On Par – All about golf in Australia

Golf can be a tough game, so anything that can help whether its equipment, a tip or a lucky charm, has got to be worth trying.  Over the last couple of years, GPS has been used to give golfers a new edge helping with distances to the green and course landmarks.  I have used and reviewed the Sureshot GPS 8850 , a handheld golf GPS device.  The Sureshot is a handy device, provides accurate course distance and holds multiple courses.  More recently mobile device based Golf apps have appeared on the market, Golfshot is one of the more popular.

Golf Shot Golf GPS App Review Golfshot is a fully functioned golf GPS distance and scorecard mobile app.  Golfshot is available for both iPhone ($29.99) and Android ($27.90) devices.  The application provides distance measurements per hole, aerial hole views and a comprehensive scorecard and statistics.    Courses are accessed dynamically from the mobile phone (hence mobile coverage is initially required).  From an Australian perspective, the list of golf courses covered by Golfshot is extensive.

Road Test

Hole by hole distances include front/centre/back of the green, plus distances to landmarks including bunkers, waterhazards, trees, mounds etc.  The app also provides an aerial view of the hole from Google Maps where accessible.  A nice addition is the ability to set layup distances, so if you are confident from 100m out, the app will tell you the distance to that layup for each hole.

I’ve roadtested the Android version of the Golfshot for six rounds and have been impressed with the interface, accuracy.  Distances are easy to read and understand and after each hole, a scorecard allows you to record up to 4 players score, putts, driving accuracy and recovery details.

The Golfshot app then emails the scorecard to your email account, and posts the score to the Golfshot website.  If the score was worth bragging about, there are options to tweet or post the score to Facebook.

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The Word Really impressed with the Golfshot Mobile App.  Having used a standalone Golf GPS device (the Sureshot) as well, both provide accurate distance measurement and scoring capabilities.  In a matchplay head to head, The Golfshot has a slicker interface, aerial hole views and a much better scoring and statistics package, however it could be limited by the capabilities, signal coverage and battery life of your mobile device.  The standalone device such as the Sureshot, may be more accurate than a Mobile App, has superior battery life, however costs up to 10 times more than an app and requires manual downloads of course data and scores.

If you have an iPhone or Android smart phone, I would recommend the Golfshot Mobile App as an important part of your next golf game!

Overview Hidden in the back blocks of suburban Cranbourne in Melbourne’s southern suburbs is Settlers Run Golf & Country Club.  A ‘mini sandbelt’ region also includes the Amstel, Ranfurlie and Sandhurst courses.  Settlers Run is a Greg Norman designed layout around a Country Club and residential complex.

Nige in trouble on the par 4 12th Hole at Settlers Run

The Layout The course makes the most of the undulating terrain, with numerous changes in direction, the large bunker complexes feature Norman-esque rough around the edge, water hazards and deep rough combine for a challenging game.  At 6,607 from the blacks, the course is a long layout, so unless you have your ‘A’ game or want to be punished, try the Gold tees which take almost 600 metres off the distance!

Favourite Holes

3rd Hole The third hole plays from an elevated tee, through a gully to and elevated green.  From the forward tees longer drivers will have to layup to avoid running out of fairway or hitting the fairway trap.  From the back tees, the hole plays differently with the second shot a tough one trying to hit the elevated green with a mid iron.

8th Hole Any par 3 rated in the top 10 toughest holes on a course needs to be given respect.   The 8th at Settlers Run is well protected by bunkering on the right of the green and a raised green.  When the wind picks up, the club selection is vital.

14th Hole Ranked hardest hole on the course for good reason, at 431 metres from the tips, the drive heads over a ridge requiring placement down the right side of the fairway to open up the green.  Fairway bunkers on the left are deep and will require a lofted club to recover, avoid.  The green undulations are subtle and as the green is slightly elevated approaches need to be up.

