St. Andrews Beach Golf Club
13th Hole / 499 yards / Par-4
Architect: Tom Doak with Mike Clayton (2004)
Fingal, Victoria, Australia
When one is able to marry compelling architecture with affordable green fees you are then presented with the most ideal of circumstances,
St. Andrews Beach delivers on both fronts.
American-born architect Tom Doak designed his first layout for the Australian mainland and the result is a course that marvelously works in and around a site that uses the natural topography to full effect.
One sees that right away when reaching the stellar 13th. When you arrive at the tee box the rigors of the hole are quickly apparent.
For starters, blind tee shots have nearly faded away to extinction among modern golf design but thankfully one encounters that at the 13th.
The land rises roughly 30-feet and the landing area is completely unseen. Players have to pick a target line and trust the execution they demonstrate is up to the task.
The hole has plenty of internal movement in the fairway. Players going too far left will find the severest of penalties with near certain disaster awaiting. Go too far right and the ball will run out to a perilous position which only increases the length for the second shot.
However, those finding the 35-yard fairway can secure additional yardage with a speed slot on the right side.
Mike Clayton, former Australian touring professional and now course designer and writer minces no words on what is needed at the 13th.
“Golfers complain the 13th is too difficult but it’s the one tee shot where you have to hit a good drive and nothing else will suffice. The course is right by the ocean and the ever-present seaside winds make for a formidable challenge — as opposed to simply hitting the ball straight.”
The green is located within a natural bowl and appears as if Doak simply had the grass mowed down and the greenskeeper cut a hole.
The punchbowl putting surface occupies less than 5,000 square feet although players can secure a favorable bounce off either side.
“It’s a small target and the only bunkers on the hole are located into the dune about 50 yards short of the green,” said Clayton. “For the majority of players playing the hole as a three-shooter – they are musts to avoid.”
Those missing the green will also encounter a bedeviling array of vexing pitch and chip shots.
13 can prove to be an unlucky number for all who fail to respect the clear challenges presented. The embodiment of the hole is how it mandates the soundest of thinking in tandem with the highest of execution.
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Photos and video loop courtesy Caddie Magazine
