1. wedgeman | Rated | 03 Nov 2011 | Add A Review

Paradise Palms is just about first class wherever you look. Whether it’s down the undulating fairways, on the tee at the numerous signature holes or on the balcony bar looking over the practice greens, this golf course is aesthetically pleasing and kept in immaculate condition. Just about every tee shot requires accuracy with bunkers and water hazards preventing any easy scoring. Greens are quick to putt on and lengthy, so an odd 3 or 4 putt shouldn’t be a suprise. Overall, Paradise Palms is a premier golf course with a challenging layout and superb conditioning, perfect for any golfing enthusiast to test their skills and probably be brought to their knees…

2. davelp | Rated | 09 Oct 2011 | Add A Review

After reading a few mixed reviews on Paradise Palms,they should get a positive mark when it’s deserved.Had a round, 1st week of October. They have certainly got the course back in top condition. Greens are always the benchmark of a course.PP has got back it’s greens to a high standard.True rolling,gives you confidence on every putt. Too many putts than I intended, though.Only minus,new 18th green.Old 18th had great vista of clubhouse and rainforest as you approached.Shame it’s gone. In great nick,worth a round certainly before the wet season. No surprise that golf courses in FNQ struggle that time of year. Go easy on the greenkeepers,folks.

3. Nicholstones | Rated | 27 Sep 2011 | Add A Review

This is a difficult course to rate. The fairways and greens were in excellent condition and the layout is quite interesting, however if you haven’t played it before there are too many blind shots and hazards that are unseen until too late.

The greens are almost all very long (up to 40 metres) but very narrow (only about 10 metres). Some of them are laid at an angle, so that you are hitting into the narrow part. In either case you have almost no room for error with your approaches. A lot of the fairways are also fairly narrow, with tight landing areas for the drive, and if you hit into the thick trees you would almost always lose the ball. The bunkering is reasonable and the variety of holes is good.

At $120 per person (includes cart) it is expensive compared to other courses in the area, but is very good quality. You definitely need to use the cart to get around.

We came away with the feeling that something wasn’t quite right, but couldn’t figure out what, it just didn’t grab us the way it should have.

4. fdgolfer31 | Rated | 17 Sep 2011 | Add A Review

After reading some recent poor reviews I was curious to see the condition of the course which I played yesterday. I am a single figure handicapper and have played Paradise Palms once every year or two since it opened while visiting the region.

I am pleased to report the playing surfaces were the best that I have seen since the 1990s. Much work has obviously been done to improve the conditioning. The fairways were well grassed and lush, and with a couple of minor exceptions the greens were smooth and without the encroaching couch grass seen in my recent visits.

We arrived and were pleased to see a brand new fleet of Club Car electric carts for our use, complete with esky filled with ice.

This course is a visually impressive and strategic layout which has often not been maintained to an appropriate standard. I am happy to report that yesterday nothing was further from the truth.

5. chinaalan | Rated | 24 Jun 2011 | Add A Review

I played this course in mid May this year and had inbited a friend who was on a business trip to join me,,,what an embarassment!! Before we had even reached the course proper the reception we got from a middle aged guy wearinga PGA shirt, was too say appaling. We had rang and booked a tee-time and this guy then proceeded, on the verge of panick, to tell us that we would have to wait and couldn’t play as a two ball ( which was OK with us)We waited and waited , with this guy telling is that its not good to play on a Saturday afternoon !
On our own bat we ended up going out with another twosome, god knows what happened to the guy with the PGS shirt!
The course architecture is still brilliant but what a poor shadow of it’s previous self it was. The greens with the exception of the last four or five were attrocious and the fringes defied belief. There was no sand in the pot bunkers.
The comments after the game by my three companions was generally that this course is overpriced and undermaintained and just not worth the money.I would hazard a guess that they are far more interested in selling real estate and holding weddings than they are in having a golf club. Following day we played at Sea Temple…ahh that was more like it!!

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6. burkey08 | Rated | 24 Jun 2011 | Add A Review

Played there last year for my mates 40th birthday which we drove a bus 5 hours for and played 14 hole before the buggy died. They got another one out to us after 4 groups for pissed off golfers passed us because of the hold up. Then 2 holes later the replacement buggy died. Didn’t even get to complete the round. Was pretty pissed off after coming all of that way and not completing the round of golf. Demanded my money back and got stoned walled. There was no Manager there on a Saturday, which was a joke in itself. I’ll never go back and do my best to encourage people not to go there.

