7 Mile Golf

Every serious golfer knows 7 Mile Golf is coming. But how good is it going to be?  If you are on Insta, you can join their page. The pic above shows where it is relative to Hobart Airport.

And how good is it going to be? Here's a true story. I was walking down the 12th fairway of RHGC with the head green-keeper of 7Mile (and former Barnbougle green-keeper of 21 years), Anthony Toogood, and I asked him was 7Mile going to be as good as Barnbougle. He had a great answer...how do you compare to Barnbougle? I said "well, will 7Mile be in the top 50 in Australia"...to which Toohey said..."Top 50? 7Mile will be in the Top 10. Now hit your shot JD".

Bring it on!

Barnbougle -
The Dunes, Lost Farm & Bougle Run

I love playing The Dunes and Lost Farm. How you could you not? The Dunes currently sits at World #33 and Lost Farm is at World #90. As you drive out to Bridport there is always that sense of excitement knowing what it's in store. Whether it's your first time or 5th, the open spaces, the challenging holes, the beautiful scenery. I nearly always tear up when I walk up from the super testing 4th hole to turn the corner and stand there looking over Bass Strait. Wow! Thank you Richard Sattler. Thank you Barnbougle Team. I'm always proud and loud about this amazing place. There's a new head green-keeper now, and of course there is Bougle Run, the 14 hole Par 3 course (which I STILL have not played). It's a toss up between The Dunes and Lost farm for me as to which is my fave. I might be leaning towards LF. But that was yesterday. Last week it was The Dunes....better head back again.

Cape Wickam - King Island

Set on the Northern tip of KI of the rugged coastline of King Island, this spectacular golf course offers a challenging layout with sweeping views of the Southern Ocean, providing an unforgettable golfing experience. Cape Wickham has just been crowned #1 Course in Australia, and it definitely deserves this accolade. The views and course design are the golfers dream. When you play here, you often stop and just look around. Your surrounded by visually stunning scenery and your playing a magnificent world class golf course. This is the true golfers paradise.

Cape Wickam - Ocean Dunes

Ocean Dunes is the same vein as Cape Wickham, but different. Sharing the Islands spectacular scenery and rugged coast line, Ocean Dunes is positioned towards the middle of the Island. The aesthetics is stunning. This is a course you feel you could play again and again. Now ranked #13 in Australia (Australian Golf Digest) it is probably a great warm up before heading North and playing it's sister course, Cape Wickham. A very recent press release on the Premier of Tasmania's website announced funding assistance for a proposed 64 room new hotel for Ocean Dunes.  I think Ocean Dunes is set for moving up the ladder into the top 10 in Australia. 

Ratho Farm Golf
 

As Australia’s oldest golf course, Ratho Farm in Bothwell offers a unique historical experience, where golfers can play on a traditional 18-hole layout while taking in the charming countryside. Ratho Farm is simply a must for every golfer, once in their lifetime. Think rustic, think fun, think amazing scenery, think the freshest air. Greg Ramsay is on a life long journey to improve the entire experience at Ratho. Convict barns and sheds have been turned into modern accomodation. Come into the historic homestead and feel the warmth with a wee dram of whisky. This is olde world golf charm. A slice of heaven you could say.

Tasmania GC

Located on the scenic Barilla Bluff peninsula on the Western side of Hobart International Airport, Tasmania Golf Club boasts a picturesque 18-hole championship course surrounded by stunning coastal views. The club has seen a big turn around in the last couple of years and the results are fantastic. Tasmania GC has revised the course layout and it works a dream. In addition excessive trees and undergrowth has cleared, so with their wide  fairways, all standards are encouraged to 'have a lash'. And did I mention the putting greens are in great condition too. Another super friendly and enthusiastic Pro Shop staff, you come back to a hight quality restaurant for lunches and dinners. A golf trip to the South of Tasmania should always include a round at Tasmania Golf Club in my opinion. 

Kingston Beach GC

Just 15 minutes from Hobart, on the other side of the city is Kingston Beach Golf Club. KBGC is a beautifully maintained 18-hole course set against the backdrop of the Derwent River which offers serene views. It's one of those clubs that you're standing outside the Pro shop, the sun is shining, you're looking down at the beach and sea, there are yachts, cruise ships and speed boats flying past and it all just feels right. KBGC might get the annual gong for THE most friendly and professional Pro Shop staff and it just gets better when you get onto the course. Nearly always immaculate, it's a true gem of a course, especially in the warmer months. Just love this place. (Editors note...Head Professional Daniel Gawley DID just win Tasmanian Club Professional of The Year. For the second time!)

Royal Hobart GC

In it's day, Royal Hobart was one of the premier golfing desinations in Australia. They played the 1971 Qantas Australian Championship here was played here and won by Jack Nicklausin a then course record of 269. Today the modern golf courses have outpaced the likes of RHGC, however it remains a firm favourite for many (yep, I'm biased, I'm a member), and it sits comfortably in the top 100 golf courses in Australia. The layout of RHGC is still a great test of golf, with wide fairways and lots of strategic bunkering. There are great warm up facitlities at RHGC with a driving range, short Par 3 holes, pitching greens and of course a putting green. In fact you have lots of options at RHGC. Play 18 holes or come down and spend some of the day chipping and putting, interspersed with a cappuccino or two. Then play 9 to finish it off. What a nice way to spend the day.

Country Club Tasmania

Now here is a course in the making - big time! Owned by the successful Tasmanian company, Federal Group, they seem to have seriously gotten the golf bug. The course is currently being completely rebuilt (some holes replicating the DP World tour I'm told), a two level driving range and a mini-golf set up. The driving range opens in mid 2025 and the new golf course around 12 months later. Too early to provide any details at this stage, but this is looking like a great way to start your Tasmanian Golfing holiday!

North WEST Bay GC

North West Bay is the Southern most 18 hole golf course in Australia. Another hidden gem offering a coastal 18-hole layout that combines natural beauty with a layout designed to offer a pleasant challenge. With just one green-keeper and a bevvy of enthusiastic  proud club volunteers, North West Bay is always presented in  sterling condition. It's a testing walk for some, but they do have carts for hire. 

Huon valley GC

You're not supposed to have a favourite child apparently, so I don't really have a favourite golf course in Tassie...or do I? If I had to pick a favourite, there are a few that come to mind and on the short list would definitely be Huonville. It's no Pebble Beach, not even a RM, but it certainly has a charm of it's own. First, this is a country golf course. It is 12 holes (with separate tees for the 18 holes) and there is just one green-keeper. So don't roll up thinking you're turning up to a mini Augusta. But we love it. It's true country golf. You'll work that out when you're standing on the tee and there's a cow next to you. Some great restaurants are back in town too, we've had a few nice lunches after golf and it's one of those 'pinch me someone' places to remember.