1. STRIPER | Rated | 20 Jan 2009 | Add A Review

I really enjoyed playing this course (even though my handicap didn’t necessarily agree) over the recent new year period I had the opportunity to play a number of great courses up and down the coast including Horizons, Magenta, Bonville,Kooindah and found that the condition of the greens at Dunes were of the best condition (pure,well paced and spin purchase)Very good value for money. This is the pick of them at Port Stephens

2. jthel | Rated | 03 Sep 2008 | Add A Review

Great course. Played here last week and the course, staff and golf were all great. Brilliant layout, every hole provided new challenges, the front nine is dense with trees and bushes, with heavy bunkering and little water while the back nine is full of water dipping into and out of the narrow fairways. It was in great nick, the troon staff are obviously lovely, and for $60 for a walking round have nothing to complain about.

3. ipwood | Rated | 01 Sep 2008 | Add A Review

First sighting of Pacific Dunes was a little intimidating with fairways seemingly cut through forest. The front nine, played in a very strong wind, was a real test with accuracy a must. Anything slightly off the fairway was severely penalised and easily lost.

The back nine was far mor open than the front and afforded a much greater margin for error with some parallel fairways to boot. Course condition was okay with the greens rolling smoothly, although a bit slow for those brought up on Melbourne’s sandbelt.

I, off 19, played with a 7 handicapper and we rated the course almost as good as The Vintage but shy of Magenta Shores. Well worth including in any Hunter Valley trip.

4. AJD | Rated | 20 May 2008 | Add A Review

Wonderful course and I really enjoyed it even though I lost plenty of balls!! Beware, if your not straight off the tee as it really punishes you. Nice subtle changes from hole to hole. The only problem really seems to be that all the rain we had a month or so ago is still sitting in some ares on fairways and bunkers, if they can fix those issues, then they’ve got themselves a great course.

PROS

• Good value for your shots from tee to green, nice layout

Cons

• Drainage issues need to be rectified. Don't stray off the tee!!!

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• Kooindah Waters Golf Club

5. RockinRenz | Rated | 01 Apr 2008 | Add A Review

This is a ripper. Testing but not to long off the tees we played with some great holes. Course is in pretty good condition without being faultless and i feel the greens may not have long been cored/sanded. Great value and the Troon touch is always good. Put it on your list to play.

6. Hogangolf | Rated | 28 Dec 2007 | Add A Review

Take plenty of golf balls to this course – it is truly punishing if you are not straight off the tee. This is the second time I’ve played here and it keeps getting tougher (either that or I’m getting worse!). It is a very well kept course and the greens are the best I have ever putted on by far. The front nine cuts through the trees and the back nine is flanked by water. It is not overly expensive for the test of golf it is – if only I had the money to buy a block of land….!!

7. Scarlett | Rated | 08 Jul 2007 | Add A Review

Pacific Dunes is a Troon Golf managed course so you should know beforehand that it’s going to be well presented. It is styled as a ‘resort’ course but the surrounding housing doesn’t actually intrude onto the course. (which is a good thing) I disagree with earlier comments that this is not a difficult course, as there are just so many hazards that the order of the day is ‘harm minimisation’ rather than setting out to see what you can do and that is not how I prefer to play the game. On the front nine some of the fairways are quite narrow with thick native bushland on both sides. Bunkers dominate on both fairways and around the greens. The greens themselves are generally quick and true but do have plenty of undulations. The back nine replaces the surrounding bushland with water hazards, so again, don’t miss the fairways! I play off 15 and whilst not long, generally hit pretty straight and I’ve struggled around here both times I’ve played. I can’t imagine how 18+ handicappers, especially those hitting banana balls off the tee will enjoy themselves. It’s a very nice course, well presented and challenging, so play it at least once for the experience, but for mine, the Troon course to play in this region is The Vintage up in the Hunter Valley, or go out to Horizons.

