Gardiners Run Golf Course - Review August 2nd 2026
š§ Reviewer
Reviewer Name:Ā James Golding
ā³ Course Details
Course Name:Ā Gardiners Run Golf Course
Location: Lilydale/Victoria/Australia
Date Played: 02/08/2026
Number of Holes Played:Ā 18
Par for Holes Played: 72
Tees Played From: White
Format of Play:Ā Stableford
Time to Complete Round: 4 hrs 10 mins
Green Fee Type: Weekend - Social Group
Green Fees Paid:Ā $76.00
Cart Cost (if used):
Currency:Ā AUD
Conditions at Time of Play:
Teed off at 7:40am and whilst it was a beautiful winters day. We had arrived when the sun was rising and you could not see a cloud in the sky, no wind but coolish conditions requiring a jacket.
We were in the first groups to hit off so the course felt quiet. We walked the round.
As the round progressed the sun shone, the temperature rose to about 15 Celsius, still needed long sleeves, but it was a perfect winters golf day. The course, online, was great. Anyone who went of fairway found quite a bit of slop and mud, but you shouldn't be out there, I guess. Pick clean and place was in play on the fairways due to it being winter golf.
Tee boxes and greens were great, many from the social club are still commenting on the fantastic greens.
ā Overall Rating
Overall, I really rate this course highly, not extremely difficult but also, not easy. In general it played exceptionally well for an early August round in Melbourne's winter but too be honest, the off-line conditions were punishing. In some cases, a meter off the fairway and you were playing in sloppy conditions, even on the fringes of fairways. In no way though, should this distract from the conditions as it is a missed fairway, although it is frustrating.
The front 9 is my favourite, I find it a little more imaginative, the back 9 has a few repetitive type of holes, but is also very enjoyable, especially the last 4.
The course tests all golfers and the infrastructure, staff, practice facilities and whole environment is top notch.
āāāā (8.22/10)
š RATINGS SUMMARY
| Category | Rating | Notes (optional but encouraged) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Condition | āāāā (8.5/10) | A pleasure to play a course in such good condition in winter, a few points deducted for the muddy conditions slightly off the fairways. |
| Difficulty | āāāā(8.5/10) |
Some wide landing zones on some holes but generally accuracy in important due to fairway bunkers strategically placed. The overall design with a few water hazards along the journey and plenty of greenside bunkers make it a challenging course. |
| Tee Condition | āāāā(8.5/10) | All tee boxes were in great condition with plenty of fresh grass. |
| Fairway Condition | āāāā(8.5/10) |
The fairways were firm and good. Well mowed and good grass covering. A few, and I mean very few, wet patches but we had had a lot of rain recently and it is winter. A few weeds popping up but I am sure they will treat them like they always do. |
| Green Condition | āāāāā (9/10) |
The greens are fantastic here, tiered greens, largish greens, greens that run true but also allow you to stop shots on them from both long and short distances. Not much break in some places but they were great. Despite starting at first light, the ground staff had even been out to prep the greens prior to us starting, and it was Sunday. |
| Bunker Condition | āāā (8/10) |
Fortunately, I didn't end up in many, but the bunkers were all consistent, well raked, well-groomed and an even amount of sand throughout the course. |
| Clubhouse/ Bar & Food | Ā āāāā(7.5/10) |
Welcoming, spacious, hospitable and friendly with a decent variety of snacks and food on offer. Drinks were cold and prices reasonable.Ā Not a full-on restaurant set up but enough variety to satisfy most after a round of golf. |
| Pro Shop Experience | āāāā (8/10) |
We were welcomed by chatty, friendly staff who answered all of our questions and ensured we knew the local rules and expectations of the club. A reasonably well stocked pro-shop. |
| Value for Money | āāā ā (7.5/10) | For the condition of the course and being a championship layout, I consider it to be fairly good value for money. |
Ā
Would you play here again?
ā
YesĀ Ā
It is a favourite of mine and any one who plays here for the first time always says they will be back.
š THE REVIEW
First Impressions & Standout Features
I have said it before but the sort of amphitheatre area you walk into when arriving is very pleasing to the eye. The vast practice facilities are a standout and the conditioning of the whole facility is a standout.
As mentioned earlier the fact that the greens were already prepared by the ground staff - it was obvious on the vast practice putting green - at 7:15am on a Sunday was also a welcomed site.
Best Holes or Memorable Moments
The stretch of hole 1 through 7, then 10, then 15 through 18 are my favourites with the signature downhill short par 4 5th being a great hole on the course, one of our group managed to eagle this hole.
I really like hole 6 with water either side, an elevated green and a lovely setting. In saying that, hole 18, requiring an uphill tee shot just over the crest where you are confronted with a downhill approach, water to the left and back of the green and the clubhouse in the back ground, is a beautiful hole and my second favourite.
Memorable moment: I sprayed my second on the par 5 2nd hole, ending up blindside by trees just beneath the 6th green. a long 9 iron with the wind to an unsighted green that finished less than a foot from the hole was my highlight.
š¬ General comments or suggestions
Continue to maintain the course in the excellent condition it is. If possible, continue to work on the drainage off fairway, but really, I cannot fault this facility.
I would, on the other hand, suggest that the club try not to increase the green fees for a while. It is still good value for money, and would be great if it stayed that way.Ā
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