More Australians are playing golf today than at any other time in the game’s history in this country. The economic reality is, however, many of us now need to make our golfing dollar stretch a lot further than it did even five years ago.
$64 to $55
NORTHBRIDGE GC
Northbridge, Sydney
Green fees: $49 (Mon-Thu); $64 (Fri-Sun).
Sydney Harbour is one of the great natural wonders of the world and the only place where you can enjoy a harbour view while standing over a three-foot par-saving putt is at Northbridge Golf Club.
As you might imagine of a layout perched high on an escarpment above the waters of Middle Harbour, this is not a flat course.
In fact, the varying elevation changes across this diminutive layout make for a memorable round, with the long downhill par-3 5th hole being the standout. The green is not only 180 metres away, but also tens of metres below the tee, so you are advised to use the white disc marker as your guide towards the green.
www.northbridgegolfclub.com.au
GROWLING FROG
Yan Yean, Melbourne
Green fees: $62 (seven days).
Growling Frog is a terrific Graham Marsh design with multiple tees and large undulating greens set across 280 acres of former grazing land on Melbourne’s northern outskirts.
The quality of Marsh’s design, its conditioning and the serenity of the setting among 300-year-old River Red Gums make for a memorable golf experience. It also explains why Growling Frog is consistently ranked in the nation’s Top-100 Public Access Courses.
CLAREMONT GC
Claremont, Hobart
Green fees: $62 (seven days).
Claremont, the Hobart suburb, is perhaps best known as the home of the famous Cadbury chocolate factory. The picturesque golf course next door runs a very close second.
Located on a foot-shaped peninsula, Claremont is surrounded on three sides by the meandering Derwent River, while Mt Wellington and Mt Direction provide a stunning backdrop view on many holes.
A favourite hole for most is the 180-metre par-3 2nd, where the tee is perched just above the waterline on the river, and you need to carry an inlet between tee and green.
GUNGAHLIN LAKES G&CC
Nicholls, Canberra
Green fees: $48 (weekdays); $62 (weekends).
As the name suggests, water is a factor when you play a round at Gungahlin Lakes.
The layout is routed around six lakes, and a few creeks, spread throughout the property, with water coming into play on nearly a dozen holes.
This helps Gungahlin keep its ryegrass fairways and bentgrass greens in excellent shape, as well as providing some memorable hero shot moments during a round ... Shots like the approach over water to the green on the par-5 16th hole, which sets up for drama no matter whether it’s your second, third, fourth or fifth shot.
GARDINERS RUN
Lilydale, Melbourne
Green fees: $52 (Mon-Thu); $62 (Fri-Sun).
Gardiners Run opened for play a shade over a decade ago, formed after a land swap deal involving developer CSR and nearby Chirnside Park Country Club.
Created by Pacific Coast Design’s Phil Ryan, most of the holes are thickly tree-lined, but are generally well away from the playing lines, as the fairways are generously wide.
The long par-4 18th has become widely regarded as a tough, but memorable, closing hole. The dogleg left of 384 metres has a scheme of bunkers lying right of the driving zone, but it is the approach into a semi-island green that really excites.
MUIRFIELD GC
North Rocks, Sydney
Green fees: $60 (seven days).
Muirfield lies in the heart of Hills District suburbia northwest of the city, but there are times during a round here where you feel like you’re playing deep in a forest, miles and miles from anywhere.
Most holes are lined by huge mature gums and a range of other towering trees as the fairways dogleg across the often-undulating terrain, which gives rise to plenty of challenging shots during a round.
One of Muirfield’s prettiest holes is also one of its most fun to play. The 284-metre par-4 14th is played from an elevated tee to a fairway that lies on a slight diagonal left-to-right. There is out-of-bounds all down the right and a tree and bush covered hill to the left, so accuracy with the tee shot is paramount.
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