1. chrisal | Rated | 15 Feb 2009 | Add A Review

I’ve been a member at Pacific Harbour for about 10 months now and first played the course as a visitor in December ’07. Ross Watson has produced an absolute top draw golf course. Purely from a design & architecture point of view it’s hard to imagine a better marriage of a 21st century golf course and a classic Scottish links. Large undulating & elevated greens, rolling fairways and strategic bunkering make for a true and stern test of golf. Stray from the wide fairways though and you will find trouble, water is in play on many holes and when there is a strong wind the ample hazards await.
That being said, there is plenty of room on the fairways & greens and off the gold tee’s the emphasis is on accuracy rather than length; if you hit it straight, chip and putt well a good score within your grasp. Off the black tee’s you’ll need to be accurate with your driver and 3 wood to achieve the same good score. So – A word of advice, unless you’re a single figure handicap you probably won’t enjoy your day if you play off the black tee’s especially if the wind blows! The ACR matches the par 72 off the gold’s and the challenge of having to belt it another 20-40 meters off each tee can be too much for some so do yourself a favour and leave the ego in the car park and pick a tee box that genuinely reflects you ability as advised by the info boards! – I guarantee you’ll enjoy yourself a hundred times more and ultimately get better value for money.
There are also a few‘sucker’ shots that must be avoided at all costs:- Hitting through the back of the green at 3 and 12, hitting your tee shot too far on the dogleg 5th & hitting the evil and ridiculously deep right hand greenside bunker on the 10th. In certain conditions you can be unfairly punished with these shots so forewarned is forearmed!
Pacific Harbour has so many great holes that it’s hard to pick the ones that truly stand out but here’s my take anyway! The short par 3 7th is played over water and is truely spectacular and reminiscent of the famous 17th at the TPC Sawgrass. It’s especially challenging when played off the black tees (145m) to a pin cut on the right of the green (I’ve hit every iron from a PW to 6i for this tee shot depending on wind direction). The 11th and 14th Par 5’s share a massive and spectacular double green complete with bunker in the middle. The long par 3 17th has the largest bunker you’ve probably ever seen & the long par 4 18th is a great finishing hole – hit a long accurate drive that avoids the bunker and you can take on the pin with a 7 iron or less if you dare! Not forgetting holes 6,8,12,13,15 & 16 – Any of these holes would be a spectacular signature hole at a lesser course. There just simply isn’t an ordinary hole on this golf course.
The bottom line is that Pacific Harbour should be on your "must play" list of Australian golf courses. You can argue all day long about its design merits vs. other top layouts in the area but it’s certainly in the top handful in the state and in the top 20 in Australia. I feel privileged that I can call such a great course my home club.
A word on the condition in response to the previous review – Unfortunately at the time you played it some of the bunkers did indeed have weed problems and the greens had not been playing at their best after a major core and scarify at the start of December. However after playing today I can happily report that after the recent (and less severe) coring a couple of weeks ago the greens are responding extremely well and I would anticipate them being back to their best in less than a week. Also the green staff have been weeding and edging the bunkers and the vast majority of them have returned to their previous great condition. Yes, the sand in some bunkers is deeper in some areas and shallower and harder in other bunkers but remember that we’re not on the PGA tour roster and bunkers are supposed to be a hazard although it doesn’t help when people leave them unraked! Fairways and tee’s are immaculate at present and the course gets so much sunlight that I don’t think condition will be any problem in the long term.
Finally, the staff are fantastic, a really friendly and helpful bunch of people as you are likely to meet, the drinks/food cart is great and the clubhouse bar and restaurant is also superb – the country club facilities (pool, spa, gym, tennis courts etc.) are also top class also (although only open to members).

