10 tips for golf at Barnbougle

It's a special weekend if you're playing golf at Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm, and you don't want to get it all wrong.

Aussie Golfer spent a weekend at Barnbougle recently. The hype surrounding these golf courses seemed almost too good to be true, but if anything the courses were under-hyped and I've returned with an even greater desire to return.

I've already given a couple of pictorial reviews (A day at Barnbougle Dunes and A day at Lost Farm) but there were a few things that I learned on the trip which are worth recounting for future golf trips to this piece of golf paradise.

Here are 10 tips to keep in mind when travelling to Barnbougle Dunes and Barnbougle Lost Farm that you should keep in mind.

1. Prepare to walk
Golf carts aren't allowed at Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm to ensure the stability of the sand dunes, so be prepared to walk. I highly recommend the big wheeled buggies in preference to the smaller wheel type.

2. Swallow your pride, play off the right tees

There are four different coloured tees at Barnbougle and Lost Farm. Each with their own score card and rating. The back tees are recommended for 0 - 4 handicappers (in calm conditions!) and are 500 metres longer than the next set of tees for 5 - 17 handicappers.

These courses are no walk in the park and considering you've come all the way to Tasmania to play golf, you'll want to enjoy it. Swallow your pride and play off the tees that are right for you. Trust me, you'll enjoy it much more and besides, you can always play off the back markers next time.

3. Leave your handicap at home, no comps at Barnbougle

It took me a little by surprise to hear there are no pro-shop run competitions at Barnbougle. There are no members at either Barnbougle Dunes or Barnbougle Lost Farm and so subsequently there is no Saturday comp, or any other comp of any sort. By the end of my trip I grew to like this. No comps. Just you, your mates and the golf ball.

Organise yourselves. Throw some money in the kitty, pick the format and go play golf.

4. Grab a course guide

I can think of only a handful of other golf courses where a course guide is as important as at Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm. The short par-4's, deceptive bunkering and narrowing fairways make distances off the tee incredibly important. You'll have a much better chance of making par at the 8th if you have one.

5. Consider chartering a private plane

A runway now sits alongside the second hole at Barnbougle Dunes for light aircraft. Several companies are flying straight to the golf course. It would be a very cool way to arrive on course and pretty convenient if you had a group travelling together. (Golf Jet, Vortex Air)

6. Book accommodation early

If you want to stay on course book well ahead. There is on course accommodation at both Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm but they get fully booked months in advance. Alternatively, there is a fair bit of accommodation around Bridport if you miss out staying on course, but again, book early.

7. Have a drink on the "Lost Balcony" at Lost Farm

Strangely, the clubhouse at Barnbougle Dunes does not overlook the golf course. However, the mighty club house at Lost Farm more than compensates. The views out the windows are fair-dinkum unbelievable, but don't miss the outside balcony area tucked away on the northern end. Sit back, have a beer and I dare you not to talk about how good the courses are.

8. Don't take the back roads

There is a lot of wildlife in Tasmania and if you take the back roads and drive at night to Barnbougle Dunes, you've got a good chance of adding to the road-kill.

I recommend taking the B83 to Pipers River, and then turning right onto B82 all the way to Bridport or just follow the advice on the Barnbougle Dunes website for getting to the course. Avoid the route which takes you along Pipers Brook Road at night.

9. Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm are two kilometres apart

If you're looking for grandiose, magnolia lined entrances you won't find them down here. Both golf courses have subtle, underplayed entrances and are separated by about two kilometres. On the road from Bridport, you'll get to Barnbougle Dunes on the left.

If you're playing Lost Farm, continue down the road another two kilometres to the equally nondescript Lost Farm entrance. As I drove in I wondered if I'd made a wrong turn, just keep going through the dunes and along the sandy road. You'll find it.

10. Enjoy the walk

It is a spectacular setting and don't let golf get in the way of the scenery. Take a moment during the walk to the 5th tee at Barnbougle Dunes and the 15th tee at Lost Farm to soak it all in. And consider yourself lucky.