1. G_banger | Rated | 18 Mar 2008 | Add A Review

Played here again 3 weeks ago. Man I am lucky to have discovered golf and taken my average game here!

Read the reviews. Keep an open mind. Then make the trip, give yourself time (I tried to play as a day-trip.. why rush?!) and form your own opinion.

My general comments are these –

The opening hole is like a dream. Reminds me of that scene in Gladiator where Maximus is walking through the fields to get home. You stand on that tee and there’s just no place in the world you’d rather be.

The 2nd hole is a dud. On most other courses it would probably only rate as an average hole but this place sets an amazingly high watermark and 2 is the only vanilla hole in the entire layout.

From that hole on you will learn things about your game and THE game that you just won’t learn anywhere else. Can you trust your own instincts?

I’ve played 5-iron into the wind on 7 and my 56* with it. How will you judge the wind when you’re standing on that tee? Probably more improtant is the other question – does it matter?!

Have a cracking time when you finally make the trip and think of all the people who’d swap places with you in a heartbeat.

Play brave and happy golfing

2. dplegend | Rated | 03 Mar 2008 | Add A Review

Played 2 rounds in the most ideal weather conditions imaginable. The course is without doubt the best I have ever seen or played. The course is designed with all standards of golfer in mind with the varied tee boxes. The staff are the friendliest and most helpful people I have come across at a golf course. Nothing was too much trouble!!! Simply amazing course, which is a must to play.

3. weber | Rated | 21 Jan 2008 | Add A Review

this course is amazing! Played 2 rounds of 18 holes (well tried to, was caught up in the breathtaking scenery) No wonder it is ranked in the top 35 in the world. It’s Australia’s hidden golfing paradise.

ALSO LIKED

• Brookwater Golf Club
• Moonah Links (Open)
• Moonah Links (Legends)
• The Glades Golf Club

4. kingwaz | Rated | 14 Jan 2008 | Add A Review

Barnbougle dunes is golf it’s rawest form, no carts, no markers, understated tee boxes. When Huey first came up with the concept of golf on his rested 7th day, this was what he had in mind. All that missing compulsory plus four’s and a hip flask of single malt scotch.

5. clubselectionisessential | Rated | 13 Dec 2007 | Add A Review

We played four rounds in under 48 hours and enjoyed every minute of it despite the various aches and pains from so much golf. This really is a great golf course with some really testing holes – the 8th is particularly hard – but all good fun.

We managed to get 15 holes in on arrival on the Friday night starting at 5.15pm and finishing in the dark but did not see another person on the course – magic!

Great set-up, well looked after and some of the best greens to putt on I’ve played. Watch out for the tiger snakes on the 18th green though!

Don’t feel you have to stay on course. Plenty of good and cheap accommodation in Bridport and you get the benefit of the local hostelries. Well worth a weekend away.

6. pauldavies | Rated | 02 Sep 2007 | Add A Review

In a word AWESOME! A magnificent golfing experience. Played there in May and stayed on course for 3 nights, so was really immersed in the totality of Barnbougle. A stunning golf course by day, great cuisine, understated accommodation which blends in well, star lit nights!! Boy it is so good and worth the effort. It’s not a day trip. You need 3 or 4 days to soak up the unique experience that is Barnbougle. It ain’t cheap by the time you throw in airfares, car hire/bus, golf, food and wine but, hey, you only get one go at life. Go there!

