Barnbougle Lost Farm

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This account details my original trip to Barnbougle Lost Farm in 2011. It has been updated at times, with things evolving on the property, along with the occasional updated photo.

My original trip to Tasmania was a big one, so I had to ensure plenty of golf was played. After travelling across on the Spirit of Tasmania (refer to Barnbougle Dunes to see details of this), we had setup camp at the fairly newly established Barnbougle Lost Farm Resort, which was to be the base for the next couple of days. Lost Farm is the new sibling of Barnbougle Dunes, located a couple of minutes down the road.

Entrance to Barnbougle Lost Farm (this is no longer used with one entry to the complex)

Driving into lost farm I was asking myself where is the course? After entering it is fairly flat ground with enormous sand dunes in the distance. Then it started to appear and I couldn’t wait to jump out of the car and start the round.

The clubhouse and resort at Barnbougle Lost Farm

One thing to note, if you are after more luxurious stay, Lost Farm is the place. The resort has a day spa and a fantastic restaurant with stunning views over the course and the coast line. A bit of a step up compared to the relaxed settings and facilities at Barnbougle Dunes, not to say that they are not good.

Course map of Barnbougle Lost Farm

Barnbougle Lost Farm was once potato farming land, which Greg Ramsey and Richard Sattler dreamed big in developing a golf course which everyone would travel to. Built along the rolling sand dunes, the course overlooks Bass Strait. This is the Pacific equivalent of Bandon Dunes in Oregon USA, which now has four courses. Currently Barnbougle has two courses with talk of another being built in the near future.

Barnbougle Lost Farm scorecard

Lost Farm was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, who have done a great job in putting the course together to rival that of its sibling. These guys are also making a big name for themselves in the golf architecture business, with one of there latest projects, the rejuvenation of Pinehurst No2, which received great appraisals during the 2014 US Open.

Hole 1 – 444 meter par 5

The first hole on the Lost Farm course is the easiest ranked. Playing over some scrub to reach the fairway, this short-mid length par 5 with loads of space on the fairway. There are few bunker complexes found on either side and certainly possible to drive through the right side of the fairway for long hitters. Slightly intimidating for the first shot of the day, but plenty of room to land even an errant tee shot.

2018 Update – Having had a few visits here since and better understanding of golf architecture, there is a clear advantage playing down the left of the fairway close to the bunkers. This leaves the green slightly more open for the approach.

Relatively flat 1st green

Sitting in front of a small sand dune, the green is fairly small and probably one of the flattest you will come across for the day. But caution on being long, the bunker is small in width, leaving some unplayable shots if against the back face. Nice ‘easy’ hole to ease us into the round, which more courses should do.

Hole 2 – 304 meter par 4

A short par 4 which plays with a slight turn to the left. Another wide open fairway to hit with two bunkers in the center. Again to reach the short stuff you have to hit over a bit of long stuff, although it isn’t too much. Knowing where the pin is located should influence which side of the fairway to play.

The 2nd Green

The second green has a couple of bunkers around its edges and a few mounds, but starts to see a bit more undulation appearing. The green is very long, almost a double green with a ridge running through the middle, except there is not a second hole joining. This runs diagonally away to the right. Another one easing us into the round and what is to come.

Hole 3 – 232 meter par 4

Probably one of the shortest par 4 holes I have ever played, don’t be fooled into thinking its easy. There is some large undulations on the fairways. Ample room to the left of the target, but plenty of long grass to penalise anyone off to the right trying to hit the long green. Playing close to the mounds short of the green will allow a great angle to most pin positions.

Approach from the 3rd fairway

Playing to the left of the green brings the larger slopes to the side and bunkers in play. Being too far left and close to the green is not ideal, as it is quite narrow, which may see the ball run through. This green has two tiers with the undulations getting slightly bigger. For such a small hole there is so much complexity and ways which it can be played. First standout for the day.

Hole 4 – 112 meter par 3

One of the most picturesque holes on the course and the country for that matter, this short par 3 is certainly memorable. Sitting on the coastline with great views of the beach and of Barnbougle Dunes, the down hill tee shot requires a large bunker in front of the green to be navigated.

Large undulating 4th green

The green has large slopes, mainly right to left, with two bunkers either side. Playing long brings trouble as the surrounds slope away down to the next tee. Finding the front bunker leaves a difficult shot out, as it is deep and filled with lots of sand. The ball can quite easily roll back towards the sand due to the strong slopes. Make sure you take a photo here, they don’t get much better.

