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The Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club is situated in a picturesque location beside the Tweed River approximately five minutes south of the Queensland and New South Wales border. The golf complex offers two full-length 18 holes courses, a fully stocked pro-shop, change facilities and a large clubhouse with bar, dining and catering facilities. Members competition is played seven days a week, however, one course is usually open to guests.
River Course
The River Course has a tree-lined layout which varies between tall eucalypts and thick native subtropical rainforest. The stretch of holes between 11 to 14 have been carved from the rainforest and provides a habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna as well as being a beautiful environment for a game of golf. The greens are 328, have large undulations on most holes and are approximately 30 - 40 metres deep.
Although the course is short for modern standards, on many holes the low handicap player must accurately shape the ball from the tee (1, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15) in order to have a strategic approach shot to the green. On other holes the course allows the player to choose the safe option of an iron from the tee or the bold option of hitting a drive over the eucalypts or rainforest in order to play a short approach to the green for an easy birdie chance (1, 2, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15). These options provide the player with variety and distinguish each hole from any other. The greens on most holes are large and undulating. Therefore, approach shots need to finish on the same level as the hole or on the same side of the green as the hole to avoid long and difficult putts. Overall, low scores can be earned through sound strategy, good shot making skills, bold drives and accurate wedge play.
The course also suits the higher handicap player since most approaches to the green are open. There are only two holes that require a water carry (1 and 10) and two holes that do not allow a player to roll the ball onto the green (3 and 10�both of which are par-3�s). However, be prepared for some difficult putts with varying degrees of break. The eucalypt-lined fairways also allow players to find their wayward shots as well as providing separation from adjacent holes. The rainforest holes are short and any player with accurate tee shots can enjoy the scenery while shooting a good score.
Highlights
The first hole is a par-5 dogleg right that is reachable in two for low handicap players when there is a southeasterly sea breeze (the predominant wind). The tee-shot sets up for a high drive shaped from left to right to firstly clear the trees to the right of the tee and secondly to avoid running out of fairway straight ahead (the subtropical rainforest!!). After a good drive the player has a choice of whether to attack the green in two or lay up short of the creek that crosses the fairway 50 metres before the green a la 13th Augusta. Any approach shot that is pushed to the right runs a risk of finding the creek while an errant shot to the left will find trouble in the rainforest.
The higher handicap player will also find the first hole challenging as there is a small lake on the right hand side of the fairway 180 metres from the tee. After laying up short of the water on the second shot the player�s third shot will need to clear the creek that crosses the fairway before the green.
The holes from number five to number nine all run along the edge of the course and are bordered on the left hand side by a nature reserve and the Tweed River. Hole number eight is a par-4, dogleg right that allows a player to attempt to carry the trees and bunker on the corner of the dogleg. However, any ball that is to the left of the ideal line will run out of fairway and potentially finish out of bounds. A successful drive substantially shortens the approach shot that requires a solidly executed punch shot into the predominant stiff southeasterly sea breeze.
All players will enjoy the rainforest holes eleven through fourteen. The tee shot on the par-4 thirteenth is played from a narrow chute that is approximately 120 metres long and surrounded by thick rainforest. While a player on the dogleg left par-5 fourteenth has the option of cutting the corner of the dogleg with a long drive with the risk of loosing their ball to the rainforest and the diverse fauna that live within.
The course finishes strongly with the long par-4 fifteenth and the stretch of holes from sixteen to eighteen all turn back towards the clubhouse. The par-5 eighteenth is a classic finishing hole that is capable of producing dramatic finishes under the watchful eye of the clubhouse. The large green with multiple undulations has deep bunkers guarding its front, back and right sides.
After your game the club offers visitors use of its amenities which includes enjoying a beverage on the balcony of the members lounge overlooking the 18th green or at any of the other dining and recreation areas that overlook the ocean and picturesque northern rivers landscape. |
