1. u8ergolfer | Rated | 19 May 2008 | Add A Review

Well… last Sunday we got the opportunity to play a round at Port Kembla for the first time in about 5 months, and it was really much, much better. we played two new golf holes, the 3rd and the 18th, and the speed and condition of the greens has improved enormously.

While the days’ play was still VERY,VERY SLOW,(WHAT IS IT WITH HUSBAND/WIFE COMPETITIONS?) the course was in far better condition for sure. We really liked the new finishing hole, with a funky bump in the middle of it, and a water hazard in front…(tough luck Jugmeister for four putting it)

2. NuffieTheGolfman | Rated | 25 Apr 2008 | Add A Review

I played Port Kembla Golf Course at the start of this month and I could not believe how much the course has deteroirated from its fomer grace. The last time I played there was in a holden scramble event in 2001 and it was much better. The greens I found this time were very ordinary to say the least, bumpy, very slow and not true – the worst in the area I must say at the moment. I even heared a whisper from a sunday playing member that there was no full time greenkeeper employed there at the time. That is a real shame considering that this club boasts the best on-course practice range in the Illawarra region. Might I add to the recommendations of some previous reviewers – Do NOT play there on a sunday after 11am because you will definitely BE THERE A WHILE :) I lasted 14 holes behind the sunday comp, then walked off.

To be honest Ive played all the courses in the Illawarra in the last 3 months, and in a few months time Ive decided Shell Cove Links is the one I will join. It came down to a choice for me between these two courses, as they are the toughest and best layouts in the area in my opinion. In saying that though, despite Port Kembla’s reasonable layout, and being much longer than Wollongong, Jamberoo and Kiama, Shell Cove Links still has a large edge over it. If you are one that prefers playing a track that is flat, tighter and with smaller sized greens on average, take Port Kembla. However if you want something just as length (over 6 Km), but hiller, tougher, more challenging and adventurous for the lower marker – take Shell Cove Links. Its worth the extra few $100 a year and as it improves, it will only get more expensive to join.

3. hamfisted | Rated | 22 Mar 2008 | Add A Review

Good layout pity about the Greens!!! They were the slowest, wettest bumpiest and worst I’ve played on this year. There seemed to be a couple of new holes, quite different to the rest, they played quite OK, but the others.. never again..There seemed to be a lot of Debris fallen down tree limbs etc that had been lying around the place. I remember one on the back nine (the 14th I think) that even looked like the greenkeeper had mowed around it a couple of times..What was going on there?

4. u8ergolfer | Rated | 27 Dec 2007 | Add A Review

This is the best course in the Wollongong area for sure. They seem to be currently rebuilding some of the greens, the 18th being one of them. It looks like its going to become a tough par 5 finishing hole, water in front with a big bump in the middle.

We like to make a trip down a few times a year, and its always in pretty good condition off the tee. The greens seem to be always on the slow side though and maybe they need to fix that.

Though most of the par 4s are shorter, you need to be very accurate from the tee because if you miss a fairway almost always you are better off chipping back onto the fairway because the melaleuca trees that abound are just too thick to blast one through.

The best of the course is definitely the back nine, very tight, and now with three finishing holes that require you to negotiate water to play well.

Watch out for Sunday Afternoons. it seems to be very popular and if you’re intent on a game later, be aware that you will be playing behind what seeems to be a VERY slow mixed competition full of VERY SLOW GOLFERS. We didn’t know that we could have played earlier on in the open morning competition. Next time we plan to ring in advance and book in for a game in this.

All up though, good facilities, a good golf course, pleasant staff serve you in the clubhouse, and at the 19th hole we really like the new outdoor deck area.. just the place to enjoy a cold beer and watch people finishing out, though a few more trees could be removed so it was a better view.

5. Badhacker | Rated | 26 Dec 2007 | Add A Review

The best course in the Illawarra. The Grange comes close but it’s front nine let’s it down. Can’t wait to play there again.

