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.
PAMBULA-MERIMBULA GOLF CLUB
Boasting 27-holes on the far south coast of NSW, Pambula-Merimbula is distinctive for its natural bush setting, myriad kangaroos and solid, enjoyable golf course.
The layout, which has improved markedly in recent years, is not long but several sharp doglegs make it important to either shape the driver or lay up from the tee, while the greens vary from diminutive to expansive and everything in between. And for $45, you can play as many holes as you can in a day.
Green fee: $45 (unlimited golf). www.merimbulagolf.com.au
PORT KEMBLA GOLF CLUB
Port Kembla rates as arguably the best-conditioned and toughest golfing challenge in the NSW Illawarra region. Lush, easy walking fairways are bordered by a combination of gums, melaleucas and low-lying trees making this layout a straight-hitters paradise.
The par-72 has its fair share of impressive holes but it leaves its best until last. The closing quartet of holes are very good and add to the value of the green fee.
Green fees: $20 (Monday); $30 (Tuesday to Friday); $40 (weekends).
RICHMOND GOLF CLUB
Lying at the foot of the stunning Blue Mountains, Richmond GC offers players of all levels an enjoyable challenge on what is believed to be Australia’s oldest golf course still on its original site - having been established in 1897.
The tree-lined layout has improved markedly in recent years, so much so it was selected to host the Australian PGA Seniors Championship in 2014 and 2015. Winners of both events – Rodger Davis and Kiwi Simon Owen – were both glowing in their praise of the layout and its well-manicured fairways and greens.
Green fees: $25 (weekdays); $35 (weekends). www.richmondgolfclub.com.au
RICH RIVER GC RESORT
Rich River Golf Club Resort is one of the Murray River’s major golf resorts, which usually means one thing … great value golf.
The two courses – the East and West layouts – differ greatly from each other so there is plenty of variety on offer.
The Peter Thomson and Mike Wolveridge designed East course is more open with pot bunkers and mounding dominating the landscape. The West course has mature
tree-lined fairways, smaller greens and more expansive bunkering than its younger neighbour.
Green fee: $50. www.richriver.com.au
SHELLY BEACH GOLF CLUB
Featuring a sequence of holes on a stunning piece of land, Shelly Beach is as scenic as it is testing.
Shelly Beach’s most eye-catching holes fall midway through the first nine, most notably at the oceanside 6th. The back nine may be less spectacular but lacks nothing in terms of difficulty. The final three holes return to within view of the Pacific Ocean and are not likely to yield pars without a fight.
Green fee: $40. www.shellybeachgolfclub.com.au
SOUTH WEST ROCKS COUNTRY CLUB
This layout is a real surprise. During the past 15 years the course has evolved from a nine-hole layout, to 15 holes and then 18 holes, with the design and construction of the course being carried out by the club’s green staff over the years.
Most of the fairways are lined with dozens of pines and a few species of gum trees - there is also a selection of wide open holes that feature palm trees.
A mix of kikuyu and couch cover the fairways, which are beautifully presented. But it is the quality of the bentgrass putting surfaces you will remember long after your round.
Green fee: $30. www.rockscountryclub.com.au
TALLWOODS GC & RESORT
This Michael Hurdzan designed course boasts very good couch fairways and bentgrass greens, as well as picturesque views from several elevated tees.
True to its name, Tallwoods is lined by mature trees that are home to an abundance of birdlife and native fauna. The tall timbers also serve to isolate several holes as they wind across sometimes dramatic topography.
Green fee: $50. www.tallwoodsgolf.com.au
THE RIDGE
The Ridge, located in the heart of Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, was the newest course developed in the city’s metropolitan area for two decades when it opened its full 18 holes nearly five years ago.
Designed by James Wilcher, the public layout is proving popular because of the interesting and fun design, combined with good playing surfaces you would be more likely to find at a private club.
The back nine here is outstanding and there are no more memorable holes than the long par-5 10th where the final approach must avoid water and sand to reach the huge angled green.
Green fees: $36 (weekdays); $45 (weekends). www.theridgegolf.com.au
THURGOONA CC RESORT
Thurgoona is one of the most improved courses along the entire length of the Murray River.
The layout, located about 10 minutes’ drive north of the Albury CBD, was designed by Peter Thomson and Mike Wolveridge before they created more famous courses in Twin Waters, Hope Island and Camden Lakeside. Immediately you have to recognise, from design alone, Thurgoona is from a good stable.