17th Hole The short par 4 is a great risk and reward hole. From the elevated tee the fairway bends around a lake surrounded by deep rough.  Beware of driving too far left and running out of fairway, with a layup as the other choice providing a tougher second shot to a small, well protected green.   (Snake watch:  even in cooler April we came across snakes next to the 17th tee, one of my partners stepping on once whilst searching for an errant tee shot!)

The Word Settlers Run is well worth playing, the Norman design requires accuracy off the tee or a large number of spare golf balls. Condition from tee to green is excellent.  A drinks and food cart is on the course most days, and the well stocked  pro-shop and clubhouse provides excellent service and a great spot for a quiet drink after the round to discuss the days play.

Course details Settlers Run Golf & Country Club - Par 72 - 6,607 metres - Address: 1 Settlers Run, off Pearcedale Road, in Botanic Ridge, Cranbourne - Proshop: (03) 9785 6072 - Scorecard - Bookings and Green Fees

The number 16 in golf is usually reserved for the 3rd last hole on a golf course.  16 does appear occasionally on the scorecards of rank amateurs but Kevin Na reluctantly pencilled in a 16 on his scorecard in the first round of the Valerio Texas Open.  Playing the par 4 9th hole at TPC San Antonio, Na went into the woods with his tee shot and emerged 12 shots later having had unplayable lies, numerous hacks and a penalty for hitting himself with the ball.

Rather than walk off the course or completely fall apart, Na impressed with his attitude and focus with a 3 under  back nine of 33.  The record for a single hole score on the PGA Tour is 23 held by Tommy Armour and Ray Ainsley.

Thanks to pgatour.com, his hole went like this: 1     Tee shot right. Went down and found ball and declared an unplayable lie.  Went back to the tee box and hit another tee shot which went right in to the woods.

3     Tee shot, provisional 4     Played ball in the woods and hit a tree and the ball hit himself and took a two-shot penalty. 7     Hit ball in woods. 8     Hit ball in woods. 9     Hit ball in woods. 10     Hit ball in woods. 11     Hit ball in woods. 12     Hit ball in woods. 13     Hit ball from woods in to rough. 14     Played from rough to the fringe. 15     Played from fringe on to green. 16     Made putt from 5 feet, 10 inches

Shot tracker

Each year optimistic Australians wake up early and sit down to watch the US Masters coverage, hoping that an Australian will finally finish on top of the leader board at Augusta and slip on the green jacket.  Each year the media lists the Australians in the field and identifies a handful who have the form and game to go all the way.

Phil-peat – Phil will most likely be presenting himself with the Green Jacket in 2011.

For the last couple of years Ive asked the question in this blog, ‘Will an Australian win the Masters this year?”  The answer has always been ‘no’.  So this year  Im using reverse-psychology and making a statement that an Australian will NOT win the Masters this year.   Aaron Baddeley has the best current form, Ogilvy, Allenby, Scott and Appleby have the game to win it and Jason Day will win a major one day.  But first they have to beat the course, and Phil Mickelson.   Phil won last week, and seems to like Green Jackets, and he is odds on the take home a fourth.  So, we will have to wait at least another year to see an Australian winner of the US Masters.

Hopefully I am wrong!

Next weekend the golfing world turns to Augusta, Georgia and the US Masters.  The first Major of the year played on one of the world’s greatest and most exclusive courses places the Masters on top of many golfers ultimate experiences.  The best of the best will get the chance to walk the hallowed fairways, however for the mere mortals in Australia it involves early mornings watching the coverage on TV.  Big screens and high definition have improved the experience, but most dream of the chance to one day, walk the fairways as part of the gallery.

Corey McKernan once walked the hallowed greens of another sport playing 237 games as an elite ruckman in the Australian Football League for North Melbourne.  Corey was a dual premiership player and won best and fairest and all Australian awards.  Since retiring from professional football, Corey has developed his strong passion for sport into his dream job with the creation of Corey McKernan Ultimate Events.  Corey hosts sporting events to major events in Australia and throughout the world, and earlier this year hosted a tour group to the 2011 Super Bowl.

