A 4km ‘stroll’ to the golf course before taking on nine or 18 holes wouldn’t be everyone’s idea of the perfect exercise ‘warm-up’.
But, like the extraordinary World Heritage-Listed island on which it sits, this is no ordinary golf course and deserves a considered approach.
So, the 13-handicapper and his ‘caddy’ decide to take the slow, scenic route.
Rather than hire bicycles or one of the few rental cars available on the island, we want time to snap a multitude of photos as we saunter beside the lagoon and foreshore, past the airport.
After a slight detour to Blinky Beach to check out the surf and catch our breath, we can’t wait to head into the lush vegetation, up the gently sloping bitumen road to the pro shop, and then on to that first tee.
SUBSCRIBE here now for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily!
- SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE PHOTOS
Lord Howe Island Golf Course is not for the fainthearted, with its beautifully distracting majestic scenery and gently undulating fairways.
But those challenges are exactly why it attracts golfers of all ages and abilities from around the globe, and why the club has little trouble filling the 50 limited spots each year in its annual Lord Howe Island Open tournament.
Even golfers who only play for bragging rights over their mates each week can still feel like a millionaire pro here, on one of Australia’s (if not the world’s) prettiest courses.
Admittedly, the excitement of the 2022 Open a week earlier has passed, and showers are threatening this particular afternoon.
But apart from the two white-faced herons and usual birdlife at home on the course, we have the whole place to ourselves.
And what a layout.
Originally a market garden, the testing nine-hole course now boasts five par 3s and four par 4s.
The Lagoon Road course hugs the azure blue waters, meanders around stands of kentia palms and is flanked by forest, while Mt Lidgbird (and, to a lesser extent, Mt Gower further south) looms large, overseeing play on most of the holes.
Elevated tees above lush green fairways make the most of panoramas, while the jagged mountaintops and stark white clubhouse are reflected in the placid water features.
But make no mistake: there is little let-up for players.
Your game is likely to go up and down (just like those blasted fairways).
There’s some tight tee shots, as well as sloping greens that are tricky to read.
The 8th/17th hole, for example, tees off down a ‘shute’ and through jungle each side.
Hubby is happy with his shot that he ends up driving just over the flag (set to the back of the green).
Our fairways are wet, though not sludgy as expected after a few days of rain, so the balls still stop dead where they land in many cases.
Just as the rain starts to make its presence felt, hubby saves the best until last – hitting the green and nearly taking a birdie to finish on the ninth. So near and yet so far.
By the time the ball is in the hole, we are glad for the change of clothes we’ve brought with us and stored in the pro area, not to mention being right on time for the 4.30pm clubhouse bar opening before a scrumptious bruschetta and fish dinner in the Sunset Restaurant at 6pm.
Our advice? Take a good, hard look at the lay of the land before you start out and at each tee-off.
But whatever you do, don’t miss the chance to drink in all of the Lord Howe Island golf course, if the only for the fresh air, exercise and memories to last a lifetime.
• The 2023 Lord Howe Island Open will be held from April 29 to May 5, with a cocktail party welcome event on the Saturday, Sunday ambrose event and stableford day events on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The seeded draw and presentation dinner will be held on the Friday (more on the website).
The club offers golfing gear for hire. The bar is open Tuesday, Friday and Sunday from 4.30pm. The Sunset Restaurant is open Sunday, Thursday and Friday from 6pm. Free transportation is available back to your island accommodation after dinner in the restaurant.
- The writer paid her own expenses.
GETTING THERE
Lord Howe Island is about 700km northeast of Sydney and southeast of Brisbane, in line with Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast.
QantasLink allows local travellers to fly from Sunshine Coast Airport to Sydney, with a connecting flight to Lord Howe Island. Check-in your luggage here and pick it up on the island. The flight time is under two hours from Sydney, with flights departing daily year-round.
Eastern Airlines flies direct to the island from the Gold Coast (flight time of about 110 minutes) and Port Macquarie (about 90 minutes). Bonza will fly from Sunshine Coast Airport to Port Macquarie for an Eastern Airlines connecting flight.
Luggage limits apply. Check with your airline.
Visit the website.
MORE THAN A WALK IN THE PARK
Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article.