2. Sportacus | Rated | 23 Jan 2009 | Add A Review

Had heard a lot about this course so finally ventured up the Bruce Highway to play it early New Year. I must say I was a tad disappointed. Compared to other Troon managed courses I had played I found the hype surrounding this one a touch unjustified, especially considering the asking price. Whilst there are some nice design features throughout, this course was let down by some average conditioning. The bunkers (a supposed feature) were full of weeds and very inconsistent to hit out of. The fairways weren’t bad but the same couldn’t be said for the roughs. I had heard good things about the greens prior to my visit and whilst they weren’t the worst greens I’d played on they too were very inconsistent and coupled with some dodgy pin placements and shallow old plugs made for a very frustrating round. The wind I was expecting however. The very pleasant drinks cart girl informed us that the Head Greenkeeper and his Assistant had moved on prior to Christmas and things were being "scaled" back. Watch this space…… If you have to venture to the Island go to Bribie Island Golf Club for value for money.

3. rothwell | Rated | 18 Jan 2009 | Add A Review

This is as good as golf gets

Very tough if the wind is up however it is quite playable when it is calm. Requies some good course managemnt off the tee.

4. elandant | Rated | 06 Jan 2009 | Add A Review

I had the good fortune to play my first competitive 18 holes at Pacific Harbour in December and, despite my somewhat limited experience in the playing ranks, it has to be among the finest courses I’ve laid eyes on in any capacity.

The conditioning of the course was superb when we visited, the staff reasonably helpful and the links-style layout a fabulous test. Greens were of a high standard.

The first few holes provide a great introduction to what lies ahead and the ending sequences of both the front and back nine I found to be inspiring conclusions heading back to the clubhouse. If you’re a high handicapper, make sure you take plenty of balls, as you can kiss them goodbye most of the time you stray off the manicured fairways (one of the only frustrations of the day we had).

Green fees, while high, certainly seem decent in comparison to the competition up on the Sunshine Coast, especially when considering the easy pace of play afforded by a weekday tee time (we barely saw the groups in front and behind us all day). Overall, an experience to be recommended and I will be back.

PROS

• Course conditioning.
• Challenging layout.
• Beautuful surrounds.
• Play at your own pace if you can tee up on a weekday.

Cons

• Unkind to the balls of those who stray off the fairway.

5. Brisbane99 | Rated | 05 Jan 2009 | Add A Review

Beautiful course, well manicured, great service at the pro shop. There is a drinks cart going around but take something from the pro shop if required, they provide ice on the carts in an esky/cooler. If you are a long hitter and sometimes have a stray hit, you will more than likely be able to track it down, unless you end up in the water. Overall i was very impressed with the course, there is one green which is shared between two holes, but thats fine. Very picturesque course. And quiet.

PROS

• Not too busy
• well manicured

Cons

• Can be a little pricey for the average golfer, but well worth it

6. 3Put | Rated | 28 Dec 2008 | Add A Review

Played Christmas eve with some friends. What a great start to Christmas. The course is well designed and every attention to detail is covered. The Fairways were excellent and the two cut is something that stands this course apart from the others. Greens were honest and played true. There is value here for the golfer who is prepared to be brave and diaster if they get it wrong. Did lose a couple over the 18. Love the 18th and the green its there to hit but watch for the infinity edge at the back.

7. Golf4life | Rated | 08 Dec 2008 | Add A Review

great course how about you buy some water before you play if you might think you are going to get thirsty everyone should get over staff at golf clubs. You are there to play golf, not talk to the staff.

8. airwolf22 | Rated | 21 Oct 2008 | Add A Review

I played in January and fully enjoyed the day.Very good layout and i think the 7th hole is the best par 3 i have ever played.only 150m but with water and unpredictable wind hitting this green is a job well done.will be playing agian soon

9. Chris170383 | Rated | 26 Aug 2008 | Add A Review

Played Pacific harbour on the 24th August and loved every minute of it. The course is in a very peaceful enviroment and the cart made life very easy.

The greens are great, very large, lots of tiers and run true (doesn’t make them easy) The fairways were in great condition as well.

Challenging holes are everywhere but are not impossible, if you can hit straight you will enjoy your round.

Staff were good, the driving range facilities before the round a major bonus and the lunch afterwards, go the chips!