7. AllegingBow | Rated | 13 Jun 2011 | Add A Review

Have waited awhile to post my review as my initial post straight after playing would have been,’Mundane, boring and pathetic…The only WOW factor is ’Wow, they’re really charging that much!’
But I have reserved that review to give a better explaination. I stayed two nights at the resort but was mainly there for the golf. The wife and I had a reprieve from the kiddies and the luxury resort was our wedding anniversary gift. Upon arriving and checking out our accomodation, rooms, two pools, kids adventure playground and mini-putt course and resturant, we were wrapped and dissapointed that we hadn’t brought the whole family. After enjoying a excellent meal and watched other families enjoying the resort with their families we were already planning a return visit as the ’premiere’ course would surely satisfy Dad’s golfing needs…..How wrong we were. Now I understand that the Head greenskeeper that has since been replaced has let the course go to waste, but when the council watered roadside grass is greener than a top 50 course something is wrong. The greens were poor and slow which made it simple to stick. Unlike recommended below, the course guide, although very helpfull, will make the course that easy you’ll wonder why you bothered. This was my first time at a premiere course and in all honesty if I used it as a guide to the others I wouldn’t bother. Makes me wonder if it gets it top 100 rating due to the course or the facilities the judges may get pampered in.Agree with other reviewers that Cairns and Halfmoon present better and at the saving you could get some new equipment and still come away with change instead of playing here. If the new greenskeeper can bring it back it may be worth it. There’signature hole’ by their own admission, has a pond in front of it which to best describe has about as much water in it as your backyard pool would if you poured a coffee cup in it.

8. andrewinfnq | Rated | 28 Mar 2011 | Add A Review

It astounds me that a course with such a reputation can present like it is at the moment. The wet season has left the course in a terrible state, and frankly, why they charge the full green fee when it is in its current state is not good for the course, its members or for visitors.

You pay top dollar for everything at Paradise Palms and if the course was in good condition you wouldnt mind. Wonderful drive up to the clubhouse and beautiful when inside, worse than average once you hit the course.

This summer has been terrible for golf in FNQ, but the powers that be at Paradise Palms insist you pay premium price for a below average product. I will not be back, would rather head nth to Sea Temple or play the local clubs like Cairns and Yorkeys Knob. Much better value for you money, local and visitor alike.

9. golferman68 | Rated | 11 Dec 2010 | Add A Review

Good course to play but not the best in FNQ let alone the rest of Queensland. Some interesting holes.

10. EJ78 | Rated | 09 Sep 2010 | Add A Review

Would have to be the best course in qld, I have played most course on the gold coast and sunshine coast(in south east qld). The greens where true and could attack every hole, farways awesome and tee block level and well maintained. Cost 120 but worth every cent, a must played if in north qld. Played The links as well in port douglas, it didnt even come close to paradise palms.

11. sweety | Rated | 07 Jun 2010 | Add A Review

Played part of the course on 06 May 2010, the course looked great, can see why it would be a challenge to all, as per some other comments was very dissapointed that a corporate day with a shot gun start was at the same time, I wouldn’t have minded and would have rescheduled.. It took 3.4 hours to play nine (single player), I did book for 18..

Unfortunatley I left the course wondering what the other nine might bring!

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12. CATFORD | Rated | 10 Dec 2009 | Add A Review

Well….I was a bit concerned going to Paradise Palms after reading some of the reviews.

But to be honest it was a great course and very friendly pro shop….the pro shop guys did admit that the course was struggling 4 weeks ago but due to recent rain it has improved alot.

Me and the Missus paid $720 for 3 nights accommodation and 2 rounds of golf for me plus all breakfasts which made it great value.

As for the course…if you dont have a gps…..then get there little course guild book from the pro shop….you need it.

I played it from the back tee both games and found it a good challenge….you do not need to hit driver every hole even on the Par 5’s….there are great holes on both front and back 9’s. If you play smart you cant get around without losing balls to the water or rainforest….but dont play smart and you will enjoy the scenery.

All in all a great course….wil play Sea Temple next time.

Definitely worth going there for the Stay and Play….I probably would pay a $130 for a round though off the streer.

13. brisbanedrive | Rated | 24 Nov 2009 | Add A Review

Played Paradise Palms last week and I believe that this course is under-rated from the reviews that I have read. The greens had been cored a couple of weeks earlier, so there was a small discount, and the fairways were in good condition, although not immaculate. The major plus for Paradise Palms is the layout. It is a fantastic layout, although very difficult. There are many different options for a player with great risk/reward choices on 6, 8, 11, 14, and esoecially 18. The 7th is one on the best par 3’s I have played, especially when the pin is on the right hand side. This course is a real challenge from the back-markers.

