The Dunes - 300 acres of rolling sand dunes and Victoria’s #1 public course
The Dunes Golf Links
Location: 335 Browns Road, Rye, Victoria 3941 Region: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria Ranking: Top 25 in Australia
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Holes | 27 (18-hole Dunes + 9-hole Cups) |
| Par | 72 (Dunes Course) |
| Opened | 1995 |
| Style | Links |
| Terrain | 300 acres of rolling sand dunes |
| Designer | Tony Cashmore |
History & Background
The Designer: Tony Cashmore
Tony Cashmore was given a brief that sounds nearly impossible: create a championship course that challenges low markers without being a monster for higher handicapped golfers. Set on 300 acres of gently rolling sand dunes just a few hundred metres from the Mornington Peninsula shore, he delivered.
Cashmore’s philosophy was to work with the natural landscape. The existing dune formations, just inland from Blairgowrie, Rosebud and Sorrento, provided perfect links terrain. Rather than fighting the land, he let the dunes frame the holes and dictate the routing.
A Course for Everyone
The Dunes achieves its difficult objective of being an enjoyable challenge for both low markers and higher handicapped golfers. It’s neither too long, too narrow, nor too arduous to put off the casual player - yet it’s crunchy enough to tempt back the single handicapper.
The tournament course measures 6,459 metres from the tips, but five tee placements on every hole mean there’s a fair game for everyone.
Rankings & Recognition
Since opening in 1997, The Dunes has accumulated an impressive list of accolades:
- Ranked among the Top 20 courses in Australia for 15+ consecutive years
- Victoria’s #1 public access course
- Top 3 public access course nationwide
Other links courses of comparable merit have been completed in Australia since The Dunes opened, but few have matched its consistency in the rankings or its appeal to golfers of all abilities.
Timeline
- 1995 - Construction begins on 300-acre dune site
- 1997 - Course opens to acclaim
- Ongoing - Links Lodge accommodation added; 9-hole Cups Course expands facility to 27 holes
Course Overview
The Dunes Golf Links features 27 holes of dramatic links golf across 300 acres of rolling sand dunes. The main 18-hole Dunes Course is ranked in the Top 25 in Australia, while the 9-hole Cups Course offers a shorter but equally enjoyable experience.
Notable for being the only driving range on the Mornington Peninsula where you can use your driver - a testament to the space and quality of the facility.
Course Ratings
| Tees | Distance | Par | Course Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black (Championship) | 7,048 m | 72 | 75.2 | 148 |
Highest slope rating on the Peninsula - challenging for all handicaps
Scorecard
Front 9 (OUT)
| Hole | Par | Black (m) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 447 | Opening par 4 |
| 2 | 4 | 416 | Par 4 |
| 3 | 3 | 162 | Short par 3 |
| 4 | 4 | 339 | SIGNATURE SHORT PAR 4 - Risk/reward split fairway |
| 5 | 5 | 517 | BLIND TEE SHOT - Unreachable in 2, resist temptation |
| 6 | 3 | 211 | Long par 3 |
| 7 | 5 | 571 | Long par 5 |
| 8 | 4 | 429 | Par 4 |
| 9 | 4 | 411 | Par 4 |
| OUT | 36 | 3,503 |
Back 9 (IN)
| Hole | Par | Black (m) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 4 | 388 | Par 4 |
| 11 | 4 | 341 | Par 4 |
| 12 | 5 | 587 | Long par 5 |
| 13 | 3 | 175 | ELEVATED GREEN IN DELL - Precise clubbing |
| 14 | 4 | 387 | Par 4 |
| 15 | 4 | 472 | Long par 4 |
| 16 | 5 | 552 | Par 5 |
| 17 | 3 | 196 | TOM WATSON’S FAVOURITE - “Truly beautiful” |
| 18 | 4 | 447 | Closing par 4 |
| IN | 36 | 3,545 | |
| TOTAL | 72 | 7,048 |
Signature Holes
Hole 4 - Par 4, 310 metres
A short par-4 featuring deceptive difficulty. The fairway splits around mounds - go right and you need a 225m carry over three deep bunkers, but longer hitters can shorten the hole significantly. The safer left side leaves a trickier short iron to a green guarded by five bunkers. Classic risk-reward golf.
Hole 5 - Par 5, 473 metres
A blind tee shot over a dramatic dune opens this strategic par-5. Don’t be tempted to reach in 2 - it’s unreachable and dangerous bunkers await the greedy. Tests your course management and ability to resist temptation.
Hole 13 - Par 3, 160 metres
An elevated green sitting in a dell (depression), well-bunkered and narrow. The frontal slope demands precise clubbing. A beautiful shot into an elevated target.
Hole 17 - Par 3, 179 metres
Tom Watson called this a “truly beautiful golf hole.” A longish par-3 in the Sandbelt tradition (comparable to Kingston Heath), with a raised green complex and extensive bunkering. Would fit seamlessly at the prestigious Melbourne Sandbelt courses.
Facilities
Practice
- Grass driving range (driver-friendly!)
- All-weather driving range
- Practice greens
Accommodation
- Links Lodge luxury accommodation on-site
- Perfect for multi-day golf trips
Pro Shop
- Open 7 days, 6:30am - 6pm
Contact & Booking
| Phone | (03) 5985 1334 |
| golf@thedunes.com.au | |
| Website | thedunes.com.au |
| Maps | Google Maps | Apple Maps |
Course Strategy Tips
General
- Rolling dunes create blind shots - trust the course markers
- Fairways are generous but bunkers are punishing
- Use the full range to warm up properly
Notable Features
- Dramatic elevation changes throughout
- Natural dune formations frame most holes
- Wind can funnel through the dunes unpredictably
Getting There
From Melbourne CBD: ~90 minutes
From Portsea: ~20 minutes
From Moonah Links: ~10 minutes
Our Rounds
October 11, 2025 - Mornington Tour Day 3
- Tee Time: 8:56am
- Players: Simon, Russel, Jonas, Declan
- Trip: Mornington 2025
Sources
- The Dunes Golf Links Official Website
- Top 100 Golf Courses - The Dunes
- GolfPass - The Dunes Golf Links
Last Updated: 2025-12-10