Kennedy Bay Golf Club

IN: COURSE DIRECTORY | REGION: Peel, WA | USER RATING: (4.2) | Add A Review

Hole 5

(Photo: David Scaletti/Sportscapes)

Surrounded by undulating sand dunes and natural Australian bush land this 18 hole championship golf course can only be described as the jewel in the golfing crown in Western Australia.

The Golf Club Kennedy Bay is situated just forty minutes south of Perth along side the vast blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Surrounded by undulating sand dunes and natural Australian bush land this 18 hole championship golf course can only be described as the jewel in the golfing crown in Western Australia.

Designed by Michael Coate in association with Roger Mackay and 1991 British Open Champion Ian Baker Finch, this par 72 championship links golf course is what is described as many as a true test of your golfing skills. When designing the course Michael Coate recreated many of the features found on such courses as Royal Birkdale and Royal Lytham and St Annes, both British Open courses on the Lancashire coast of England. With 115 pot style bunkers and large undulating greens this course is a delight to play from the gold tees and nothing short of a challenge both mentally and physically from the black tees.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Name: Kennedy Bay Golf Club
Region: Peel,WA
Address: Port Kennedy Drive
, Western Australia, Australia
View Aerial Map »
Directions: View Map »
Proshop: (08) 9524 5333
General: (08) 9524 5333
Holes: 18
Metres: 6154m
Par: 72

User Reviews (15)
Editor Review (1)

1. ipwood | Rated | 24 Jan 2008 | Add A Review

Played Kennedy Bay last week with temp about 41 and a 30kmh crosswind blowing. Don’t normally mind hard fairways but these were bordering on ridiculously hard and the penalty for missing a fairway seems too severe particularly for the mid to high handicapper.

The layout itself is fine although appears to be suffering (greens in particular)from lack of water. Cannot believe a course of this reputation doesn’t have a beverages cart particularly given the lack of any water on course.

I notice the Golf Course Guide rates this no.2 resort course in Australia. Wouldn’t make my top 10.

2. iseekgolfguru | Rated | 07 Jan 2008 | Add A Review

This is a well laid out course that seems to be suffering from the WA heat this summer. Fairways are a little stressed and the local wildlife are leaving a few blemishes around the place that were not obvious in years gone by.

As a test of your golfing prowess KB is a must play. It takes no prisoners in the sod pot bunkers nor in the salt bush. Beware of the snakes in there and on the buggy paths!

Still well worth the effort to head south to play. Morning for the higher handicappers is best and afternoons for the more accomplished player as the winds pick up off the sea.

3. johno | Rated | 19 Aug 2007 | Add A Review

kennedy bay is a course that takes a lot of courage, but overall a disappointment. The fairways are average and so are the greens, making it tough to putt. The bunkers are in good nick, which is about the only thing on the course. On a windy day you are guarenteed to loose a few balls, so at least it is a challenge. I went to the course with high hopes, but was very dissapointed with the course. i would definately suggest playing secret harbour instead of kennedy bay.

4. clehmann1969 | Rated | 12 Apr 2007 | Add A Review

Played this course today (12/04/2007) and thoroughly enjoyed the experience – again!! Probably played the course about 20 times now and the course has always been in excellent condition with the greens as true as you can get. The rough is penal but if your wayward enough to hit it there then it should be penal. The bunkers are numerous and have a gritty type of sand in them. The standout hole is the 16th – called Wee Tap – a short par 3 – I have hit as much as a 5 iron here – today it was a Pitching Wedge.

5. clehmann1969 | Rated | 12 Apr 2007 | Add A Review

6. Scarlett | Rated | 12 Dec 2006 | Add A Review

Played this course on 28Sep06 and there was a decent enough breeze blowing to make it 'interesting'.

It's an undulating linksland course that winds through hind dunes about a kilometre or two from the ocean. No elevation changes but some dogleg holes, and plenty of bunkers. Mostly they are small, pot style, especially around the greens which are firm and fast.

The course is a challenge, it's fun to play and it's in good condition. Although I must say that having last played it in Dec 04, it is now more unkempt, with weeds appearing and clover growing through some fairways. This isn't too much of an issue though, as back then it could only be described as superb.

Watch out for the 4th hole, called Hell for a good reason. If you avoid the bunkers it probably plays like heaven, but I didn't (three of the bloody things - but hey, no one ever said the game was meant to be easy) and the name was most appropriate!

