About the Golf Club

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Mount Xavier Golf Club is a picturesque 18 holes. The course is excellent in terms of variety with many holes going through thick pine trees and other holes in open undulating land. Feature holes include the tantilizing 233m 1st, the downhill par 3 14th and the tough 17th 360m par 4 that requires 2 excellent shots to a tiny green.

The greens are always in good shape with some severe slopes on the 4th 5th and the 16th. The fairways can become dry in summer and it is not a long course, but these deficiencies are somewhat compensated by the variety of holes and challenging approach shots.

With the addition of a bore and new couch grass tees it enables you to play enjoyable golf all year round.

There is also an Members open Driving Range, so the Mount Xavier Golf Course and Driving Range is a great place play

• Hole 1

Men. Par 4. 232 Meters.

Ladies. Par 4. 224 Meters.

A short par 4 to open. The fairway arches gently from left to right, falls from left to right particularly in the later stages. The green can be driven, but is most commonly reached in regulation with a wedge or small iron. A distinct birdie opportunity.

• Hole 2

Men. Par 3. 174 Meters.

Ladies. Par 3. 141 Meters.

A down hill hole from tee to green. A bunker protects the green at the front left. Heron’s creeks runs behind the creek.

• Hole 3

Men. Par 4. 330 Meters.

Ladies. Par 4. 310 Meters.

A reasonably short and straight par 4. The second half of the fairway is slightly downhill and has a gentle slope from right to left. A grass swale (formally a sand bunker) protects the front left of the green. The green is arguably the flattest on the course.

• Hole 4

Men. Par 5. 438 Meters.

Ladies. Par 5. 378 Meters.

Rated the most difficult par 5 on the course. The fairway remains straight until a particularly narrow opening to the green is reached, at which point it veers right and uphill. The straight section of the fairway is divided into two tears. The lower first tear is joined to the second higher tear by a gentle slope. The green is particularly difficult with significant slopes from the high

right and back edge to the front and left lower margins. A bunker also guards the front and left of the green. A boundary fence runs behind the green.

Long hitters give themselves a chance of reaching the green in two, however accuracy is crucial to achieve this. Most golfers will be happy reaching the green in regulation. A drive climbing the slope on the fairway is ideal, and a second shot that provides a clear path through the opening to the green, is essential to achieve this.

• Hole 5

Men. Par 4. 320 Meters.

Ladies. Par 4. 316 Meters.

The fairway runs downhill to a natural water channel a short iron or wedge shot from the green. This initial segment of fairway is divided perpendicular to the channel into two, a high side (on the right) and a low side (on the left). Along the left boarder of the fairway is a boundary fence. Beyond the channel the fairway rises slightly and slopes from left to right as it approaches the green. Once again the green slopes significantly, this time from the back and left to the front and right.

• Hole 6

Men. Par 4. 365 Meters.

Ladies. Par 5. 365 Meters.

This hole begins a tough stretch of par 4 to finish the front nine.

The early part of the fairway arches right to left and straightens out to finish. This arch has been exaggerated in recent times with the introduction of measures (including a barrier along the left side of the tee) to protect houses beyond the boundary fence on the left side of the fairway. Right of the green is a grass swale (formerly a sand bunker) which rolls away to the creek.

• Hole 7

Men. Par 4. 345 Meters.

Ladies. Par 5. 296 Meters.

A straight hole with lateral water hazard (creek) encroaching on the fairway on the left within the first 100 meters. A large eucalyptus tree on the right side of the fairway at this point prevents golfers from giving the hazard a wide berth. The last 150 meter of the fairway is uphill. The front right of the green is protected by a bunker.

• Hole 8

Men. Par 4. 380 Meters.

Ladies. Par 5. 310 Meters.

The longest Par 4 on the course. The fairway turns left to right approximately 180 meters from the green. The fairway is uphill prior to the turn and plateaus beyond the bend. Drives down the left side of the fairway tend to run off into the rough past the turn. A lateral water hazard (creek) is

present on the left boarder of the fairway. The green has two distinct tears, a small front lower tear and a higher large back tear.

• Hole 9

Men. Par 4. 300 Meters.

Ladies. Par 5. 265 Meters.

This fairway shapes right to left and is uphill all the way to the green. Two deep ‘eye’ bunkers protect the front right and left of the green.

An accurate drive sets up this hole. It makes for an easier small iron second shot onto the green and reduces the chance of crossing the boundary fence behind and left of the green.

• Hole 10

Men. Par 3. 177 Meters.

Ladies. Par 3. 139 Meters.

A downhill par 3. The green is small and difficult to land on with a tee shot. Occasionally nearest the pin prizes on Saturday club competition are not awarded as nobody lands a ball on the putting surface. A boundary fence boarders the right side of the fairway.

• Hole 11

Men. Par 5. 450 Meters.

Ladies. Par 5. 423 Meters.

The beginning of a three hole stretch where the fairways increase in width, are less densely bordered by trees and shots are increasingly effected by wind. Rated the easiest hole on the course this hole most commonly offers up an eagle in club competition. The first half of the fairway is undulating, the second reasonably flat. The green is also reasonably flat and large.

• Hole 12

Men. Par 4. 316 Meters.

Ladies. Par 4. 265 Meters.

The fairway gently rises from the tee to green to approximately 100 meters from the green, at which point it drops away and rises again to an elevated green. The green is comparatively big and flat, however does yield some borrow. A boundary fence runs behind the green.

• Hole 13

Men. Par 5. 447 Meters.

Ladies. Par 4. 363 Meters.

Men and women play from different tees. Women progress along a straight but undulating fairway. Men are presented with a fairway that arcs left to right. The tee is set back amongst pine trees. The fairway falls away gently right to left initially and a substantial amount closer to the green. Attempts can be made to cut across the arc of the fairway, however, this brings a number of established trees right of the fairway into play.

• Hole 14

Men. Par 3. 118 Meters.

Ladies. Par 3. 110 Meters.

One of the most talked holes on the course. Sometimes referred to as the donkey drop the fairway drops steeply to the green below. The green is wide left to right and slopes significantly from back to front. A tee shot right of the putting surface can run across the 15th fairway to the creek.

• Hole 15

Men. Par 4. 276 Meters.

Ladies. Par 4. 254 Meters.

The fairway dog legs left to right late. The tee is elevated giving the opportunity for those with a long enough drive to take on the row of trees on the right side of the fairway and place a ball on the green for one. Beyond the trees on the right of the fairway runs a creek the entire length of the fairway past the green.

The green slopes from back to front and right to left (most noticeably on the left end). A sand bunker sits at the lower front side of the green.

• Hole 16

Men. Par 3. 170 Meters.

Ladies. Par 3. 115 Meters.

A tough par 3. Men and Women tee off from opposite sides of the creek. The path to the green from the women’s tee is straight however the fairway slopes right to left towards the creek. Men play a fairway split by a creek at Herron point. The first section is flat. The second section rises to the green. The green slopes severely from right to left. The lower front left of the green is protected by a sand bunker.

• Hole 17

Men. Par 4. 362 Meters.

Ladies. Par 4. 323 Meters.

Rated the hardest hole on the course. The tee is elevated. The fairway falls initially to the creek. Following the creek the fairway bends left to right and runs uphill for a longer second segment. The fairway is boarded by trees. Beyond the trees on the right is a boundary fence. The green is small and protected by a large gum tree on the right. Behind the green is another boundary fence. Par is a good score.

• Hole 18

Men. Par 3. 140 Meters.

Ladies. Par 3. 136 Meters.

The tee and green are elevated. The fairway falls and rises between these two points. A row of trees is all that stands between an errant ball crossing the boundary fence on the right.

A ball crossing into the car park behind the green is to be dropped in the marked zone left of the green. A sand bunker is present at the front right of the green.

 STAKED AREAS

White Stakes. Ground Under Repair (GUR)

Relief may be taken by dropping a ball in drop zone provided. If drop zone is not provided, drop ball at nearest point of relief no closer to the hole. No Penalty.

The following areas to be treated as GUR:

· Animal Damage (i.e. birds, rabbits)

· Motor Vehicle Damage (i.e. Cars, Carts, Mowers or Tractors)

· Earthworks (i.e. Cart Paths, Pipe Trenches, Roped off areas, Embedded stones or gravel, Cleared land between holes 9, 10, 11, 14, 15)

· Trees and Shrubs less than two club lengths in height (Stumps and roots not included)

· Immovable obstructions (See Rule 24.2) (i.e. Sprinkler heads, Sign boards)

· Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions (See Rule 24.1)

Yellow stakes. Water Hazard

The creek behind the 2nd green, in front of the men’s 16th tee and the men’s and ladies 17th Tee is the only water hazard on the course.