And for a lucky group of passionate golfers, Corey is hosting a tour to the US Masters this year which will also include rounds of golf at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill.  I asked Corey a few questions about golf and his US Masters tour.

• Q: How does the Masters experience compare to other World sporting events?  How would you rank the Masters with Wimbledon, Monaco GP, Superbowl and AFL Grand Final? The biggest thing where it is totally unique to the other events mentioned, and most major sporting events, is that the US Masters has retained its sacred status, and is probably the same as it was back in 1932. There is no advertising signage around the course, no corporate hospitality marquees, it has not been modernised. Whilst other events such as Wimbledon regain tradition, they have made some changes in this degree, but the sacred nature of the US Masters makes it so special to attend.
• Q: How many golfers do you expect will travel on the tour this year? Because we want the tour to stay personal, and to be able to offer the best experiences and opportunities to all on the tour, we keep the numbers low. We are taking around 20 people with us this year, including taking Aussie Rules legend Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico. The tour get to play at Pebble Beach & Spyglass Hill, and even get to have a BBQ lunch with golfing stars John Daly and Jarrod Lyle on US Masters’ Eve.
• Q: What’s your favourite hole on the Augusta layout and where is the best vantage point to watch from the gallery? The great thing about Augusta National is that the numerous mounds make it one of the best, if not the best, viewing courses in the world. Behind the 12^th tee, looking over the Par Three, is indescribable until you see it for yourself. The 2^nd shot of the 15^th hole is up there, as is the 16^th tee. Overall, though, the panoramic view on the 13^th hole is probably my favourite. It’s immense, with a dog leg to the left of a Par 5, and if you stand on the right of the tee you have a brilliant view with a backdrop of 100 foot pine trees and azaleas, as well as Ray’s Creek. The view is breathtaking.
• Q: What’s your tip for the winner of the Masters this year, which Australian is most likely to break the drought? The same players tend to do well every year at the US Masters, making it unique as a golf tournament. Unless you have played well previously at Augusta, it is tough to be in contention, and some great players have not done well there, for example Robert Allenby. The likes of Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods have a phenomenal record and you would expect them to be right amongst it. All past winners are a chance; Bernhard Langer had 8 years between his two US Masters wins, and was not in great form heading into the tournament in 1993, but his experience of taming the course helped him secure a great result. If you are looking at laying a bet, have a look at who has produced consistent, good scores over the past five years. Australian players find a lot of similarities between Augusta and Royal Melbourne, our guys love sandbelts, and it is amazing that we have never produced a winner. Geoff Ogilvy has played well here, but has not been able to sustain his form for a four round consistent performance. If he puts his whole game together, he could be right up there, as could Stuart Appleby.
• Q: Everyone I speak to says that Augusta is flattened by the TV screen, how would you describe the layout? Over the last 15-20 years, as television cameras have gone digital and coverage improved immensely, the gravity of the steep course has become slightly more evident when watching at home, but it still doesn’t do it justice.  You get such a greater appreciation how hilly it is, the back 9 especially, by being there at the course. The drop from the 10^th tee to the green is the same height as the Empire State Building! The slide on the 18^th is grossly underestimated as well. You hit up a very narrow chute; it would not be a hole you would want to hit when you are nervous. Many very good golfers have come a cropper on this hole, looking at 300 yards up hill and then trying to use a six iron to the green and aim for a par.
• Q: What is the Masters gallery like compared to an Australian PGA Tour gallery? The gallery at Augusta National know all of the rules in no uncertain terms! Etiquette standards are very high, and Augusta also has a unique rule which would surely never last anywhere else. If you arrive early in the morning and place your chair down in a premium spot, nobody can move or touch your chair for the rest of the day. It is very traditional in the gallery, and it is one of the most comfortable golf tournaments to be a part of the gallery. They don’t let too many people in either, and the view from the elevated mounds is fantastic.
• Q: If you could play only one golf course for the rest of your life, it would be? From a complete golf experience point of view, Melbourne’s own Capital Golf Course is great. You arrive, have a bite to eat, have a practice drive and putt, play 9 holes, have something else to eat, play 9 more holes, and then go back to the clubhouse again. They don’t let too many people play so you can enjoy a leisurely pace. In terms of the best course, I would take a mixture of St Andrews, Augusta National and Pebble Beach; the best six from each, definitely including the 18^th hole at Pebble Beach. At St Andrews, the road hole and the 18^th hole for sure. Playing at St Andrews for the first time, you are overcome by extreme emotion and the extremity of the occasion when you are on the 18^th.  Walking over the famed bridge, the sense of history is overwhelming; golf was invented there, it simply couldn’t get any better, and your mind cannot help but wonder the immense experience of playing there in a major with a packed gallery watching your every movement.

