The votes are in and in case you missed it, here are Australia's Top-100 Courses for 2016 as voted for by our panel of judges. How many have you played?
RANKING golf courses is not an exact science. While our stringent criteria and voting guidelines provided to our panelists establish benchmarks, the beauty really can be in the eye of the beholder when it comes to courses. This is something that really should be celebrated.
Considering that subjectivity, we're sure our list will prompt plenty of debate.
That said, the Golf Australia approach we believe produces a true golfer’s guide you can rely on to plan future visits and inspire you to get out and play what is the cream of Australian golf.
And that’s what you will find over the following pages … the best of the best. In fact, 146 courses received votes from our judges but, obviously, only the top-100 is published here.
It has been a thorough process that began in early 2014 with judges – a panel of golf course design aficionados, long-time Golf Australia readers, professional golfers, course designers and media – being selected and notified as well as courses being visited around the country, sometimes covertly.
The common thread between all of our passionate golfing judges is that they see a lot of courses during our two-year rolling ranking period.
The criterion used by each judge places greater emphasis on a course’s design and less on its conditioning. While a layout’s general presentation remains important, we felt it was unfair to place too much weight on this element for two main reasons. A judge might happen to visit a course at a time of year when the conditioning is not at its best. Less emphasis on conditioning also addresses the problem of courses being elevated beyond their true rank based on immaculate conditioning courtesy of a huge budget, rather than its overall design and conditioning qualities.
Judges work through their thoughts on design (60 percent of their working guideline), condition (20 percent) and visual appeal (20 percent) and then submit their ranking list of courses. The scores are then tallied and average score across the voting judges is attributed to each course.
This year there were several courses not considered for ranking. We have an ongoing request from the management of Capital Golf Club, in Melbourne, not to be ranked. The following courses were not ranked because of major ongoing redevelopment work, which was still ongoing or had only just been completed at the time of voting closing. They include Peninsula Kingswood CC South course, RACV Royal Pines Resort Green and Gold course and Royal Canberra.
The Greg Norman-designed Eastern Golf Club will certainly be a contender for our Top-100 in 2018 but its opening only a few months ago did not leave enough time to view the course at its possible best after some growing in time for the playing surfaces.
Another course to look for in 2018 will be King Island’s Ocean Dunes. Designed by Graeme Grant, the layout currently has its front nine holes open for play with the back nine due to welcome its first players by March. A sneak preview of the new layout afforded to Golf Australia’s judging panel has our rankers enthused at its inclusion in two years’ time.
Planning has begun to get around to as many courses as possible for 2018 but, for now, here is the current crop of the nation’s best layouts.
Royal Melbourne West course.PHOTO:Brendan James
1.ROYAL MELBOURNE GC (West course) Black Rock, Victoria
Avg points: 99.52 2014 rank: 1
Designers: Dr Alister MacKenzie (1931); Tom Doak (ongoing)
Barnbougle Dunes.PHOTO:Brendan James
2. BARNBOUGLE DUNES Bridport, Tasmania
Avg points: 97.81 2014 rank: 2
Designers: Tom Doak & Mike Clayton (2004)
3. KINGSTON HEATH GC Cheltenham, Victoria
Avg points: 96.56 2014 rank: 4
Designers: Dan Soutar (1925), Dr Alister MacKenzie (1926), Graeme Grant (1983-1995); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead - OCCM (ongoing)
Kingston Heath. PHOTO:Brendan James
4. BARNBOUGLE LOST FARM Bridport, Tasmania
Avg points: 96.55 2014 rank: 3
Designer: Bill Coore (2010)
Cape Wickham Links.PHOTO: Supplied
5. CAPE WICKHAM LINKS Cape Wickham, King Island, Tasmania
Avg points: 96.27 2014 rank: N/R, Debut
Designers: Mike De Vries & Darius Oliver (2015)
6. ROYAL MELBOURNE GC (East course) Black Rock, Victoria
Avg points: 94.57 2014 rank: 7
Designers: Alex Russell (1932); Tom Doak (ongoing)
7. NEW SOUTH WALES GC La Perouse, New South Wales
Avg points: 93.96 2014 rank: 5
Designers: Dr Alister MacKenzie (1928); Eric Apperly (1937 & 1951);
Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2010); Greg Norman (ongoing)
8. ELLERSTON Ellerston, New South Wales
Avg points: 93.31 2014 rank: 6
Designers: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2001)
9. THE NATIONAL GC (Moonah course) Cape Schanck, Victoria
Avg points: 92.22 2014 rank: 8
Designers: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2000)
10. ROYAL ADELAIDE GC Seaton, South Australia
Avg points: 90.64 2014 rank: 11
Designers: Dr Alister MacKenzie (1926); Peter Thomson & Mike Wolveridge (1979 & 1997); Tom Doak (ongoing)
11. VICTORIA GC Cheltenham, Victoria
Avg points: 90.16 2014 rank: 9
Designers: Oscar Damman, William Meader & Dr Alister MacKenzie (1927); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead - OCCM (ongoing).
