1. q-tip | Rated | 16 Aug 2011 | Add A Review

Measures 6100m Par 72 with four par 3s ranging from 130-192m, ten par 4s ranging from 311-411m and four par 5s ranging from 419-493m.

Course has dry, kikuyu fairways with many dirt patches and slowish bent grass greens with some pine and eucalypt trees lining its rather wide fairways. Course is flat with 1 bunker and a creek which comes into general play on 5 holes. There are 2 temporary greens in play on 2 of the par 5 greens.

Highlights include: the opening 192m 1st (index 3) with trees to avoid off the tee; the 367m 4th (index 7) which doglegs 90 degrees right from 200m off the tee with a small dam on the dogleg corner and a creek across the fairway about 50m short of the bunkerless green; the 473m straight 7th (index 1) with a narrow driving area with trees both sides and OOB right to avoid; the 341m 8th (index 8) which doglegs 60 degrees left from 280m off the tee with the creek on the right from tee to green; the 130m 9th (index 17) with a teeshot over the creek to a green guarded short right by the only bunker on the course and the short 438m Par 5 straight 15th (index 12) with the 50m wide creek bisecting the fairway about 140m out from the bunkerless green (which was a temporary green when I played)

The layout is slightly above average for a country course with its medium-sized greens with the 17th being over 25m long. The course has some easy par 5s but some long par 4s on the back nine. Shame there is just not enough (if any) water allocation for the course to keep it in great condition.

The course has a natural (and wide) creek bisecting some holes that you cross 4 times during the round which eventually flows into town to what is known as Lake Forbes.

Forbes is a town of about 7000 people on the northern banks of the Lachlan River approximately 245m above sea level less than 30 minutes south of Parkes on the Newell Highway and a little over 1 hour (or 120km) west of Orange via The Escort Way.

Cheap accommodation is available adjacent to the course. Clubhouse is reasonable with the separate proshop currently being renovated.
Played here on 1st August 2011 with $27.50 visitor green fees. Course is slightly above 1 star which represents ‘basic golf’ but nowhere near 5 stars which indicates ‘golf at its absolute best’.

2. JSR | Rated | 04 May 2009 | Add A Review

I have known the Forbes course for about 20 years. It’s a great layout but has been struggling in recent years due to drought and lack of funds.

However, two months ago the same course management team that maintains Sydney courses such as Liverpool and Mirage Port Douglas.

The improvements are already there for all to see.

And with recent rains, hopefully Forbes Golf Course will soon be restored to its former glory.

I strongly recommend you take a look for yourself.

3. alby | Rated | 10 Jun 2008 | Add A Review

Before arriving i was warned of dry and dusty conditions. Upon arrival i was pleasantly surprised by the condition of the course given the clubs funding resources. The course whilst long, exhibits exceptional carry making many of the par 5s real birdy chances. The greens were true with gentle breaks. Obviously the course could benefit from some rain, and with some i believe it would be one of the better regional courses in the central west. If in town, well worth a hit given the price and quality of course.

4. lwiggles | Rated | 28 Nov 2005 | Add A Review

Played Forges golf club last weekend.

Set in a pictureesque and flat part of this pretty town, the golf course at Forbes is very entertaining. A number of tight par fives and water hazards put a premium on staying straight.

Unfortunately, the drought has played havoc with this once exceptional country course. Letís hope better times can see this course return to being one of the areas best.