Played PK North today for the third time in about 3 years and I think I've finally got the speed of the greens, which are like lightning. Had a ripper day with the putter...shame that was only because the long game was awful and i scrambled all day to scratch put 30 points. If you hit some of that rough it's not pretty. But I'd still say it's the best course I've played on in Victoria.
Having been a member there for a lot of years before moving to a sandbelt club closer to the city, I know both PK courses like the back of my hand.
Both courses are ok. Not overly special I don’t think and certainly nowhere near the early rankings that some golf magazines had them when the courses first opened up. (Noticeably both courses have now fallen in the rankings quite considerably.) Each course has some cracking holes and then a few bland-average ones eg on the North course I reckon 4, 9, 12 and 15 and maybe 16, are all pretty average holes.
The green and bunkering complexes are pretty good. And you are right, if you miss the fairway down there you are pretty much cactus. Brutal in some ferny spots.
The greens are always excellent. They spent millions on turf and green assessment and construction. The Pure Distinction grass on the greens is state of the art.
Neither course is overly long meaning that they can be taken apart on a still day if you’re hitting it ok. When it’s windy and they have the greens playing fast, well that’s a different story.
Lot of money has been spent at PK. And I mean a LOT. Grumblings about the sustainability of it all already. Will be interesting to observe.