8. Revilo | Rated | 07 Jul 2007 | Add A Review

We have played here 3 times over the last 9 months. It just keeps getting better. Enjoyed by all our group, – low and high handicappers. There is a voucher available (purchase at club) to play Nelson Bay, Horizons and Pacific Dunes – valid for six months I think which saves you $50. Great value.

9. ashonfire | Rated | 08 Mar 2007 | Add A Review

This is a great course. Beautifully designed parkland style front nine in superb condition and almost links style (?) wetlands back nine. Played here on 4.3.07 and could hardly believe the value we got for just $60.-. Oh, and we were allowed to walk which just about unheard of on a course of this calibre these days.

Everything else fits aswell; friendly staff, good food, good bar, well stocked pro shop. Play this course.

10. gregb3 | Rated | 05 Mar 2007 | Add A Review

As you come through the main entrance and glimpse plenty of water, immaculate greens and picture postcard bunkers you know that you are in for a treat.

Provided you are prepared to be really challenged to think about your shots and plan your way around this course, you will throroughly enjoy your game.

If you haven’t palyed here before you need to buy a guide book from the pro shop if its not included in your package. Sure there are charts provided in the carts but htey are not detailed enough to enable you to know the "surprises" on each hole.

The fairway and green bunkering is very strategic….and boy are these bunkers. That said, the bunkers are very consistent and true.

The greens on the day I played were simply superb and true, not that I sank many putts.

You really need to direct your tee shots carefully – the front nine comprises tight fairways, nasty rough and lots of fairway bunkers – the back nine is more open but there is plenty of water and the bunkering just continues.

The 18th is a great finishing par 5 hole where you need to assess whether you will go for it or not – it probably sums the whole course up.

Don’t worry about the mozzies – this course is too good not to play.

Couldn’t agree more with other comments – they have got the golf course and golf facilities sorted out first – once they do build the real club house, the place will be complete.

11. mikezone13 | Rated | 27 Nov 2006 | Add A Review

Just got back from playing Pacific Dunes on Friday 24 November. I will admit I was expecting alot and I definitely wasn't dissappointed.

From the moment we made the drive up to the car park things were looking, a nice relaxed atmosphere.

After grabbing some range balls off to the deserted practice area where the tee areas were better than most tee areas at any course in Sydney, in fact the whole practice area was so lush and green I just knew it was going to be a great day.

The whole course was entirely green and lush and presented me with brilliant lies (when i managed to hit the fairway). The greens were extremely green as well and while not as fast as they looked they rolled extremely true.

The front nine winds it's way through dense scrub and tall trees where any shot int he scrub is typically a reload, and as mentioned before even when you do navigate the scrub there are the huge fairway bunkers to navigate as well. There are also a couple of holes (1st and 5th) where water comes into play.

Once you make it to the 10th tee the course changes dramatically, gone is the dense scrub and fairways appear to open up a bit, but water is now the evil of the day. The holes that really stand out on the back nine for me are the par 3 14th, par 4 16th and also the par 5 18th due to the treacherous carry for your second if you want to 'give it a go'...I was lucky enough to clear the water and get home in two which really made a great and exhillerating finish to the day.

All in all I had high expectations and was nto dissapointed. Highly recommended if you're in the area or even if you're not, make sure you get there for a game.

12. jassony | Rated | 13 Aug 2006 | Add A Review

Great course. The condition of the course was brilliant and the staff were friendly. Descent enough price. Brilliant layout for a championship course. The only bad thing i could say is that even straight shots don't always get rewarded because of the water and bunkers. There are bunkers on every hole and they are huge. The fairways themselves are open but in some cases such as the 11th hole, hidden water hazards destroy a great drive. I like the fact that the course is challenging because it really lets you know how good a golfer you are. I've played most of the courses in the Port Stephens region and the Dunes is definitely the best. They have had to do a good job because courses like Horizons and Nelson Bay are at a top Standard themselves. Tip: Practise your bunker shots

13. slats1972 | Rated | 17 Apr 2006 | Add A Review

Played in their 1st annual Anniversary event in the Saturday 2 man ambrose.

