Course 27 for 2023 – Humpty Doo GC, NT
The par3 2nd/ 11th is pretty, and deadly
Nomadic_golfer : July 2023 – Humpty Doo Golf Club review
Par 72, 6025m slope 121 $25 (9 hole course)
4 par3s 126-172m, 10 par4s 313-382m, 4 par5s 456-478m
Pretty cool 9-holer 3/4 hr out from the city of Darwin in a picturesque setting with both tropical and Aussie bush tones. The course started off as a dusty 4 hole course on 5 acres of land back in 1984 and is now a beautiful 9 greens, 18-tee layout on flat ground that has good variety and challenge in its layout of just over 6000m.
Fairways are generally about standard width, with the course’s main defence being provided by the abundance of trees (a number of varieties including palms and gums) but they don’t get too thick in most missable spots. There are a few water hazards (par3 2nd and par 4/5 9th & 18th playing the biggest part) and a couple of sand bunkers flanking either side of the 1st green. I like the layout, which is pretty consistent with no real standout hole.
The memorable pieces to me are the strength of the par3s (2nd is 126/ 140m with a water carry to a shallow but wide green with drop-offs all sides and more water left, while 6 is 172/ 158 flanked by large trees left and another green with drop-offs and a false front). The finishing hole is a ripper too; a sweeping right-to-lefter with a large pond 50-100m out, 9 plays as a risk/ reward 456m par5, while 18 plays as a brute of a par4 at 418m with a tough drive that needs to be positioned down the right side to give the best approach with a long iron or more).
The surfaces consist of couch-based grasses on the greens and naturally occurring broad-leafed grasses on fairways and all were in ok nick for the dry season, with just a few little dead patches on the greens. A trial using Empire Zoysia on the 9th tee looks to be going pretty well too.
The setting and vibe here is cool, very community friendly, as you walk through the sprawling open clubhouse to get to the first, with that clubhouse and a big open deck providing super views of the finish and the 1st and 8th tees, all at close range. This is a must play in Darwin; a nice layout with an easy walk and beautiful top-end scenery
