Bougle Run

Magazine Ratings

The latest edition to one of Australia’s great golfing destinations, Barnbougle in Tasmania, is a 14 hole short course called Bougle Run. Located within the property’s second course, Lost Farm, it has been built close to the clubhouse. It then routes up to the highest point of the Barnbougle site, running atop a dune above the 8th hole.

Years ago it was rumoured that a third course was to be built on the site, possibly beyond the Lost Farm course. On my visit in 2018, it was hinted by a staff member, that a nine hole course was potentially in the works. They were pretty close to the mark.

Course map of Bougle Run

The course routes between parts of the Lost Farm course, in particular the eight, ninth, tenth and eleventh holes. These are shown in yellow on the map. The orange is the routing of Bougle Run.

The course makeup is two par 4 holes and twelve par 3 holes. When I first visited Bougle Run, it had yet to open, due to a seed issue affecting a few greens. I took a wander around the routing with my laser range finder. Measuring from points identified as potential teeing ground. This ended up being pretty accurate, when compared to the actual scorecard.

A short walk from the pro shop, heading towards the practice range, will bring you to the start of the Bougle Run course. This photo journal is made up of pictures before the course opening, with others eight months after play started.

Hole 1 – 91m par 3

The first hole starts on a small dune, running along the ridge. On the left, the green is partially obscured by the peak of the dune. From the start we can see how the hole will allow for those starting out, having short grass available from the tee right up to the green. However, there is not much forgiveness around the green. Offline and it can easily be lost in the marram grass.

The 1st and 13th greens are joined to form a double green

The green feeds in from the higher left points and has a slight backstop at the rear, as the ground rises moving away. There were problems with contaminated seed on four greens, which delayed the opening of Bougle Run. This is one of those affected.

Hole 2 – 141m (Longest Par 3)

The second tee is located below the first green, playing in the same direction as Lost Farms 8th hole. For the beginners the ball will funnel towards the middle of the fairway, although at the start of the green is a large hump which would need to be navigated.

This long green has a large raised rear section

A green where length exceeds the width, there are multiple tiers, with the rear section much higher than the front. This rise will also act as a back stop, if the pin is located in the lower rear portion. There is also the advantage that the surrounds of the green complex, feed back onto the putting surface.

After finishing the second, we starting walking up between the 8th green and 9th tee of the Lost Farm course, climbing to the upper sections. This is a short steep climb.

Hole 3 – 72m (Shortest par 3)

We can now start taking in the scenery around the course, but even more impressive is the view of this short hole climbing to the highest point of the dune. The first challenge with bunkers located either side of the green, but probably even more difficult, will be taking into consideration any wind. Playing along this ridge, there is no protection.

Multi tiered 3rd green climbs the hill

Landing on the correct section of the green is extremely critical on this hole. Being multi tiered, allows for use as a backstop from the tee or any position running the length of the green. However landing on a tier above the pin, will prove difficult. Get the pace wrong and the ball could roll right off the green. Even though this is the shortest hole on the course, it could also prove to the trickiest.

Hole 4 – 254m par 4 (from the back tee)

Moving on to the first of the par 4 holes, a nice challenge is presented. From the furthest tee, a small opening appears, showing the carry ahead over various trees and shrubs, to reach the distant portion of fairway, leading into the green. The carry is around 150 meters, but if heading straight at the green, bunkers also need to be navigated.

From one of the forward 4th tee’s – 146m

The beauty of the Bougle Run course, is multiple tees are found, catering for all level of golfer. The 4th has four teeing locations. This is taking aim from the side of the hole, allowing a lot less of a carry. One further tee, takes out the carry altogether. Note to the right of this hole, is the 8th of Lost Farm. When playing from the back tee, an errant shot could easily find the fairway.

The 4th fairway bale out area from back tee

There is a section of fairway, which doubles as the lead in from the forward tee, but also offers some width from those at the rear. The green complex, almost sits in a bowl, with most of the surrounds feeding the ball in. I was impressed with the layout of the hole, allowing for a variety in the play, but also to function as a decent par 3 if required.

