We have searched the nation to find 100 of the greatest green fee offers you will ever find at courses you will want to play again and again. Here are the best from NSW and the ACT.
FORSTER TUNCURRY GOLF CLUB (TUNCURRY COURSE)
The longer and tighter of the twin layouts is a true examination of your entire game. The firm, fast-running fairways weave and roll between swathes of gum trees, banksias and other natural flora that line both sides of almost every hole.
Designed by Kel Nagle and Mike Cooper, the Tuncurry layout features some of the best short par-4s and par-3s on the NSW North Coast. The sandy soil here also makes it ideal for growing good quality golfing grasses, so the presentation here is generally very good.
Green fee: $38. www.forstertuncurrygolf.com.au
GERRINGONG GOLF CLUB
Situated between the seaside towns of Gerringong and Gerroa, the course lies across undulating terrain overlooking beautiful Walkers Beach and offers ocean views from every corner of the layout.
This seaside layout is a simple but enjoyable design but the golfing experience here has improved dramatically during the past few years with all the greens converted to A4 bentgrass, the rebuilding of most tees and a sustained program of bunker refurbishment.
Green fee: $32. www.gerringonggolf.com.au
GUNGAHLIN LAKES GOLF CLUB
The Ted Parslow and Jamie Dawson-designed par-72 has been in play now for two decades and has been at its best in recent years.
The layout is routed around six irrigation lakes spread throughout the property (it can be seen on 14 holes but actually comes into play on far less), which makes Gungahlin self-sufficient for water and also enables the course staff to keep its ryegrass fairways and bentgrass greens in superb knick.
Green fees: $29 (weekdays); $39 (weekends).
HAWKS NEST GOLF CLUB
Hawks Nest, on the northern shore of NSW’s Port Stephens, is a hidden golfing gem.
Tall timbers frame most fairways, which feature bumps and rolls over a fine sandy base – a by-product of its location wedged between the port and the ocean.
The sandy base not only makes Hawks Nest the best wet weather course in the region, it has helped shape some wonderful holes over the easy-walking topography.
Green fee: $45. www.hawksnestgolfclub.com.au
LYNWOOD COUNTRY CLUB
Now in its eighth year, this addition to the golf scene in Sydney’s north-western fringe sees 18 holes twisting and snaking between a series of ponds and other shallow water hazards.
Almost tree-less, the Graham Papworth design sits on low-lying land next to Pitt Town Lagoon and is largely flat, save for the greens and tees nearest the clubhouse.
The club became a part of the Castle Hill RSL Group in 2014 and since then there has been an increased investment in the course and some of the facilities, including the driving range that now boasts all-weather hitting bays, a two-tiered grass tee and is floodlit.
The course design was tweaked to accommodate the new practice range but has lost nothing in terms of its challenge and the enjoyment it provides.
Green fee: $40 (weekdays); $50 (weekends). www.lynwoodcc.com.au
MORUYA GOLF CLUB
Moruya GC is one of the most improved courses you will find on the NSW South Coast.
This is a fun course to play. It’s not too long, at 5,734 metres from the tips, and the playing surfaces are always very well-maintained. In fact, Moruya’s fairways are of the quality you might expect from a private city club with a much bigger budget and greens staff.
Moruya also offers a unique close to both nines. The 364-metre par-4 9th shares a huge green with the 351-metre par 18th. The enormous putting surface, easily the largest on the South Coast, is a fitting end to two tough holes. The 18th is the harder of the two holes where a solidly hit approach must avoid a big lake short and right of the green.
Green fee: $40. www.moruyagolfclub.com.au
MOSS VALE GOLF CLUB
Moss Vale showcases the Southern Highlands region’s best natural assets in a fluid layout that winds up and down hills, traverses an omnipresent creek and on fairways flanked by stunning flora.
The elevation changes at Moss Vale afford wonderful views but also enchanting golf holes and shots. The best of both – views and golf – comes on the par-5 4th hole, where an eagle beckons and disaster lurks. Save your best drive for this elevated tee and the green is well in reach for two shots.
Green fee: $40. www.mossvalegolfclub.com.au
MUIRFIELD GOLF CLUB
Muirfield GC is a club rich in history that boasts a scenic course with large bunkers, tall timbers lining most fairways and lakes ready to grab any mis-hits.
The club has had a long held reputation for presenting well-maintained playing surfaces.And despite being only a 25-minute drive from Sydney’s CBD via the M2, you’ll feel like you’re well away from the hustle and bustle at Muirfield.
Green fees: $42 (weekdays); $48 (weekends). www.muirfieldgolf.com.au
MURRAY DOWNS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Set in the heart of Kidman Reid’s historic Murray Downs sheep station on the NSW side of the Murray River, the Geoff and Ted Parslow-designed course opened for play in 1989 and has been ranked the No.1 course along the river ever since.
Man-made lakes were included to help with irrigation and drainage, and a mass of native gums has matured to now line all fairways. Throw in some strategic, well-sculpted bunkering – featuring its spectacular ochre red sand – and water hazards on many holes and it is no wonder Murray Downs has many plaudits.
Green fee: $50. www.murraydownsgolf.com.au
MURWILLUMBAH GOLF CLUB
It’s not hard to be distracted by the panoramic views of typically Australian countryside when you play at Murwillumbah. Thousands of hectares of national park cover the Great Dividing Range and Mt Warning to the west, with large tracts of sugarcane fields lying in between you.
And you get all of this just 35 minutes’ drive south of the Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta.
The par-71 was a hidden gem for many years but word on the quality of the layout has spread far and wide in recent times. In 2015 it debuted in Golf Australia’s Top-100 Public Access Courses ranking at No.90. A few months ago when the 2017 edition list was released, it had jumped a further 11 ranking spots to No.79.
Green fee: $36. www.murwillumbahgolfclub.com.au
NELSON BAY GOLF CLUB
Nelson Bay is one of the most popular courses in the Hunter region, simply because it offers a well-presented course year round, the green fee is not steep and, with 27 holes on offer, visitors can always get a game on weekends if they book in advance.
The club extended to 27 holes in the late 1990s, with nine new holes cut through bushland that adjoins the Tomaree National Park.
The designers were careful to incorporate the characteristics of the original 18 into their plans. And why wouldn’t they? These holes offer plenty of variety and some breathtaking experiences, from the opening tee shot at the par-4 1st, which is elevated high above the fairway and offers a brilliant vista, to the approach at the par-4 9th, with a picturesque pond and fountains behind the green. The club has recovered well from a fire that destroyed its clubhouse in September 2015, with work well-advanced on the rebuilding.
Green fees: $45 (18 holes weekdays); $50 (weekends). www.nelsonbaygolf.com
OCEAN SHORES COUNTRY CLUB
Set in an area of natural flora with tidal lakes, rivers and the Great Dividing Range as a backdrop, Ocean Shores Country Club on NSW’s far north coast offers spectacular scenery as well as great golf.
Designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert Von Hagge, Ocean Shores opened for play in 1972 and it wasn’t long before it gained the reputation as a stern test. It is a reputation that remains today.
Some of Ocean Shores’ best holes are to be encountered on the inward nine, with one of the highlights opening the back half. The 394-metre par-4 10th plays much shorter than the scorecard says, with the fairway descending gradually before plunging steeply down towards the well-bunkered green beyond the corner of the sharp dogleg right.
Green fee: $42. www.oceanshorescc.com.au
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