At the price of social green fees (especially when using the iseekgolf vouchers), this course is a bargain. A real quality links course for under $50.

7. brenubadis | Rated | 01 Dec 2006 | Add A Review

Was very much looking forward to playing this track, from all the reviews I have read. Driving in felt like I was heading into a ghost town. Woeful clubhouse (although I am sure temporary). Unfortunately the practice range was closed and my first few holes were ordinary as a result.

The fairways are in great condition, although the greens were quite patchy in some areas. The course is a great test from the black tees, although I would not be pulling driver out on every hole. Find the fairway and you should score well if there is little wind. If the wind blows it becomes a brute.

One concern I have is that there is little reward for taking driver on many holes. You can fly the traps but the fairways can narrow considerably if you do. If you cant fly the traps you have a long second. Leave the fairway and you better pray for some luck as the bushes equal lost ball most of the time.

When the wind blows it is tough enough let alone having to deal with all the bush on the edges of the fairway. I feel they could remove much of this as when the wind blows it would easily stand up to any golfer hitting well. Many of the great links course have little rough/bushes and have stood the test of time.

No doubt course experince is key here. First time (as I was) was difficuly because distances were hard to judge. I am sure with more rounds it would become more enjoyable.

Some great holes and some forgetable ones on the front nine.

A fine test nonetheless.

8. hlhchan | Rated | 02 Apr 2006 | Add A Review

Played here a couple of weeks ago in the morning and must say that its a lot more playable than the Cut. The design in my opinion is certainly better than the Cut and made a lot more sense. My only reservation is that they probably should hand out the course guides for free though its not too much at A$3.50.

9. greavesy | Rated | 22 Dec 2005 | Add A Review

This course by far isone of the best in WA.It isa exceptional fine links style course ,the pot bunkers are numerous and placed very well but they can be avoided with thought and a course guide(only 3.50 from pro shop a must).The greens are enormous and fairly easy to hit from 150 out.Anyone with a slice or hook will be spending time in the rough with the kangaroos and snakes,the rough is very deep and usually would not find your ball in there.The back nine especially when the wind blows will eat you alive from th short par three (wee tap) through to the long par 5's.Playing of the black markers is a experience for any low handicapper it will really test your metal and make you think about every shot.To me this course is the jewel of WA and best of all play mid week and the course is fairly empty no waiting to ply shots the only way to play golf.A must to play if your in WA.

10. scotttindall | Rated | 22 Nov 2005 | Add A Review

Driving down the freeway south of Perth my expectations grew, a course right on the Indian Ocean, ranked 6th in Australia by Golf Digest, the anticipation couldn't help but grow. The clubhouse is anything but spectacular, in the age of sandstone monliths, it felt much more like a regional watering hole. Not the grand start I'd expected.

The place was dry, most of the fairways were very patchy, for a new course this has to be expected and as the grass settles, it will happen less often but to be honest with summer not having yet begun, it is a worrying sign.

Off the back tees Kennedy bay isn't super tough, fairways are reletivly easy to find and although there are many pot bunkers, they can be suprisingly easy to avoid. Greens are also generally easy to find, in common terms: they are huge. There are two challenges a player may face around these links: 1) finding the pin - many greens are so large and elevated from the approach position, judging precise distances becomes difficult. 2) making birdies on the par 3s. The par 3's here are truly where the course bears it's teeth. Two of them require the longest of irons whilst only the second does not severly punish the slightly mis-hit shot.

The course is tough but fair, on a calm day a good player will score well but a player who has tendancies to spray the ball may struggle and the rough is unforgiving and most often, ball swallowing. As with most seaside links, the wind is a major factor and no doubt this place can be sublimly hard in a squall. So look ahead at the forecast.

I am not about to lie here, I was quite dissapointed by the opening nine holes, the barren fairways, large greens did not make for jaw dropping excitement, the course was solid but you couldn't quite help making less favourable comparisions. The back nine is, however, significantly better. Genuine excitement greets many of the holes and they are as challeging as one could hope for. The final four holes are a great finish and certainly make you feel a bit better about the weak opening holes.