Hole 5 – 116m par 3

Another hero shot follows on the fifth. Although no where near as long or perilous, the tee shot from the main teeing area requires all carry to reach the green. Sandy waste or a few large bunkers precede the putting area.

View from the left side of the 5th green

A green complex that generally slopes back towards the sandy waste. A small dune behind the green acts as a backstop, allowing the ball to feed onto the green. Two tiers and multiple humps and hollows could leave some tricky putts, considering how large the putting area is.

Hole 6 – 87m par 3

The first hole on the dune section of the course, which generally allows putting from any of the teeing area. With this hole, what you see is what you get. Short grass leading all the way to the putting area, with a solitary bunker protecting the center line. Play to the right allows for feeding of the ball onto the green.

Don’t go long on the 6th Green

However, anything short, left or long will feed away. So mid to high handicappers, thin that ball out of the front bunker and it is sailing away into the scrub. I had a bit of fun trying various shots from the tee. Strangely enough, my putt from the tee, was closer than two other shots I attempted, a full and a low running shot. Satisfying but frustrating at the same time. But does show this course is for all levels.

Hole 7 – 111m par 3

The last hole at the most western part of Bougle Run, this hole plays along the lower section of the dune, requiring a carry from one section to another. Again another hero shot from the back tees. Anything short is basically lost.

Walking along the grass path to the 7th Green

A large bunker sits to the front right of the green complex, which has a bit of depth. The only miss here is left and there isn’t a lot of room really. The forward tee for this hole, sits along the grass path leading in. Although not overly long, beginners would really struggle with the carry on the tee shot.

Hole 8 – 303m (Longest par 4)

The second and longest par 4 on Bougle Run, sits on the lower southern side of the dune. Playing back in a easterly direction. There is a deceiving amount of fairway available, with two fairway bunkers to contend with on the right. Longer hitters will take these on to leave a short approach.

Forward tee on the 8th hole – 210m

From the forward tee, the danger of the fairway bunkers are almost removed. This leaves a clear fairway between the tee and green.

View into the 8th Green

One bunker sits in line with the center of the green, whilst another is located to the right. The putting complex is built into the dune, leaving it slightly raised at the front and rear. Shots to the left may feed back towards the middle, with a large mound at the rear can be used as a backstop. Not as dramatic as the first par 4 hole, but a nice hole which can be played easily by all levels of player.

Hole 9 – 84m par 3

Playing across one of the highest points on the dune, the ninth is short, but exposed to all the elements. During my two visits, this played into a strong headwind. The hole falls away from the tee, before rising steeply to the green. Anything short will feed away, either down the slope or into a collection of bunkers found to the side.

Looking up to the 9th Green

The photos do no justice to how much slope there is feeding away from the green, nor how far the fall is. Missing to the left is an option, as the ball may feed back into the green. Right however is not the place to go. The putting surface itself, is quite tame, being fairly flat with gentle slopes.

Hole 10 – 130m par 3

This hole is dramatic, running from almost the highest point on the dune, down to the bottom. Not sure what the elevation change is, but it is worth a couple of clubs. There is a few areas to bail out/miss, in particular to the right. A large area is also found on the left in front of the green. This is hidden be the edge of the dune.

Large bunker leading into the 10th Green

Short and a large bunker awaits. The green however is quite receptive with the rear allowing anything slightly long to feed back. there are various slopes throughout the putting surface, allowing a bit of imagination to be used.

Looking back onto the 10th hole

I am not usually a huge fan of holes with drastic drops, however this was one of the more impressive, outside of Pebble Beach 7th. There are numerous ways to play, taking on full carry to the green, low and running to feed in from the right or even putting from the tee.

Hole 11 – 141m Back Tee although card says 134m

Playing from the back tee of the 11th, requires a hero shot up the dune, over the large swathes of marram grass. Please be cautious however of any players who may enter the 10th green, as this shot also plays directly over. Maybe hard hats should be available as an option, beside the green.

Regular tee of the 11th hole – 120m

From the standard tee, a forced carry is also encountered, although a bit shorter. This also widens the target area of the green, but brings in different intricacies.

