NSW Golf Course
Review of the NSW Golf Course in NSW, Australia
Second stop on our NSW golf trip: we played the NSW Golf Club on a Monday in January. It was an overcast day, about 23 degrees with wind up to 30km/h. Currently rated fourth in Australia, the course was established in 1926 and designed by Alistair Mackenzie. It's a par 72.
Course Review
The Stats
Condition 16.5/20
Really good condition right on the ocean, although grass growing may be difficult because of wind exposure. Many different kinds of bunkers, pots, high walled, fairway and sand waste. Greens were true, in great condition, not a lot of marks, and not super fast to allow for wind (which apparently is a common occurenc).
Biodiversity 15/20
Playing NSW is like taking a walk along a wilderness coastal track - and is surrounded by native vegetation and flora. Birds are what you’d expect to find in the area, magpies, pigeons in shrubs, grey heron stalking something the rough, seagulls and some (unidentified) “tweet tweet things”. In terms of animals, we saw a skink!
Vistas 17/20
We were blown away by the dramatic ocean vistas, even though it was overcast. You could see or hear the ocean on most holes, the most breathtaking on the fifth - wow! The sixth is a par 3 over stormy seas, with a walk over a bridge to get to the men's tee.
Organisation 16/20
A rustic old clubhouse with great views over the course and the ocean, didn’t try the good or practice facilities. Pace of play was fine, happy to play on a Monday.
Design /20
Get ready for a lot of walking, up and down hills, which are worth it given the views. There are a lot of blind shots and dog legs, so sometimes it's a matter of (estimated) hit and hope, and quite a few balls lost in the natural rough for the blizzardly wind (apparently today wasn't even bad). The diversity of challenges combined with the wind and unknowns make for some interesting golf, harder than usual but no complaints.
Highlights and Hazards
One surprise: the fifth hole: the drive over is a blind shot over a hill and when you come over the hill the wide swirly melange of ocean is staring at you from the behind the green. And blowing 31km/h wind in your face!
One birdie: grey heron on the 7th, and Sarah putting for eagle on the 7th - which narrowly missed for a birdie!
Biggest challenge: you guessed it.
Suggestions and Strategy
Something the course taught you: to work out how to allow for the wind - best to hit low into the wind and hit high with it, if you're confident of the line. Also, Favourite hole: par 3 over the water on the sixth - Michael nearly birdied it - very dramatic landscapes (and golf!)
Some advice: the blind shots were tough, and I often chose a club too big, so in hindsight wouldve tried to play with a member or ask the pro-shop for some advice for blind shots.
Psych strategy you worked on: today I worked on focussing on the things I can control. Adjusting for the wind and then committing to the shot. Completely accepting when the wind takes it awol - this is golf, and taking that learning into the next shot.
Overall review
Our review of the course on this specific day
Overall score for NSW Golf Course:
