The National Golf Club — Attraction in Melbourne

The National is made up of 4 fantastic courses, all of which are ranked all 4 within the top 100 of Australia. With options like that, there is no wrong choice. However, we are huge fans of Mr Tom Doak and have been fortunate to have played some of his best, so our decision was easy: the Gunnamatta Course.

In common with many of the Doak designs we’ve played, the Gunnamatta Course has large open fairways. Similarly, however, you need to be able to put the ball in the correct position off the tee in order to have the best opportunity for an easier approach. The fairways were sand based which made them play firm. Offering crisp clean tight lies, they felt and played very links in style. Many of the fairways were lined with tussock-styled grass which was eager to grab any of our wayward shots.

The large, undulated greens ran pure, offered a multitude of pin positions, and simply were magnificent. Like true links golf, we were able to play the ball on the ground, letting the contours of the course help guide us. A couple greens had false fronts, which provided optical illusions when attempting to determine distances, while others had some helpful backstops, allowing for more creativity around the greens.

The greens were strategically protected by bunkers, but the course wasn’t overly bunkered. The course was natural looking and looks and plays like it has been there forever.

The course played extremely difficult in the wind. However, even in these conditions, we love this style of golf, and know that the Gunnamatta Course was the absolute right...

There is nothing in Australia that compares with this complex. It is superb. The three courses all have totally different characters and difficulty levels and they show off different parts of this magnificent piece of land. It’s impossible to get stale or bored playing golf here.

The highlight for me is always the Old course, it is the best of the lot by far. New players never forget their first round on the Old course. It is rated behind the other two on the golf ratings lists but they are wrong and the blokes responsible for it probably cannot play the Old. It is the ultimate challenge but rewards the attempt!

Moonah is also a delight, you often play with hundreds of kangaroos and wallabies watching you. It is a longer course and requires a different style of play.

Gunnamatta is the newest and most highly rated but somehow I find it the least exciting to play. The greens in Gunnamatta are amazing.

The quality of the dining at the National is next level. It is fine dining but reasonably priced. Don’t forget to look at the specials menu which changes every day. The wine list is extensive and well priced.

The hospitality team, led by Eva are first class and make the post round experience fantastic.

The golf shop team are friendly and helpful. You can even get a complimentary club clean if you ask the guys in the cart...

Only golf club in Australia with 3 courses in top 40 and only one on Mornington Peninsula with 2 courses in Top 15. The Moonah course - which deserves to have an Australian Open played there- by Greg Norman and primarily by Bob Harrison is also one of the best newly designed courses in the last few decades other than Barnbougle Dunes & Lost Farm.

The Old Course by Trent Jones Jnr over 25 years has now grown into it's Target Golf moniker which amazes and baffles new players, but repeated use the intended architecture and shots become clear. Obviously new golf technology helps with some of the headwinds!

Ranked number 12 in the country, there is no guest I've ever taken to The Old who has not been blown away (almost literally sometimes) and absolutely enjoyed the 18 holes. With all the polite and awesome greenkeepers, it's the first and last course to play on The Peninsula. Followed by Moonah National, St Andrews Beach and if you have an few days- Moonah Legends, Sorrento GC, Portsea GC, The Dunes, Rosebud Country Club and Moonah Open.

Best food, coffee and drinks by a long way of any public and private golf club on Mornington...