Course 26 for 2023 – Palmerston GC, NT
Approaching the par5 9th
Nomadic_golfer : July 2023 – Palmerston Golf Club review
Par 71, 6001m slope 123 $32
4 par3s 158-200m, 11 par4s 291-406m, 3 par5s 500-529m
This is a very solid 18 hole layout designed by Glenn Campbell (just after he wrote Rhinestone Cowboy?) on flat ground in suburban Palmerston, that hosts the NT PGA Championship. It has 2 distinct nines, one being opened in 1995, the other in 2004.
The front 9 is longer, tougher, has tighter fairways with more features, including water on 6 of the holes, and has the standout holes from a wow factor viewpoint. The back 9 is more meandering, has the larger trees but plays a little more forgiving, has more subtle undulations and is the more aesthetically pleasing, with a stronger tropical feel.
Fairways were firm and in good condition, while the Tifdwarf Greens had a number of large dead patches but the surface elsewhere was really good, very firm and decent pace. The layout is well bunkered, typically large but shallow, with very firm sand.
The early holes get the adrenaline pumping, from a tight (but short 329m) opener with a drain down the right, to the most memorable stretch of holes on the course in 2 to 5 (2 is a 518m par5 with a tight tee shot before it moves 90 degrees right at about 400m, with trees and that drain on the inside corner. There is a significant risk/ reward on offer with your second and multiple options confront you. Playing partner@d_parish8888 took it on and conquered it, sticking his 2nd to 10 feet. 3 is a 367m par4 that bends gently left, wrapping itself around a lake, while 4 is a 167m par3 across the lake. 5 is a super, risk/ reward 290m par4 with water left and a super skinny-fronted green.)
The other stand-out hole on the front is the 529m 9th, with your tee shot required to hold a slightly domed fairway, before being presented with a large expanse of water on your second, where again, multiple options confront you.
Overall, if you are a golfer visiting Darwin, this and Darwin GC are the only 2 18 hole courses on offer, so you must play. The premium is on hitting fairways, while it has some variety in the look and layout.