12. METROPOLITAN GC South Oakleigh, Victoria
Avg points: 89.48 2014 rank: 13
Designers: J.B MacKenzie (1906); Dr Alister MacKenzie (1926); Dick Wilson (1959); Mike Clayton 2006 & ongoing).
St Andrews Beach.PHOTO:Brendan James
13. ST ANDREWS BEACH Fingal, Victoria
Avg points: 89.38 2014 rank: 10
Designers: Tom Doak (2005).
14. LAKE KARRINYUP GC Karrinyup, Western Australia
Avg points: 86.60 2014 rank: 12
Designers: Alex Russell (1928); Mike Clayton (2008).
15. THE LAKES GC Eastlakes, New South Wales
Avg points: 86.54 2014 rank: 15
Designers: Bruce Devlin & Robert Von Hagge (1970); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead - OCCM (ongoing).
16. WOODLANDS GC Mordialloc, Victoria
Avg points: 85.09 2014 rank: 14
Designers: J.D Scott & Rowley Banks (1913); Sam Bennett (1917); Mick Morcom (1928); Jack Newton, Graeme Grant & John Spencer (1987-2001); Graeme Grant (2002-2005); Mike Clayton (2008-2011); Tom Doak (ongoing).
17. THE NATIONAL GC (Old course) Cape Schanck, Victoria
Avg points: 84.32 2014 rank: 19
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jnr (1987)
18. NEWCASTLE GC Stockton, New South Wales
Avg points: 84.29 2014 rank: 17
Designer: Eric Apperly (1937); Bob Harrison (ongoing)
19. COMMONWEALTH GC South Oakleigh, Victoria
Avg points: 83.78 2014 rank: 16
Designer: Sam Bennett (1921); Charles Lane (1926); Sloan Morpeth (1962); Kevin Hartley (1992); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead (2006 & ongoing)
20. PENINSULA KINGSWOOD CC (North course) Frankston, Victoria
Avg points: 82.9 2014 rank: 18
Designer: Sloan Morpeth (1969); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead (2002 & ongoing)
Barwon Heads.PHOTO:Brendan James
21. BARWON HEADS GC Barwon Heads, Victoria
Avg points: 82.6 2014 rank: 21
Designer: Victor East (1921); Neil Crafter & Paul Mogford (2005 & ongoing).
22. LINKS KENNEDY BAY Kennedy Bay, Western Australia
Avg points: 80.05 2014 rank: 20
Designer: Michael Coate, Roger Mackay & Ian Baker-Finch (1998).
23. ROYAL QUEENSLAND GC Eagle Farm, Queensland
Avg points: 79.95 2014 rank: 22
Designer: Carnegie Clark (1920); Dr Alister MacKenzie (1926); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead - OCCM (ongoing).
