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Love at first sight!
"Barnbougle is so jaw-droppingly spectacular that it will be love at first sight for even the most travelled golfer". - Steve Keipert, Australian Golf Digest
Barnbougle (Dunes & Lost Farm) are spectacular Links Golf Courses unlike anything ever seen in Australia and more like the courses in Ireland. Meandering over, across and between towering coastal dunes; breathtaking views and thrilling golf come together in a dramatic setting on Tasmania's North East coast.
The two golf courses, Dunes & Lost Farm, at Barnbougle are extraordinary. You’ll have generous fairways (in particular on the Lost Farm), natural & rugged bunkers with high lips and undulated greens that require creativity.
Both courses will test your shot making creativity and you need to play with the contours of the course. The courses also needs to be played differently depending on the wind and yes, you’ll have wind!
Barnbougle Dunes:
Barnbougle Lost Farm:
Jan comment:
Both courses are great, but I favor the Dunes course. I believe the Dunes is a tougher test of golf with a better layout. You’ll also have more options on how to play each hole and ball position is important. Avoid the many deep rugged bunkers that surrounds the fairways and greens – spectacular bunkers, but you don’t want to be in them. The greens are undulated and you need to read them carefully and be very creative – I like this.
The holes that stand out on Dunes for me are:
Hole 4 – 254 meters par 4
A rare still day will present a chance to go for the green with your tee shot, and putt for an elusive eagle. However, the sensible play is to either lay up short of the enormous bunker and accept the blind pitch into the green, or drive up the left side and open up your view at the flag. 4-iron short of the huge bunker, pitching wedge 5 meters from the hole, missed birdie put for a par.
Hole 6 – 359 meters par 4
With a tail wind big hitters can take on the sand hill, or the safe play is down the left hand side fairway. However short your shot in may be, this subtle green with its awkward depth perception rewards only the most precise approaches. Great faded drive in the middle of fairway, 7-iron falls off to the right of green, pitch to 4 meters left of pin, two put for a bogey 5.
Hole 7 – 98 meters par 3
A short golf hole, but a challenging one. A sweetly driven long iron into the wind, or a softly floating pitch shot when its still, don't miss it long or left, and you'll never be so glad to walk off with a three. Deep rugged bunkers are protecting the entire green. 9-iron to the back edge of green, chip and one put for a par.
Hole 17 – 326 meters par 4
The tranquility of the river mouth disguises one of the course most demanding tee shots. Thread the drive between fairway bunkers and run the ball up onto the diagonal green. Drive to the very edge of the huge right hand fairway bunker, blind second shot to the left of green, 30 meters uphill pitch short of hole, missed the 3 meters par put – bogey 5.
Barnbougle Lost Farm actually has 20 holes (two wonderful extra par 3 holes). The two extra holes are very nice and the other holes that stand out are:
Hole 4 – 112 meters par 3
Elevated green with deep bunkers protecting it. Be precise and try to stick the ball on the green – easier said then done. The view of the Great Forster River in the background can be distracting. 9-iron to centre green and a two put for a par – no drama.
Hole 5 – 400 meters par 4
Fantastic golf hole. Dogleg right and you need to “hug” your drive close to the huge sand dune on the right to have a reasonable distance on your approach shot. The small green is slight elevated and is hanging on the edge to the river – don’t be right, be precise with your long iron or wood. Drive to left side of fairway and short, 3-iron short of green, chunky pitch, chip and one put for a bogey 5.
Hole 18 – 404 meters par 4
Huge sand dune along the entire left hand side and you need to avoid the numerous fairway bunkers on the right. Narrow and long green, sloping to the right. Ball position and distance off tee is crucial. Very good drive 240 meters down the fairway avoiding all trouble, 5-iron 10 meters short of pin, and two put for a solid par.
My golf game at Barnbougle was very solid and I was striking all clubs well. I believe I was inspired by the fantastic weather and the even more fantastic golf courses. I did play Dunes twice and Lost Farm once. Good consistent scores all three days with a 74 on Lost Farm, 76 and 78 on Dunes. I’m very pleased and confident with my game right now – life is wonderful.
I had two great playing partners on my first day at Dunes and I enjoyed their company very much. Philip Samuel from Australia and Mike Schaefer from USA.
Two interesting person that share the same passion for links golf as I. Mike has played an impressive number of links courses around the world and also written three books (Across the Pond, A Day on the Links and A Small Display of Golf Courses) and a fourth is on it’s way.
Mike & Philip, Thanks for a memorable day at Barnbougle Dunes – much appreciated.
It’s not only the golf and landscape that’s extraordinary at Barnbougle. You’ll have outstanding facilities, accommodation and restaurants. The restaurant at Lost Farm is on top of a huge sand dune facing the ocean – spectacular. The Spa next door has the same stunning view and a soar body will be healed, believe me.
People are always a key part of the puzzle and the people at Barnbougle are exceptional – welcoming, friendly and professional. OUTSTANDING.
The golf and experience at Barnbougle Dunes & Lost Farm is world class and very enjoyable. It’s a remote location of the world, but it’s a place that must be visited – you’ll not regret it. Just make sure you stay at least 4-5 days and indulge yourself in an extraordinary experience.
Barnbougle Dunes - first day
Barnbougle Lost Farm - second day
Barnbougle Dunes - third day
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