Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
Rankings:
The Takeaway: A nine hole track with alternate tees, and some alternate greens, creating the back nine. The location next to the ocean is a charming setting reminiscent of Pacific Grove near Pebble Beach. The turf conditions won’t impress you, but the affordable price will. Grade C-
Quick Facts
Designer: Unknown (Local Community Project)
Cost: Varies Click for current rates
Phone Number: (03) 6462 1126
Course Website: Official Website - Visit King Island Golf and Bowling Club's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - Owen Smith Drive, Currie, King Island TAS 7256 – AUSTRALIA
Photos: See additional photos of King Island Golf and Bowling Club
Similar Course:
What to Expect: This charming, old-fashioned gem in Currie remains the island’s original golf soul - a locals’ course brimming with character, history, and breathtaking views. King Island Golf and Bowling Club delivers an authentic, wind-swept golf experience that captures the essence of coastal Tasmanian golf. Founded in 1931, King Island Golf and Bowling Club plays along cliffs that plunge into the roaring Southern Ocean, with many holes framed by endless blue horizon and the ever-present sea breeze. The course stretches to a modest 6,000 yards, but length is hardly the point here - everchanging terrain, natural foliage, and wind management are the real tests. The opening stretch eases golfers into the round, but by the time you reach the coastal holes, the magic begins. Fairways tumble over dunes and natural landforms, often feeling more linksland than manicured turf. There’s a rustic, unpolished charm to the design - the kind that rewards creativity over perfection. For those making the journey to King Island, this course offers an affordable experience with tons of charm.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 69 | 5989 | 69.0 | 132 |
| Ladies | 72 | 4980 | 67.0 | 122 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 3rd Hole – 166 Yard Par 4 – This stunning par-3 plays directly along the cliffs, with the restless Bass Strait crashing below and wind often swirling unpredictably. Club selection is everything. On a calm day it may require little more than a short iron, but when the wind arrives the hole becomes far more demanding. The small green sits exposed, and any shot sailing deep risks disappearing toward the ocean. It’s dramatic, breathtaking, intimidating, and unforgettable.
Best Par 3: 12th Hole – 159 Yards – The 12th shares the same setting and green as the 3rd, but from a alternative tee. It is simply a beautiful one-shotter that perfectly blends scenery with shot-making. Played toward the ocean with coastal winds influencing flight, the green is framed by natural dunes and firm surrounds. Accuracy is essential. The putting surface is subtle but demanding, and missing on the wrong side leaves delicate chips from tight links turf. It’s a hole that rewards confident ball-striking and punishes indecision.
Best Par 4: 14th Hole – 318 Yards – Short, strategic, and endlessly entertaining, the 14th is the kind of par-4 that tempts bold play. At just under 300 meters, longer hitters may consider driving the green when the wind cooperates. However, the fairway narrows near the putting surface and the green is well defended by natural contours and coastal rough. Laying back offers a comfortable wedge but removes the thrill. This hole perfectly represents links strategy-risk versus reward dictated by the day’s wind.
Best Par 5: 4th Hole – 486 Yards – The 4th delivers a thrilling par-5 along the coastline. The tee shot must find the fairway to set up any chance of reaching the green in two, but the ever-present wind often makes that easier said than done. The hole sweeps naturally through rolling links terrain before finishing at a green exposed to the sea breeze. When downwind, aggressive players may attack in two; into the wind, it becomes a classic three-shot challenge. It’s a strategic and scenic highlight early in the round.
Birdie Time: 9th Hole – 294 Yard Par 4 – Under 300 yards, the 9th presents one of the best scoring opportunities on the course. Many players will choose to attack the green from the tee, especially with a helping wind. Even if the drive comes up short, a simple pitch should leave a strong birdie chance. The challenge lies in positioning-miss too far offline and awkward lies or thick rough can quickly turn opportunity into frustration.
Bogey Beware: 2nd Hole – 353 Yard Par 4 – The 2nd hole serves as an early wake-up call. Though modest in length at 353 yards, it can play deceptively difficult depending on the wind. The tee shot must find a well-placed section of fairway to open the angle into the green. Miss the fairway and the approach becomes significantly harder from uneven lies and thick coastal rough.
With an exposed green and swirling breezes, what appears to be a straightforward par-4 can quickly produce a frustrating bogey.