24. THIRTEENTH BEACH LINKS (Beach course) Barwon Heads, Victoria
Avg points: 79.25 2014 rank: 23
Designer: Tony Cashmore (2001).
25. GLENELG GC Novar Gardens, South Australia
Avg points: 77.8 2014 rank: 28
Designer: Herbert L. Rymill (1927); Vern Morcom (1955); Neil Crafter & Bob Tuohy (2004).
Glenelg GC.PHOTO:Brendan James
26. KOOYONGA GC Lockleys, South Australia
Avg points: 76 2014 rank: 26
Designer: Herbert L. Rymill (1924); Martin Hawtree (2008); Neil Crafter & Paul Mogford (ongoing).
27. THE DUNES GOLF LINKS Rye, Victoria
Avg points: 74.3 2014 rank: 24
Designer: Tony Cashmore (1997 & ongoing).
28. GRANGE GC (West course) Grange, South Australia
Avg points: 73.5 2014 rank: 27
Designer: Vern Morcom (1956); Mike Clayton (2008).
29. ROYAL SYDNEY GC Rose Bay, New South Wales
Avg points: 72.7 2014 rank: 27
Designer: Carnegie Clark (1921); Peter Thomson & Mike Wolverdige (1987); Ross Watson (2003).
30. JOONDALUP RESORT (Quarry/Dunes course) Joondalup, Western Australia
Avg points: 72.3 2014 rank: 34.
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jnr (1985).
The Australian GC.PHOTO:Brendan James
31. THE AUSTRALIAN GC Kensington, New South Wales
Avg points: 71.5 2014 rank: 27
Designer: Jack Nicklaus (1977 & 2013).
32. BROOKWATER G&CC Springfield, Queensland
Avg points: 70.84 2014 rank: 36.
Designer: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2002).
33. MOONAH LINKS (Legends course) Fingal, Victoria
Avg points: 70 2014 rank: 30.
Designer: Ross Perrett (2003).
34. YARRA YARRA GC Bentleigh East, Victoria
Avg points: 69.93 2014 rank: 37.
Designer: Alex Russell (1928); Martin Hawtree (2011).
35. GRANGE GC (East course) Grange, South Australia
Avg points: 69.25 2014 rank: 39.
Designer: Vern Morcom (1967); Greg Norman (2013).
36. PORTSEA GC Portsea, Victoria
Avg points: 69 2014 rank: 32.
Designer: Jock Young (1926); Sloan Morpeth & Jack Howard (1965); Mike Clayton (2000).
37. THE CUT GC Port Bouvard, Western Australia
Avg points: 68.82 2014 rank: 33.
Designer: James Wilcher (2004).
38. BONNIE DOON GC Pagewood, New South Wales
Avg points: 67.28 2014 rank: 38.
Designer: Lance Giddings & Eric Apperly (1937); Prosper Ellis (1951); Ross Watson (1995-2003); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead (2011 and ongoing).
Bonnie Doon GC.PHOTO:Brendan James
39. MAGENTA SHORES Magenta, New South Wales
Avg points: 66.38 2014 rank: 42.
Designer: Ross Watson (2006).
40. STONECUTTERS RIDGE Colebee, New South Wales
Avg points: 65 2014 rank: 35.
Designers: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2012).
41. THE VINTAGE Pokolbin, New South Wales
Avg points: 64.75 2014 rank: 43.
Designer: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2003).
The Vintage.PHOTO:Brendan James
42. ELANORA CC Elanora Heights, New South Wales
Avg points: 64.15 2014 rank: 40.
Designer: Dan Soutar (1929); James Wilcher (2004).
43. SPRING VALLEY GC Clayton South, Victoria
Avg points: 63.90 2014 rank: 50.
Designer: Vern Morcom (1948); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead - OCCM (ongoing).
44. HAMILTON ISLAND GC Dent Island, Queensland
Avg points: 63.67 2014 rank: 44.
