17th hole, Mudgee Golf Club, New South Wales, Australia

Par: 3

Architect: Dan Soutar

Back tee*: 139 yards / 127 metres

Joe Average tee*: 139 yards / 127 metres

Green fee: AUS$89 (approx. £46)

How she looks

Some holes grab you by the throat the first time you see them, others grow on you over time.

At Mudgee Golf Club, the hole popularly known as 'Donga', falls into the latter category.

It takes its name from the Donga Creek, which flows (intermittently, aerial images would suggest) perilously close to the left side of the green. No prizes for guessing the 'Sunday pin' position.

Back-left of the green, meanwhile, is a mound waiting to punish anyone who has overdone the tee shot in their anxiety to clear the water. Bounce your approach beyond that mound and a devilish up-and-down awaits.

Nor is there much respite if you miss right. Some of the trees that frame this hole so beautifully when you stand on the tee, come close to that side, accompanied by hostile undergrowth.

The net visual effect of all this is to suggest a landing area so 'cosy' that it's been compared to the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon. And all this with not a bunker in sight.

As with the 7th at McCall Lake GC, which kicked off this blog, there's a lot going at Mudgee's penultimate hole. Yet none of it yells at you; it reveals itself in the fullness of time.

No wonder the locals love this heartbreaker.

18th hole, Palm Meadows Golf Course, Queensland, Australia

Par: 5

Architect: Graham Marsh

Back tee*: 572 yards  / 523 metres

Joe Average tee*: 549 yards / 502 metres

Green fee: AUS$89 (approx. £46)

How she looks

If you're familiar with the 6th hole at Bay Hill, whose fairway doesn't so much dogleg as curl around one half of a circular lake, this fine closing hole on North-West Australia's Gold Coast will strike a chord.

Described by one architect as "one of the most dramatic, strategic/heroic holes in Australia," it epitomises the essence of golf course design.

Hit both your tee shot and a long approach over water if you're risk-inclined and keen to reach the green in two. Alternatively, hit two shots hugging the left side of the fairway if you'd rather not take on the lake from the tee and prefer to tackle the water in front of the green with a short iron approach for your third shot.

Bunkers on the outside of the elbow and left of the fairway just before the water crosses in front of the green, keep those playing the safe line on their toes, however. Ensuring that golfers of all abilities have cause for satisfaction if they complete Palm Meadows' 18th with the same ball they started with.

While the green slopes towards you and is generally receptive, there's just enough tilt to reward an accurate approach shot, which should ideally leave your ball below the hole.