The  2011 Masters tour jetted off this weekend and included:

• One nights’ accommodation in San Francisco
• Two nights’ at the Spanish Inn at the Monterey Peninsula.
• Play four rounds of golf including the world famous Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach.
• Tickets to three days at The Masters, the Par Three Tournament plus the third and fourth Rounds.
• Internal transfers within United States
• Six night’s Accommodation Private House in Aiken ( 25 mins from Augusta).
• Private chef cooking our daily breakfast in Aiken.
• BBQ with a special golfing guests.
• A Callaway tour pack with travel bag, hat, shirts & golf balls.

For more information on the Masters tour and other events check out the Corey McKernan ultimate events website, http://www.mckernanevents.com.au/

Overview – Lost Farm Golf Course Lost Farm Golf course joins Barnbougle Dunes on the North-east coast of Tasmania to form one of the finest golfing complexes in Australia, and would rival many in the World.  The rolling dunes situated just out of Bridport, about an hours drive from Launceston, was transformed by property owner, Richard Sattler.  Barnbougle Dunes designed by Tom Doak already had a host of credentials, ranked 45th in the Worlds top courses.  The landscape was too good for just one course, so Lost Farm was designed by Bill Coore to make the most of the serious golfing assets.

Layout Lost Farm sits a short iron across a narrow inlet from Barnbougle Dunes, but the two courses have very distinct differences and layouts.  Lost Farm reaches further in behind the dunes than Barnbougle providing more variability with the seemingly ever present wind, and a mix of hole styles.  Lost Farm adds another quirk, playing as a Par 78 20 hole layout, with holes 13A and 18A two extra par 3′s.   As per Barnbougle, Lost Farm eases the golfer into the round with a simple opening hole, though the tempo lifts very quickly.  The fairways are generous, though need to be if the wind picks up, and the rough is the same ball eating seaside grasses and bushes as Barnbougle.  For such a young course (opened November 2010), the greens are good, the fairways excellent, and will only improve.  No motorised carts, and walk does take you up and over a number of big dunes, again carry your bag if you can.

Favourite Holes

Fifth Hole – Par 4 400metres The toughest hole on the course, and the most daunting tee shot.  A huge dune blocks most of the line of sight and depending on tee box, needs to be carried or faded around.  Once on the fairway, the approach shot is uphill to a huge green.

Eight Hole – Par 5 525 metres

An excellent links Par 5, the drive should be down the left side of the fairway to open up the gradually bending fairway.  Mounds and fairways traps need to be avoided to setup the approach shot to the green tucked into the side of a large dune, anything right is consumed by a huge waste bunker.

14th Hole Par 4 251 metres

A fantastic short par 4, once you have taken in the view, decision time.  Do you take the driver and attack the hole, a thin margin for error but risk rewarded, or layup with an iron and face a difficult short iron into the green. The huge dune on the right protects the tee from some of the wind, but the green is exposed.  Love this hole.

15th Hole – Par 3 164 metres

Picture postcard hole, the tee sits on top of a dune overlooking the green and the ocean.  On the huge dune to the left sit the impressive Lost Farm Spa and restaurant/bar.  Large bunkers gaurd the green which is fairly accomodating unless the wind picks up off the water, then this hole can get nasty.