Designer: Peter Thomson & Ross Perrett (2009).
www.hamiltonislandgolfclub.com.au
Hamilton Island GC.PHOTO:Brendan James
45. TERREY HILLS G&CC Terrey Hills, New South Wales
Avg points: 63.50 2014 rank: 47.
Designer: Graham Marsh & Ross Watson (1994).
46. HUNTINGDALE GC South Oakleigh, Victoria
Avg points: 63.25 2014 rank: 51.
Designer: Charles Alison (1941); Jack Newton, Graeme Grant & John Spencer (1998-2010); Martin Hawtree (ongoing).
47. THE NATIONAL GC (Ocean course) Cape Schanck, Victoria
Avg points: 63.17 2014 rank: 41.
Designer: Peter Thomson, Mike Wolveridge & Ross Perrett (2000).
48. PORT FAIRY GC Port Fairy, Victoria
Avg points: 63.06 2014 rank: 53.
Designer: Club members (1963); Kevin Hartley (1989); Mike Clayton (2000).
49. CONCORD GC Concord, New South Wales
Avg points: 62.9 2014 rank: 49.
Designer: Dan Soutar (1916); Ross Watson (1997); Mark Parker (2009 & ongoing);
Concord GC.PHOTO:Brendan James
50. RACV HEALESVILLE CC Healesville, Victoria
Avg points: 62.71 2014 rank: 46.
Designer: Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead - OCCM (ongoing).
51. THE NATIONAL GC (Long Island course) Frankston, Victoria
Avg points: 62.31 2014 rank: 62.
Designer: Gordon Oliver (1938); Vern Morcom (1945).
52. THIRTEENTH BEACH (Creek course) Barwon Heads, Victoria
Avg points: 62.07 2014 rank: 56.
Designer: Tony Cashmore & Sir Nick Faldo (2004); Tony Cashmore (ongoing).
Bonville Golf Resort.PHOTO:Brendan James
53. BONVILLE GOLF RESORT Bonville North, New South Wales
Avg points: 61.57 2014 rank: 55.
Designer: Terry Watson & Ted Stirling (1992).
54. RIVERSIDE OAKS GOLF RESORT (Bungool course) Cattai, New South Wales
Avg points: 60.72 2014 rank: N/R, debut.
Designer: Bob Harrison (2015).
55. LINKS HOPE ISLAND Hope Island, Queensland
Avg points: 59.25 2014 rank: 48.
Designer: Peter Thomson, Mike Wolveridge & Ross Perrett (1997).
56. AVONDALE GC Pymble, New South Wales
Avg points: 58.95 2014 rank: 61.
Designer: Eric Apperly (1927); Ross Watson (2008).
57. THE GRAND GC Gilston, Queensland
Avg points: 58.25 2014 rank: 52.
Designer: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (1997).
58. PELICAN WATERS GC Pelican Waters, Queensland
Avg points: 57.95 2014 rank: 54.
Designer: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2000).
59. MEADOW SPRINGS G&CC Meadow Springs, Western Australia
Avg points: 56.30 2014 rank: 59.
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jnr (1993).
60. AMSTEL GC (Ranfurlie course) Cranbourne, Victoria
Avg points: 55.72 2014 rank: 65.
Designer: Mike Clayton (2002).
Amstel's Ranfurlie course.PHOTO:Brendan James
61. SETTLERS RUN G&CC Botanic Ridge, Victoria
Avg points: 54.60 2014 rank: 63.
Designer: Greg Norman, Bob Harrison & Harley Kruse (2007).
62. THE GLADES GC Robina, Queensland
Avg points: 54.40 2014 rank: 45.
Designer: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2000).
61. MT LAWLEY GC Inglewood, Western Australia
Avg points: 53.95 2014 rank: 60
Designer: David Anderson & James Tinlin (1928); Michael Coate (2004 & ongoing).
