Secret Harbour Golf Links

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Heading down south to play two courses in the one day, first up was Secret Harbour Golf Links. The course is located around forty minutes south of Perth by drive and is one of four in the area, The Cut Golf Club, Links Kennedy Bay and Meadow Springs Golf & Country Club, all in the Top 100 Golf rankings.

Secret Harbour Entrance

Initially set out to be used as a marina development with a small boat harbour, this was later dropped due to the area having a large swell. Residential development proceeded however, with the course routing through housing around the property and the dunes.

Clubhouse at Secret Harbour Golf Links

The clubhouse is quite large, which will cater to most needs. Some outdoor seating is available, not so useful during my visit due to the cold snap. The driving range and practice green sit in front of the outdoor area, with the first and ninth holes found either side.

Locker rooms at Secret Harbour Golf Links

A basic locker room has been built for members or guests, which enables any freshening up after the round.

Secret Harbour Golf Links Map

To my surprise the routing of the course had changed since previously seeing a review of the course on TV. Basically the front is now the back and vice versa. Not sure why this has been done, but it was something worth noting. I double checked the scorecard and the tee plates, which confirmed this.

Scorecard for Secret Harbour Golf Links

Play for the day was from the blue tees.

Hole 1 – 501 meter par 5

To start the round is the hardest par 5. Always good having a challenge for the first hole. This plays with a curve to the left. Bunkers are in play on both sides of the fairway, along with various mounds and hollows. The short grass itself has various undulations along the way to the green, ensuring not every stance will be on even ground.

Bunkers protecting the 1st green

Just short of the green complex are two small bunkers, narrowing the fairway. Not a big fan of this, they should be staggered, but that is just my opinion. The green angles away to the right, allowing a bunker either side of the green, whilst still allowing an opening for a running shot to reach. A lot of humps and hollows are found around the green, with some short grass on the surrounds. The ball will more likely end in longer grass however if not finding the green, with the shorter grass finishing half way down the mound slopes. Solid par 5, although don’t like the two smaller bunkers short of the green not being staggered and short grass around the greens stopping half way on mounds.

Hole 2 – 382 meter par 4

A long par 4 follows, which plays relatively straight. From the tee a small water hazard must be carried to reach the fairway. This is peppered with pot bunkers along either side of the fairway, with one also placed in the middle. This is a lot narrower than the previous hole, making accuracy much more important than distance. Laying up allows for more width of the fairway, but a much longer shot into the green.

Approach from the 2nd fairway

Again, there is small mounds and hollows along the fairway, giving a true links feel. Surrounds of this green complex, have been shaven further, allowing the ball to run to the bottom of any mounds. This allows for a variety of shots to be made if the putting surface is not found. Tight hole but still enjoyable.

Hole 3 – 438 meter par 5

The shortest par 5 plays relatively straight, with a large fairway to land the ball. Longer hitters face the possibility of driving into the bunkers or rough, where the fairway narrows.

Looking back from the 3rd green

Although very short for a par 5, for those trying to reach in two, a lot of risk must be taken. The fairway is much narrower in the second portion, with cross bunkers found short of the green. To reach these must be carried. A large mound is found to the left of the putting surface, which has two tiers and some gentle slopes. Good hole which offers some risk and reward on all shots to the green.

Hole 4 – 334 meter par 4

A shorter par 4 which doglegs to the left. Ample space is found if playing conservatively to the right. Taking on the inside line requires carrying a group of bunkers, which will leave a short pitch, but note the fairway is much narrower in this section.

Mounds beside the 4th fairway

In what would best be described as a push up green, its surrounds have many mounds to contend with if not quite accurate. The putting surface itself has varying undulations to contend with, leaving some tricky putts if landing in the wrong portion. Good strategic hole, which was enjoyable to play.

Hole 5 – 154 meter par 3

Coming to the first par 3, this mid length hole plays to a green angled away to the left. Not the most exciting in looks, as the ground is fairly flat, the design makes up for this.

Elevated 5th green

The green complex has been built up from its surrounds, allowing various mounds and hollows to be shaped, with bunkers built into the banks. The putting surface has two tiers to contend with.

Hole 6 – 356 meter par 4

A medium length par 4 follows with an unusual design. With a slight dogleg to the right, the fairway has a small area of scrub built in the middle, causing a short division. I can’t recall coming across many holes designed in this way.

Left hand view of 6th fairway

The fairway to the left and short is quite wide, although partially hidden by a large dune. Playing to the right of the fairway is the preferred line into the green, but much narrower to land the ball in.

Raised 6th green

Sitting elevated above the fairway, the green complex is built into the side of a large sand dune. Four bunkers are found to the left of this, which need to be carried if playing from this side of the fairway. The putting surface is quite long, but not overly wide. I’m not sure how I feel about the scrub in the middle of the fairway, quite different to being a bunker and a lot more penal. If it wasn’t for that I would be very impressed with the hole.

