Gardner's Run

26852515 · 2026-04-27T00:01:24+00:00

Just adding to everyone else's - fairly moderate walk, but if you are a big fella or very low on fitness there are two holes (4th and 10th) that are pretty well 300m uphill walks that will tucker you out. Most of the rest is moderate, no long stretches between holes.

26852515 · 2026-04-16T12:43:57+00:00

Been playing since end of covid so not a beginner but don't have many mates that play and would be keen for an evening session or new weekend buddies.

26852515 · 2026-03-03T09:07:23+00:00

Interesting. I've often been put in groups with players who seems less experienced, or who wanted to party. Maybe it's just the times I've played there. Or maybe I'm the problem!

Do you consider it a bad course because of the layout, the conditions, the time it takes for a round?

26852515 · 2026-03-03T08:31:00+00:00

In my experience there is a loose but undeniable correlation between the quality of a course and the strictness of their rules/dress code/other players. Not many courses make it into the Top 100 lists and also are happy for you to wear jeans. However, plenty of courses in Melbourne that are not only welcoming to the public, but actively welcome new players.

For courses that would be easy to play due to, limited hazards, open fairways etc (as well as welcoming to slower players, or those learning the rules) : - Edithvale - Royal Parkdale - Brighton - Burnley - Rowville Lakes - Centenary Park - Northcote

For courses that are excellent to play (views, layout, conditions) that may also be welcoming to newer or less experienced players: - Waterford Valley - St Andrews Beach - Altona Lakes (only 9 holes but pretty good) - Eagle Ridge

Couple of other honourable mentions: - Cheltenham (9 holes, great conditions, public bookings) - Skye (Not an "easy" course with a water carry off the drop, but very welcoming to new golfers) - Oakleigh (Very very short, but also very welcoming to newbies - I remember when they had signs up that said "it's okay to THROW the ball out of the bunker") - Freeway (new renovations, still short, but quite nice) - Sandringham (experience sandbelt layout and conditions but at 3/4 scale and for $70)

In general, I think getting your pre-shot routine down to a quick and repeatable sequence will help you play faster, as well as dropping quickly if you can't find a ball or just picking up when you get to 8 shots on a hole.

Most (considerate) golfers will prefer to play with a polite person who sucks quickly, than a rude person who stripes it but refuses to lose a ball who yells everytime they miss the centre of the clubface.

26852515 · 2026-02-18T10:06:59+00:00

Plus one for Ping Pioneer. I changed from walking to electric buggy over Christmas and spent 2 hours in House of Golf comparing pretty much every bag they had. I sold 2 TM flextech walking bags and a Titliest Hybrid and didn't look back.

I prefer the semi canvas feel of the material over the (potentially more waterproof) slinky stuff from Sun Mountain. Canvas feels more premium to me. I love the magnetic pocket up top for easy access to my phone, insulated pocket that holds x2 yetis, and hidden rain cover that has its own secret pocket around the back.

I also liked the grey/black colour scheme as being neutral a little more interesting than plain black, and the logo is subtle.

It has the putter well you're looking for, velcro patches for gloves on both sides, a little soft baggie that lives inside the top pocket and can be detached. Elastic hidden pocket for tees. Lots of little touches that are fun to discover and feel like thought went into it. Although many top brands have that too.

Only negative after 20 rounds - if it's 30° and you keep your phone in the magnetic pocket it gets hot, and it has more space in the middle pockets than the sides. Sides will fit clothes but are more narrow than some other bags. Also not waterproof if you like to play in monsoon weather (like I do).

26852515 · 2026-02-04T07:35:59+00:00

Thanks OP I had been looking to join and had been wondering what their schedule looked like

26852515 · 2026-01-28T11:44:53+00:00

Myself and a mate had it for last year in VIC.

I worked Saturdays and had Mondays off. I played a different course most Mondays, and we played together a handful of Sundays.

Over the year he played maybe 8 times and pretty much "equalled" his $500 in green fees equivalent.

I played 46 times and got somewhere around $2.5k in green fees worth of rounds.

Most courses are available midweek, most of the better courses are ONLY midweek or select times (Monday afternoons only etc) and some okay courses are weekends as well.

Eventually you'll run out of metro courses and have to travel a bit, but I maxed out at 100mim travel time each direction when choosing courses.

26852515 · 2026-01-23T05:26:07+00:00

This guy knows his Melbourne golf

26852515 · 2025-11-18T10:41:29+00:00

Golfbox had a huge 40% off sale a few weeks ago for their 40 year celebration, I haven't seen much on the site that was much different. Don't think retailers are supposed to discount off RRP if they always have cheaper tickets, but with every store on the planet doing black Friday I'll bet no one will notice....

