Nestled in its own corner of the world, Australia has quietly asserted itself as a golfing haven, defying its geographical seclusion.
The likes of Greg Norman, Adam Scott, Jason Day and Cameron Smith, iconic figures in the golfing world, proudly call the land down under their home, cementing Australia’s status as a cradle for some of the world’s premier golf talents. What sets this island continent apart, perhaps, is its ability to cultivate these champions on golfing canvases that are unparalleled in both beauty and challenge.
Australia’s diverse topography serves as a playground for golf architects, creating courses whose aesthetic allure and demanding layouts stand proudly as some of the best tracks globally. Amid this golfing utopia, there exists no superior destination to savour the finest golfing experiences than Sydney, the nation’s sprawling metropolis. The city not only encapsulates the essence of Australia’s golfing prowess but also offers a range of courses catering to every budget and skill level, all conveniently positioned just mo-ments away from the pulse of the airport.
Located just 20 km from the Sydney CBD on the beautiful Northern Beaches, Long Reef Golf Club enjoys a commanding beachfront position and boasts unsurpassed views all the way to the Central Coast to the north and Manly to the south.
On a number of tees, players have wonderful views of a range of spectacular surfing and hang gliding activities as well as taking in the sight of migrating whales and dolphins, during migration season, not to mention that every tee and green at Long Reef has majestic ocean views.
Golfers enjoy the unique experience of playing golf on a Links course – The Links at Long Reef provides a challenge to golfers of all standards, and the spectacular location offers a cool breeze on even the hottest summer day.
Founded in 1921, the course has a well-earned reputation of being one of Sydney’s best golfing layouts and in fact one of Australia’s greatest golfers and course designers, British and Australian Open winner Peter Thomson, rated Long Reef as “the best site of any golf course in Sydney”.
Four different tee positions for Men (Slope rating from 120 up to 133) and Two (2) Tee positions for Women (Slope rating from 129 up to 134) ensures the course set up meets the needs of players at all levels and for the golfing purists, the par rating for Men is 71 (Black Scratch Rating 73) and for the Women 73 (Scratch Rating 76).
At first glance, the vintage charm of this golf course might deceive players into a false sense of assurance. Royal Syndney Golf Club eschews tricks or gimmicks, relying instead on the timeless appeal of undulating fairways and its formidable bunkers to maintain the challenge for golfers seeking low scores. It’s imperative that tee shots find the fairway to establish a manageable approach because an approach missing the green is likely to encounter the sand, exemplified by the par four 8th hole.
Spanning only 275 meters from the furthest tees, this short par four presents a viable challenge for many players. However, with bunkers lining the right side of the fairway and guarding the green’s front, the risk might outweigh the reward. Opting for a pitch from the fairway center is undoubtedly a wiser choice, steering clear of the complications associated with bunker shots or short chips onto the elevated green.
This Par 72 course, stretching 6054 meters from the men’s tees and conveniently located just 13 kilometers from the airport, positions the Royal Sydney Golf Club as a delightful choice for visitors to the Harbor City.
Established in 1913 as Sydney’s inaugural public golf course, Moore Park stands apart from the local golfing landscape. Adorned with fairways lined by majestic fig trees and sprawling undulating greens, this championship course offers a diverse challenge suitable for golfers of all proficiency levels. The 5th hole, a concise 150-meter par three, claims the course’s signature status. Despite its brevity, this cleverly designed hole compensates for its lack of distance with a 30-meter drop from tee to green, presenting a deceptively tricky shot, particularly when the wind comes into play.
As the proud home of the Sydney Golf Academy, Moore Park boasts some of the city’s most impressive practice amenities. The three-story fully automated hitting bay serves as the ideal pre-round warm-up spot. Additionally, the driving range features a sizable 22 square meter big screen, ensuring golf enthusiasts can stay abreast of events unfolding in the wider golfing world. With the convenience of the driving range extending its hours until midnight on select evenings and its proximity a mere 5 kilometers from the airport, Moore Park emerges as an excellent choice for traveling golfers, regardless of the arrival time of their flight.
Founded in 1882 and set in the centre of Sydney’s busiest industrial area, is the oldest golf club still in existence in Australia. It moved to its present location at Kensington in 1903 and Dr Alister MacKenzie was commissioned to update the Australian layout. Sloan Morpeth performed further revisions and then Jack Nicklaus completely redesigned the course under the finance of Kerry Packer in 1976 to what is now the current championship livery.
In the 1940s the club struggled financially and during the early war years the clubhouse was commandeered by the US armed forces, and in 1944 was requisitioned by the American Red Cross. Fire eventually razed the ill fated clubhouse to the ground in 1982 and the Australian Golf Club now has a wonderful new clubhouse with panoramic views.
Sloan Morpeth added further modifications and nine extra holes in 1967. The course is set in a large, often windswept, sandy basin. With few trees on the property, the Australian is reminiscent of a concave Walton Heath with elevated plateaux greens and cavernous bunkers.
Host to no fewer than twenty-one Australians Opens, the first and inaugural Australian Open was played here in 1904 and most recently in 2019. The Australian is a championship venue that’s as hard-as-nails and the course will no doubt be utilised for tournament golf for many years to come.
New South Wales could easily be likened to a masterpiece more than just a golf course. The undulating terrain and panoramic ocean views render this course among the most stunning on a global scale. Yet, this doesn’t imply a lack of excitement or challenge in the realm of golf.
Featuring dramatic rolling fairways flanked by sandy wastelands and greens guarded by menacing pot bunkers, the course is a testament to both its aesthetic and strategic prowess. The 468-meter par five 5th hole stands as the club’s crowning jewel. Following a blind tee shot over a ridge, golfers are treated to a downhill second shot with a mesmerizing view of the sea. Negotiating bunkers surrounding a backward-sloping green demands precision for a manageable approach.
While the NSW Golf Club maintains its private status, a glimmer of accessibility exists for the public with limited weekday tee times available when booked in advance, allowing enthusiasts to experience the artistry and challenge that define this exceptional course.
A golf course that has witnessed both the finesse of a Golden Bear and the prowess of a Great White undoubtedly ranks among the world’s finest, and such acclaim befits The Lakes Golf Club. With six Australian Opens under its belt, including three of the last five, this creation by Michael Clayton stands as a true masterpiece. Among the courses in the area, The Lakes stands out for its exceptional utilization of natural water hazards, notably featured on all three par fives of the back nine.
A formidable challenge awaits golfers at the par five 14th hole, spanning 502 meters. Opting for a driver off the tee is a necessity to set up a reasonable second shot, where strategic decisions come into play. The prudent golfer may choose a more conservative second shot, positioning it further along the fairway for a simpler approach. On the other hand, the daring and adventurous may endeavour to carry the massive lake guarding the green. Yet, even reaching the green in two offers no assurance of a birdie, given its expanse as one of the largest putting surfaces on the course.
Situated a mere three kilometers from the airport, The Lakes Golf Club beckons as a must-play destination for the avid golfer, promising an experience that seamlessly blends challenge and strategic brilliance on the course.