I guess I have two main complaints: firstly the condition of the course was below average and below what I would expect for a top-50 course let alone a top-10 one. Secondly, I felt the design of the greens was a little uninspired. Certainly the pot bunkers surrounding the targets were feindish and thought-provoking but when aiming at such sizeable greens they were a little toothless. In my opinion hitting up at elevated greens from a fairway valley was also overused a bit too much, expecially on the front nine.

I enjoyed my round here, especially on the second nine, but the lack of atmosphere surrounding many of the holes and poor condition of the fairways dented the experience a little. By all means, theis place is worth playing, especially in winter. But if your looking for a destination course whilst you're over in Perth, as I was, you may leave a little dissapointed. Overall, a solid course that was inspired in places but dull in others, leaving the golfer with a real mixed bag of emotions & a drive back north that is tinged with a slight stir of dissapointment.

11. tiprat | Rated | 13 Sep 2005 | Add A Review

this course is dead set awesome !! one of the best in OZ. if you are going to perth this is a must play course. played midweek course is empty ,cant understand that .

12. eddy89 | Rated | 29 Jun 2005 | Add A Review

This course is extremely good for a public access course, fairways littered with pot bunkers, which are the most challenging aspect. Fairly long but the greens are huge and fairly easy to hit to, within 150 of the green should always be followed with a putt. A big slice or hook will see your ball in the very deep rough, usualy unable to find amongst the bushland. Keep on the fairway and you will undoubtedly play below your handicap. The rough is littered with lost balls, a few minutes searching will see your bag full once again. Looking forward to the redevelopment of the fairly shabby clubhouse. Quite a good course, i stand by my statement of Sea View as WA's best course though.

13. murphy | Rated | 06 Jan 2005 | Add A Review

Kennedy Bay is an exceptional links style golf course. The pot bunkers are numerous and strategically placed, however with a bit of thought (and the help of the excellent course guide) they can be avoided.

On a still day Kennedy Bay is a delight to play, but the wind can make it very difficult for any golfer. The back nine in particular can be brutal - on the way out, I drove a 290 metre par 4 with my 5 iron - on the way back, I had to take a 6 iron for the 130 metre "Wee Tap" - and still didn't make it! I ended up losing 4 balls (and my hat) on the last 5 holes.

Kennedy Bay (and the back nine in particular) is probably the most difficult golf experience I have encountered. With the wind up, it betrays it's ACR of 76, playing more like a 79 or 80. Not for the faint hearted, but a great challenge and rewarding experience for the true golfing enthusiast.

14. whallop | Rated | 07 Sep 2003 | Add A Review

If I must criticise, the course is too hard for a public access track; tight and demanding off the tee and windy to boot.

However, for those who can play it is a marvel. Great variety of shots demanded, never a dull moment.

Was almost empty mid-week when I played, makes me wonder why they are not queuing up for this place.

15. tommyspencer | Rated | 28 Mar 2003 | Add A Review

By far the best golfing experience in WA.

Fantastic links style course with treacherous hazards and undulating fairways.

Pot bunkers and meticulously maintained features set this course apart from the rest.

Short drive from the Perth Metro area, but well worth the experience.

NB new multimillion $ clubhouse to be built in the near future.

Matthew Mollica | Rated | 20 Mar 2006

The Golf Club, Kennedy Bay was a bold project undertaken by Golf Club Properties Limited many years ago. A collaborative design effort from Ian Baker-Finch, Michael Coate and the late Roger Mackay, Kennedy Bay has wowed the Australian golfing public since its day of opening. Built on a modestly corrugated landscape, the course at times is only several hundred metres from the beach. Kennedy Bay is located about forty minutes drive south of Perth, and as such, requires a little effort to play for most enthusiastic Australian golfers. The trip is well worth the effort, with hole after hole of solid, thoughtful design, demanding sure and steady play. A stiff breeze often acts across Kennedy Bay, and although it's a welcome friend on some holes, it can serve as a strong adversary on others, usually through the closing four.

The Game Begins

The game begins at Kennedy Bay on a relatively wide par 4 of modest length. Prevailing winds do little to hurt the ball in flight, instead pushing it away from peril in the form of a long water hazard, which extends along the right side of the fairway. A solitary bunker left fairway 270 metres from the tee serves as a good aiming point for the drive. Nearing this trap leaves one with a wedge in hand, for the opening approach of the day, which is played towards a deep and generously sized green.

