Three more strong par-4s characterise the inward nine. The 10th rewards a strong draw (for right-handers) from the tee with a shorter, simpler second shot but water lurks along the left side of the hole from the driving zone to the green. Any par earned on this 389-metre monster is well-earned. The next is an uphiller that extends to 435 metres from the aforementioned Tiger tee. The new starting point affords a better view of the hole ahead as some compensation for the added length. However the key to the 11th is in the second shot, which needs to be played with care depending on the hole location on the large green. There’s a pocket in the front-left corner of the putting surface that is tricky to get to thanks to the bunker short and left of the green, while water that’s not always visible beyond the surface can catch any shot flying past a rear flag.

The hole every golfer most wants to conquer at Terrey Hills is the 17th. This bruising par-4 is a brilliant examination of shot-making prowess. A right-to-left shot that turns with the gentle undulations of the fairway is ideal from the tee as anything loitering too far right risks finding sand, being shut out by overhanging tree limbs or both. The second shot requires the reverse – a controlled left-to-right shot that’s hard to execute from the opposing right-to-left camber – and is a shot made more difficult by the unmistakable presence of a large pond butting up to the right edge of the green. The putting surface is another large green with ‘pockets’ for the best hole locations, especially in the front right and back right. So shots that find the green safely can still leave dire putts over and across multiple ridges. No wonder this is rated as the toughest hole on the course.

The 18th isn’t the most memorable hole at Terrey Hills but the approach shot is beautifully framed by the huge clubhouse and requires a smartly shaped, high iron shot depending on where the flag is located.

Terrey Hills is largely a closed shop for non-members, however membership is currently open (see Fact File) and it is a popular corporate golf venue if you can wrangle your way into the field of one of the numerous corporate events held at the club.

THE COURSE

LOCATION: Booralie Rd, Terrey Hills. The club is a 30 to 40-minute drive north of the CBD and is best reached by taking Eastern Valley Way and Forest Way or via Mona Vale Rd. The club is about five minutes’ drive past the suburb of Terrey Hills.

CONTACT: (02) 9450 0155.

WEBSITE: www.terreyhillsgolf.com.au

DESIGNERS: Graham Marsh & Ross Watson (1994).

PLAYING SURFACES: A1/A4 bentgrass (greens), Santa Ana couch (green surrounds), Wintergreen couch (fairways and rough).

course superintendent: Stuart Gill.

PGA PROFESSIONALS: John Harrison (golf operations manager), Ben Doney (teaching professional).

THE CLUB

MEMBERSHIPS: Terrey Hills currently has 750 members with membership by way of transferable membership preference shares. The transfer facility has reopened and the club now has the opportunity to transfer a limited number of memberships, both private and corporate, to new members. Contact the membership department on (02) 9486 4119 for further details.

CORPORATE AND GROUP DAYS: Staging corporate events is restricted to members and corporate members of the club.

ACCOMMODATION: Checkers Resort & Conference Centre is a five-minute drive from Terrey Hills Golf & Country Club but has no official attachment to the club. Visit www.checkers.com.au or phone (02) 9450 2422 for more information.