Ocean Dunes King Island Golf Course

If Ocean Dunes were the only course on King Island, it would be a Top 100 course in the world. The problem is it's hard to emerge from the long shadow of Cape Wickham.
Ocean Dunes is almost across the street from the tiny local airport. It's still rough around the edges when it comes to conditioning and amenities. A tiny clubhouse can't offer the kind of F&B a course of this caliber requires, but the round is so fun, having no creature comforts feels like a minor inconvenience. Once golfers reach the dogleg right on the first hole, they're treated to a stunning four-hole run directly on the ocean. If we were ranking the best collection of three par 3s in golf, Ocean Dunes would likely win. Holes 4, 10 and 14 all interact with the ocean or stare out into it. They're fantastic.

In a landscape battered by harsh coastal winds, Ocean Dunes provides the golfer with amazing views, and if the wind kicks up, a brutal golf experience.

Luckily for our group the wind was as calm and we played the course in perfect conditions from the forward tees.

This is true links golf, featuring wide, undulating fairways, long rough (where it is impossible to find your ball), deep, naturally shaped bunkers and big sloping greens. It is a true test, but my advice in tougher weather is to forget your score and just enjoy the view. You might as well forget about your ball if you miss the fairway.

The course also features a couple of holes with split fairways that allow the golfer to pick their own path to the hole (left or right) - think Barnbugle #8, or The National Gunnamatta #1. 6 and 18 are such examples. My only criticism is that if you happen to miss your left or right aim, and hit the ball down the middle, you'll lose your ball in the fescue. Perhaps too penal.

The Par 3s are also to be remembered. The signature 4th and the 10th require shots over the ocean (crashing waves for the 4th), and the 8th features glorious views of Bass Strait.

Short and challenging par 4s are also a feature. the 2nd is a lovely par 4 with a big fescue covered mound protecting a wide but narrow sloped green. Even with the wind at your back trying to drive the hole would be perilous. The 13th is an uphill beauty with fabulous views from the green.

12 and 14 share the same green - the GCA fans would love it. I have fond memories of these two holes, having birdied both after playing great approaches from elevated fairway positions.

And of course the par 5s are no slouches either, the 6th is probably my favorite. It winds uphill through the Dunes with a elevated green protected front right by bunkers and left by a hill which may upset the alignment of your approach. It is actually quite similar to Wickham #6.

Just a wonderful experience.

Full practice range and extremely sloped practice green.

Basic Pro-shop, but they do a nice local lobster roll.

This is a LONG course, with LONG transitions between holes, a cart would be recommended.

A true shame an international Tournament will probably never be played here.