I also played Sea Temple and find Sea Temple and Paradise Palms to be completely different types of courses. Paradise Palms is much more difficult and punishing, Sea Temple is links style with forgiving landing areas, but large undulating green. A good golfing trip is playing booth course to give two completely different types of experience.

PROS

• Challenging
• Tough Test
• Great opportunities for Risk/Reward
• Great Layout

Cons

• Conditioning good, but not excellent

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14. stuartmac75 | Rated | 30 Oct 2009 | Add A Review

Good course and a pleasure to play. Sea Temple is slightly better however they are totally different. Sea Temple is like a links whereas Paradise Palms is more rainforest. Not an easy course.
Highly recommend

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15. HoInWan | Rated | 19 Apr 2009 | Add A Review

This course is beautiful but for $120 a round you would be better off playing sea temple…still worth a hit if you can get on a bit cheaper but dont go playing it for full price unless money aint a problem…

16. baddawg220 | Rated | 09 Apr 2009 | Add A Review

The course is in okay shape, greens were disappointing and tee boxes a disgrace for a mere $120/head. I agree with GTGOLF, the links course at Sea Temple in Port Douglas is a far superior golf course for the same price.

17. pom | Rated | 25 Aug 2008 | Add A Review

I played this course on Sunday for the first time & was very impressed by the layout. There are some truly terrific golf holes on this course with plenty of hidden hazards to make you think. In it's hayday it would have been great to play.

Although the fairways are wide & fairly genorous there is plenty of trouble if you stray off line. I did enjoy my round here but unfortunately the whole experience of playing what is supposed to be one of the best Courses in QLD. in the state this course is presented is somewhat of a letdown.

The whole course is very dry , with many water hazards , (that would look quite impressive if filled with water. ) bone dry. The green surrounds are dry & the grass very clumpy making the neccesary lob shots extremely difficult. The greens were not too bad but somewhat 2 paced & some of the pin locations were virging on the ridiculous. (14 m uphill putt stopped 2cm from the hole & then ran back to my feet.)

The fairways are very short & turning brown making for very tight lies especially in the landing Zones. Overall the course could be something exceptional but only if a lot of time & money were sunk into the place.

On the same weekend I also played at Cairns Golf Club & whilst the layout is not in the same class, the presentation of the course & the atmosphere there is much better than Paradise Palms. The place was a big dissapointment to me.

18. gtgolf | Rated | 16 Jul 2008 | Add A Review

This course needs a lot of work, it resembles a building site more than a golf course, the tee boxes are awful and the greens not much better, when you pay $120.00 for a round of golf you expect something a little more special weather it be service from the staff or may be a full esky of ice or a couple of tee’s in your cart. If you want to play a fantastic course in North Queensland there is only one. The links course at Sea Temple in Port Douglas, the same price but so much better.

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19. mooseca | Rated | 19 May 2008 | Add A Review

it astounds me that a newsletter on a clubs website can say that “Now that our greens have almost recovered from their treatment” – not even close to the mark. We got waring that the day before we played that they were in terrible condition – how right the info was. It astounds me that a course with such a reputation can present like so. You have to wonder how important money is versus reputation. All they need to do was put in temp greens and charge $20 a round with a cart and then you know what you are getting. I have never heard 12 golfers tell so many tales of 3 and 4 putts from 10-15 feet.

20. Bowlo | Rated | 14 May 2008 | Add A Review

Have just recently played this course in the last 7 days and can quite confortably say that these greens are the worst I have ever played. They have just been cored for the first time in 3 years and suffice to say will probably take another three years to recover.There has clearly been little follow up after the coring and putting on these greens is like playing a pin ball machine, yet the pro shop is more than happy to take your money before you become aware of the state of the course. Bewilders me how the committee can present a “championship” golf course in this state, especially when you have Carins GC, Hyatt regency, and Port Douglas links all a short drive away and in supreme condition. Do yourself a favour….................. stay away from this goat track.

21. dannylee | Rated | 22 Jan 2008 | Add A Review

This course is really over-rated. We’ve played this at least once every 2 weeks for most of the year due to lack of choice. Not well maintained over and hugely overcrowded. Our last round took us 6.5 hours. Staff were good but could be more helpful to speed things along. The fairways were long and had leaves thick in some places. Good greens and bunkers, water hazards were empty despite a lot of rain. Future development could bring this course back but the green fees at the present are a bit of a joke.

