After two years of uncertainty brought by pandemic lockdowns and border closures, here is the most comprehensive ranking of the nation’s finest layouts.
95. INDOOROOPILLY GC – WEST COURSE
Indooroopilly, Queensland
Designer: Ross Watson (1985 & 2008); Ross Perrett & Karrie Webb (ongoing).
Average points: 40.33.
2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 rankings: NR, 97, 98, 93, NR.
Comments: “There’s no wonder why the West course is back in the Top-100 after all the positive changes there have been made to the Red and Gold nines in recent times. It is one of the big improvers in Queensland golf.” – Peter Martin.
“Indooroopilly’s West Course certainly deserves its place back in the Top-100 after missing out in 2020. The greenside turf work that was carried out a few years ago has now bedded in and adds to the playability and enjoyment of the course.” – John Blackwell.
“The Perrett Webb redesign masterplan endorsed by the club’s board at the end of 2020 will see some significant changes to nearly half of the West Course and will include the addition of more water hazards throughout the layout. We wait in anticipation to see the new work.” – Brendan James.
94. MONASH CC
Ingleside, NSW
Designers: James Hird Scott (1951); James Wilcher (2017), Bob Harrison (2014-2018).
Average points: 41.9.
DEBUT
Comments: “I used to have nightmares on the eve of a round at Monash, which has been renowned for decades for its slick, and sometimes severe sloping, greens. But the ‘new’ greens created by James Wilcher and Bob Harrison are much fairer and interesting.” – Edward Lee.
“Monash is such a beautiful place to play. I don’t think there is a greater feeling of playing in the bush anywhere else in Sydney. The routing incorporates great elevation change throughout, while also including natural elements of the property. The par-4 13th is one such hole with its terraced fairway cut in two by a rock wall sitting between the two levels of short grass.” – Sam Brooking.
93. THE FEDERAL GC
Red Hill, ACT
Designer: Prosper Ellis (1955).
Average points: 42.15.
2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 rankings: NR, 100, NR, 93, NR.
Comments: “Since converting its fairways to the hardier Santa Ana couch and addressing some of its water issues, Federal has improved year-in, year-out. Canberra is not an easy place for turf management year-round, but Federal does it really well.” – Graham Brady.
“Federal really leaves its best for the back nine. The doglegging par-4s – the 11th, 14th and 15th – are a highlight for mine. All have uphill approaches of varying slope and length and test your ability to pull the right club from the bag.” – Brendan James.
“You would hardly know Parliament House is just down the road as you hit your drive down the hill off the 1st tee. The bushland surrounds and views to the Brindabella Ranges give you the feeling you are a long way from the city. There is a lot to like about the routing here, which stretches to all points of the compass across the rolling terrain beneath the clubhouse occupying one of the highest points on the property.” – Hamish Walker.
92. RACV ROYAL PINES RESORT – GREEN/GOLD COURSE
Ashmore, Queensland
Designer: Graham Marsh (2015).
Average points: 42.67.
2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 rankings: 89, 74, NR, NR, NR.
Comments: "Graham Marsh's redesign here is far better than what lay here for many years. Although, some aspects of the redesign – namely the bunkering and mounding – are a little overdone and unnatural. That said, you have to remember the original course was flat and pretty boring, so Marsh’s additions have at least injected some variety and interest.” Anthony Brown.
“I really enjoy the Graham Marsh-created green complexes … the slopes and tiers add some interest and challenge to the putting game.” – Julie Stokes.
"This is one of the toughest courses on the Gold Coast. There is plenty of water, sand and some of the greenside mounding will repel mis-hits well away from the greens. It is then you hope to finish in sand rather than one of the deep hollows next a mound.” – Brett Oldham.
91. PACIFIC HARBOUR G&CC
Banksia Beach, Queensland
Designer: Ross Watson (2006).
Average points: 43.75.
2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 rankings: 82, 73, 70, 66, 58.
Comments: “Pacific Harbour has enough movement under foot from tee-to-green that place real demands on your ball-striking. Hanging lies, uphill and downhill lies; you will experience them all … perhaps by the time you reach the 5th tee. The expansion of the adjoining residential community has impinged on the aesthetics of a round here but the quality of the golf overcomes this.” – Bernie Smith.
