The following are comprehensive playing tips on how to play each hole at Palm Meadows.
Hole 1
A strong opening hole. Water to the left and a menacing clump of bamboo on the right at driving length awaits the slightly pushed or sliced drive.
Hole 2
Bunkers down the left side at driving length will catch any stray shots, water runs down the right. Aim the drive just to the right of the fairway bunkers on the left and you will have only a short iron shot to the green.
Hole 3
The first of the par fives and an excellent birdie opportunity for the long straight hitters. Center or right center of the fairway is the best positioning for the tee shot. The green is long and narrow at the rear so only the perfectly struck second shot will find the target. Beware of the subtle undulations on and around the green.
Hole 4
A long par 4 doglegs left. Bunkers and palms guard the left corner and should encourage you to drive to the right, which is the perfect position from which to approach the green.
Hole 5
As with all the par 3's at Palm Meadows this one varies dramatically with tee and pin positions on the day. Whether the pin is forward or back left or right on the green it is always well guarded with bunkers.
Hole 6
Large fairway bunker forces play to the right where accurate driving is necessary to avoid the bunker on the left. Water and another bamboo clump lie to the right. Cautious second shot across water finishes off this hole nicely.
Hole 7
Strategically placed bunkers at driving length make you think carefully about your line from the tee. The second shot is to a long tightly bunkered green and requires precise club selection to set up the birdie opportunity.
Hole 8
When the pin is to the left the bunkers and water come into play. When it is on the right side the hole it plays slightly longer and is equally difficult with well-positioned palms and bunkers protecting the green.
Hole 9
Water on the left from tee to green catches any shots headed left other than a slight draw. Most players will have to play short of the greenside lake. The approach to a slightly elevated undulating green is well guarded on all sides by bunkers.
Hole 10
A powerful straight drive between the bunkers and palms sets up the long iron second shot. Position the second shot short and left of the green to gain the best angle of approach.
Hole 11
There is plenty of room on the back half of the green behind the lake if you decide to play safe but prepare for a long tricky putt if you leave yourself too far from the hole.
Hole 12
Water to the right is in play if you fade the tee shot. Bunkers catch the pulled or hooked shot. From a well positioned drive a medium to long iron is required to a long narrow green.
Hole 13
Avoid the cross-bunkers otherwise you will almost certainly make a bogey or more. From a well struck drive the second shot is only a short iron to a slightly elevated green.
Hole 14
Keep the tee shot down the right center of the fairway avoiding the bunkers on the left. You'll need a straight second shot to miss the trouble either side of the long narrow green.
Hole 15
Another excellent birdie opportunity exists here. A long straight drive to the corner of the dog-leg left creates the perfect second shot angle. Don't be fooled by the fairway bunker you can see short of the green. There are many more to the left and beyond awaiting any shot, which strays left. Try to aim the second shot to the right side of the green. The best approach angle is from the right.
Hole 16
Aim just left of the right side fairway bunkers and try to gain as much distance as possible. The second shot will still be a long iron or fairway wood. Bunkers to the right of the green catch most balls headed right.
Hole 17
A classic long short hole. A miss to the left or right from the tee will result in difficult approach or bunker shot onto a heavily undulating green.
Hole 18
The ultimate test and one of the Gold Coast's ultimate holes! The challenge comes in knowing your ability. How much of the lake you wish to carry is entirely up to you. If you cannot reach the green in two you must keep out of the bunkers on the left when you lay up with your second shot short of the water. The final hurdle is judging the third shot just right to avoid taking no more than two putts on the tiered putting surface. You will want to go back and play this beauty again and again.
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