Mt Lawley GC.PHOTO:Brendan James
62. CRANBOURNE GC Cranbourne, Victoria
Avg points: 53.25 2014 rank: 69
Designer: Sam Berriman (1954).
63. THE VINES RESORT & CC (Lakes course) The Vines, Western Australia
Avg points: 52.67 2014 rank: 58
Designer: Graham Marsh & Ross Watson (1989).
64. MOONAH LINKS (Open course) Fingal, Victoria
Avg points: 51.50 2014 rank: 64
Designer: Peter Thomson, Mike Wolveridge & Ross Perrett (2001).
65. SANCTUARY LAKES CLUB Sanctuary Lakes, Victoria
Avg points: 50.25 2014 rank: No change
Designer: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2000).
Kalgoorlie GC.PHOTO:Brendan James
66. KALGOORLIE GC Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Avg points: 49.50 2014 rank: 73
Designer: Graham Marsh (2010).
www.ckb.wa.gov.au/kalgoorlie-golf-course.aspx
67. ST MICHAELS GC Little Bay, New South Wales
Avg points: 49.25 2014 rank: 75
Designer: Michael Moran & C.W Cole (1938).
68. PACIFIC HARBOUR G&CC Bribie Island, Queensland
Avg points: 48.64 2014 rank: 66
Designer: Ross Watson (2006).
69. PACIFIC DUNES Medowie, New South Wales
Avg points: 47.33 2014 rank: 71
Designer: James Wilcher (2005).
70. SANCTUARY COVE (Pines course) Sanctuary Cove, Queensland
Avg points: 46.95 2014 rank: 68
Designer: Arnold Palmer & Ed Seay (1989).
www.sanctuarycovegolfclub.com.au
71. LAKELANDS GC Merrimac, Queensland
Avg points: 46.70 2014 rank: 80
Designer: Jack Nicklaus (1997).
72. COTTESLOE GC Swanbourne, Western Australia
Avg points: 45.89 2014 rank: 76
Designer: David Anderson (1931); Graham Marsh (1998 and ongoing).
73. SANCTUARY COVE (Palms course) Sanctuary Cove, Queensland
Avg points: 45.67 2014 rank: 72
Designer: Ross Watson (2011).
www.sanctuarycovegolfclub.com.au
Manly GC.PHOTO:Brendan James
74. MANLY GC Balgowlah, New South Wales
Avg points: 45.5 2014 rank: 85
Designer: Peter Thomson & Ross Perrett (2012).
T77. EYNESBURY GC Eynesbury, Victoria
Avg points: 45.13 2014 rank: 82
Designer: Graham Marsh (2008).
*T77. PALMER COOLUM RESORT Coolum Beach, Queensland
Avg points: 45.13 2014 rank: 78
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jnr (1988 & 2009).
Curlewis GC.PHOTO:Brendan James
78. CURLEWIS GC Curlewis, Victoria
Avg points: 44.15 2014 rank: 88
Designer: Vern Morcom (1947); Kevin Hartley (1976) Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead - OCCM (ongoing).
79. SORRENTO GC Sorrento, Victoria
Avg points: 43.94 2014 rank: 84
Designer: Members (1908); J.D Scott (1929); Peter Thomson, Mike Wolveridge & Ross Perrett (ongoing).
80. TASMANIA GC Cambridge, Tasmania
Avg points: 43.78 2014 rank: 83
Designer: Al Howard (1972).
81. LINKS LADY BAY Normanville, South Australia
Avg points: 43 2014 rank: 77
Designer: Jack Newton, Graeme Grant & John Spencer (2000).
82. BLACK BULL GC Yarrawonga, Victoria
Avg points: 42.5 2014 rank: N/R, debut
Designer: Peter Thomson & Ross Perrett (2015).
Black Bull GC.PHOTO:Brendan James
83. ROYAL FREMANTLE GC Fremantle, Western Australia
Avg points: 41.67 2014 rank: N/R, debut
Designer: Arthur Oliphant & Peter Anderson (1906); Michael Coate (2004), Richard Chamberlain (ongoing).