10. wholesaler | Rated | 20 Aug 2008 | Add A Review

Some two years later, I am back at Pacific Harbour and nothing has changed apart from the new club house. The course was looking a bit tired, only due to the lack of rain and some bunkers including the sensational 17th lacking in good quality true white sand. Despite comments from other reviewers on this course, I found the club staff were great, the drink cart was more then frequent. By the way, whats with coffee on the cart? I love this layout, if only I could talk the old girl to moving, I be playing everyday!

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11. scenicpeak | Rated | 28 Jul 2008 | Add A Review

This is the second time I have had to play this course and was hoping for a better experience than the first. I think Ross Watson (course architect) has a lot to answer for. The new greens at Indooroopilly and the ones here lack common sense. I think the 17th is a magnificent hole which is then thoroughly spoiled by the ridiculous 18th – a long par 4 with a green that slopes to the water and nothing to stop your ball. My experience wasn’t helped by the staff either. But I don’t think that is unique to this course.

12. berihebi | Rated | 08 Apr 2008 | Add A Review

Physically and mentally exhausting but great to play. Really enjoyed the experience and one of the few rounds of golf I’ve played where I’m pretty sure I did use every club in the bag. A bit too tough for me really (16 handicapper) but I did better the 2nd time than the first. It’s a long course but the 2nd time I did better by playing shorter and just accepting that I wasn’t always going to be able to make the greens in regulation. Also, gave myself a lot more room to run the chips as I just couldn’t get them to stop in time the first time and sometimes ended up in bunkers etc

13. dmcla4 | Rated | 17 Feb 2008 | Add A Review

played this course in july 07 with my brother who took me there for my birthday. lukily i didnt have to pay. expensive but definently worth it. great course. service was good and course was in excellent condition. Must take planty of balls. im off 9 and lost about 5-6 balls.17th hole is most picturesque. the only con was the little butcher bird that knocked my $5 steak and cheese pie out of my hand when i was sitting in the buggy.(little bugger) overall great experience

14. TheMenace | Rated | 30 Jan 2008 | Add A Review

Must say I agree with the last review.

Can’t say I really liked the course either. The wind blew up a little and it just made the golf anything but enjoyable. Greens were too fast and hard.

Course is over rated compared to the other courses up that way. No point promoting a top class course if you can’t deliver.

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15. | Rated | 29 Jan 2008 | Add A Review

Played Pacific Harbour with a few mates over Xmas and was pretty disappointed. Pro shop staff were very rude and it only went downhill after that.

The front nine was pretty boring and we almost died of thirst with no drinks cart in sight. Second nine was a bit better but the greens still sucked – very average condition for a big name course.

Overall it was okay I guess but I won’t be be going back anytime soon.

Cons

• No drinks cart
• Rude staff
• Average greens

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16. pom | Rated | 29 Jan 2008 | Add A Review

Played this course on a Friday & it was very quiet so there was plenty of time to enjoy the rolling fairways & large greens.the course is presented extremely well & there is not a boring hole on the course. the fairways are wide enough to reward reasonably straight tee shots but there are plenty of water hazards & bunkers to catch the wayward shot. greens are large,very undulating & in most cases raised well above fairway level. we played off the gold tee,s & struggled to score .The black tees would be a real test for any golfer.I will definately go back & play the course again but not when the wind is blowing.

17. rothwell | Rated | 09 Jan 2008 | Add A Review

This is the best course in QLD Quite a long course with plenty of touble off the fairway. The greens are a pleasure to play and the layout is both pleasing and challenging. The wind can be a bit of a let down so make sure you get in early or bring a 7.5 deg driver and a 2 iron.

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18. BuggeraCup | Rated | 09 Jan 2008 | Add A Review

Played this course after recent heavy and prolonged rain and it was still in immacualte condition with tight, lush fairways and firm, fast greens which is testament to its draining ability. The layout and design of this course is first class calling for every shot in the book and every club in the bag meaning you won’t be disappointed with the experience. You may however be disappointed with your score as I played in the Harbour Master (black tees) Challenge in a stiff wind resulting in a CCR of 76!!! This course is a must play, just remember to bring your wind game and your best putting (large, undulating greens) and try to avoid the bunkers. Service and club house is also first class.