22. Hacker56 | Rated | 11 Oct 2007 | Add A Review

I played here recently was immensely dissapointed… They have totally let this course go since they sold the residential lots and have turn off the tap in terms of investment. Fairways and tees were terrible and the greens were worse.. Very crowded on the weekend with one of the slowest rounds I have ever played.. Add to that the frustration of a pin placement cetred between two bunkers on the 18th with virtually no room to play anywhere near the pin (and this on a casual Sunday afternoon round) was just taking the p*ss.. Total waster of time.. If you are up there, play Sea Temple… Even Mirage is better….

23. Scarlett | Rated | 16 Aug 2007 | Add A Review

Played here in January and as with previous visits, it is a lovely course. It’s in the northern beaches of Cairns probably about 25mins from the city. You won’t find too many ‘social’ golfers as it’s an expensive resort style layout that can be accurately described as championship (a term massively overused by Aussie courses!). $120 walk up green fees but cheaper for locals, AGU members and a number of discount schemes.

Course was quite dry with brown patches on the fairways (first time I’d seen that in Cairns) and all the creeks, which criss-cross many of the fairways, were bone dry. Undulating fairways, blind shots, plenty of hazards and significant stands of thick tropical vegetation. And to top it off the greens were quick with plenty of subtle borrow: difficult.

24. mickdene | Rated | 29 Aug 2006 | Add A Review

Played this course while on holidays in Cairns and must say that not only were the grounds immaculate, the staff were more than friendly and happy to assist. Great course with plenty of challenges. One that must be experienced if up in FNQ. Suggest that the purchase of a course guide for $7 is more than worth it's weight in gold. If going to play consider buying the golf guide as the purchase price of $40 is more than covered as you get two for one here.

25. ianjessup | Rated | 20 Aug 2006 | Add A Review

Just got back from a week in FNQ and I must say the grounds staff at PP were probably on holidays as well. This course remains a supreme test of shotmaking (esp in the 15 knot winds we had) but it was disappointing that the bunkers had not been touched for a while and the fairways and greens surrounds were below what I have seen on previous visits. Worse was the greens were of different hardness and speeds, making putting even more difficult than usual. And word has it the famous downhill par 3 7th over water is getting axed to make way for more real estate. The owners need to be careful not to let this course go. I give it 4 and a bit stars.

26. hutchie | Rated | 03 Aug 2006 | Add A Review

This is a magnificent course,beatifully laid out with no easy holes and kept in immaculate condition.It requires good knowledge of the course as each shot if not well played can get you into trouble.

27. ceasar | Rated | 06 Sep 2005 | Add A Review

I turned up on Saturday to play in the Stableford comp with Greg the local member and Phil from the sunshine coast. Greg mentioned that he played with Malcolm Blight the week before and he won the competition.

The course was in excellent condition with the fairways perfect and the greens very true and the fastest I played on in North Queensland. Playing with a member who can give you some pointers is a great idea as you have a lot of blind shots from tees and to greens. We played off the white markers which went the driver was able to be kept in the bag for most of the day. Off the blue markers which add 10 to 20 metres on most holes, this would have been a much tougher course.

The par 3 seventh is the signature hole with a 190 metre tee shot over water to an elevated green. I managed a par on this hole so thought I would be in for a good day. Despite two misses and two one pointers I scraped around in 35 points and managed third in the competition. When I am next in Cairns I will be back for another game.

28. tommo2 | Rated | 20 Sep 2004 | Add A Review

Probably not a crash hot idea to play in a comp on this fairly challenging course not having seen it before! Once the shock of losing three balls on the first two holes had worn off, this golfer recovered to just average.

Be sensible, don't try to play above yourself and you can enjoy the near perfect fairways to use every club in the bag.

For a 20odd handicapper on holidays it was good fun and good value. Even managed a couple of pars on the back. Great to be able to trust the distance markers and not get excessive run or balls pulling up in bog.

If you have the misfortune to need to search for wayward shots you'll probably come out in front as the rain forest must be a big no-no to our overseas visitors.

Also beware of playing partners with hangovers, it gets pretty hot out there.

The Relic.

29. tigertee | Rated | 09 Apr 2004 | Add A Review

Just spent 7 days, playing golf at Cairns GC(1 time), The Lakes (1), Paradise Palms (3), Half Moon Bay (1) and Mossman GC (1). Please see the other clubs for a brief report.

