Mount Lofty Golf Club: Ali plays a round in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia

Some folk hold the rather disingenuous view that a round of golf is a good way to ruin a pleasant walk. But I'm not sure that applies in a setting like the Mount Lofty Golf Club. It's one of the most picturesque in South Australia. Nestled in the Piccadilly Valley only 20 minutes from the city, the course is scattered over steep hills and demanding fairways carved out of the bush.

It's pretty anytime but in autumn, every view is a postcard image. No matter what handicap you play off - fans of this course argue the scenery makes up for it. But I reckon my biggest handicap is my agreeing to play in the first place, so I went in search of someone to help me out.

Warren Symons has been playing this course since he was kid so if anyone can help he can. He is one of only a few "Master Professionals" in Australia. Warren makes it all sound so simple but when you face the first hole all his advice comes crashing down - the green is distinctly uphill.

Standing on the first tee, the moment of truth has arrived - it's just a matter of remembering the correct grip, keeping the arms straight, bending the knees or was that keeping them straight and being the arm?

At least I managed to hit the ball and get it on the fairway. All that's needed is a short iron up to the green. I managed 3 on this challenging Par 4!

Just when you thought the course couldn't get any prettier, the second hole comes into sight. Another classic hills landscape and that pretty well sums up the Mount Lofty Golf Club, after all, it was the allure of the Mount Lofty Ranges that led to the club's establishment in the first place.

David Wauchope, Mount Lofty Golf Club: "It all started back in the early 20s when a group of members from the then Adelaide Club which is now Royal Adelaide, decided that they wanted a cooler summer course so they started looking for a location."

In 1924, a 117-acre dairy farm was purchased for the grand total of 2,200 pounds. South Australia's only perfume factory, which used to extract essence from locally grown lavender and violets was converted into the greenkeeper's shed, bridges were built over Cox's Creek and 9 holes carved from the bush. But a few natural hazards remained…

David: "Originally it was grazing land, there were sheep and cattle all over the course in fact the sheep and cattle had to be regarded as natural hazards - you had to wait until they moved out of the way."

No sheep or cattle today - although you have to keep a lookout for the odd kangaroo or echidna. Walkers on the Heysen Trail, which dissects the course, have right of way too. The clubhouse and pro-shop overlook the 18th fairway and ornamental lake and the Bed and Breakfast accommodation is currently getting a facelift. So, what about that adage that golf's a good way to ruin a walk? David has a ready-made answer.

David: "There's another saying that a day on the golf course is always going to be better than a day at work."

And I guess no matter how bad your golf is, in surroundings like this, it doesn't really matter. The Mount Lofty Golf Club is appropriately on Golflinks Road, east of Stirling - just across the road from the Woodhouse Scout Camp. Main competition days are Saturday, Wednesday and Thursday. visitors welcome and should book ahead at the pro-shop. Contact resident professional, Warren on 8339 1805.

Mount Lofty Golf Club
35 Golflinks Rd
Stirling East
Ph 8339 1805

Published 27th July 2008