Course Layout

The Word Lost Farm is good, very good.  The most common question is which course is best, Lost Farm or Barnbougle Dunes.  When Australian Golf Digest reviewed them in a head to head matchplay it was a tie, both courses are unique but I also cant seperate them.  Instead Ive put together a composite course of my best holes from both layouts.  Be sure to include both courses on your itinerary and pack extra golf balls.

Course details Lost Farm - Par 78 (20 holes) - 6,102 metres (Terra-Cotta) - Address: Near Bridport, Tasmania (One hour drive from Launceston) - Proshop: 03 6356 0094 - Course Bookings

The rolling sand dunes just out of Bridport on the North East coast of Tasmania were built for golf, thankfully Richard Sattler decided to do just that and hired Tom Doak and Bill Coore to turn the dunes into 38 holes of golfing heaven. Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm offer a world class golf experience, and having played the courses twice now, I still cant separate them when it comes to selecting a favorite layout.

So Ive designed a composite course of my favourite 18 holes from both courses.  The composite layout includes some of the classic short par 4s from both courses especially Lost Farm’s 14th and Barnbougle Dunes 4th, and the short par 3s that require pinpoint accuracy.  The composite course finishes with two tough par 4s, the dogleg 5th at Lost Farm and ends with the brute of a hole, the long 8th at Barnbougle Dunes.

Barnbougle Dunes & Lost Farm Composite Layout 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4, 4, 3,4   Out: 33 5, 3, 4, 3, 4, 4, 5, 4, 4   In: 36

1. 3rd Lost Farm – Par 4, Wide fairway narrows to a green protected by sand and large dunes

2. 15th Barnbougle Dunes -Plenty of fairway to play with, dont be left of the green

3. 7th Lost Farm - Tee shot must navigate the dune in the middle of the fairway

4. 13A Lost Farm – Luckily Richard Sattler kept this sublime little par 3, best 13A hole ever!

5. 4th Lost Farm - Sitting on top of a dune, little more than 100metres, should be easy right?

6. 11th Lost Farm – Demanding tee shot needs to carry the ridge and avoid huge trap on the right.

7. 12th Barnbougle Dunes – Par 4, only 250metres, another short but subtle hole

8. 7th Barnbougle Dunes – Who said Par 3′s had to be long, very small green, big bunkers, tough into wind

9. 16th Lost Farm – Tee shot needs to be left side of fairway to provide angle into the protected green

10. 10th Lost Farm – Par 5, drive threads a gully to a receptive fairway, tricky green

11. 5th Barnbougle Dunes – Downhill par 3, huge bunkers protect an accommodating green

12. 14th Lost Farm – Another cracking short par 4, layup or attack?

13. 15th Lost Farm - Par 3, Exposed tee provides no protection from the wind.  How about that view!

14. 17th Barnbougle Dunes – One of the toughest drives on the course, especially into the wind

15. 4th Barnbougle Dunes – Short par 4 tempts with a risk and reward drive, green well protected, Awesome hole

16. 8th Lost Farm – A great par 5, slight dogleg follows contours of a dune to the well protected green

17. 5th Lost Farm – Massive dune obscures the tee shot, uphill second to huge green. Toughest hole at Lost Farm. 18. 8th Barnbougle Dunes – Very tough Par 4, multiple placement options from the tee sets up a huge uphill approach shot over bunkers and rough.  Toughest hole at Barnbougle Dunes.

After playing Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm last November, I knew I needed to return. The two layouts located on the remote North East coast of Tasmania are something very special. So I joined my golfing mates Steve, Nigel and Kelvin on a two day golf trip, also playing for the illustrious Purple Jacket in the King Challenge.