7. friendofanimals | Rated | 11 May 2007 | Add A Review

I wanna say something. I’m gonna put it out there; if you like it, you can take it, if you don’t, send it right back: Barnbougle Dunes is the best course ever! Ok, that might be taking it a bit too far, but it’s definitely by far the best course I’ve played at. Now I’m not sure what the word ‘Barnbougle’ means (I could be wrong, but I believe it may have been an old, old wooden ship), but whatever it is, it must be something good. The course provides an enjoyable and testing round of golf for all players, with various teeing options to make the course as easy or hard as you like. Being a mid to low handicapper, I decided to take on the course from the back markers, and while being very challenging, didn’t find it to be impossible. While my scorecard at the end of the round was nothing to proud of, I still walked away thinking, I’m not even mad, that’s amazing. If you can walk away from a course with a terrible score and still enjoy yourself, then you know it’s good. I found the whole course to be in immaculate condition, it looked good, and I mean real good. As other people have mentioned though, the weather is a big factor out there. We were greeted with sunshine and no wind when we got to the practice green; by the time we got to the first tee (15mins later), the clouds had rolled in and it was blowing a gale… If I had to say one bad thing about the course, it would be that I was constantly reminded of the fact that the course was ranked 49th in the world. The staff must have reminded me on at least 5 separate occasions that the course was kind of a big deal. This is only a small complaint though, and I suppose their comments may be necessary to keep a course, that no doubt welcomes many hackers, in such good condition. If you ever find yourself down in that part of the world, I can highly recommend a game at this course, u won’t regret it. You stay classy BD.

8. rocket12.xxx | Rated | 04 Apr 2007 | Add A Review

Not top 5 in Oz??? Some people just don’t know a world class course when they play it. Barnbougle is just brilliant, 2 average holes and 16 of the best golf holes you could wish to see. Golf World in the March 2007 edition claims Barnbougle a "course in a million" and comments that the 49 ranking in the world does the course no justice, and that it is absolutely inevitable that Barnbougle will rise to be ranked with the very best in the world. Yes it’s not the hardest test of golf, but the designer knows how to build fun playable courses and not many modern courses fall into that category.

9. thechopper | Rated | 03 Apr 2007 | Add A Review

Played there in no wind and found it to be a very nice links styled course.

The rating of top 5 in Australia perplexes me. Sure its on the beach, sure it build in the old style with no signage etc but it take more than mystic and spectacular views to be a great course.

Courses like Brookwater, Kennedy Bay, Joondulup, Vines, NSW etc etc are better test of golf than Barnbougle.

Im sure that if officials from St Andrews came over to see what all the fuss was about would leave laughing at the way they have constructed some of the greens. You dont have to bury elephants in greens to make them difficult, just chage the grass to bent, put subtle breaks in them and make them fast.

The Par 3 16th is a classic example of course designers kidding themselves, you dont need to make a green into a shape of a skating ramp to provide a challenge…

Well worth the game, but top 50 in the world….....not a chance

10. rodney21 | Rated | 05 Dec 2006 | Add A Review

I have played Barnbougle Dunes about fives times over the last two years. Words cannot describe the lay out, you simple have to see it to believe it. The first two rounds I played were on a relatively calm day, the first round was basically to get my eye in. You can stand on some of the tees and not really know where to hit it, I loved this feeling, because you only get this the first time you play the course. I was constantly asking myself, can I drive the bunker? What is the best angle to approach the pin from on this hole? This turned out to quite important because on many holes the fairways are so wide you get plenty of choices, but hitting the fairway didn't guarantee the opportunity to hit the green.

The second time round was great I managed to hit every fairway and my scored improved by seven shots, it helps when you birdie three of the par 3's. Both rounds I played from the black markers and felt the golf course played fairly.

The next time i visited we struck a day of squawls, the wind was reaching 35 knots and at one stage we had hail. But such is the addictive nature of this course it never entered my mind to head back to the clubhouse. The par 3 seventh which is 112 metres long, I had previously hit a 9 iron and a pitching wedge this time required five iron. Mother nature can turn this course into a monster, but I still loved it.