Swale leading into the 11th green

A large swale is found at the front of the green, whilst the dune rises at the rear, allowing the ball to feed back in. There are a couple of tiers, but also mounds and slopes which will make putting interesting. Not sure where the forward tee is on this hole, but I’m sure there is one.

Hole 12 – 79m par 3

This short par 3, is the last before leaving the upper dune complex. Again this hole sits exposed to the elements, particularly a cross wind.

Bunker covering the entrance to the 12th green

The bunker located in front of the green is deceiving, being quite forward, leaving around 10 meters between the two. The putting surface has some gentler slopes, although a couple of areas which rise of fall, but not as dramatically as the previous green.

Hole 13 – 88m par 3

Coming back to our double green (1 and 13) on the lower section of the course, is a hole which can have what we term a sucker pin. The hole is quite open leading in, allowing the option to putt, but generally feeds in from the right.

Swale beside the 13th green

A large swale is located on the left of the green complex, which some pin positions, bringing this into play. There is some large scale movement also from the right side of the green, feeding towards the center, as well as to the front.

Hole 14 – 101m par 3

For the final hole on Bougle Run, is a shot towards the clubhouse. From the tee, it looks to be a narrow shot, however there is width to the right of the fairway bunker, short of the green.

The final green nestled between the dunes

Framed by the surrounding dunes, the green has some significant slopes, predominantly from the rear to the front portion. Feeding the ball in off the left is possible, but going too far either side will see marram grass in play. This is quite a nice finishing hole, asking a few questions for the final couple of shots.

The general rules I use to look at the course makeup, go out the window with Bougle Run. Being a short course, mainly consisting of par 3 holes, means looking at this a bit differently.

Looking at the course makeup:

• Hole Directions – There was a very good variety allowing for conditions to have wide ranging effects during play. No hole played in the same direction consecutively and there was a good distribution of direction change overall. Sixty percent east or west facing and forty percent north or south facing. However if playing early morning, the start would be playing into the sun due to easterly direction. Whilst the finishing last two holes have a westerly facing tee, which may have issues late in the afternoon setting sun
• Hole Lengths – The course has an imbalance with par types, mostly being par threes, as it is a short course. But lengths can still be considered among the types. There was a good variance in distance, varying from very short to medium length. Even where there were similar distances, taking in elevation change altered overall distance. With only two Par four holes, these were both short. Normally not good on a full size course, but these considered the intended audience
• Hole Layout – There was a decent mixture in how the holes played, with a variety of shots being required. Some requiring a full carry over areas where a ball could be lost, whilst others allowed even ground shots to be made in reaching the green. Most play is left to the imagination of the player on how to get the ball into the green, allowing contours to be utilised

Conditioning of the course was excellent. It had bedded in nicely during its first year, with the greens all playing similarly, even considering four had to be resowed at a later date compared to the other 10. Teeing areas were large enough to allow frequent movement and grass regrowth. The fairways present, were firm but consistent. The ball running with ease. Bunkers structures looked like new. Sand was even throughout the course, something that I find not quite the case throughout the two main siblings.

The main standout holes for me where 3, 4, 5, 10 and 14. Making this course quite memorable (not really hard to do at Barnbougle) was the fact most was located along the dune. Not only scenic, but brought in some interesting design and play. Very impressed with the fact forward tees were implemented to allow beginners to enjoy the course.

In summary, this short course is aimed at being somewhere for all levels of player. Allowing a fun leisurely game, a bit of a bet, or for those wanting an easy second game after playing one of the 18 hole courses earlier in the day.

Overall I found the course quite enjoyable, although, maybe controversially, did question if I would play again. It all comes down to cost, not the design or play-ability of Bougle Run. The current cost of $85 a round is hard to justify in my eyes. I would much prefer to pay the extra $35 to play 36 on either of the two main courses, which I find a bit better value for the money. But I would fully recommend trying it at least once. A few of the holes would be considered quite good on any course.

Bougle Run is a public accessible course. Contact the course to make a booking seven days a week.