Of all the courses Paradise Palms is still #1 by a country mile, and it's possible to play for $45/head*. Despite recent heavy rains the course was still in A1 condition from tee to green simply stunning and worth every dollar. Other than good maintenance there have been no major changes that I can see, a testimoney to a quality design. Every hole is good, however for me the Par 4 11th is a little gem, a great test of judgement and being honest about how strong you realy are when 150/170m out. If you are an AGU h/cap holder and you use the *discount voucher book that is available from golf retailers the 2 for 1 deal will see you and a mate play for a total of $90 inc a cart; can't beat that for value! Apologies if it sounds like an advertisement.

30. tigertee | Rated | 03 Feb 2004 | Add A Review

Simply one of the best!

I have played this course many times over the last 7 years whilst travelling through on business and it is always in perfect nic from tee to green. It can be an enjoyable cruise off the front or a real test playing off the back markers. No weak holes on this baby.

I always setaside the day for this course, golf in the morning and relax by the pool afterwards. Not the cheapest, but great value.

31. long | Rated | 14 Jan 2004 | Add A Review

While I lived in Port Douglas I had the pleasure to play this monster of a course not to put the average golfer of playing here but I would recomend the normal playing tees as the back markers are quite challenging and this course will bite if you don't drive the ball well.

The greens are very superb considering the drought the far north is currentlly experiencing, very professional proshop staff, actually overall what you expect for a international course of this quality.

I think every body else has covered what the layouts like.

32. | Rated | 05 Jan 2004 | Add A Review

Paradise Palms reminded me a of a lot of the top courses I've played in Asia. This shouldn't surprise given the ownership, and the owners should be complimented for how they've made such a nice resort course in Australia yet made it affordable to the keen golfer ($99 for AGU card holders).

The nice touches - access to showers, bag drops, well-maintained and clean carts, friendly pro shop - are what people remember, and this place does it well.

For all the pleasure of the off-course experience, the on-course can be very challenging from the back marks. This is a little less like Asia, where long-hitting is not something most designers factor in their plans.

At over 6400m this is as long as most championship courses, and many holes have trouble both sides of the fairway to catch errant shots. The greens are bermuda, as most are in this part of the world, which always challenges those of us from southern parts. So from tee to green, if you want to play from the back marks, it is a course that can bite you at any time.

The garden and rock work is extensive, adding to aesthetic appeal. There's plenty of water involved although there aren't any significant carries unless you are very bold.

For the keen and accomplished golfer, this is the best course in FNQ, and as good an experience as well. I would happily go back.

For those who have a more relaxed approach or have a higher handicap, I say try the course but play off the forward tees. You'll enjoy the experience nonetheless. The Links at Port Douglas would probably suit you more from a golfing perspective, but it does not have the same service level as Paradise Palms.

33. Scarlett | Rated | 15 Sep 2003 | Add A Review

(As always I commence with a disclaimer - these are the views of a med-handicap golfer, so course asthetics and value for social golfers are my priorities when looking at a course, not how flash the clubhouse is or whether lackeys will carry your clubs from your car or not!)

Paradise Palms is a very well maintained course, even in the dry season, but for $120 a round (golf and share-cart) you'd expect as much. The task is certainly interesting for a social level golfer like me, but not impossible. There are plenty of hazards and plenty of thought is needed before stepping up onto the tee.

The course is set a couple of kilometres inland so the views are of the range surrounding Cairns and not of the coast. This is the same range that can be seen throughout the city so it's not 'exclusive' to the course. Perhaps because of this I kept expecting something more from the course each hole; perhaps the course is over-hyped, I don't know. It definately left me feeling that something 'special', or a particular 'high point' was missing though. Don't get me wrong, it is a very nice course and I'd love to play there regularly, but it's not in the same league as Bonville or NSWGC as 'spectacular'.

My favourite hole was the 360m par 4 11th, which has a tee shot over a small creek into a fairly wide fairway. Running the length of the hole on the left is thick tropical vegetation, so a drive down the right helps. The second shot requires a decision to either carry over a larger creek which encircles the green, or a lay up short.

Scarlett

5Sep03

34. mort | Rated | 17 Jan 2003 | Add A Review

Played in the drought but the course hardly suffered for it. In great condition and a great set of holes set in an idyllic tropical location. The members have it made!

Shop and clubhouse staff were very friendly and professional.

35. sgoracz | Rated | 30 Oct 2002 | Add A Review

Paradise palms is probably one of the best courses I've had the pleasure of playing in a long time.

Considering the drought conditions in Far Nth Qld, the course is in excellent condition and extremely green with perfect putting surfaces.

The course is a great challange without going to the extremes.

The Pro and staff were all extremely courtious and professional including getting my sticks from the car and putting them on the cart.