Kingston Heath Golf Club: Tiger Woods’ Favorite Course

Kingston Heath Golf Club: Tiger Woods’ Favorite Course

Heatherton, VIC, Australia

I have been fortunate to play at Kingston Heath Golf Club a number of times. Unfortunately, I haven’t been since The Open Championship International Final Qualifying in January 2011. Nonetheless, Kingston Heath has an outstanding layout. Even Tiger Woods has stated it is one of his favorite golf courses anywhere in the world.

Kingston Heath is known for its challenging fairway bunkering. Dense Bracken Fern and Melaleuca Bush line many of the holes. This forces the golfer to play more conservatively from the tee. Golfers will often opt for an iron or fairway wood for positioning as opposed to bombing a driver. Once in position off the tee, the golfer faces the complex task of navigating the undulating greens and runoffs. Even the slightest misplaced approach will have big consequences.

When the famous golf course architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie visited the property in 1926, he made a simple statement summing up the brilliance of the original design by Dan Soutar. MacKenzie is quoted as saying, “The course has been so well constructed…there is little for me to suggest with the exception of a bunkering plan”.

The course is private but does allow limited public rounds each week with a pre booking through the club General Manager. Kingston Heath Golf Club is an absolute must play if you visit the Melbourne sandbelt!

Photo Credit: © Gary Lisbon | https://www.golfphotos.com.au/ | IG: @garylisbongolf