For those who can look beyond great grass and great service, the Great Lakes course at the Forster Tuncurry Golf Club in one of Australian golf's unpretentious hidden gems. This is not world-class golf by any stretch, and the minimal green fee you pay reflects the overall standard of grooming, but the lack of lavish trimmings detracts little from the overall experience and is actually part of the charm. This is good old-fashioned golf and for replenishment of the spirit, Tuncurry comes highly recommended.

Situated only a few hundred metres from the Ocean, the roar of crashing waves rings in your ears throughout the round despite the thick tea-tree covered sand dunes preventing any water glimpse. The course makes good use of its rugged topography with holes weaving through valleys of sand, surrounded by scrub as they bend naturally around the foliage.

Similar in style to Newcastle the design lacks its sophistication with just a handful of modest bunkers and small straightforward greens. Driving though can be exhilarating, especially downwind, where ever-present risk/reward options allow the aggressive player to attack the doglegs by driving semi-blind over waste areas. Successful tee shots set up great birdie chances while stray balls are lost forever to the regions snakes.

Subject to high coastal winds, the course can be a killer in extreme conditions yet for the unassuming golfer Tuncurry is a wonderful surprise. Fun, tough and interesting if you enjoy your golf ‘raw’ then the Great Lakes is definitely for you.