2018 Update – After one of my group declared they had intended to play from the blue tees on the second round, I pointed out you could putt the ball onto this green. Thinking I was joking, out came the putter for an 88 meter shot. Required to run around the central bunker, along the grass path then down hill to the green, the ball ended up 5 feet from the pin (closer than any of our tee shots). The lesson learnt? Make sure you have some fun on this course and take in the architecture. How you play here is left to your imagination.

Hole 5 – 400 meter par 4

Maybe you have been taming the course, well now time for it to bite back with its hardest hole. This long par 4 has a deceiving tee shot with its dogleg to the right. Caution on hitting dead straight as you may run out of fairway. A large hump in the middle of the fairway can influence which way the ball will go. There is a post on top of the dune to the right. Ideally playing over this or a slight left to right shot curving around the large mound will find the fairway.

One very large 5th green

If you went to the left of the hump you are left with a long shot into the green. Anyone cutting the corner successfully has a much shorter shot. Luckily it is to the biggest green on the course as well. This had to be 50 meters long, so if you are at one end and the pin at the other, good luck. Sloping mainly from the back to front and left to right, there are some ‘gentle’ contours in play. Definitely one of the most difficult holes for the day. Anything close to par is a mighty achievement.

2018 Update – Adam Scott managed to drive this green from the back tees, playing to the right of the large mound near the tee. How far does that golf ball really go?

Hole 6 – 147 meter par 3

A medium length par 3 playing from a slightly elevated tee. Some scrub to carry before reaching any short grass, the green has a long bunker to the left to keep clear of. Ensure you take in the surroundings as you can see some of the other holes from here. The safest route is hitting to the left of the green, with a lot less danger being found.

The wide 6th green

With a large false front, this green is very wide, but not so deep. Small undulations are found in various parts of the putting surface. Pin positions to the right, can allow the slopes either side of the green to be used to get close to the hole. It is not all about playing straight at the hole. Landing in the wrong portion of the green will leave some very interesting putts, but some of the contours can be used to your advantage.

Hole 7 – 363 meter par 4

A very strategic hole is found on this medium length par 4. A large mound sits in the middle of the extremely wide fairway. It’s a choice on which side to play. Personally the left is more appealing as it opens up the green, taking a forced carry out of the equation over the right greenside bunker. If the pin is at the rear and you are down the right, all I can say is good luck.

Well protected 7th Green

The green has an opening if coming from the left, but a decent false front. Any tee shot to the right face this bunker to reach the green. The putting surface itself is quite large sloping mostly from the rear. A very forgiving fairway, but does not necessarily mean an easy approach to the green. The mound in the middle of the fairway looks a bit out of place, protruding around fairly flat land, but does have a purpose for the holes strategy.

Hole 8 – 525 meter par 5

The longest hole on the course and the second most difficult. Playing over long grass to a fairway which runs at an angle to the tee. Caution should be taken on how much you try to on with the right hand dune. A fairway bunker is found on the left side, but longer hitters may be able to reach the downslope.

Hidden 8th green

As we approach the hole the fairway narrows dramatically. The green encroaches on a sand dune with the left and rear sloping into this area. A steep false front between a bunker and the dune means anything short will be repelled back. Missing the green is best to the left beyond the center bunker as this sits at the same level as the green.

Hole 9 – 291 meter par 4

A short par 4 to finish the front, this hole plays relatively straight with a split fairway. The upper right section of the fairway is relatively narrow to land the ball, but allows a view of the green. The middle section may leave a slightly blind shot in.

Wallabies in front of the 9th green

The second shot is playing up a gentle slope to the green. This is one of the tamer holes, minus the wildlife, on the course. Slopes on this green are mainly from the rear with some small undulation at the front.

Playing during Movember – was counting down the days to shave

Doing my bit for charity during Movember. I was looking forward to having a shave.

Hole 10 – 512 meter par 5

Starting the back nine with this long par 5, the tee shot is from an elevated position into a valley of sand dunes.

Looking back from the 10th green (2018)

The 10th green is tucked away on the left side, hidden by a bunker. The putting surface has strong slopes running from the middle away to the front and rear.

Hole 11 – 390 meter par 4 (2018)

An intimidating tee shot on this long par 4, with the green not seen and a large bunker to carry before reach the second portion of the fairway. A further bunker beyond to the right could catch out the long hitters.

The large open 11th green (2021)

The approach to the green is played over a slight slope to an open green, with not one bunker in sight. This allows for the shot to be played in a variety of ways, run in, through the air. Although do not hit too far as the ground falls away behind the green.

Hole 12 – 466 meter par 5

Out in the open fields of the course, we drive past the 12th approaching the resort. Playing to a wide fairway with the large dunes in the background, this hole doglegs to the left. Avoiding the large dune on the inside of the turn is imperative to reaching the green. Carrying this requires a very long shot.

