The Golf Course at Royal Queensland Golf Club places emphasis on strategic golf. The course resembles Melbourne’s famous sandbelt golf courses; laid out over relatively flat terrain with large, uneven bunkers littering the ground. Mike Clayton’s redesign in 2007 focussed on the course’s greens and bunkers. Most of the golf course is open and this leaves a certain blank canvas perspective when approaching the course. The open fairways and large greens are laced with nuances that demand a level of strategy from the first tee. The subtleness of the course makes it renowned in the international golf community.

With greens shaped large like Royal Melbourne, there are preferred lines of play when approaching the greens. Golfers playing into the greens must be aware of where they place their tee and fairway shots or a difficult pitch will ensue. Clayton’s redesign focussed primarily on the philosophy of Alister MacKenzie’s golf course designs: strategy is vital. Golfers who pride themselves on course management will find Royal Queensland a true test and fun experience; big-hitters and go-getters will likely get left behind.