Now that I have a wider readership, I need to explain Ray’s CRAPP! In 2020 when Susan and I travelled around Australia, I played at 40 different golf courses and I rated them all (similar to what the magazine Golf Digest does) and called it Ray’s CRAPP (Course Review And Personal Preference). There are 6 different catergories that each course is rated against and I have continued this on thru our 2022 adventure so now here is my latest CRAPP!

Andrew and I played at Palmerston Golf Course today, which is the pre-eminent course in the Top End, as the Norther Territory’s PGA is played here each year. Once again we can only rate the course on how we find it, not on what is was like a few weeks ago or what its likely to be in a few weeks time. So here are the following ratings.

Design – Once again playing in the NT, you know its going to be flat and this course was very flat. It was set out in a country club layout but it did not enthuse either Andrew or I. We did play in very humid and hot conditions and the first tee was a considerable length from the golf club itself. Rating 11 out of 20

Condition – See the course was in the middle of the dry season, we expected it to. Be in prime condition, compared to the courses in the souther states but unfortunately this was not the case. Greens were slow with some nasty bare patches in place and the general course condition looked well below par for a course touted as the NT PGA Open course. Rating 10 out of 20

Cost – The pricing was very attractive for a “reputable course”, especially for senior golfers. Rating 15 out of 20

Visual Appeal – Once again it was disappointing driving into the carpark with a view that showed little of the course, although in their defence there was some construction work happening but it was still a very bland aspect of a course in front of you. Certainly didn’t give you a warm and fuzzy feel. Rating 12 out of 20

Facilities – The club had a good bar and bistro area but it was more for the average punter than the members from m,y perspective. The practice nets and green were pretty average but we were informed new nets and greens were only weeks away. Still we had to rate what was on offer. Rating 8 out of 10

Ambience – This was were it was hard, neither Andrew or I felt it was a must do course. It never felt like we had to come back, basically we felt it was average and were disappointed at what was offered up to us. Rating 6 out of 10

Conclusion- We’ll I can honestly say that Palmerston was a disappointment. It rated 64 which is pretty low for a highly regarded course. I don’t believe we will ever be back to re-rate the course but I do hope it does get much better.

My next CRAPP is in 2 weeks time at Kununurra , I’m sure you can’t wait!