Had a thoroughly enjoyable day on an awesome course. It was well presented and challenging but not overly. Its not a very hard course but a test none the less.

The staff were friendly and helpful.

They have been working in conjuction with other local courses such as Horizons of late and offering good deals to play at both. I highly recommend a Port Stephens trip to play Pacific Dunes and others in the area.

14. thechopper | Rated | 10 Mar 2006 | Add A Review

Played there couple of weeks ago and found it a very pleasent experience.

Typical resort course with undulating fairways and greens and deep bunkers.

As the course is only 12 months old the greens have not quite settled in. They are quite spongy and at times do not run true.

The fairways are in great condition and the ball always sits up nicely. However, beware ,as the at lot of places quite tight and if the balls goes into the bush your more likely to find 3 other balls but not your own.

Well worth the trip there, better than Horizons

15. abluedog | Rated | 22 Feb 2006 | Add A Review

Played the course Valentines Day..my wife drove the buggy. Cost $64 - considered reasonable. Although I had a buggy, it is an easy walking course.

Whilst only 12 months old, I found everything to be in first class order.

I agree with other commentators that the second nine is more open than the front nine.

If I had to pick a signature hole, I would have to select No: 11 - got into heaps of trouble here.

Good to see that they are concentrating on the course before spending millions on a clubhouse.

Facilities are more than adequate and very relaxing.

Take the time to have Head Chef, Geoff, prepare you something to eat.

Would recommend this course to anyone.

16. q-tip | Rated | 23 Jan 2006 | Add A Review

Excellent course, looks very new and plays a little easier than Horizons, which I played the previous day. Played off the blue (middle) markers Par 72 5979m with 10 Par 4s ranging from 270-385m, 4 Par 5s ranging from 460-530m and 4 Par 3s ranging from 140-185m. Very attractive course, with lots of space. Fairways are great and rolling, tee-beds are first class ñ as you expect being a new course. Greens are superbly paced and maintained. The 1st green and 5th greens form one large double figure-eight shaped green. Hazards here are easy to find, but are easy to get out. I found the course a little boring with layout, and had to look at the card to remember the hole. Seems to have cleared too many trees to build the course, which feels too ëopení on the back nine.

I feel the scorecard needs a map, with the 1st, 10th and 11th having some hidden water hazards that first timers are not aware of, but other than that, if you hit the ball straight, you would not need the yardage book. The Par 5s are challenging, with yes the 11th being a little unforgiving with a creek crossing the fairway 200m from the tee, and more water around the green ñ makes it into a ësafeí three-shot Par 5.

Played here Sunday 22/1/06 and paid $60 for 18 holes and $30 for a cart ($15 each player). Could do with a few discount rates for twilight tee-offs like Horizons. Teed off at 7.30am and finished at 11am, then drove straight to the airport (which is 3 minute drive from the clubhouse) ñ is an excellent course that is advertised well at Newcastle-Williamtown Airport as the premier golf resort in the Port Stephens region.

17. 4 putt | Rated | 19 Oct 2005 | Add A Review

For a new course the condition is excellent. The greens are surpisingly well covered and will only get better. The fairways will satisfy the hardest judge.

Generally the holes are attractive and challenging. Our group were all critical of hidden hazards, particularly on the par 5 11th. The course yardage book is a necessary accessory. Without it, you may well be annoyed when what appear to be good shots, end up drowning.

Nowhere near as good as Newcastle which we played the following day, but nevertheless, an enjoyable experience. Certainly would go back.

18. hecman | Rated | 22 Apr 2005 | Add A Review

played pacific dunes for the first time, had a great day, very tough front nine,tight fairways, but back opens up and water comes into play. The course is spectacular, great condition, and cost effective. I played Lakelands in QLD 1 week earlier and thought that was great, pacific dunes is better. Do yourself a favour and play this course.

19. dbennell | Rated | 11 Feb 2005 | Add A Review

This course is only going to get better, I was privilaged to play all holes prior to official opening and will be going back in may to play it again.