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• Mollymook Golf Club (Hilltop)

6. kjgreen | Rated | 26 Nov 2007 | Add A Review

i really enjoyed playing here , not long by any means but if you are a low handicapper you will have a tough time playing to your handicap , you really need to think your way around and not just blast away off the tee , greens are a little on the slow and bumpy side but over all not too bad , give it a go

7. strone | Rated | 21 Dec 2006 | Add A Review

Played this course today and it was fantastic, The course was in great condition with the striped lines down the fairways on show, The greens could of been alot faster but there was some overnight rain that could of slowed them down a bit.

Port kembla has some great holes on it, I really enjoyed the 6th and the 7th, Two shortish Par 4's. The 6th dogleg's left and there is a big bunker complex right on the landing area on the left, trees are right and if you go to long on the drive you will find another bunker to catch your tee shot. The 2nd shot must make the green as there are bunkers everywhere in front of the green.

The 7th is 280m and can be reached if you are a big hitter, trees are down both sides of this hole and there are bunkers on the right hand side in the landing area. The green is bunkered both front left and right.

The back 9 at port I feel is the harder of the two 9's and again has some great holes.

Hole 16 is 318m and you are faced with a daunting water carry of about 200m on the tee, there is a bail out area too the left but this will leave you with 130-150m to the green, If you take on the water you will be left with a 50-100m shot to the slopping green.

All in all a great course, and I would say that this is the the best course in the illawarra at the moment, It is a great layout and in great condition!

8. Wally | Rated | 02 Jun 2006 | Add A Review

This is a great course. It is very testing.

The fairways are in good condition and the greens are superb.

Short hitters will find this course difficult as they won't be able to get around most of the doglegs.

Great Course

9. q-tip | Rated | 25 Apr 2006 | Add A Review

Measured 6094m Par 72 (from the back plates) with four Par 3s ranging from 130-175m, 10 Par 4s ranging from 280-415m and 4 Par 5s ranging from 480-525m. The greens were true but a little on the slow side. Bunkers protect the greens of most holes, and the teebeds were quite nice with mostly flat lies, while the fairways were trimmed close but a little bare in places.

The course has two nines that are similar in length, but differ slightly in challenge and quality. The front nine has its doglegs, thick tree-lined fairways that reminded me of a links feel, but genuinely not a links course. Many holes were fairly flat and boring though compared to the back nine.

The back nine is the reason why Iíll come back here, which has the more low index holes. Holes are more demanding, options off the tee, lay-up options on par 5s, larger tiered greens and undulating fairways, interesting sand traps (16th green complex), and water hazards cut close to fairways and some greens (13th, 14th, 16th, 17th) just add to the challenge. The signature 314m 16th is a hole that tests your club selection with water between you and the green along the right side, fairway bunkers on left, and pot bunkers around the green. Par 5s are worth some respect, except the 18th which lacks length (only 480m) and challenge for a par. Par 4s are quite challenging on length, but are within reign if accurate off the tee.

Generally the course has tree-lined, narrow fairways on both sides which adds to the course flair. Played here Anzac Day 2006 with good value for green fees $26 and $30 for a cart. Great little clubhouse with nice members, proshop and bar staff.

10. batehaven | Rated | 13 Oct 2005 | Add A Review

well what a course. definately one of the best golf courses i have ever experinced and i manage to score a game with rising junior star jenifer david. i had a great day just watching her. very demanding golf course. can play fairly long but overall a nice looking course. greens are rough although nice fairways make up for them. i recomend you play this course if your ever in the area. p.s good luck jen with your professional career darl.

11. bennyhogan | Rated | 25 May 2005 | Add A Review

Green fees are $26 for weekdays.

The course its self is usually in rather good condition.Greens are ok.

Can get busy even during the week.

Flat course with some good holes like the 16th which is around 315 metres.Big hitters can attack the green but you need at least a 260-270 metre carry over water.Interesting design,some nice dog legs.

Good course and well worth a look

12. fraprikofr | Rated | 29 Oct 2003 | Add A Review

Port Kembla is 18 hole par72 course situated close to popular Lake Illawarra.

The layout of the course is built around the abundant trees and shrubs so accurate tee shots are a must to avoid the array of dangers lurking to the edges.

The par 4 16th is Port's signature hole, a short par 4 which meanders left to right around a large dam. A good drive can be rewarded with a birdie oppurtunity, but anything short will be swollowd by the water.

Overall a very testing and enjoyable course.