Tour the Course
The Bowral Golf Club in NSW boasts an 18-hole, par 69 course that's a favourite among country clubs in the state. Established in 1919, it offers a challenging layout for golfers of all levels with scenic fairways lined by mature trees and true greens. At just over 5400 meters, the course is known for its classic out-and-back routing. In addition to the full 18 holes, golfers can also enjoy a composite 9-hole course, perfect for a shorter game or practising specific skills.
Blue Tees: Men SCR 70, Slope 155 | Women SCR 76, Slope 126
Red Tees: Men SCR 68, Slope 111 | Women SCR 74, Slope 121
White Tees: Men SCR 69, Slope 113 | Women SCR 74, Slope 121
Yellow Tees (Composite 9): Men SCR 34, Slope 119 | Women SCR 37, Slope 122
HOLE 1
304-307m Par 4
The longer hitters can go for a 250-metre carry-over water, though it is advised to lay up. The green slopes away on all sides.
HOLE 2
306-348m Par 4
Another daunting tee shot presents itself, with a 240-metre carry-over water at the longest point. Or you can lay up to about 180 metres. If you are going to miss the green, make sure you come up short or you will be left with a difficult chip to save your par.
HOLE 3
357-363m Par 4/5
Dogleg left to right. A good tee shot of about 230 metres should leave you with a short iron into the green. The longer hitters can carry over the hill and leave themselves with a pitch into the green.
HOLE 4
193-200m Par 3
One of the toughest holes on the course. At 200 metres uphill and the wind to contend with as well, it’s a very difficult (and sloping) green to hit for even the best of players. Par is a very good result here.
HOLE 5
390-393m Par 4/5
Index one on the card, and with good reason. A long but tight par four, dogleg left to right. The approach is into a narrow green with a bunker on the left. The gum trees overhanging the green do come into play, so make sure you take enough club with your approach.
HOLE 6
142- 174m Par 3
Downhill par 3. The narrow green is protected by heavy rough. There are subtle undulations in the putting surface. Again, if you’re going to miss the green, miss it short. Long or left is hazardous to your scorecard!
HOLE 7
288 - 306m Par 4
There is the option to lay up 180 metres off the tee. The ideal shot is a draw off the tee to leave a straight shot for your approach. The longer hitters can go for the green, but the risk is greater than the reward as this brings the out-of-bounds down the right into play, as well as the bunker short of the green.
HOLE 8
460 - 499m Par 5
Long par 5, with a narrow fairway protected by ephemeral waterways and lush rough. If you miss the fairway off the tee it limits your chance of going for the green in two. The average golfer will take 3 shots to the green at least. Miss the raised green and again you will do well to get up and down for par.
HOLE 9
316 - 328m Par 4
Straightaway par four. If you go right, you’re out of bounds in the graveyard! Distance control with your approach is key into the small green.
HOLE 10
414 - 425m Par 5
Dogleg right to left. The longer hitters can take on the corner and leave themselves with a shot to the green, providing they can hit it over 250 metres on the correct line. If you don’t leave your tee shot in the right place it becomes a three-shot hole, as it is for all normal players. It’s a newer green, so a bit larger and easier to hit, but is guarded by a couple of bunkers.
HOLE 11
145 - 152m Par 3
Very good par 3 with a bunker short right. It’s a generous green, but because of the undulations around it and the rough, it makes it tricky to get up and down for par if you fail to find the putting surface.
HOLE 12
187 - 189m Par 3/4
A second consecutive par three requires accuracy off the tee. Trees on either side mean the golfer has a tight chute through which to thread his tee shot. The green is small and surrounded by rough. Par is a good score here.
HOLE 13
244 - 258m Par 4
Longer hitters can take on the water and try to hit the green to leave a putt for an eagle, but if the shot is offline a watery fate awaits. The sensible play is to lay up about 180 metres off the tee to leave a wedge into the green.
HOLE 14
105 - 129m Par 3
Uphill, a short hole with a challenging bunker to the left. Generally, this hole is played into the prevailing wind, so club selection is crucial to hit the green in regulation.
HOLE 15
175 - 269 Par 4
The smart play here is to lay up to 180 or 190 metres off the tee, which will leave a clear shot to the green. If the longer hitters take driver they will find this hole is well protected by trees.
HOLE 16
247 - 289m Par 4
Straightaway par four back uphill. A good drive will leave a short pitch into the green. It’s a devilish green with a wicked right-toleft slope. Don’t leave your ball above the hole with your approach, it’s asking for trouble!
HOLE 17
360 - 362m Par 4/5
You need to hit a slight draw off the tee to find the fairway and have a shot at finding the green in regulation on this dogleg right to left. Otherwise, it’s tree trouble. If your luck is in, approaches hit to the left can find a generous bounce onto the green. The putting surface is sloping and speedy.
HOLE 18
378m - 408m Par 4/5
Another risk and reward hole tempting the long hitters, with a 260-metre carry over water needed off the tee. If you have pinpoint accuracy (or it’s your lucky day!) a gun barrel-straight but under-hit shot might avoid a watery grave by skipping across the bridge in the centre of the fairway. Otherwise, it’s a very long lay up to about 220 metres, which will leave an uphill approach with a long iron into a green that slopes front to back. A tough finishing hole.