Known in Melbourne as the "Millionaires Club", the Frankston Golf Club is the very definition of a hidden gem with its 9-hole course pleasantly understated and full of design quality, variety and a special old-school class and grace. The BYO clubhouse is perfect for the membership, and the limited play here, while course conditioning is typically outstanding and the use of native vegetation to seperate holes and provide a sense of belonging as affective as many of the premier Sandbelt clubs in Melbourne.

Design wise, the gently undulating fairways and use of small, angled greens with slippery contours provide the primary challenge. There are some very attractive 'slot' views across the golf course, and even out to Port Phillip Bay. In some ways it's a shame that more passionate golf people in Melbourne haven't played here, but there is much we can learn from Frankston - because the 9-hole model works beautifully for the membership and the holes carry enough fun and interest to keep most golfers entertained for years. A public access version of something similar in Victoria would likely be tremendously popular.