Course 5 for 2021, Nyngan, NSW
The start of my outback swing – some unique experiences
Nomadic_golfer : February 2021
Par 70, 5401m, green fee $10, Slope 102
6 par 3s from 109-199m, 10 par 4s from 310-407m, 2 par 5s from 441-468m
The town of Nyngan is bang in the middle of NSW; dry and flat and based on red dirt, and it sits on the banks of the Bogan River. The golf course is almost dead flat with the exception of the 1st and 10th tees, that both sit on top of a levy bank. Greens are black sand scrapes and a touch bigger than the last couple I played on. Some fairways have planted grass, others are only green if there has been recent rain and the weeds grow. There has been rain in the last few weeks so the course probably looks much greener than it usually does at this time of year. Plenty of gums around but most holes are quite open and not too penal on wayward tee shots. There are some lovely vistas as the holes play through river flats and nestle up against the Bogan River.
The stretch from 11 thru 15 is closest to the river and the trees are more dense and rough, it’s much more penal through this stretch. The 468m 13th must be the signature hole and is an absolute beauty. The tee is set on a little raised tee block right next to the river (photo below) and you tee off through a very small chute. The hole has the river on it’s right the whole way, though is a little protected by a couple of rows of gums. The fairway is actually elevated 1-2 metres above the surrounding ground for the entirety of the hole and is one of the narrowest on the course. Miss left and there are thicker trees than typical here and some gnarly rough. The hole snakes gently left and keeps the width and the elevation all the way. It’s a tough par 5, no bail outs anywhere.
Other highlights are the pretty 110m 4th (first photo below) over a reed-filled dam between 2 tall gums and 15 (top photo & the best par4 on the course), 383m with a medium width fairway, well protected by gums and longer grass left. There is then a very strategically placed row of trees on the right, 90m short of the green which must be negotiated by anyone who bails out right with the tee shot.
Overall, it is a bush track with condition at the hands of mother nature. There are, however, enough interestingly routed holes and the raw beauty of the Aussie bush, to make it worth a hit, and a memorable outback experience.
Above: The par 3 4th from the tee and looking back down the par 5 7th
Below: 14th green and 13th teeshot from a chute against the Bogan River