Water is a feature of several holes but it is no more confronting than when you stand on the 16th tee. The 173-metre par-3 is Thurgoona’s signature hole and presents an intimidating scene with a lake lying between tee and green as well as wrapping around the right to the back of the putting surface.
Green fees: $32 (weekdays); $36 (weekends). www.thurgoonaresort.com.au
TOCUMWAL GOLF CLUB
Tocumwal has a spread of 36-holes – the Presidents and Captains courses – with both offering different experiences but are equally great value for your golfing dollar.
The clever routing of both layouts, with each nine starting and finishing near the clubhouse, means there are six course combinations to keep you entertained.
Green fee: $45. www.tocumwalgolf.com.au
TURA BEACH COUNTRY CLUB
Elevation changes and a stunning, oceanside setting are hallmarks of this early Peter Thomson-Mike Wolveridge design on the far south coast of NSW.
Regarded by many as the pick of the region’s courses, Tura Beach uses its sloping, fragmented piece of land to full effect and delivers 18 holes that yield a serious test for any golfer.
The early holes move onto the flatter terrain closest to the Pacific while the back nine rolls across the more undulating parts of the property, including crossing a road to play holes 15 to 17.
Green fee: $40. www.turabeachcountryclub.com.au
WAGGA WAGGA COUNTRY CLUB
Lying on the banks of Lake Albert, Wagga Wagga CC is one of the most visually stunning courses in the Riverina.
The more memorable hole is left until last. The 180-metre par-3 18th is a scenic hole that runs by the edge of the pretty lake. It is a difficult end to the round and is capable of cruelling your hard fought score at the last throw. Often played into the breeze, a long and straight long iron or fairway wood is needed to avoid bunkers that squeeze into the front edge of the putting surface, while any tee shot drifting left will hit a steep slope down to the water’s edge.
Green fee: $36. www.wwcc.com.au
WAKEHURST GOLF CLUB
Having opened in 1971, Wakehurst has blossomed into an excellent layout in a setting few courses in large cities can match.
Many fairways are essentially flat but are designed along a series of terraces that cascade with the sloping land. The front nine drops to the lowest point on the course at the par-5 4th hole, which brings the course close to Manly Dam, before climbing back towards the clubhouse on the highest point of the property.
Green fees: $43 (weekdays); $49 (weekends). www.wakehurstgolf.com.au
WOLLONGONG GOLF CLUB
This Ross Watson redesigned layout runs along a beautiful stretch of beach and is also walking distance from the Wollongong CBD.
Its natural wetlands combine with links terrain to create a wonderful golfing experience.
The club hosted the NSW PGA Championship from 2009-2011, which is testament to the quality of the course.
Green fees: $42; $27 (Mondays). www.wollongonggolfclub.com.au
YAMBA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Any golfer who has ventured off the beaten track to Yamba will testify what a hidden gem this layout is.
The course lies close to the centre of town, with two loops of nine holes stretching out from the clubhouse and several holes lying within earshot of the breaking waves on nearby Pippi Beach.
Yamba is an easy-walking journey but there are few flat lies to be experienced with most of the fairways featuring a natural ripple above the sand base below. A lot of work has been carried out in the past decade or so with more than half the greens re-built to create large, undulating putting surfaces surrounded by quality bunkering. The changes have been superb.
Green fee: $36. www.yambagolf.com.au
YARRAWONGA MULWALA GC RESORT
Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort hosts hundreds of visiting golfers every week.
They come for the great facilities and the quality of its courses. Yarrawonga has 45 holes – the Murray course, the Lake course and the short nine-hole Executive course.
Both the Lakes and Murray courses are cemented in Golf Australia’s Top-100 Public Access Courses, but it is the Murray course that you will want to play more than once. The Murray layout (pictured right) is one of the best courses you will find along the river of the same name and continues to get better.
Several greens have been modernised in recent times, while bunkers have been redone and the overall presentation of the layout has dramatically improved, now that the club has greater access to water.
Green fee: $50. www.yarragolf.com.au
YOWANI COUNTRY CLUB
Yowani’s member-owned golf course was designed by James Herd Scott nearly 60 years ago and features tight tree-lined fairways, and two scenic lakes that come into play on five holes.
It has been a ‘must play’ course when visiting Canberra for many years.
At 6,330 metres, Yowani is a course of championship length that will challenge any level of golfer. But it is the quality of its shortest holes that will impress. The 187-metre par-3 12th is arguably the best of them. The green was completely rebuilt a few years ago and now features bunkers front left and right and a two-tiered green. A shot long left here also presents a really difficult recovery shot.
Green fees: $42 (Monday to Thursday); $47 (Fridays and weekends).
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