19. tryingbutstruggling | Rated | 23 Nov 2007 | Add A Review

Put simply, this is a magnificent course. The difficulty level is reasonable (if the wind isn’t blowing) with the multiple tees well placed, and the course is very welled maintained. After playing North Lakes, Twin Waters and Peregian Springs recently, Pacific Harbour is just in another league. Most tee shots have you thinking where to try and place the ball, rather than just belting it up the guts, and the bunkers are something else. The greens were a bit slow when I played due to recent maintenance, which probably maintained a bit of sanity, as some of the tiers and mounds on the greens are massive. Get the ball on the wrong area of the green, you can forget about getting it close – just trying to keep it on the green is a challenge. The front nine I thought to be better than the back, as you felt more isolated and in nature. This may change as the number of houses increase but now the scrub has developed this lack of housing is great. Now… about the wind. We played the front nine with a light breeze, which turned into a stiff wind on the back nine. The wind is vicious when it blows, changing club selection by 3 or 4 clubs. Downwind drives can go 120m further, which mean back into the wind is not much fun. The cross winds coupled with difficult greens mean you could have a lot of shots on a windy day. This has gone to the top of my golf course list – The drive is an issue, but I really didn’t care after playing here. Just play here – It is more than worth the effort

20. carazy | Rated | 23 Jul 2007 | Add A Review

Played this on a Friday with a mate just before a 2 day social golf tournament at Royal Pines. Grabbed a voucher from iseekgolf and headed off. It was up there with one of the most relaxing games of golf I’ve ever played. It’s truly a hidden treasure. I like most ppl hate overcrowded courses especially when you’ve paid fee’s at the higher end of the scale. We crossed paths with two other people for the whole day!! It was like your own private course.The course itself was in spectacular condition. Mind you I have yet to play at a Troon course that isn’t.

The greens were extremely fast and hole positions were mostly in very challenging positions. i.e You could hit the green safely but be a long way from the hole. Or go for it and if you’re more than 4m away from the pin it’s a world of hurt(200°of drink/sand). We invested in the yardage book which was great for our first time there, especially with the vast amounts of sand that speckled the course. It was like a day at the beach. I also frustratingly lost a few balls in open grassy areas as it would sink into the soft raised/puffyish grass that skirted the fairways.

I would thoroughly recommend this course. I can’t wait to get back. Note there is a sign “Turn left to golf course” just as you cross the bridge into bribie island. Ignore it as it is old and goes nowhere. Just follow the street dir. Trip from Bris should take ~1 Hr.

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21. glendonald | Rated | 04 Jul 2007 | Add A Review

What a great layout for a golf course. Doesn’t matter which way the wind is blowing as the holes run in every compass direction. So the wind is a big factor, not too long but a course where you need to focus for every shot and driver is not always the best option off the tee.

PROS

• well constructed and kept course

Cons

• water is the enemy

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• North Lakes Resort Golf Club

22. happy_gilmore | Rated | 25 Jun 2007 | Add A Review

I’ve played this track a few times. Fantastic layout. Not long, even off the back tees but does make you think strategically at times. Got a hot tip from greenskeeper before tee off: first fairway bunker on every hole is 230m from back tees.

I’d recommend this course. It represents decent value for money relative to comparable courses. It’s a bit ‘young’ though, course needs some time to establish, especially greens & surrounding trees.

Also, I advise that you check condition of course upon booking. To my disappointment, the greens had been recently ‘cored’, so the putting surface wasn’t ideal. I can respect that all courses need this kind of maintenance, but I’d expect the pro would have the decency to left me know about this when I booked.

Food & service is avergae in bistro. First time I waited more than 30 min to be feed. Another time, they ran out of ‘fish of day’.

23. | Rated | 24 Apr 2007 | Add A Review

Played this course on the weekend. This was a magnificent course and delivered very good service.

The course is difficult with plenty of Water, and bunkers in appropriate landing areas. The greens are true, but undulating and reading greens is paramount.