Hole 7 – 155 meter par 3

Ranked as the easiest par 3 on the course, this mid length hole requires the tee shot to carry scrub before reaching the green complex. With a strong head or cross wind, not so easy. The scrub does hide the amount of fairway short of the green, but it is more the width which is at a premium.

Looking back from the 7th green

Numerous undulations are found on the green, some which can be very useful to maneuver the ball to the pin. Some of the humps leading into the green look manufactured, although in reality they shouldn’t be in play. Again some of the shorter surrounding grass is chopped off quickly on the sides of mounds, into longer green side rough. Deceptive hole, which can punish those not being accurate with tee shots.

Hole 8 – 299 meter par 4

From the easiest par 3, to the shortest par 4. This hole plays with a slight turn to the right, but this all depends on how you approach the tee shot. Water can be seen from the tee to the right, but is relatively clear on this line. Problem is a long shot is required to reach the green. Playing to the left brings bunkers in play, but successfully landing on this narrow strip, leaves a shorter shot into the green.

Water cuts through the 8th fairway

The traps deceive also, hiding the water cutting through the fairway. Longer hitters need to be cautious. With a wide green, sloping towards the water, there are two places to avoid missing. Firstly is the obvious, short in the water, or long into the rear traps. This is guaranteed to test the nerves of most golfers. There is a bit of strategy from the tee, but that is where it potentially stops. Everyone has to carry the water, the only variance is how much you need to play over. I enjoyed the hole, but can see a lot wouldn’t.

Hole 9 – 373 meter par 4

Completing the front loop is the hardest hole on the course. From a slightly elevated tee, bunkers are located center and left for the tee shot. Ample room is available to the right, but playing too wide, may leave an obscured view to the green.

Approach from the 9th fairway

Small mounds are found leading into the green, but most of the fairway is moderately level. Water is now found down the left, which will bring the traps into play more right of the green. A hole which looks much easier than it plays, which leaves me questioning already why the switch in nines.

Pin flag & Bird life

The pin flags proudly display the clubs logo, which was happily blowing in the wind during my visit. Hole markers were not found, bar the big golf balls which designated the tee. There was an abundance of bird life around the course. This little fellow was quite interested in what I was doing.

Hole 10 – 354 meter par 4

Unfortunately I didn’t play the 10th due to the pro shop allowing three groups to start playing of the back nine. This certainly caused tension with the first group of the local comp, who I had been following most of the first nine holes. I didn’t really have the time to wait, knowing I had another round at Meadow Springs in the afternoon to play.

View from the 10th fairway

Luckily the group had yet to leave the green, allowing me to jump past on to the 11th tee and not be delayed.

Hole 11 – 515 meter par 5

Getting to the longest hole on course, this monster par 5 has a fairway which angles away to the left. Bunkers to the left help to obscure the line by blocking the view of the green. Playing slightly over or to the right of the inner bunker will allow the ball to run down the fairway gaining distance.

Bunker laden 11th fairway

After avoiding the dangers from the tee shot, bunkers encroach either side of the fairway, with those on the right potentially causing bigger issues. Playing down the center of the fairway is the easiest way to make the approach. Two further traps are found green side, where the multi tiered putting surface could prove interesting. The green surrounds have tight grass, where a few mounds and hollows are found.

Hole 12 – 188 meter par 3

The longest and hardest par 3, plays quite long, especially when into the wind. Bunkers are scattered short of the green, as well as being on the surrounds of the putting surface. Room is available center right of the green for any miss. Left is not ideal, especially for any rear left pin positions.

Gentle sloping 12th green

The mound left of the green can cause issues for any pin placement this side. The shaping and contours on the green work mainly from left to right, but will prove testing, no matter when the ball is located. Testing par 3 which allows for a variety of play.

Hole 13 – 398 meter par 4

I played the longest par 4 with its dogleg right, into a headwind, so it felt even longer. Playing over an area of scrub before reaching the fairway, will be intimidating for shorter hitters. Those capable of hitting long, might take on the right side bunkers, leaving a shorter shot to the green. Ample room is available to the left of these however on the fairway. There is the possibility of hitting through the fairway and reaching the left side bunkers, although this will require a long shot.

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Looking back from the 13th green

From tee to green this hole plays up hill. The approach will be to a narrowing fairway, with heavy scrub found to the right. There is a trap short right of the green complex, helping to deceive, whilst another is built into the left side of the fairway. A spine runs across the putting surface, with the rear section sloping away. Extremely difficult hole playing into the wind, but well designed, offering some risk/reward with the tee, but requiring accuracy with the approach.