84. SUN CITY CC Yanchep, Western Australia
Avg points: 40.71 2014 rank: 100
Designer: Murray Dawson & Bob Green (1974); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead (2012 & ongoing)
Sun City GC.PHOTO:Brendan James
85. MURRAY DOWNS G&CC Murray Downs, New South Wales
Avg points: 40.45 2014 rank: 96
Designer: Ted & Geoff Parslow (1988 & 2009).
86. THE SANDHURST CLUB (Champions course) Sandhurst, Victoria
Avg points: 39.95 2014 rank: 86
Designer: Peter Thomson & Ross Perrett.
87. HORSHAM GC Horsham, Victoria
Avg points: 39.7 2014 rank: 87
Designer: Sam Berriman (1949); Kevin Hartley (1970s); Neil Crafter & Paul Mogford (ongoing).
88. ROYAL PERTH GC South Perth, Western Australia
Avg points: 39.38 2014 rank: 81
Designer: Club members (1908); David Anderson (1930); Terry Gale (1988 and ongoing).
Warrnambool GC.PHOTO:Brendan James
89. WARRNAMBOOL GC Warrnambool, Victoria
Avg points: 39.14 2014 rank: N/R, debut
Designer: George Lowe Jnr. (1928); Peter Thomson & Ross Perrett (ongoing)
90. NAROOMA GC Narooma, New South Wales
Avg points: 38.75 2014 rank: 94
Designer: John Spencer (1980).
91. RIVERSDALE GC Mt Waverley, Victoria
Avg points: 38.36 2014 rank: 89
Designer: Alex Russell (1930).
92. YARRAWONGA-MULWALA GC (Murray course) Mulwala, New South Wales
Avg points: 38.12 2014 rank: N/R, debut
Designer: Peter Thomson & Michael Wolveridge (1991).
Yarrawonga & Mulwala GC's Murray course.PHOTO:Brendan James
93. TWIN WATERS GC Twin Waters, Queensland
Avg points: 37.95 2014 rank: 92
Designer: Peter Thomson, Michael Wolveridge & Ross Perrett (1991).
94. THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GC Yokine, Western Australia
Avg points: 37.82 2014 rank: 79
Designer: Eustace Cohen & Victor Steffanoni (1927); Alex Russell (1928); Graham Marsh (2001 & ongoing).
95. THE BRISBANE GC Yeerongpilly, Queensland
Avg points: 37.77 2014 rank: 99
Designer: Carnegie Clark (1904); Ross Watson (2007 & ongoing).
96. YERING MEADOWS GC (Nursery course) Yering, Victoria
Avg points: 37.33 2014 rank: 90
Designer: Ross Watson (2009).
97. TWIN CREEKS G&CC Luddenham, New South Wales
Avg points: 36.37 2014 rank: 97
Designer: Graham Marsh (2006).
Twin Creeks GC.PHOTO:Brendan James
98. INDOOROOPILLY GC (West course) Indooroopilly, Queensland
Avg points: 35.11 2014 rank: 93
Designer: Ross Watson (1985 & 2008).
99. THE HERITAGE CC (Henley course) Chirnside Park, Victoria
Avg points: 34.33 2014 rank: 74
Designer: Tony Cashmore (2006).
100. KEYSBOROUGH GC Keysborough, Victoria
Avg points: 34.25 2014 rank: N/R, debut
Designer: Sam Berriman (1951).
*In Golf Australia’s Top-100 Courses ranking published in the January issue, Palmer Coolum Resort was not listed, despite making the Top-100 as voted by our panel of judges. The course had been withdrawn from the ranking by the editors at the time of going to press, which coincided with Palmer Coolum being closed for a short period of time, before it re-opened. Golf Australia apologises for any confusion this may have caused. Palmer Coolum has been placed back in this online version of the Top-100 Courses ranking in the position it finished and voted for by our panel of judges.
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