Ten minutes from the Perth CBD and tucked within affable, leafy suburbia is the Mount Lawley Golf Club. This members-only club is one of the oldest in the state, its initial plans dating to 1927, and was originally built to quench the surging thirst of golf in Western Australia. Today, it still serves that purpose as a good course in a great location.

Slight undulations built on sandy soil set the base for this 18 hole, par 72 courses. Full of doglegs, mostly running right to left, the fairways can be even tighter due to the multitude of large native trees. Some holes run even narrower. This intentional design choice, made in a 2010 overhaul by Michael Coate, was an attempt to minimize the power shots from the tee. Another alteration was at the greens. Mount Lawley previously had a unique trait: all its greens were square. Today, just one is. The traditional deep greenside bunkering still exists however and works well.

Another mainstay is 'Commonwealth.' Nicknamed that due to its shape resembling the map of Australia, the 13th hole is a difficult, charismatic par 3. Where the real Australia is girt by sea, the one here is flanked by six sand bunkers. Running downhill and susceptible to wind, it can be a rewarding birdie or a struggle from the bunkers.

A classic-looking clubhouse with pristine practice areas rounds out Mount Lawley. Those wishing to play without memberships need either an invitation or to write to the general manager.