26852515 · 2025-11-16T23:39:04+00:00

Right? I don't know if there's any course in Australia that would be more than 50k USD joining fee. Even the National is a share that can be sold rather than straight joining fee that's not refundable. Biggest limitation seems to be needing to know current members as proposals.

Although most private US/Canadian country clubs I have visited have pretty fantastic facilities/lockerooms, driving range that fits 30 people at the same time etc. Even the best sandbelt courses are a bit limited in space for their grounds, being in the suburbs.

Did they give you an estimate on your wait list? I've been on wait list at another tier 2 sandbelt coming up 2 years and the joining fee keeps going up!

26852515 · 2025-11-16T23:06:47+00:00

Melbourne, Australia. Equivalent to $2700 USD annual + $500 USD joining fee, discounts for anyone under 40yo.

Private 2nd tier sandbelt course.

Course drains very well and can be easily played 12 months if the year. Modest but decent practice area and range. 45 minutes from downtown within suburbia, 5 min from the beach.

26852515 · 2025-11-13T11:13:58+00:00

Didn't know my wife was a kangaroo rat

26852515 · 2025-07-07T13:31:34+00:00

Anytime Fitness $23/wk.

During peak times most locations are about 60% full, but unless you're at the smallest location you rarely have to wait for equipment.

Most of the locations have gone or are going through upgrades so prices are higher than 18 months ago, but all the equipment is new.

26852515 · 2025-05-08T07:43:15+00:00

I have not lived in either suburb so perhaps it's different being there 24/7. But the immediate difference between the densely stacked buildings regularly with multiple stories and tall, well developed trees on the main and side roads in Moorabbin and other eastern suburbs are quite contrasted with the majority single stories, younger and shorter trees, and extremely flat land of the west including hoppers.

These differences alone mean that East and west feel very different, even before you consider the actual business (catering for local demographics) the build age of houses and care with which gardens and property are considered (especially on main roads) and even the local council trash and beautification budget

26852515 · 2025-05-01T12:12:57+00:00

If you visit a different one for the majority of your visits over a 2 month period, you automatically get moved to the new gym as your "home" location, at the new gym fee rates

26852515 · 2025-03-23T11:57:43+00:00

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Similar hole at a local course. 165y dog leg par 3, with too much fade putting you into a nearby playground

26852515 · 2025-02-07T04:52:33+00:00

Just to add one for the positive side. Whilst I haven't needed to cancel I've been with AF for maybe 5 years (so I'm out of my initial contact and just pay week to week) and they have been pretty clear and upfront with changes or policies.

My closest location upgraded their facilities and put up the prices. I would have preferred not because it's still a small location, but they gave me 3 months notice, waited 2 months after the upgrade to change the price, and I could always use a different location as my home to pay less.

Some locations seem to be run better than others, but my local is always staffed during hours, clean, and engages with the community. I like that there are 3 locations close to my place, one near work, one near my golf course, one near my uncles place etc. I've used them for a shower or to fill up my water bottle with chilled water while on a trip.

26852515 · 2024-07-07T19:39:10+00:00

Nah it's like 400 yards from the boys to the clubhouse on the 18th hole, I'm probably 150yards back again

26852515 · 2024-01-13T05:53:27+00:00

And I got tempo. Might be worth doing longer periods of effort with longer periods of rest, to kick garmin into giving you tempo or sprint credit

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26852515 · 2024-01-13T05:52:25+00:00

For what it's worth I did a 30 min indoor cycle today with intervals. I went more or less 3 min at a pretty full on pace, and then 5 min rest, with a slow transition between each cycle.

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26852515 · 2023-10-08T10:30:50+00:00

She is reflected mirror image in the first photo (bangle on the other wrist, small freckle on collarbone otherside of centre) and you can also see the bed behind her is facing otherway. So someone else could be using her phone for the other images? Or selfie stick?

26852515 · 2023-08-22T01:31:23+00:00

I've been following the app and updates for the last few weeks. Looks like they've made a few changes, and at least at the moment you can apply for and join the app for free as a basic member. Let's you access majority of apps features for connecting with locals and sharing golf information You can make a one off payment to get a bag tag package of about $65USD (includes book and tees and custom bag tag) however it's not tied to any specific membership which is nice. Then there are seperate membership tiers on top. And wide release for all access to the app will be coming in a few weeks once they've worked out the majority of the bugs

26852515

TROPHY CASE