Hole 14 – 379 meter par 4

Heading back down the hill we climbed on the previous hole, the tee shot will play to a plateau, before falling away to the green. The hole plays relatively straight. Bunkers are found on the left, which encroach the fairway and may leave a partially blind approach. Plenty of room is available short of these and to the right, which is the better line.

Down hill from the 14th fairway

The green sits down below the fairway, with various sloping and undulation found along the way. A large trap is found short of the green, with another two either side of the complex. Some significant slope is found on the putting surface, especially towards the front. Nice testing hole offering a bit of strategy.

Hole 15 – 334 meter par 4

Playing a short to mid par 4, with a dogleg left, the tee shot plays to a small hill, before turning towards the hole. The green cannot be seen from the tee, so a bit of guessing is required on the best line. Having a small section of fairway before the turn, makes a ball shaped right to left, the ideal shot if playing down the center. Bunkers are found either side of the fairway, with a carry over the left side bunker giving a more direct approach to the green.

Angled 15th green

Land towards the green slopes from the left side of the fairway and slightly away from the player. A trap is found either side of the green, with gentle slopes leading into the complex. Long however finds a steep drop off from the green.

Looking back at the 15th green

Quite a nice hole asking questions with each shot, but allows for some forgiveness, if missing in the correct sections.

Hole 16 – 460 meter par 5

Next is the easiest hole on course. A medium length par 5, which on my day of play had a strong tailwind, making it much shorter. With a large landing area for the drive available, the only issue maybe three staggered bunkers to the left. The second shot needs to avoid a multitude of bunkers staggered on either side of the fairway. Ideally staying left will allow the best line for the approach.

Approach to the 16th green

Plenty of room is available right of the green, but will leave a difficult pitch, with a five bunkers found right of the green. The putting surface has some gentle sloping. Not the most exciting hole on the course, as it didn’t really appeal. The hole plays relatively straight and was quite flat most of the way.

Hole 17 – 142 meter par 3

The penultimate hole is the shortest par 3 on the course, but far from the easiest. Again playing into a headwind, a large water body needs to be carried before reaching the green.

Large area short of the 17th green

For those confident of not carrying the distance. fairway is found left of the green, although a large trap is also located in this area. Large mounds are found at the rear, allowing for those going long, which is a great idea. All about the hero shot, this was a standout hole on the course. It does allow for those not confident of reaching the green, although they still need to carry a hazard.

Hole 18 – 333 meter par 4

Finishing the round is the easiest par 4 on the course. This hole almost has two fairways, an upper portion and a lower portion. These are still joined, but have a large slope separating the two. Bunkers are found on the right lower portion, but can be carried. The ideal line to the green with be found from the upper left side.

View of the 18th green

The green sits down slope, with three bunkers found right. Small mounds and hollows are found around the green complex, which when combined with the small undulating green, could cause to be quite tricky if not hitting the target. An interesting finishing hole, but unsure on whether the two loops should have been swapped around.

In summary Secret Harbour Golf Links was an enjoyable course to play. Having seen the course on TV, I went in with a little knowledge. My expectations were not high, but they were met. I have now completed all of the Graham Marsh designed courses in the Top 100 ranking, eight where he has been involved in the original design. This sits in the middle of those, so it ranking is about right.

There were more memorable holes than forgettable, always a positive. In particular those close to the few dunes around the course. I found the design of the sixth to be highly unusual, with a small section of growth found in the middle of the fairway. Still not sure if I liked it or not however, but did like the green complex. A distinct difference was found between the front and rear nine, with the later feeling to be a lot more open. This was partially due to the shrubs and trees, being a little further back from the fairways. Housing seemed to be a bit more distant also.

Conditioning and presentation of the course was good, especially being in the middle of winter. Some rain had fallen the previous night, but did not have any impact on the course.

Looking at the course makeup:

• Hole Directions – There was a good variety allowing for conditions to have wide ranging effects during play. This has been fairly evenly spread over the compass face, although on two occasions consecutive holes ran in similar direction. The third hole has an easterly facing tee, which may have issues early in the morning with sun
• Hole Lengths – Par three holes had a good variance in distance, the majority in mid length. Par four holes ranged from short to long with the majority being either short or mid length. Par 5 holes ranged from short to long with the latter being the majority
• Hole Layout – There was a reasonable mixture in how the holes played, although an overwhelming majority tended to favour turns to the left, where two shots or more were required to reach the green.

The big question for me is, would I return to play again. Happily I would say yes in this situation. It wouldn’t be my first pick for the area, would prefer to play The Links Kennedy Bay, but the course is challenging and enjoyable.

How to play at Secret Harbour Golf Links:

1. The club is open to the public. Contact the club to book a tee time