The fairways are in very good condition as are the greens, bunkers etc.

The course rewards good play, but the penalty for wayward or poor distance control is harsh.

I believe this course is a must play especially at current prices. I will definitely play here again, but hopefully next time with my A- Game

24. lollyben | Rated | 17 Apr 2007 | Add A Review

Played yesterday on a perfect Queensland autumn morning under reasonably mild conditions.

I was very impressed with the quality of the fairways and the greens. I found that the greens even though were fast were also very true. I made a couple of one putts, something I hadn’t done for quite a while.

Each hole has its own unique challenge. A reasonably easy fairway might be balanced with a tricky undulating green and vice versa.

It was a perfect birthday present from my playing mate and we’ll definitely be back.

25. brownie19 | Rated | 28 Jan 2007 | Add A Review

Played this course today and it is absolutely brilliant. It was in first class nick with beautiful undulating fairways and monster greens. Sometimes i felt like i needed to chip on the greens to get over the rises.

Very well run course. There was groups of 3s and 4s in front of our group of 2 and we were never held up.

The wind can get up a bit so it makes it very challenging with regards to club selection. Sometimes hitting 2-3 clubs different to normal conditions.

My partner and I will definately be back in the future. We couldn't recall a single bad or uninteresting hole.

26. telboy | Rated | 13 Dec 2006 | Add A Review

I played this course twice while on a week of golf on the Sunshine Coast in late August. After reading the reviews I was apprehensive about the greens, especially coming from winter conditions in New Zealand, but while I found them to be a challenge I didn't find them too intimidating. This will be a really super course once it gets established but I really enjoyed it as it is. It was certainly easier to play the second time although there had been a lot of rain and the bunkers were rock hard. I guess the trick is to stay out of them! My friend wasn't so enamored of the course but that could of been because I took his money off him. Definitely on the list for 07's trip.

27. isold1 | Rated | 04 Dec 2006 | Add A Review

the layout and design is fabulous. this course is very challenging. the fairways are hilly and you get TONES OF ROLL>>>>>>> the bunkers are very soft and challeging to get out of. the faiways are cut very short maybe a bit toooOOOO short. the greens are fast and hard to get spin or place your ball and stick it on the green. overall this course is great to play on!!!!!!!!

28. terryyoungw | Rated | 20 Nov 2006 | Add A Review

What a great layout and design! Once the flora gets established and the greens settlle and soften it maybe only one of five courses I would rate as five star! (Time will tell!) You really need to play this course as it is magnificent.

29. millennium | Rated | 18 Nov 2006 | Add A Review

If you are prone to break into song halfway through a round, then the slight variation on the old "Grease" hit will sum up your day on Pacific Harbour ... "Greens, lightning, oh greens lightning!" Yep, they were super fast. It made for a difficult morning.

The rest of the course is stunning. It has only been in operation for less than 12 months but it looked very good. There are reminders everywhere that you are on a golf course developed on the middle of a giant sand dune - the gardens have a lot of salt-brush and tea-trees, and the water hazards look like a long cup of coffee from the tea-tree oil. The sand traps are everywhere and can be quite steep and deep, and ragged around the edges, a tribute to the surrounding habitat. The fairways and the greens are very undulating, which can make for some difficult lies, but not impossible, and make for a fun game of golf.

The value for money was good too. Much better value I'd say than some of the other Troon courses around the south-east corner. And the cafe at the 19th had a good menu and friendly service, and a stunning view back to the 10th tee and 16th and 18th greens with modern facilities.

Probably the only downfall is that Bribie Island is a bit far - Caloundra and Maroochydore (Pelican and Twin Waters) are possibly closer to Brisbane. But all the same, if you don't be a he-man with your putter and remember to "just tap it in Happy" you will enjoy your day at Pacific Harbour.

30. pruguriwiw | Rated | 09 Nov 2006 | Add A Review

Me and my mates played this course last week in a 4 man event and our team won we are long hitters and playing of the easy tees in the comp I normally average around 250m but on this course i was hitting 270 plus i drove the 8th which was about 300 yards and the greens where great quality overall worth playing good value for money but the only problem for me that it was to windy When i was playing it was blowing a gale which can be good but also very bad.