The third hole is a par 3 measuring 162 metres and is surprisingly rated the easiest hole on the course. The putting surface is almost totally obscured by a sizeable mound at the front of the green. The putting surface also tilts gently from front to back, and is flanked by left and right greenside traps. Ample room exists around the green for those needing to chip on with their second. A valley of significant size is at the rear of the green, and owing to the geometry of the hole, no doubt sees a lot of play. This green is really only receptive to a well-struck and well-flighted mid iron. My bet is far more golfers bogie it than par it.

The course turns 180 degrees at this point for the 520 metre par 5 fourth (named 'Hell' for reasons described later). The breeze usually acts from left to right. A pair of tiny but deep pot bunkers flank the right of the fairway 250 odd metres from the tee.

The bunkering philosophy prevalent at Kennedy Bay is distinctly penal in nature. Many pot bunkers are similar in size to a small spa bath, only deeper. Escape from them is often only achieved with a sand wedge. Finding a trap on the fairway sees a full stroke penalty in essence, as it's more often than not impossible to advance the ball anything more than a few dozen metres. The presence of these nasty hazards dictates conservative lines of play on many occasions, and greatly rewards the aggressive, accurate shot.

Once the first traps on the fourth fairway have been negotiated, one may think of the flag, either with a long second at the green, or a conservative play leaving a short wedge third shot. In attempting to reach the green, one must negotiate a sizeable bunker eating into the right two thirds of the fairway around 100 metres short of the green. Sharing its name 'Hell' with the similarly sized bunker on the 14th at The Old Course, this trap loudly dictates strategy. Those clearing it with their second will no doubt feel a sense of accomplishment, even if the green is missed.

The second par 3 of the day is the 6th hole, and at 195 metres from the pegs, requires a lusty blow. Bunkers protect this elevated green at the front left and right. The greenfront is open for a run-up shot which may be the play of choice on many occasions, with the prevailing wind at one's back, and a back to front sloping green.

Play turns in towards the direction of the prevailing breeze for the par four 7th. This 285 metre hole provides a good deal of temptation, with the green seeming reachable from the tee. Offset fairway bunkering and a solitary left greenside trap protect a narrow sliver of green; it demands a very accurate approach from those who have played a conservative tee shot. Slopes at the front and rear see that any ball not solidly struck, almost certainly slips away from the shelf of green.

The second par 5 of the day is the 8th, and at 495 metres into a prevailing wind, is a genuine three shot hole. Play from the tee is directed to the right half of the fairway, away from the pair of leftside fairway traps 247 metres from the tee. The quality of one's drive dictates the strategy for the second shot. A diagonal triumvirate of fairway traps cuts across the fairway, a nine iron or wedge short of the green's centre. Those who have hit a long drive may elect to traverse these hazards and aim to the left half of the fairway beyond, which enables a relatively easy pitch. Those who have driven poorly, or don't take the courageous option with their second, may elect to play short of the traps, and to the safe right half of the fairway. This complicates the approach, due to the presence of several right greenside traps. This hole provides lots of options from the tee, right through to the approach, for all levels of golfer, in a variety of conditions. Another green of good depth is found at the end of the 8th hole, which is no doubt a welcome relief to those playing the course on typical windy days.

The 9th hole is a 407 metre dogleg left par 4, and ranks as the second toughest on the course. A series of diagonally placed pot bunkers lines the inside of the dogleg, demanding that those who wish to shorten their approach hit the most heroic of drives. Those playing safe and short of the traps leave themselves a mid to long iron approach, to yet another interesting green. The ridges and contouring that divide the putting surfaces at Kennedy Bay are consistently good. The concept of greens within greens is well executed, and the slightly undulating terrain of the course is well mirrored by the subtle breaks, humps and hollows through the putting surfaces.

The Back Nine

The back nine starts with consecutive par 4's of similar length, both aided to a degree by prevailing winds. The 10th hole measures 390 metres from the championship tees. A pair of pot bunkers lie at the left of the fairway. The broad green is defended by a small swail at its front, and a small lone centrally positioned pot bunker a few metres short of the putting surface.

