Metropolitan

The 1st hole immediately shows the appealing bunker shapes that are a highlight of Metropolitan

The green of the par five 6th is a great example of smart bunkering and some subtle undulation making the most of largely flat land

At the par three 11th, a great example of the Metro green surfaces extending right to the bunker lips

Centreline bunkers in the fairway and at the green at the 12th help to dictate the wise play depending on the pin position

This bunker 40 metres or so short of the 14th green makes for an interesting second shot for the golfer who has successfully taken on the drive bunkers

Love them or hate them, the trees in the 17th fairway are a big part of the hole

Course name: Metropolitan
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Four Word Course Review: Compelling despite average land

Metropolitan has a rich history as a major (small 'm') tournament host and World Top 100 member. While I'm not sure I see the course's claim on a World Top 100 spot, it is an enjoyable course with undeniable quality, top notch maintenance and great use of flat land in places.

From the outset, the attractive bunkering is a highlight, the shapes quite low to the ground to match the flat land. The mid-length par four 1st and 3rd holes each reward a drive that flirts with bunkering on the left-hand-side of the fairway before approaches to greens that include some tricky movement.

After the short par five 4th, played to a well-defended green, the 5th is another mid-length four that is characterised by its appealing bunkering.

The 6th continues the high standard of par fives, and another interesting green built on an unspecial site, before the third such hole at the 8th, where a new green has been built surrounded by a dry moat.

The long par four 9th, with an awkward tree-encroached drive ends a front nine that despite the land is full of fun and tempting drives, approaches and recoveries.

Also situated within the front nine is the enjoyable par three 19th/spare hole, slightly uphill to a slick green, the front tongue of the green offering a really testing pin position. While it largely plays as a short one-shotter, there is room behind for a tournament tee to be built that stretches the hole to about 180m.

The back nine doesn't quite match the front, but the shortish, heavily-bunkered par three 11th, with another green that overcomes its site through great internal movement and the 12th - a mid-length par four made by the smart centreline bunker and near boomerang green - are among the better holes.

The 13th was being re-built when I played the course, but the flat par five 14th is great fun for the bunkering on the drive that can be carried and the bunker placed in the lay-up zone. A great example of Metro making a lot out of far from ideal land.

Some unattractive mounding holds the otherwise enjoyable short par four 16th back, while trees in the fairway of the 17th are a love it or hate it feature.

The 18th is a stern finisher, demanding a driver and long iron from most mortals, the land feeding the right-hand fairway bunker.

All in all, Metropolitan makes pretty impressive use of a site that's nowhere near as enviable as either course at Royal Melbourne or Peninsula (North), but it still dishes up quality holes of every par.

A wonderful feature is the green surface continuing right to the lip of the greenside bunkers, meaning balls that might settle in the fringe of other courses' greens will roll unobstructed into the bunkers here. It's a small difference, but one that is noticeable (and looks shmick!).

Some say the conditioning has gone downhill somewhat since the superintendent transferred to Royal Melbourne, but as it is it's quite incredible and adds to the enjoyment of the round.