Many are ‘push-up’-style putting surfaces with runoffs that turn many a good iron shot into a missed green and a challenging up-and-down.

The round opens with a challenging par-5 and at 502-metres is the longest hole on the course. The fairway is wide but longer-wider hitters need to be wary of fairway bunkers to the right, while shorter hitters will need to be cautious of more sand to be found to the left of the ideal lay-up area. The angled green is most receptive to a bump and run approach, from the right half of the fairway, up the length of the green.

Once in the fairway, a deceptive approach awaits into the green on the 6th hole. PHOTO: Brendan James.

Water genuinely comes into play on seven holes during the round, and makes its first appearance at the par-3 2nd hole. At 166 metres from the tips, the one-shotter is bound by water to the right and any tee shot that is flighted slightly to the right can be caught on the breeze and find the drink. A good miss for this shot is into one of the bunkers wedged between the putting surface and the lake.

The most memorable hole is the 379-metre 8th, which bears a slight resemblance to the Road Hole at St Andrews. Rather than driving across a hotel, however, the carry here is across a lake and bunkers before a tough approach to a raised green with a single, deep pot bunker guarding the left side and all manner of strife over the back.

Two more differing par-4s on the back nine examine your shot-making. The 12th fairway narrows the longer you hit the tee shot as ten bunkers tighten the landing zone on the 325-metre hole, while the 13th doglegs left around two pots with water further left. The green is defended by a large scoop in the front that will send any weak approach shot back into the fairway.

The lakeside 2nd hole is a tough challenge early in the round. PHOTO: Brendan James

Twin Waters’ closing holes offer contrasting fortunes. The 17th is a devious long par-3 with no margin for error and almost zero chance to bounce the ball onto the green from the 202-metre back tee, while the 18th is a reachable par-5 of just 462 metres to a big green fronted by a steep bank.

Complementing the quality of the design are the beautifully manicured playing surfaces. The greens and fairways are consistently presented at a high standard, which is one reason why the PGA of Australia has hosted more National Finals of the Holden Scramble here than anywhere else in its 25-year history. 

FACT FILE:

ADDRESS: Ocean Drive, Twin Waters, Queensland, 4564.

CONTACT: (07) 5457 2444; www.twinwatersgolfclub.com.au

DESIGNERS: Peter Thomson and Mike Wolveridge (1991).

GREEN FEES: $82. Carts with Visage GPS system, $46.

GOLF AUSTRALIA TOP-100 PUBLIC ACCESS COURSES RANKING HISTORY: No.39 (2017), No.42 (2015).

RANKING JUDGES’ COMMENT:

“Twin Waters has been consistently good for many years. The presentation is a real highlight, which makes it a must-play layout for any golfer visiting the Sunshine Coast.” – Brendan James (2016).

WHERE TO STAY: The four-star Magnolia Lane luxury holiday apartments overlook the Twin Waters course and offer a range of play and stay packages.

Magnolia Lane has spacious one-, two- or three-bedroom accommodation giving uninterrupted views over the 9th fairway and beyond to Mount Coolum. The complex is complete with pool, spa and barbeque areas all set in magnificent tropical and lush gardens.

Apartments feature a large balcony area or terrace with leisure furnishing, master bedroom with en-suite, spacious living/dining rooms as well as air conditioning and ceiling fans. There is also lift access to all apartments.

Magnolia Lane has packages ranging from two nights to seven nights, with all including accommodation and rounds of golf at Twin Waters and a selection of other Sunshine Coast courses including Pelican Waters, Maroochy River and Palmer Coolum.

For more information about these packages, visit www.magnolialane.com.au or call (07) 5448 8777.