“I’ve always been amazed at Ross Watson’s design here, given it was a pretty flat property before construction began on the course. The terrain – which ebbs and flows between subtle and dramatic, even on the same hole – adds next level challenges to a round here. My only criticism is there are a few greens that are in need of scalping to address couch encroachment.” – Julian Allen.
90. RIVERSDALE GC
Mt Waverley, Victoria
Designers: Alex Russell (1930); Neil Crafter & Paul Mogford (2007 & ongoing).
Average points: 44.1.
2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 rankings: NR, 91, 91, 89, 84.
Comments: "Recent work overseen by consultant designers Neil Crafter and Paul Mogford (Golf Strategies) has been well received and enough to see Riversdale re-enter the Top-100. Now, it is the anticipated recovery of Alex Russell’s original work – using aerial photography from the 1930s – that promises to push Riversdale even higher in this list as the design team rebuilds further bunkers and green complexes.” – James Walsh.
“Consistently carpet-like fairways are great to hit off on a course renowned for its quick putting surfaces. Riversdale is a course everyone seems to have a love/hate relationship with but I like it.” – DJ Loypur.
89. BELMONT GC
Belmont, NSW
Designers: Prosper Ellis (1952); Jack Newton (2000s); James Wilcher (2018).
Average points: 44.25.
2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 rankings: 94, NR, NR, NR, NR.
Comments: “The redesign work overseen by James Wilcher has bedded in well since Belmont made its debut in this ranking in 2020. The quartet of holes starting at the par-3 13th is memorable as you play out to the edge of the beach, before heading south along the back of the low dunes. It is brilliant golfing terrain.” – Lucas Andrews.
“I love playing at Belmont. It boasts wonderful natural holes in a setting that can take your breath away … or beat you into submission when the wind is really blowing. But, in both instances, it is all good golfing fun. My only suggestion would be to widen most, if not all the fairways, to bring the fairway bunkering, and more strategy, back into play. Fairway bunkers surrounded by rough is, for mine, a waste.” – Brendan James.
88. RACV CAPE SCHANCK RESORT
Cape Schanck, Victoria
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jnr (1988).
Average points: 45.13.
2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 rankings: 88, NR, NR, NR, NR.
Comments: “Cape Schanck has always been exciting to play with its dramatic green complexes and elevation changes. Since RACV took over, the presentation has just kept improving year-on-year.” – James Walsh.
“Cape Schanck was fun! There are some incredible views toward The National Golf Club that are worth making the effort to get there alone.” – Kevin Nolan.
"Cape Schanck is like a junior version of the Old Course at The National, which is high praise. It is one of the best valued for money public access courses on the Mornington Peninsula.” – DJ Loypur.
87. JOONDALUP RESORT – QUARRY/LAKE COURSE
Joondalup, Western Australia
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jnr (1985).
Average points: 46.75.
2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 rankings: 79, 71, NR, NR, NR.
Comments: "The second-best routing at Joondalup offers two contrasting nines, although there are similar signs of Jones’ creativity spread across both. His use of the land around the old limestone quarry provides drama-charged golf, while his gently flowing holes on the Lake Course, some adorned with massive crater bunkers, are testing but a lot of fun.” – Brendan James.
"The really like the contrast between these two nines. When rolled into one, it makes for a memorable round. It is easy to be seduced by the dramatic Quarry course, but the Lake layout has its highlights, like the short par-4 2nd with its terraced fairway adjoining wasteland and a rock wall to the right and the long par-4 5th with its twin fairway and sea of moon crater bunkers.” – Richard O’Reilly.
86. MURRAY DOWNS G&CC
Murray Downs, NSW
Designers: Ted & Geoff Parslow (1988 & 2009).
Average points: 47.33.
2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 rankings: 87, 83, 85, 96, 94.
Comments: "Murray Downs never fails to impress, especially in terms of its presentation. This place is home to the biggest and best-manicured greens along the Murray River.” – Lucas Andrews.
“Laid out on rolling, sandy terrain this former sheep station was a perfect canvas for golf and the Parslow design team did a terrific job in creating a fun and testing layout for all players. The course celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021 and rarely has it looked better than it has in recent times.” – Alex Georgiou.
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