Red stakes. Lateral Water Hazard

The creek between the bridges linking the 2nd green to the 3rd tee and the 8th fairway and 15th tee is the only lateral water hazard on the course.

White w/Black top. Out of Bounds (OOB)

In addition to land beyond the courses perimeter fences, the creek and pine forest between Fussell Street and the bridge joining the 8th fairway and 15th tee is OOB.

Use of a provisional ball

To save time the Match Committee encourage players to play a provisional ball if they suspect their ball has finished in a lateral / water hazard or OOB. (see rule 26-1)

6th

If a ball crosses the line of white stakes on the right side of the 6th fairway, it must be dropped within one club length of the line on the 6th fairway side. No Penalty. However, if the ball is not found or enters the section of creek marked OOB it must be replayed from where it was struck. Penalty One Stroke

9th

The road behind the 9th green is to be treated as GUR. Relief may be taken by dropping the ball at the nearest point, no nearer to the hole or in the drop zone. No penalty.

Relief May Not be taken if stance or swing is impeded by the School fence.

The School playground, tennis court and football oval are OOB. The boundary is marked with OOB stakes. A ball that finishes OOB must be replayed. Penalty One Stroke.

If a player suspects their ball may be OOB the match committee encourages the play of a provisional ball to save time.

16th

If the fence between the 16th green and 17th tee interferes with a players stance or swing it is an immovable obstruction. Rule 28-2 applies.

However if the fence interferes with a players line of play (not line of sight) relief may be taken by dropping your ball in the drop zone. No Penalty.

18th

A ball finishing in the Car Park, bowling green and surrounding garden must be dropped within the drop zone provided. No Penalty.

Distance measurement devices

Devices that provide distance measurements only are permitted. Devices that provide other information such as wind speed and direction are not permitted.

Carts

The use of motorised carts is permitted. However, drivers must follow direction signs, use paths provided and remain 15 meters from greens at all times.

Expectations of players

Anti Social behavior will not be tolerated. Individuals that do not adhere to the clubs rules and expectations will be asked to leave.

Ettique

· Be still and quiet when another player is making a stroke. 

· Always wait until those ahead are out of range before making a stroke. 

· Keep your golfing theories to yourself. 

· Be courteous to everyone on the course. 

Guests

· The Committee strongly encourages members to bring visitors.

· Members are responsible for their guests whilst on the Club premises. 

Course maintenance

· Repair pitch marks

· Fill divots

· Keep buggies off the greens

· Place litter in the bins provided. 

· Smooth the sand as you leave a bunker. 

· Place rakes in bunkers approximately parallel to the line of play. 

Avoid slow play

· Players must arrive 15 minutes before hit off time. Players arriving late may be required to play at the tail of the field.

· Avoid slow play by placing your buggy to the side nearest the next tee, moving off the green to count your score, during Stableford or Par competitions if you cannot score on a hole, move to the next tee and keep up with the group in front of you.

· Let other players play through if you lose a ball.

· Any Group which falls one clear hole behind the field must either - (a) Move quickly to catch up or, (b) Allow the group following to pass, preferably the former.

· When playing practice rounds, a maximum of TWO balls may be played (and can only be played from tee to green). Holes are to be played in sequence.

Dress code

Players are to be suitably attired at all times, both on the course and in the Clubhouse. This includes:

· No Bare Feet, Thongs or Open Shoes are allowed.

· No metal spiked golf shoes are to be worn in the clubhouse.

· Sports socks are to be worn with shorts.

· No hats or caps may be worn in the clubhouse.

· A shirt must be worn at all times (no singlet’s).

Members or guest unsuitably dressed may be requested to leave the premises.

Intoxication

· Intoxicated individuals will be requested to leave the premises.

Smoking

· Smoking is not permitted in any buildings.

Penalties

· Failure to adhere to the rules of golf, the clubs local rules and it’s expectations may lead to a players suspension.

· Conduct prejudicial to the interest of the Club could lead to suspension or even expulsion from the club.

· It is the duty of the lowest handicapped player in each group to see that his fellow competitors observe the rules of golf, the clubs local rules and expectations