The 12th hole is arguably the best on the course. It's so often the case with quality short par four's. Measuring 330 metres from the championship tees, and 294 metres from the member plates, the hourglass shaped green lies perpendicular to the axis of the hole, and sits slightly to the left. It sits in a pretty little depression, obscured from the tee by a small crest in the fairway, and a thicket of coastal shrubs. It is also protected by a string of three diagonally placed bunkers, which may be avoided by a long, accurate, drawing drive. Much of the green tilts slightly from front to back and may even be unsighted on approach by those playing too conservative a tee shot, out to the expanse of fairway on the right of the hole. All manner of shots are available from the tee, and given the strength of the prevailing wind, which typically aids a draw, one may attempt to drive the green.

The 13th is a 508 metre par five, played in the same direction as the 12th. Plenty of room is afforded to those players who drive modest distances. A fairway bottleneck around 260 metres demands accuracy from the long hitter. A solitary and significantly sized fairway trap may be out of the equation for those hitting a long second, yet it may complicate things for players electing to lay up around 100 metres short of the green. The well sculptured two-tired putting surface is protected on both sides by deep sand traps, with the deepest of these protecting the small left tier of the green, no doubt used for club championships and medal day play. With the 13th green at the most remote point of the course one turns and heads for home to play the remaining holes. Prevailing winds usually prove a staunch enemy for the trip back.

The mid-length two shot 15th is another affording both the short and errant hitters significant room from the tee, while demanding accuracy from the long driver. One may be lulled into playing safe from the tee. Yet those confronted with a long approach may rue their decision at the tee. The deep, narrow green is wonderfully situated, in its own little dell, surrounded by low growing coastal shrubs and other native flora. It's somewhat difficult to access, yet approaches played to the left can feed down a small bank, much closer to the flag.

The 16th is arguably the best par 3 on the course and another contender for Kennedy Bay's best hole. Measuring 138 metres, it features a narrow offset green running from 4 o'clock to 10 o'clock protected by steep slopes at its front, a solitary and centrally placed pot bunker, which seems to eat its way right into the waist of the green. A pair of hazards beyond provide definition, whilst also catching the overcooked tee shot. The presence of these traps may also tempt golfers into underclubbing, producing higher ball flight, and on this windy part of the course, will more often than not result in a green missed. Recovery from any point either to the side, short or long of this green, is very difficult. The steep lopes, shallow green, and voracious pot bunker are all factors to contend with. The hole is a wonderful little design, not unlike the 16th at The Cut, or the 16th at Paraparaumu Beach.

The penultimate hole is a 498 metre par 5, played directly into the prevailing Fremantle Doctor. Drives longer than 240 metres must be straight, so as to avoid fairway bunkering both left and right. Playing short of these hazards sees far greater fairway width. The green is ideally approached from the right side of the fairway in almost all instances, yet this is where a string of diagonal bunkers sits. Golfers can either play left of these traps, thereby complicating their approach shot, contending with a solitary left greenside trap on the approach, or alternatively, accurately gauge the distance and wind, playing either short or long of the diagonal hazards. The 17th is yet another relatively deep green, demanding accurate assessment of hole location, and correct club selection on the approach.

The par 4 18th hole is a tough finish to the round, again playing essentially into the prevailing wind. Two lusty blows will be needed to travel the 394 metres to the putting surface. Even having achieved this aim, par is no certainty with a number of subtle breaks found on the final green.

Top Ten Course

Kennedy Bay has enjoyed a position among Australia's top ten golf courses since it's opening. The course is ideally situated in close proximity to the Indian Ocean, on gently corrugated sandy land, with good coverage from native shrubs, and strong breezes for good measure. The design philosophy is clear, simple and consistently executed. Hazards are small, yet deep and punitive, extracting a full shot penalty on most occasions. Their frequent diagonal placement is a welcome return to a sound design philosophy prevalent in the Golden Age, particularly well employed locally by Alex Russell.

Kennedy Bay's greens are artfully constructed, and blend harmoniously with the prevailing terrain. Fairway width is generous for those playing conservatively, progressively narrowing with increased driver length. The course boasts good variety, and wonderful rhythm, with excellent short and long par 4's found on both sides. The par 3 holes form a strong quartet, and the run home from holes 14 to 18 provides a stern test. Given the somewhat limited amount of traffic the course receives, it's no surprise that tees, fairways and greens are all in very good condition. Perhaps one benefit of being so far from a significant population centre. I'm sure the flip side is that a paucity of golfers from the eastern seaboard enjoy Kennedy Bay's pleasures. In time, with greater recognition, perhaps more will come to appreciate the quality of this course, and venture west to undertake it's examination.

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