Cape Wickham Links

This golf course will forever be in my soul. That's how strongly I feel about the playing experience at Cape Wickham. I played it twice on consecutive days - a perfect weather day from the tips and a windy day from the next tees up. The layout delivered equal parts fun and challenge in both instances. That's a sure sign of great design. The scenery will blow your mind, but so will how the cliffs were maximized to be part of the strategy of the course. The lighthouse just adds the cherry on top. Considering the exchange rate, this might be the best bargain in Top 100 golf.

Matt and the staff were very welcoming and gave very good advice before the start of my round. Course doesn't play long but strategic placement of your shots are required. I couldn't fault the food and service after my round and the staff accommodated my dietary requirements with no hassle.

Would definitely love to come back.

They say that the mark of a great golf course is how well each hole sticks in the memory.

When it comes to Cape Wickham, I can distinctly remember Every. Single. Hole. It is quite extraordinary.

I was lucky enough to play on a fairly sunny and benign day which meant playing conditions were excellent. I have heard some absolute horror stories of play in the wind and the rain. There is absolutely no protection from the elements.

Indeed there are many holes that play close to the rugged coastline were the waves from Bass Strait crash dramatically over Rocky outcrops. The famous Cape Wickham lighthouse also dominates the landscape and it often referenced in the course notes as an aiming point off the tee.

While the finishing holes of 16, 17 and especially 18 are well known (and of course your foolish author played his second shot from the beach on 18!), I think the 10th, the 11th and the 12th were possibly my favourite and most dramatic holes on the course.

The 10th is a short down hill par three that makes you feel like you are hitting your approach right into the ocean. The 11th is a short par three which (depending on the tee) almost feels like you are playing from right at wave level. The green is bounded by rocks to the front and left and beautifully shaped Sandy outcrops to the right. You are almost being splashed by the waves at this point. The 12th is a short par 4, and when the flag is set to the left, it looks as it is going to fall off the cliff. Attack at your own peril!

But my favourite hole is the 14th. With the lighthouse over looking, the goal is to bash your drive down the right, avoiding bunkers left, and then use the beautiful punchbowl contours to carom your ball to the pin. Depending on the conditions you may be able to take two clubs less on this down hill approach.

But I could really list all the holes. The first overlooks 18 from across the bay. The 9th is a gloriously snaking par 5. The 8th has a completely blind tee shot into a huge landing area and a concrete hard green perched on top of a hill.

A truly wonderful experience.

Large practice range is available, as is a fun Himalayan green complex. Here is my next Cape Wickham trip, I would be back there in a heartbeat.