Round 1 – Lost Farm
Early start and a short flight from Melbourne to Launceston, followed by a one hour drive got us to the first tee at Lost Farm at lunchtime. Weather was about as good as it gets in this part of the world, slight breeze and a few clouds. Kel had an additional handicap using a borrowed putter after realising that his putter was back in Canberra. I opened the scoring with a birdie, possibly peaking too early and after an early struggle to tune the putter, Kel found his range and racked up the points.

Lost Farm 4th Hole

Lost Farm is in sensational condition for a course so young, it can only improve over the next few years. After a great start, my game fell apart on the 9th and never recovered, meanwhile Kel and Nige were sinking some big putts and Steve found his game off the tee. The rough at Lost Farm is thick, impenetrable dune grasses and bushes, a wayward shot is almost certainly lost.

Steve tackles the rough on the 14th

The back nine is a long one with two extra holes (13A and 18A), and the scoring slowed as the swings got tired, and the lure of a cold Boags beckoned from the clubhouse. The climb from the 13th green to 13A tee is real mountain goat stuff, but is worth it to play the sublime 13Ath hole. Then the heartrate lifts again as the view down the short but testing 14th comes into view. Then the 15th adds yet another wow factor.

Lost Farm 15th

Sitting on the deck with a cleansing ale overlooking the front nine at Lost Farm, we reviewed the scorecards and the days play. Kel had the lead with 37pts, Nige 35 pts and Mike and Steve both carded 32pts.

Round 2 – Barnbougle Dunes
After staying the night in the nearby sleepy seaside town of Bridport, we teed up the following morning at Barnbougle Dunes. The more established course of the two, Barnbougle already has an impressive trophy cabinet of accolades and course rankings. And by the time you stand on the 4th tee, you already know why. The stretch from the 4th to the 8th is awesome golf, with the approach to the 8th green one of the toughest you can get. Kel was making it tough for any of us to catch him by playing some great golf, over the front nine and held the lead coming into the final nine holes.

Approach shot to the 8th green at Barnbougle Dunes

As if on queue, as we walked to the 10th tee the wind gusted up and started to really blow. Barnbougle was about to turn ugly. The large accomodating fairways started to narrow, and even putts had to allow for the wind. The masochistic golfer in me was thrilled, this is links golf, shots have to be adapted, margins are narrowed. The layout of Barnbougle meant that holes were either played with a huge tailwind, or back into the teeth of the gale. 12, 15,16,17,18 were all played straight into the wind, short holes got tough, tough holes got brutal.

The second trip to Barnbougle improves on the experience, the two courses are indeed gems, the remoteness and landscape adds to the mystique, the design and layout are exceptional. Words cant really explain how good this place is.

Barnbougle Dunes, 15th green

Kel handled the conditions the best, and finished with 30pts for a total of 67. Congrats to Kel on winning his second Purple Jacket and King Challenge. Nige finished second with 65 pts (35,30), an impressive effort, Mike third with 63 (32,31) and Steve fourth with 57 (32,25).

More pics from our Lost Farm and Barnbougle Dunes trip on Flickr

Kel & Steve, Mike and Nige

Partnering D.A. Points, the PGA Tour winner of the event, Bill Murray won this weekends AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach. In a ‘cinderella story’ emanating Carl Spackler, Murrays gopher chasing greenskeeper from Caddyshack, Murray won in his 20th appearance at the Worlds most famous pro-am. Murray can definitely hit the ball playing to a 12 handicap, but his wit and humour on the course is the key part of his game.

Points won his maiden PGA Tour title and pocketed $1.134 million which is more than he earned for the entire 2010 season.

The PGA tour are currently playing the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale Stadium course, Arizona. The 16th hole is well known as the party hole, beer is plentiful as fans get on the amber liquid and the atmosphere resembles more football match than golf crowd. Some of the pro’s thrive on the noise, others hate it.

Australian Jarrod Lyle picked the best place possible to knock in a hole in one much to the delight of the boozed up crowd, Jarrod was pretty pumped himself! For once the common cry of “get in da hole” proved to be correct!