1. rieuwen | Rated | 29 Jun 2011 | Add A Review

Played at Calderwood on Sunday and even though I’m only learning at golf, thoroughly enjoyed it with the company I was with and the beautiful scenery on such a perfect day.

Even though I live in the Shellharbour area, I would easily travel the 90 minutes from Sydney to play on this picturesque course.

I have no problem paying the $24 to have a round and I dont even care if theres no clubhouse. I love the atmospehere and the views. Why would you want to be anywhere else !!!

2. NUFFIETHEGOLFMAN | Rated | 13 Oct 2009 | Add A Review

Having played here dozens of times during my teens and priviledged to be related to the owners of this course, maybe its time I review it. This course is very scenic and growth of the fairways and rough is always lush and green. Maybe its a testimant to the Smithers Family, who have a background in trotting/rural farming before the course was constructed on their property.

I agree with most of the previous reviews, this course is not long by championship standards like Port Kembla or The Links but always gives opportunity for the better player to take risks, in attempting to drive the short par 4’s or attempting to take on some of the doglegs. The 12th hole has to be the signature one, a par 5 that doglegs left around the trees and is about 470m long. It is a great hole and it is possible to hit the green in two, however due to its speed, elevation, protection from the trees/water on the left and exposure to the breeze from the hills, its the hardest green to hit in regulation on the course, let along for your second shot. I’ve managed only to do it once in 40 or so rounds.

Some holes that spring to mind: I’ve eagled the 2ns by knocking 3 wood on. Its a 250m par 4. The 3rd has a hazard left of the green that will swallow big hitters if they take driver and dont cut the corner. Its a par 4 at around 320m. The 5th is a par 5 thats not too long, only around 450-460m so can be reached in two. The 6th is a fantastic par 3 at 145m, across the Calderwood Creek and to the green at the base of the escarpment – one of the best par 3’s in the Illawarra area. The next hole 7th is also reachable in two, a par 5 at 450m with a green on the hill. The 11th is possibly the trickiest par 3 at about 165m with the front of the green sloping into a hazard just short. The 13th is another great par 3, with trees left and right, water short and about 140m long. The 17th is the longest par 3 at about 185m, however there is no trouble on it and you can run your approach onto the green.

This course would rate a few shots easier than par if competition was played here, however there are real opportunities to shoot low. The area for improvement though is the greens, just like most courses where social and public players flock to on the weekends. I’ve often noticed them bumpy and two-paced, but for a public course it’s to be expected. I recommend this course to all golfers. But beware, keep it on the fairway or you’ll be chopping out of the thick kikuyu rough all day long.

PROS

• Very scenic, not to difficult for beginners and tempting for the experienced player to take risks

Cons

• A little short and greens can be inconsistent at times, generally well kept though

Also Liked

• New South Wales Golf Club
• Joondalup Country Club
• The Lakes Golf Club
• The Vines Resort & Country Club (The Lakes)
• Kennedy Bay Golf Club
• Hartfield Country Club
• Wanneroo Golf Club
• Sun City Country Club
• Cabramatta Golf Club
• New Brighton Golf Club
• Glenmore Heritage Golf Club (Links)
• Camden Lakeside Golf Club
• Camden Valley Golf Resort
• Port Kembla Golf Club
• The Links - Shell Cove
• Kwinana Golf Club
• Melville Glades Golf Club
• Avondale Golf Club
• Concord Golf Club
• Western Australian Golf Club

3. STEVE_RICHO | Rated | 20 Jul 2009 | Add A Review

I played Calderwood over the weekend, and once again had a great day out. The course itself was not in great condition, but the overall experience outweighs the negatives.

Greens were inconsistent, with a lot of sand/dirt used to make repairs. Speeds varied from green to green, which made it hard to read putts.

Fairways were green and lush, with very little need for the local rule of preferred lies on the fairway.

The layout makes for a fun round of golf, with enough challenge if you want to take it on, while also providing easy options to allow for solid scoring.

The staff at the course are awesome. Easily the most friendly at any golf course I have played.

If you are going to play at Calderwood, PLEASE REPAIR YOUR PITCH MARKS!!

PROS

• Friendly staff
• Great layout
• Fun course

Cons

• Greens undergoing repair
• Plenty of pitch marks

4. Steb | Rated | 02 Apr 2009 | Add A Review

A great day, despite the rain. This course is pretty, photographic even. Not a tough test by any means – the holes are quite short, trees are rare and bunkers aren’t really too much in play.

Greens were fantastic. Easy to read, quite quick and reliable.

Fairways were good – the whole region is just so green.

They really need a local rule allowing relief from embedded balls through the green however. We had 4 instances where unplayable lies had to be taken for balls just missing the green.

In fact they have a lot of weird things here. A refundable $2 to hire a sand bucket? That’s not encouraging people to look after the course. Local rule only allowing 2 minutes to search for a ball, and another saying a tee must be used on par 3’s.

The club has no membership, so no comps at anytime. No bar either.

PROS

• Greens smooth and true.
• Pretty

Cons

• Layout a bit confusing for the 1st time player
• Small flags - puts depth perception out.

5. Divotor | Rated | 06 Sep 2008 | Add A Review

Having played here many times, I can only say this is a nice course nestled in under the Illawarra escarpment…very scenic. Interesting mix of holes without being too punishing on the average player, the par 3 sixth and 13th being the standouts. Worth a look!

PROS

• Views, friendly shop, short par fours!

Cons

• Attracts the yobs on weekends, flies in summer!

