Barnbougle Dunes

This is a place you’ve just gotta play. If you’re looking for a golf adventure you’re unlikely to forget then Barnbougle Dunes will do the trick.

From the moment I arrived it was like being transported back to Scotland. Windswept coastline, misty rain and links golf that’s hard to find anywhere else. I was hooked from my first look (I arrived late on Friday and walked a few holes) and it only got better once play commenced.

Here’s a list of what I like about Barnbougle Dunes:

  • The golf course is amazing. It really is. I love links golf and really think it’s a pure version of the game. All the hazards are on the ground and it challenges you to play the right shot at the right time.

  • Although Barnbougle Dunes is a tough golf course it is incredibly fair. The fairways are wide, the greens are at medium pace and the layout gives plenty of options to avoid bunkering and the punishing rough.

  • It’s isolated. This adds to the charm. If it was near a big city I think this golf course would be over run. Because it’s a little bit difficult to get to it attracts real golf enthusiasts, not those playing it for the wrong reasons.

  • It’s challenging. From the back tees and with a little wind this course will throw more than enough at you to keep you interested. I don’t think I’ve played a more challenging and fun golf course

  • Speaking of fun, there are so many shots that are exciting to play. There’s short par fours that you can drive (downwind of course), little par threes and lots of shots that you can play over rough, sand and dunes. This place really does excite the golfer’s senses.

  • The staff are amazing. Everyone is made to feel welcome and they do everything to ensure you enjoy yourself. Nothing is too much trouble and for me the staff make it more than just a great golf course. It’s a fantastic experience.

  • Pricing is affordable. Seriously, they could charge a lot more for golf, accommodation and food. But they don’t.

  • The place is relaxed. The clubhouse was a hive of excited golfers talking about their adventures. The place was humming each night and there were no stupid dress regulations. Everyone was having a great time and it was good to be there.

  • The course is set up for all standards. I played with Clare who enjoyed the course as much as I did. Despite being a 45 handicapper she was able to make some pars and negotiate the course without too much trouble.

  • Great practice facilities. Everything you need to work on your game and take in the place when you’re not playing. I particularly like the practice green near the accommodation.

  • It’s a walking course. No motorised golf carts in sight.

But beware. The rough is super tough. You’ve got to hit the ball in play otherwise you’ll lose your ball. The rough reminded me of Muirfield, unbelievably penal but it forces you to focus on the fairway and the shot at hand. It’s a great course for automatic golfers. You have to find your mojo early otherwise you’ll lose a dozen balls.

If you’re serious about your golf then Barnbougle Dunes is a must. I wasn’t surprised to find that although it’s only five years old it is already ranked the 35th best course in the world. I think in time it will get even better.

They also have a new course that’s nearly completed. It’s called The Lost Farm and Michael Clayton says it’s even better than the original. From what I’ve seen it looks amazing and will make the trip to Barnbougle even better. It could be the best 36 holes going around.

For those interested, I’m thinking about arranging a “Cam’s Way” get together there later in the year. The idea at the moment is a clinic, golf and discussions over dinner. Let me know if you’re interested.

No matter what you do, get down there and take a look, you won’t be disappointed.

I did take some photos but after visiting the Barnbougle website they have done a much better job than I have. I’ll stick to the golf and let others worry about photography 🙂

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13 Comments

  • Tom McCardell

    Reply Reply June 1, 2010

    Cameron please keep me in the loop on the clinic. Sounds fantastic.

  • Tony Lucas

    Reply Reply June 1, 2010

    Cam
    I am really glad you enjoyed Barnbougle because I have been telling Steady about it for a while now and he can appreciate that I wasn’t being a one eyed Tasmanian.To have a clinic would be fantastic but we would have to have a game as well.I too cannot wait till they open Lost Farm because they are claiming it is better.
    Cheers Lukey

  • Ray Crick

    Reply Reply June 1, 2010

    Hello Cam,
    I’ve heard plenty about this course but it’s only now I’ve seen some photos, it looks magnificent!!!! I had a hit at the growling frog golf course which is also a links style course, nothing like Barnbougle but also a nice change from the sandbelt courses. It was the best of played since starting the auto golf journey and I walked off the course really happy that I felt some reward for the effort I’ve been applying to my game. The new kit really helped and I really feel I’m heading in the right direction. I hope to get some video in the next couple of weeks to send you and get some feedback.
    cheers
    Ray

  • Julie Lepp

    Reply Reply June 1, 2010

    Yep, I need to get home to Melbourne sometime this year, and a promise of golf and clinic at barnbougle would make an east coast trip really compelling! Keep me posted too – and girls are fun to have on a golf weekend ….. 😉

  • Grayden Provis

    Reply Reply June 1, 2010

    Count me in too

  • Cameron

    Reply Reply June 1, 2010

    @Julie: Girls are most welcome. Clare is banned because she beat me on one hole and I’m still hearing about it.

  • Tony Lucas

    Reply Reply June 2, 2010

    Cam
    You have really generated a bit of interest here and it is great to see we have a lady among our throng which just goes to prove auto golf can help everyone.
    Cheers Lukey

  • Julie Lepp

    Reply Reply June 2, 2010

    @Lukey: actually, I’d like to get Clare’s take on this too. Being generally higher functioning than guys particularly with respect to multi-tasking, just counting ( even with all your fingers occupied holding a club) just didn’t seem to get me to neutral. Humming a concerto whilst reciting poetry did seem to get me there though. But you are spot on, it might take some modification and experimentation, but auto golf can work for everyone. It is remarkable in every sense! 😉
    Cheers!!

  • Tony Lucas

    Reply Reply June 5, 2010

    Tribers
    Played today in a pinehurst (same as yankee)and my partner and I played well for a seven over par 71 for a nett 52.I think the most pleasing thing today was my auto side was pretty good (not 100%)and though I did play some pretty ordinary stuff (bad shots) there was a lot of good stuff as well.The main thing I found was when played an ordinary shot the other played a good one.Foursomes type games are hard at the best of times but this is where I feel auto golf shines because it is easier to forget the bad one because it is not necessarily you that hit the bad one and the recovery is easier.But summing it up at the end of the day it was a very pleasurable day.
    Cheers Lukey

  • David Pryde

    Reply Reply June 5, 2010

    Am interested to go on the Tassie trip.
    DP

  • Tim Hardman

    Reply Reply June 7, 2010

    If tassie trip is before mid August count me in.

  • Cameron

    Reply Reply June 7, 2010

    Hi Guys,

    I’ve taken some early steps to get the “Barnbougle Automatic Golf Experience” underway. Early plan is:

    2 nights accommodation
    2 rounds of golf
    Practice fairway session
    Short game session
    Meeting room discussion/mini seminar
    Dinner

    The best dates for me will be late October/ early November. Let me know if you have any thoughts or ideas.

    Cam

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