Barnbougle Lost Farm

There is a fair mix of links and parkland holes here as it is set a bit further back from the dunes and it actually comprises 20 holes, with additional par threes on the back nine which makes things interesting. The bunkering is again attractive with huge waste areas and fairways similarly generous.

The first two holes are in my opinion better openers than at Barnbougle Dunes and got the heart going in anticipation of what was to come, which was an excellent run of links holes with the short par three 4th the highlight looking out onto the beach from the headland. This is followed by an almost crazy dogleg where you can see the green from the 450 or so yard hole but all the fairway is obscured by a simply huge dune system.

The majority of the holes are then played a little inland with more lush grass and a less links-like feel. They are all good holes but it was in this midsection that the Lost Farm lost a little ground to its older brother that is littered with exceptional holes. The Lost farm does however finish very strongly as it gets closer to the sea again. 14 if I remember is a beautiful short downhill par four followed by a great downhill through the dunes par 3 directly below the new spa complex, which I’m sure has one of the greatest views in world golf of almost the entire course, as it sits proudly on the huge dunes. The par four 18th is a fitting end to the round and a truly great two-shot hole.

All in all this may be my second favourite course in Australia but as it is so new the greens are not quite at the same level and it is just occasionally rough round the edges. Still a 5-ball course however, and my advice is to play Lost Farm before Barnbougle Dunes and see what you think.