6. JJ001 | Rated | 30 Jul 2008 | Add A Review

Played there a month back. Traveled a fair way to get there and the surrounding cow paddocks gave me cause for concern. Reality was a great golf course. I am more interested in tight strategic courses and this course got me. It isn’t overly long but the cut fairways are quite small and the rough pulls up wayward shots 50-100m short of where they may end up.Fairway bunkers and mounds also hamper the end point of your tee shots. Many many varying styles of holes.

Course was incredibly lush which was amazing for a family run operation. Matter of fact the whole operation is amazing for a family run affair to look so great when many other courses in the country with 50-100years of history and 1000+ members loking not as good. The 6th hole with a shot over a creek to green at the base of a Mountain is visually surreal. The greens were very swift pace wise and also a hard test with slopes everywhere.

The only down sides I found to this place was the lack of sand buckets which left hack marks over the fairways and the greens being a little bumpy due to the lazy golfers not repairing their pitch marks. Off the course the lack of a bar/clubhouse hampered our activities though we know now to BYO

7. harro8u | Rated | 14 Oct 2007 | Add A Review

played course yesterday it was my first game there for 3 years and apart from the publi screaming and the bad language it was good . course is a bit too easy thats why i dont play much there . shot 70 yesterday and hit it like a drunk 3 years ago i had 64 .

8. fairwaypu516 | Rated | 23 Mar 2006 | Add A Review

Was down at Calderwood a couple of months ago and saw this guy just grabbing the course by the scruff of the neck and holes that appeared long to his 2 mates...(I think it was Offset and 17th bunker) seemed to be almost like a par 3 to him.

I think as far as ability goes...this guy is one of the best weekend golfers I have seen...I wish I had his raw natural talent.

I hope the his two mates poor golf doesn't bring him down.

oh yeah..good course.

PS: Aweful course for left and right hand slicers...

9. garwoodcantchip | Rated | 17 Oct 2005 | Add A Review

good size course, tee off at 11.30pm & was done by 2.15pm.The cost was an absolute bargin at $20 a round to play on this beutiful course. It is well worth the drive from sydney. The par 3 8th hole was challenging allowing no room for error hitting over the water. The good thing about the par 5's on the front nine is that they are all definite eagle chances beacuse if you hit the ball straight on the fairways you nearly always get good roll adding a few yards to your shots.(i shot a birdie on two of the par 5's). It was very enjoyable having my first hit at calderwood & im sure next time i play this course now i know the layout it will be even better.

p.s

look out fairway putter & 17 bunker this cousrse was made for me as most fairways favour my slice.

10. grovermj | Rated | 16 Sep 2005 | Add A Review

This course is quite short, but is an absolute pleasure to play. The conditions of this course are not a Bonville but they are very good. This is a great layout, with many interesting holes. My personal favourite is the par-3 6th. This hole is nearly visually perfect, going over a green into a small valley. It is a treat to play.

11. thejaffa | Rated | 20 Jul 2005 | Add A Review

I found calderwood placed in a beutiful spot but found fairways confusing in some places the fact that sand buckets arn't made readily available means that fairways are full of divets & the greens resemble the golfballs thrown at them (full of pits) and are as rough as guts 12th hole was entertaining & challenging there is a few hits over water but overall not as entertaining as hoped & fees of $16 only just seems reasonable

12. logz88 | Rated | 21 Jun 2005 | Add A Review

Calderwood provides a variety of holes and great scenery. I disagree with the 5star rating given but can agree with the scenerey and effort put into this course. A very easy course but well kept. Valur for money for sure. An average golfers course.

13. aiyah | Rated | 23 Oct 2003 | Add A Review

A good course with many interesting holes. Very good value, too. But I can't agree with the previous rating that gave this course 5 stars, when some of the best championship courses in the country sometimes don't achieve that rating.

This course is definately worth going to if you are in the area, or want to take the easy drive from Sydney's south. The scenery and stillness on a clear morning under the escarpment is worth getting up early for.

14. adam | Rated | 12 Sep 2003 | Add A Review

Now that there has been rain of late, the course is always aesthetically breath taking, especially the 6th. Plenty of water features and wide open spaces. The course is surrounded by spectacular cliffs and ranges amoungst dairy farm land. Not the most difficult course in the world even off the longer blue tees, however there is something for all golfing abilities. Fairways are generous so a good tee shot sets you up well. Greens are usually fast and can be quite a challenge.

The best thing though is being able to play an entire round with out having to run into another group once during your game which is the case any day mid week. Also it is very affordable at $15 mid week with senior citizen and student rates also available.

It is only five minutes off the highway and well woth the drive even from Sydney. If you want a relaxing round then this is the place to come. Buggies and equipment hire is available at a very good rate. The Bbq area is great if you want to make a day out of it or there is food in the pro shop for a quick stop between the 9th and 10th.

15. Mark Barden | Rated | 12 Nov 2002 | Add A Review

At only 5112m off the blue tees Calderwood Valley is still a good test with some strategically placed bunkers calling for accuracy off the tee.

The front nine has 3 par 5 holes that are reachable in 2 namely the 1st, 5th & 7th.

The par 3 8th is only 138m but is nearly all water carry to a sloping green. The 320m par 4 9th is slightly uphill with a large tree protecting the left side of the green. This is a good hole as the green is long ang narrow and deceptive in appearance.

The par 5 12th is rated No1 on the card and at only 472m it would not seem too difficult but a 7 or 8 is quite possible as from the tee all you can see is trees in the distance with a fairway that dissapears over a hill. A normal drive will leave you with a blind shot over trees to a green perched high on an embankment as the hole doglegs sharply left about 125m from the green.

The greens are in good condition however the fairways are dry with a lot of run. It would certainly be a different course once the drought breaks.

This course is definetely worth the drive off the Prince's Highway to play and is only about an hour from the Southern Sydney suburbs. Great value for $20.00 on the weekend!.