1. EasyGame | Rated | 27 Jan 2010 | Add A Review

Ok I went back. I had heard that Tallwoods was for sale. Indeed it was and has been sold to a Chinese consortium who take control on 1st July 2010. The current owners have retrenched half the ground staff and seemingly most of the rest of the staff as well. The bistro is no longer and there is only 1 person working the pro shop and bar. The condition of the gardens surrounding the course is average maybe. Congrats to the remaining staff for keeping it all going.

The new owners are getting ready to build a low rise hotel on the site where the current reception bulding is. They have also hired 5 gardeners plus additional green staff so I think the course will improve greatly.

Thanks to the the current owners the course condition has slipped amazingly – the bunkers were washed out in a fearful storm and it took over a week for them to be back in play.

The greens were extremely slow and soft and the grass cover was patchy, at best. The grass covering has really lost condition. Hit and hope.

The rough hadn’t been mowed in weeks and the paspalum made it impossible to get your ball out of the rough even if it went in a little way. Much time was lost in finding balls. Unfortunately even after it was mowed during my time there, because the rough had been so long for so long, it made little difference.

As always the members are a fantastic bunch and it is a joy to play with them and enjoy a few beers afterwards.

In the meantime – if you’re looking for a great golf experience play Tuncurry.

I’ll go back – one more time. Just to see what the new owners make of it.

2. markinsydney | Rated | 29 Jan 2009 | Add A Review

Tallwoods is a joy to play. The staff are really friendly and the course is magnificent, even for us high handicappers. But pay the extra and take a cart: several holes are 400+ metres straight up hill.

3. EasyGame | Rated | 06 Jan 2009 | Add A Review

A great course indeed. A good test of golf and more so off the back markers. In fantastic condition, greens were quick and true. Couch fairways were in excellent condition and are well looked after by the members. Some tough short holes with some fantastic driving holes as well all with rewards for a thinking player who places their shots into the correct landing zone. Beware when the wind blows.

Speaking of whom, the members were a good natured, friendly bunch to play with and always helpful with advice on how to play the holes. The staff were efficient and friendly as well. A great day – well worth the trip.

There is a “Hole of the Day” on which you fix as many divot/pitch marks as you can whilst waiting your turn to hit – a novel but effective idea that should be shared by many other clubs.

You can walk but get a cart. The back nine is especially steep in some areas.

$49 with a cart is a bargain for a course of this quality.

4,6,10,11,15,17 were my favourites however all the holes were interesting and none had the same feel as any others. You’ll use just about every club in your bag. Take a few spare balls as well.

I’m definately going back. Tallwoods is one of the few courses that I’ve stayed & played on that I would join without hesitation if I lived there.

4. golfingmad | Rated | 04 Feb 2008 | Add A Review

A thoroughly enjoyable golf course. Quite different to a lot of other resort courses in terms of layout but this is by no means a detraction. Beautiful scenery, flora and fauna, etc. Highlights for me are the 7th, 8th, 11th and 17th holes. Definately worth playing – excellent value for money!

5. swampy | Rated | 10 Dec 2007 | Add A Review

Tallwoods is a course well worth visiting and staying the night at the great accommodation. The course is well set out with a variety of holes and many challenges to all levels of golfer. I quite nejoyed the long par 5’s and the shorter par 4’s which provide a challenge to make good scores. Best to play early in the morning before it gets too hot otherwise it is a long course even with carts.

6. SirSlicealot | Rated | 12 Nov 2007 | Add A Review

Tallwoods indeed. This place is a great setting with tree lind fairways and a very relaxing feel. The only problam is the layout is surrounded by massive hills with the course lieing at the bottom af a massive ridge – what does this mean? Well when it sprinkles the course is very waterlogged & when it pous the course is shut for many days whilst it drys out. I played after 2 days of medium rain and the back nie was closed to play so we plyed the front 9 twice – not what i payed full price for half a golf course. I cut my stay in the area short by 2 days and travelled a few hours up the pacific highway to a place called Bonville. They had had the same amout of rain if not more and i managed to play with carts on fairways and all 18 holes. The two properties ar apples & oranges with Bonville being 5 star & Tallwoods 1 star. I hear Bonvill will soon have houses to buy on site & let me tell you get in quick as they will sell like hotcakes.