31. Lloydee | Rated | 07 Nov 2006 | Add A Review

I must admit any day of the week i get out to have a hit is a Blessing but to play a course of this standard was something else.

The course overall makes you think about every shot you make, so rather than blazing away with the driver you really need to know you club distances and play accordingly especially if it is windy.

In closing the course is perfect and i will be back for another crack at the sleeping giant.

32. gcgolfer | Rated | 02 Aug 2006 | Add A Review

This is a Qld resort style links course in the style of The Glades and Pelican Waters, thus the fairways are wide and the ground is firm. Fun to drive the ball and you can feel like a long, accurate driver, even if you're not! If you do manage to miss the fairway though, there is no rough to speak of and your ball usually finds one of the meandering waterways. The greens are very firm and the undulations are way over done. Despite being large, it is very difficult to get your approach to stay on the green, let alone on the right level. Get on the high side of these greens, in a bunker or not and try stopping it. Good luck! Not helped by the tough pin positions, although it would be hard to find an easy pin posi on most of these greens. I have played most of the resort courses on the East Coast and many private ones and these are easily the toughest greens! Greens might be easier the second time around?

33. golpher | Rated | 21 May 2006 | Add A Review

Probably one of the hardest courses I have played.

We played of the back stools, with a bit of breeze about and the greens were real quick!

Awesome setup, greens are big but with a lot of undulations and very easy to 3 putt if your not careful. Fairways are really nice, but again, have many bumps and small hills, so even if you in the middle of the fairway, itâÄôs still no always an easy shot into the green (typical of Troon golf). Obviously, the club house and gardens etc are still being finished and going to be great when itâÄôs finished. And will be interesting when all the houses go up how much that affects the wind as its fairly open at the moment.

I really think the course is going after the better golfer market and maybe even trying to get some pro tournaments there, as we experienced with some of the pin placements. ItâÄôs certainly not your typical resort course.

If youâÄôre up for a real challenge, put this one on your list.

34. ebebbe | Rated | 01 May 2006 | Add A Review

Pacific Harbour is only a very new course and, as such, you can really only assess the design and the potential.

The design is good - I liked 12, 13 and 15 in particular but while it is an over all good collection of solid golf holes and thought and good ball striking is required there wasn't anything especially original or stunning.

It will be interesting to see what it is like in 5 or so years time when the course has settled in and the houses etc built. Hopefully the real estate will be relatively unobtrusive as it is at a course like Pelican Waters ( I wouldn't agree with the previous reviewer that it is a better design / course than Pelican Waters).

It is good value at $50 a round.

The course is in good condition and it is definitely worth visiting.

35. wholesaler | Rated | 12 Apr 2006 | Add A Review

I had seen the internet ad showing this amazing golf course a couple of weeks ago and decided it would have to be worth traveling the 85 minute trip from Brisbane.

I was correct, this course is amazing in its layout and design.So much so, I struggle to compare it with any other course I have ever played on. It is a cross between Pelican Waters and the Glades, but better.

This course had only opened less then 2 weeks ago and even though the fairways and the greens are absolutey impeccable, the lack of trees was some what noticeable. Give it sometime and this will change.

We played off the black markers with a total distance of 6402 metres and found the course, just great fun to play on. The greens are excellent and true, the bunkers a great with real sand,However they are using a low maintenance grass around the perimeter which looked a bit unusal.

Hole no:7 is a great par 3, remodelled on the Sawgrass course in the U.S. It is 145 metres of hell, if the wind is blowing like it was on our day.

The signature hole is the 17th a par 3 of some 208 metres with bunkers spread all the way down on the righthand side of the fairway leading to a elevated green.

The clubhouse will be completed in june/july and will be something else.

The staff were more then helpful on the day.

This is the best Troon golf course, I have ever played on and irrespective of your handicap-make no mistake this is pretty close to golfing Nirvana.