1. sdibley | Rated | 01 May 2005 | Add A Review

Sugar Valley Golf Course, located at the base of Mt Sugarloaf is a 9 hole course, with a number of the holes having two tee positions to allow for a bit of variation when playing the second nine. Overall this course would have to be rated as easy, especially if you happen to be long off the tee. With no par 5, and the majority of the par 4s requiring only a half sand wedge into the green after a decent driver or 3 wood, this course will definately not challenge your length skills. Most of the fairways are lined by large gums and the water comes into play on a number of holes. As such it is accuracy that is required here.

There is little imagination with most of the holes, but when you reach the parts of the course furthest from the clubhouse there are some steep slopes to deal with. I especially liked the drive from the 5th tee. Here you must decide whether to take on the cross fairway creek with your drive or lay up and have over 150 m uphill to the pin with your second. Also, the 6th runs down a steep slope, and at only 254 m you can't help but pull out the driver and go for the green which is hidden behind a large pine tree.

Unfortunately, there are several negatives associated with this course. The fairways and greens both needed mowing when I played (on a Sunday). There were times when I didn't know whether I was in the fairway or the rough (apart from the line marking where the fairway was meant to be). There is also several places where players on different tees and neighbouring houses are in danger of being hit by stray golf balls. There is no protective wire fencing and some of the tees are very close to greens. So just be on the lookout when you play here. Finally, as with any "cheap" course, you get people playing there that don't know or abide by golf etiquette. I had people walk right out in front on me while I was trying to play a shot.

Overall this course is worth a round if you want to practice without the crowds, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a serious golfing challenge. It doesn't reach the standard of the other "budget" course around Newcastle, Berresfield, and it feels like it belongs in a country town somewhere. One plus is you can play as many holes as you like for $14 on Sunday.