A slice of Melbourne at Studley Greens
It's hard not to be charmed by this layout, regardless of your shot shape
There are only four groups on the course this afternoon.
In front of us, there is a couple on a date. Immediately behind plays a single who is carrying just three clubs with no bag, and a few behind him, a family walks their dog and plays shots only when they feel like it.
The mostly empty carpark here is easy to miss, too.
Perched on a slope with a river red gum at its centre, there is no imposing entrance, or even a sign to point the way. In truth, the same goes for the course itself. It winds its way down and around a hillside on Melbourne’s Yarra Boulevard; fitting perfectly into the city’s natural parkland, rather than being an imposition upon it.
In fact, the course is so unassuming, the cyclists who fly around its outskirts as they ride the 5km point-to-point trail, would only notice it if a rogue tee shot came their way.
This is Studley Greens, and sitting just outside Melbourne’s CBD, it is an authentic and charming golfing experience, reflective of the eclectic city it serves.
A nine-hole par-three loop, Studley Greens is proudly a golf course for everyone. Without bunkers and short enough that it asks for nothing more than a wedge, they welcome “those who have never picked up a club, weekend hackers, golden oldies and semi-pros looking to perfect their swing.”
Indeed, the course decries stuffy traditions that exist elsewhere, too. The house beer (available in a can and encouraged on course) is called No Dress Code Fairway Lager, and the three elements that comprise the venue’s tagline - Beers, Bogeys, Banter – are all in bountiful supply
Studley Greens doesn’t have a pro-shop, either. Instead, a small kiosk sits on the corner of the tranquil Studley Grounds function space. As we pay the minimal green fee, we are instructed that if prompted, by course staff, just to show the bank statement as proof of purchase.
A bag tag would be pointless, as so few here bother to carry one.
Considering it is the middle of winter and things are a touch muddy, a sole driving range mat at the start of each hole acts as the tee, and as we throw our balls down on the first, it’s hard not to smile.
For a city known around the world for its perfectly manicured courses and their stunning architectural design, it is refreshing to be reminded that in Melbourne, golf is for everyone – however you want to play it.
At Studley, there’s no mistaking where you are, either. From the elevated first mat, you can peer into the city and spot the light towers at the MCG coming to life for an evening match. Just over the way is Abbotsford's rugged industrial cityscape, and all around are those persistent cyclists, clad in Lycra chasing Strava kudos.
As we make our way around playing a friendly match, we smile at the equally friendly signs dotted around the course. The logo – a casual clip-art golfer – adorns each tee, and a warning to (try) and keep dogs off the greens has been nailed to a tree.
It’s never really that serious, though, as the greenskeeper himself is often spotted wandering the entire layout with his loyal kelpie in tow.
Although the sun sets quickly at this time of year, we are in no real hurry to finish as we make our way back up the hill for the closing stretch. The same can’t be said for a young family that race down it on mountain bikes, however.
Parents clearly keen to get home before dark, they weave in-between golfers and out of sight; zooming past the couple on a date in front of us, skirting around the single behind, and narrowly avoiding the family with the dog who gave up golfing four holes ago.
Crisis averted, our match is decided on the eighth hole, before we finish next to an old toilet block on the ninth.
Now, we can see that the lights at the ‘G have taken full effect and we actually had better hurry if I am to claim that dinner before the first bounce.