The National's Ocean course at Cape Schank is to have a redesign, with renowned American architect Tom Doak lured to do the job.
The National announced this week that it had approved Doak's concept plan for the redesign, presented in February, with final placement, shaping, size and elevation still to be nailed down.
There will also be a members' vote later this year before the work goes ahead.
The Ocean course was opened in 2000 and designed by Peter Thomson's company.
Doak co-designed Barnbougle Dunes in Tasmania with Michael Clayton and has several other world top-100 courses including Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand, Pacific Dunes and Ballyneal in the United States, as well as the nearby St Andrews Beach.
The National's chairman Peter Jonson said the changes proposed were "significant'' and would be paid for without the need for a members' levy.
He said Doak believed the changes would leave the Ocean course with "18 high-quality holes including significantly superior green complexes, improved routing and fewer, more appropriately-positioned and designed bunkers''.