Pacific Dunes Golf Club

Magazine Ratings

With my wife away, I decided it a great time to go up the Central Coast of NSW for a farther son weekend away, taking in a game at Pacific Dunes Golf Club and Newcastle Golf Club.  This course is not all that old at 8 years but is a great representation from the Troon stable of courses.  Located 20 minutes north of Newcastle, the course was established in a housing development, like so many other new courses being built.  I was even more intrigued by the designer James Wilcher, as he had submitted a master plan for my local course of which I am a member.

Pacific Dunes Golf Club Entrance

The name is a bit deceiving, it is located in the Pacific region, but there is not a dune to be seen.  The course is actually a little bit inland and fairly flat.  We had a great week of weather leading up to the trip, but decided to turn extremely nasty for our visit, in fact it was pouring rain the whole way up.  Luckily there was a slight break before our start so we hit the course.

Father and Son playing on the day

I had my son come away with me for the trip. Although not a keen golfer, it was good to be doing at least one course with family.

Map of Pacific Dunes Golf Club

The course has some residential development built within the back nine. I always finds this detracts a bit from the course. In saying that, the back is certainly a lot more open that the front nine, with its tight tree lined fairways.

Pacific Dunes Golf Club Scorecard

Play was from the blue tees for the day, although Zac was off the golds.

Hole 1 – 305 meter par 4

A little confusing with the first. We weren’t sure which direction to go. This could have been partly due to the bad light, but not having played the course before, we were unaware of the dogleg left to the hidden green.

A water hazard and numerous bunkers protect the 1st green

Hole 2 – 339 meter par 4

Play through a narrow chute from the 2nd tee to a slightly wider fairway.

This raised green on the 2nd has trouble left and right

There was some amount of short grass around the green complexes, but would be even better with a bit more shaved back. I enjoy the ability to play a range of shots, especially with some of the undulations. Sometimes the rough was a bit close, reducing the types of shots available.

Hole 3 – 278 meter par 4

The shortest and easiest par 4, plays with a dogleg to the right.

Fairway bunkers block the fairway

Numerous fairway bunkers are found on the way to the 3rd green, with a line almost cutting the fairway in half near the turn to the green. Bit of risk reward from the tee. If confident hitting a big cut may reach the green with one shot.

Hole 4 – 486 meter par 4

Next up is the easiest of the par 5 holes. There is a narrow target from 4th tee with traps left.

Kangaroo hopping down the 4th fairway

The rain came down heavy on when we got to the 4th green

Hole 5 – 150 meter par 3

From the 5th tee, you need to play over a hazard to reach the green

The 5th green is quite large connecting with the 1st.

Hole 6 – 527 meter par 5

With the rain persisting, we faced the longest and hardest par 5 at Pacific Dunes.

A gully protects the front of the 6th green

Hole 7 – 386 meter par 4

That was followed by the longest par 4, which also happened to be the hardest hole.

I thought it a little unusual and out of character for the course, but sandy waste runs through the 7th fairway.

Looking back from the 7th green

Hole 8 – 181 meter par 3

Keeping with the long theme, next up was one of the longer par 3 holes.

Hole 9 – 383 meter par 4

Many traps protect the inside to this dogleg right.

Looking forward to getting over these traps to finish the 9th and dry out

A water logged 9th fairway and green

Hole marker and pin flag

Hole 10 – 268 meter par 4

With the rain bucketing down, we decided to push on after a short break in the building which served as the clubhouse.

The 10th green is protected by a water hazard

Hole 11 – 464 meter par 5

Water runs down either side of the 11th fairway.

Is that a lake or a green at the 11th?

Hole 12 – 370 meter par 4

The rain eased a little when we got to the 12th.

Hole 13 – 369 meter par 4

This was the worst weather I had played any of the Top 100 Golf courses in. But I wasn’t going to let it stop us. There was only one trip up here and if we had to finish in a canoe, then we would.

By the 13th green, weather stopping and starting to dry out a little

Hole 14 – 141 meter par 3

Coming to the shortest par 3 and easiest hole at Pacific Dunes. Interesting it is ranked 18 with trouble everywhere.

Zac chipping to the 14th green

Hole 15 – 330 meter par 4

There is a wide fairway to hit on the 15th.

Raised 15th green protected by bunkers

Hole 16 – 356 meter par 4

Quite a scenic hole, even with the miserable weather. Water runs the entire left side.

The 16th green nestled amongst the trees

Hole 17 – 185 meter par 3

To start the run home is the longest par 3

View from the side of the 17th green

Hole 18 – 461 meter par 5

Last hole for the day is the shortest par 5. The natives decided to have a feed in front of the tee box.

The fairway narrows on the 18th, with water down the right and trees left. It maybe the shortest par 5, but certainly not the easiest.

A great scene looking back from the 18th green

Its hard to be objective of a golf course when having played in such atrocious weather.  You are not playing it in its true condition, although we did manage to get a brief look before the rain bucketed down.

The course looked to be in absolutely great condition.  Fairways where pristine, as were the greens. These were firm and very fast (obviously not so after the rain).  I felt at times the course could get quite narrow, and be overly penalising for the type of golfer that would be attracted to the course. This was especially evident on the front nine.  I also found the sandy waste running the entire width of the 7th to not suit the character of the rest of the course. The amount of rough around the green complexes at times also made play a bit one dimensional.

Looking at the course makeup:

• Hole Directions – There was a good variety allowing for conditions to have wide ranging effects during play. However at times the course runs back and forth for consecutive holes, seeing the conditions affect in only two ways for periods. The other issue is the last two holes facing west, which may cause issues late in the afternoon with sun in the eyes
• 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 good balance in how the holes played, with equal amounts having left or right turns. This is where two shots or more were required to reach the green

Definitely would like to play in conditions where the weather did not have as much impact to get a true indication of the course.

How to play at Pacific Dunes Golf Club:

1. The course is a publicly accessible course. Either ring the pro shop or book online