Bunkers also have a narrowing effect on the driving zone of the 368-metre par-4 9th. Two cavernous pots left of the fairway and three staggered traps along the right edge of the driving zone leave little room for error. But if you are game, take on the traps to the left and find the wide tongue of fairway beyond. It is a risky shot though, as finding any one of the five fairway traps here will result in a bogey at best.

Arguably Hope Island’s best hole is the 369-metre par-4 13th, known as ‘Wetlands’. It’s a dogleg left around a lake to a green that features a ridge running through the middle of it. The real features of this hole, though, are the fairway bunkers, the round, crater-like pits that have become synonymous with Thomson designs. Position your drive as close to the water as you dare to provide the shortest, most forgiving route to the flag over three more deep greenside pot bunkers. That said, there is more room on the fairway between the left and right crop of bunkers than it appears as you stand on the tee. A line just left of the right traps will leave a much longer approach but the angle will have you playing straight up the green, instead of over the greenside pot bunkers.

If it has been a while since you trod Hope Island’s fairways and greens, get back there. It remains an enjoyable and memorable experience, just like your mum’s Sunday lunch … it’s probably even better (sorry Mum).

FACT FILE

THE COURSE

LOCATION: Hope Island Rd, Hope Island, Gold Coast, Queensland. About 25 minutes’ drive north of Surfers Paradise, 40 minutes south of Brisbane.

CONTACT: (07) 5530 9000.

WEBSITE: www.linkshopeisland.com.au

DESIGNERS: Peter Thomson & Mike Wolveridge (1993).

PLAYING SURFACES: Couch fairways and tees, Bermuda Tifdwarf greens.  BUNKERS: 128.

PGA PRO: Ben Cousins.

GREEN FEES: $140 (Mon-Thurs), $150 (Fri-Sun). Includes cart with colour GPS.

THE CLUB

MEMBERSHIPS: Links Hope Island offers equity membership, which offers a wide range of benefits beyond access to the golf course. For further information contact Director of Sales, Leigh Milne on (07) 5530 9023.

CORPORATE AND GROUP DAYS: To make sure your corporate day is a success, Hope Island’s highly professional team will take care of every aspect of the day, including concierge bag drop, provision of warm-up practice balls, fully equipped golf carts with GPS navigation as well as an ice box for lunch and refreshments among the many offers.

ACCOMMODATION: The neighbouring Azzura Greens Resort offers guests the choice of luxury one- or

two-bedroom deluxe or two-bedroom executive apartments all furnished with plush modern fixtures and large balconies.

ACCOLADES: Ranked by Golf Australia magazine in the nation’s Top-100 Courses in 2012; No.15 in Top-100 Public Access Courses ranking 2011.