Another open green on the 12th

Making the approach to the green, there are some bunkers to avoid, in particular the right of the green. Other than this the green is quite open with fairly flat surrounds.

2018 Update – Must admit, my least favourite hole on the course, but has grown on me a little. I can’t say due to how flat or open the ground is, plenty of other holes on the course have similar terrain. there is definitely some strategy here, maybe due to being on the outskirts of the dune system, with wide open fields found to the right, out to the public road. I feel almost the same about the second on the Dunes course.

Hole 13 – 360 meter par 4 (2021)

The thirteenth doglegs to the left quite abruptly, with the green not visible. Caution on how much you try to take on here. For most the best line would be one of the two smaller trees found on the other side of the fairway. The fairway is a lot wider than it looks and with the ball running on the fescue, will guarantee not finding trouble.

The enclosed 13th green (2021)

Playing to a green which is surrounded by large dunes, this green is level with the fairway. The rear has a large mound but the rest contains gentle slopes. Again a variety of shots can be employed to find the green. A well designed hole enticing the player to take on more than they should through the dunes.

Hole 13A – 110 meter par 3 (2021)

This is one of the extra holes, which unfortunately due to time I could not play. A short par 3 from an elevated tee, is an opportune time to win back some cash if playing for money.

2018 Update – Every time since my original visit I have ensured playing every hole. Quite a challenging short hole, especially if landing on the wrong portion of the green. A shelf to the left sits much higher than the rest of the green, so some tricky putts can be encountered.

Hole 14 – 251 meter par 4

One of the iconic and most talked about holes on Lost Farm is the 14th. This short par 4 is all about risk and reward. Taking on as much as possible without landing in the bunker or even worse, scrub and a lost ball, the tee shot is from an elevated position.

Small undulating 14th green

The green is quite narrow with a large rise in the middle to separate the two tiers. Sloping away steeply at the front and left, this is not a simple green. Landing on the incorrect portion of the green could be costly, as can finding the wrong area of the fairway for the approach.

Hole 15 – 164 meter par 3

Heading back along the coastline, we come to the hardest par 3 on the course. With the restaurant perched above, this hole plays down hill from the tee. Sandy waste is found on either side of this hole. There is a seat at this tee, so sit down and take in the scenery.

Elevated 15th green

The green is elevated slightly allowing the ball to run away at the front and right sides. What is of interest is pins located left. From the tee this is probably the most difficult area to land the ball, although a bunker well short of the green leaves quite a bit of space for the ball to run in.

Hole 16 – 364 meter par 4

Heading away from the clubhouse again, this medium length par 4 has a slight dogleg to the right. Playing to a wide fairway, the left side offers a better approach angle into the green, but is the higher risk shot with a few bunkers in play.

Approach to the 16th green (2021)

The green is hidden in behind a bunker and a hill. Being too far to the right off the tee would leave a blind approach and finding the bunker to this side will leave an impossible shot, so avoid at all costs.. A large mound is at the rear of the green, but it mostly has gentle slopes.

Hole 17 – 150 meter par 3

Playing up to a green perched on a hill, this short to the medium length par 3 does not leave too much room for inaccurate tee shots. Three traps surround the green.

The 17th green

About the only area to miss is short and left of the 17th green. The left portion of the surrounds, funnel the ball back into the green.

Hole 18 – 404 meter par 4

My last hole for the day was the 18th, the longest par 4 on the course. Playing from an elevated tee, there is a carry over scrub to reach the fairway, which has traps running up either side.

Final green for the day was the 18th

The 18th is raised on the right side, with steep slopes repelling any ball not hit quite accurately. A trap is located at he front and rear of the green complex, which has quite an open area surrounding it allowing for variety in how you get the ball on the green.

Hole 18A – 113 meter par 3 (2018)

If time allows, there is one last par 3, 18A which finishes in from of the pro shop. A nice hole to finalise bets, or playoff for a match, which we did see on our last visit. The hole sits built into a slope below the pro-shop, angling predominantly from the rear and to the right. Popped up, anything short will be repelled.

In summary, the course was a joy to play. Conditioning was great in all areas and could not be faulted. The green speeds were not overly fast, which was good to see due to some of the undulations and conditions which can be found off Bass Straight. The course was forgiving, allowing for all levels of play. This is not to say that it was easy however. One aspect which I though was an improvement over Barnbougle Dunes, was the routing. There was a lot more change in direction of how the holes played, but this would be mainly due to the fact that more land was available.  Can’t wait to return one day.

How to play Barnbougle Lost Farm:

This is a public course available seven days a week, unless booked for any corporate functions or events. Contact Barnbougle to book a tee time.