11. snapchat | Rated | 21 Nov 2006 | Add A Review

I have just come back from playing 5 consequtive rounds over 4 days in a variety of weather. Yes the layout is unlike anything else in Australia and very challenging, the staff are very friendly and the clubhouse food is excellent. However... the policy at the course is to change the pin positions only every 3 days!. The greens had not been cut for some time and were not while we were there. The tee positions also stayed the same the entire visit. The bunkers are very ill defined and many have no rakes but that doesn't matter since no one rakes them anyway and there is a local rule allowing you to place your ball in a bunker clear of footprints!! The other local rule allows a drop out of the rough if your ball goes into the very thick marram grass which constitutes most of the rough. Without this rule scores would be very high as it is a very tough course because of the rough and due to very large greens with huge swales. Had this been a lower rated course these elements would not be so bad but I did expect better attention to detail. None of my group will bother to go back. It is quite an experience but don't expect a well maintained course.

12. Q-TIP | Rated | 22 Jul 2006 | Add A Review

Measures 6148m Par 71 from the back Forrester tees which is where I played it from. There are 4 tees to play from according to players' handicaps or egos! With 4 Par 3s ranging from 110-200m, 11 Par 4s ranging 270-445m and three Par 5s ranging from 475-510m, it is a traditional links style course with immaculate greens, fairways and teebeds. Simply stunning course with views of the town Bridport and the Bass Strait from Reg's Hut, which is a shelter hut between the 4th green and 5th tee. A little history of the course can be read to break up the walk.

This course is simply classical, and is above all courses even NSWGC, I feel, which seems 2nd best to Barnbougle. The closing 2 holes on EACH outward and inward nines are the toughest on the course. All are par 4s over 400m with blind tees, sloping fairways, heavily bunkered quick tiered greens. Every hole here deserves respect, so I wont waste your time and give you the usual best holes tour, as they all are unique and challenging.

Played here 18/7/06 and paid $80 green fees plus $10 for the course guide. Highly recommended course accessible from Launceston in 1 day. The best I've played in Tassie (and possibly top 3 in country) and will be back here for sure. Bring plenty of balls!

13. mrsafe | Rated | 06 Jan 2006 | Add A Review

Friday 30th December will stay with me a long time. Barnbougle is a stunning golf course. I was not always so complimentary on the day of playing due to my consistent hooking and the physical challenge it posed. An undulating course it is. Many holes find you dragging your buggy up to an elevated tee before playing down into a valley, and then climbing to an elevated green. Despite all that I marvelled at its natural beauty and its coast hugging splendour. There are some truly amazing views to be had. The greens are quite the challenge and many of the pin placements we encountered were way less than friendly. My worse score for many years was the result, however I will definately look for an opportunity to return. On the subject of its location: It is more than 2 hours from Devonport and more than an hour from Launceston. The drive from D'port was quite tiring and was probably not the best preparation for the challenge that lay ahead. Staying on the course or being collected by their bus would be worth considering.

14. publish_1 | Rated | 30 Sep 2005 | Add A Review

Played Barnbougle in April, loved every minute of it. Every hole is of unique quality and of excellent standard. Terrific conditions, the fescue fairways actually make a nice change from the ubiquitous couch.

Bring your brain as well as your length!

15. Horaldo | Rated | 10 Jul 2005 | Add A Review

Stick to the topic sport - Barny Dunes is in the Top 3 tracks in this country and Kennedy Bay isn't. If you want to tug yourself silly over KB do it in the KB review section (bring your own tissues). Or even better, get on a plane and head to BD to see what all the fuss is about - you wont be disappointed.

16. andrew65 | Rated | 07 Jul 2005 | Add A Review

Kennedy Bay a goat track??? You must have lost too many balls by straying off the wonderful fariways or were unable to handle the terrific pot bunkers by the sound of it. You should write to Aust Golf Digest and tell the people that rated KBGC as the #1 Public Course in the country and #1 Course in WA that they don't know what they are talking about. Poor, dillusional individuals like myself actually feel privileged to be an APP Member at Kennedy Bay (the best golf deal in Aust by a long chalk) and enjoy my "goat track" anytime I like. Wonderful course, great staff, great price and anytime you want to come back and possible re-assess your opinion, you should do yourself a HUGE favour and do so.