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7. harty1au | Rated | 16 Jul 2007 | Add A Review

This is the most enjoyable course I have played. Over 3 years I have played it 6 times and leave knowing this is a little known golf haven. The greens are quickish but high quality and fair. Fairways are always in excellent condition. Great variation in holes. It is a real “thinking” course that rewards for getting it right but too cruel when you get it wrong. Photographs from the course would make a great calendar, only trouble would be to pick which 6 to leave out.

8. zalko70 | Rated | 22 Jan 2007 | Add A Review

Simply an awesome design , this course is one of the most strategic ad scenic courses in Oz. Each hole is memorable I played it once only but can still vividly remember each hole and it's subtleties. Every hole is a challenge either from the tee or on the large immaculate and sloping greens. I have heard someone say that when the greens here are fast it is like Augusta, while this may be an overstatement I get the picture. I played Bonville the day prior and Tallwoods absolutely kills it.

9. passyone | Rated | 01 Aug 2006 | Add A Review

If you get an opportunity to have a golfing holiday, go to Tallwoods.

The course is just great with a good mix of holes where trees and water come into play. I walked it with a carry bag but can understand why most go in a cart, the inclines on some holes are huge.

Great condition and always room to fit in by yourself or with the fabulous members. Great pro shop and the food is top class. You won't be disappointed.

10. gregb3 | Rated | 15 Nov 2005 | Add A Review

Still a young course by many standards but with 8 years under its belt Tallwoods is developing into a spectacular course.

There are 5 tee positions on each hole which make the course play significantly differently depending on individual skill levels. Being only 3kms from the coastline, the prevailing NE or the occasional southerly change makes for plenty of variety.

Greens are now in magnificent condition holding superbly but the undulations and tiers along with a quite fast speed make putting a daunting challenge.

Par 5s appear short - but they are uphill all the way with tight greens, tiers and if you miss the green start looking for the lob wedge.

Postcard views down the coastline from the tee on 4, 14 and 17, water on 8,10,11 and 18 holes, and well maintained fairways make playing here a pleasure.

Unless you are a fitness fanatic, take a cart at least the first time so the hilly terrain doesn't take its toll and you enjoy the day.

11. master1106 | Rated | 13 Oct 2005 | Add A Review

what a gem of a course. this course is very young i can see when it gets older holding major events. very hilly, you will need a cart. some long holes with well positioned water hazards to catch you when your not thinking. greens from memory are fairly fast rolling and require good touch. give this course time to grow and it will be majic. be sure to check out the views from up top before playing or after. they are incredible.

12. jimandr | Rated | 20 Nov 2003 | Add A Review

Tallwoods is now accepting green fee players, so don't overlook it as a golf option.

You tend to get seduced by it's appearance, and think the actual golf is better than it really is, because almost every hole gives a golfing postcard view from the tee. It's not quite as scenic as Bonville, but it's close.

The actual course is a fair test, without being overly penal. Looking at the card, you'd think the Par 5's are a snack, between 420 and 470 metres, but they are all severely uphill. The Par 3's are very strong, and mostly spectacularly downhill holes where deep bunkers await at the front and big slopes if you go over the back.

The fairways are reasonably generous, and on most there is plenty of room on the good side, so there is no reason to battle with the 'bad' side. The couch grass was in good nick, and gave good lies every time.

The greens are mostly big, with a few swales and tiers, and were good to putt on, if just a bit slow.

While you can walk it, a cart is recommended, as some of the hills are quite steep, particularly when climbing to the tees.

$50 bucks on a weekday is good value.