17. kjgreen | Rated | 19 Apr 2005 | Add A Review

when i told a golf pro friend of mine i was going to tassie for my honeymoon he said i had to beg borrow or steal to convince my wife to let me play here and man was it worth it ,there is not much more i can say on top of what the other reviewers have said ,they were all spot on ,even my wife who is not into golf at all walked the course with me and was blown away by how great it is ,if you have to give up 5 games of golf in tassie to play this one course ,do it , you will not be disappointed

18. frogga | Rated | 08 Mar 2005 | Add A Review

On a recent golfing tour of Tasmania my partner and I finished the trip with a round at Barnbougle, a course that was mentioned by everyone we spoke to about Tasmanian golf before we left home.

With both of us being average players at best, there were some concerns as to whether we would be able to enjoy the task ahead of us as much as we hoped.

In actual fact we both have now played the most exciting and original golf course we have played.

All of the holes are fantastic and each presents their own challenges. The four tee locations ensure that all players, regardless of handicap, can get around the course without having their game ruined forever (just take a few extra balls for when you leave the fairways).

Brett in the pro-shop is a font of knowledge, great help, fantastic ambassador for the course and an genuinely friendly guy.

Do yourself a favour and make the time to get down to Barnbougle for a unique golfing experience.

19. dgstones | Rated | 23 Feb 2005 | Add A Review

Having read all the hype about Barnbougle Dunes, I and the missus decided to travel to Tasmania and experience the course first hand.

It is without doubt the best golf course I have ever seen and played.

The views from various points of the course are glorious. Being situated on the Northern Coast of Tasmania really does make for a visual feast.

The walk from the 4th green to 5th tee is along the top of a sand dune which overlooks the beach. You will not be in any hurry to get to the 5th tee !!

Features of the course include huge sand dunes, great bunkering, excellent greens with undulations and tiers, excellent fairways and without doubt one feature to avoid is the marram grass which exists in the rough.

It is a course that requires skill and good course management to master.

Without doubt the biggest factor when playing Barnbougle Dunes is the prevailing north westerly wind. When the breeze is up, the course grows teeth. Keeping the ball low is imperative in these circumstances.

Four different sets of tees exist on the course and it is best to play from a set which best suits your ability. Best to be guided by the Golf Professional in the pro shop.

There are many great holes on the course but the ones that stand out in my mind are Holes 4,5,6,7,8,11,13,14 and 16.

The best advice I can give is do yourself a favour and experience the great Barnbougle Dunes Golf Course. You will enjoy the experience of the golf and the enviroment that exists.

20. brummer | Rated | 26 Oct 2004 | Add A Review

Briliant new Tom Doak / Mike clayton course at Bridport. Official opening is not for another 5 weeks (but previews are availiable).

Wow, what a golf course. A brilliant dune setting on Bass Strait, the course is moderate in length by modern standards (6150m) but the wind factor needs to be accounted for. 17 and 18 (both 400m) play straight into the prevailing NW and just reaching the fairway can be tough from the back when it's blowing hard.

Only 1 hole struck me as ordinary (no 2) but from 3 onwards it's a non stop visual delight and golfing challnge. Our group was a single figure player and a 34 marker but both found it highly playable.

Front nine plays largely through valleys between the towering 20m high dunes whilst the back is more exposed to the wind.

I played Joondalup and Kennedy Bay in WA 2 weeks ago and this course is more viaually stunning than Joondalup and makes Kennedy look like a goat track.

In the last couple of years I've played a few of the new "greats" that promised so much but unltimately left me feeling a little diasappointed (e.g. The Vintage). Not here though.

Do yourself a favour, grab an internet airfare and get to Tassie for a game on what will soon be rated in Australia's top 10 golf courses ! At last a new golf course that lives up to all the hype and more.