After two years of uncertainty brought by pandemic lockdowns and border closures, here is the most comprehensive ranking of the nation’s finest layouts.
9. NEW SOUTH WALES GC
La Perouse, NSW
Designers: Dr Alister MacKenzie (1928); Eric Apperly (1937 & 1951); Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2010); Greg Norman (2018); Tom Doak – Renaissance Golf (2019 and ongoing).
Average points: 92.7.
2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 rankings: 11, 9, 7, 5, 5.
Comments: “New course superintendent Mark Parker has made genuine improvement to playability since taking the reins, but there is only so much that can be done to realise the course’s potential without delivery of Tom Doak’s renovation master plan.” – Scott Warren.
“One feels NSW GC is nearing the end of a generation-spanning cycle of modest changes and sober maintenance of its status quo as Sydney's best course. But as Royal Sydney ruminates on its Gil Hanse redesign and the rest of the Sydney golf scene evolves, NSW may yet be forced to re-invent itself as it did once before at the end of World War II. Hopefully this time, with more exposed sand and firm, sloping fairways snaking through great patches of wild Eastern Suburbs Banksia scrub along the rugged rocky cliffs at La Perouse. More than just Sydney's best course it should truly be Sydney's unique contribution to world golf.” – Adrian Logue.
“New South Wales is always a great experience, especially given its dramatic setting, and exciting tee shots and approaches on so many holes. Mowing lines and vegetation management have improved following the arrival of Mark Parker (course superintendent) and Tom Doak’s appointment as consultant architect.” – Matt Mollica.
“The flagstick blew out of a hole the first time I played here. It is a tough course when it’s like that. Thankfully, the next time it was only a two- club breeze. That said, NSW is a wonderful place to play.” – Rob Williamson.
“NSW is bold, stunning, wild and an exciting place to play golf but sadly the architecture hasn’t always matched the scenery. That doesn’t mean that it’s a poor course, just one that has more upside than just about any other. It will be interesting to see what Renaissance Golf do with their opportunity on such an iconic site. If they are true to form, I’d expect NSW to be back near the top of the table in the future.” – Brian Walshe.
8. THE NATIONAL GC – GUNNAMATTA COURSE
Cape Schanck, Victoria
Designer: Tom Doak (2019).
Average points: 93.68.
2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 rankings: 10, NR, NR, NR, NR
Comments: “Across three days, with varying winds and three sets of hole locations, I felt like I played three different golf courses, such is the variety of the holes. Gunnamatta may also possess the most artful bunkering in Australia.” – Scott Warren.
“Tom Doak's re birth of the Peter Thomson, Mike Wolveridge and Ross Perrett Ocean course is magnificent. The large undulating greens and their surrounds mean you better have your short game in order.” – Rob Williamson.
“Gunnamatta is a perfect foil for a club that already has solid golf courses in Old, Moonah and Long Island. Gunnamatta provides a balance for those enjoying a regular game of golf at the facility. It is a lighter version of Barnbougle on different terrain, but with the same emphasis on fun and enjoyable golf. Whilst you may have the occasional good game at Gunnamatta, I expect many will still enjoy their average game more so than at other 'championship' courses.” – James Bennett.
“The National (Gunnamatta) has no doubt been a highlight for all who have visited in the last two years. The club’s best land for golf is now home to its best course. The routing is more sophisticated, while the greens are more organic and individual. The bunkering is sympathetic with the landscape, more sparingly used and ideal in location. Legend couch remains on the fairways while the fescue collars improve ground game options closer to the pins.” – Matt Mollica.
“What at one time was something of a pig's ear has been transformed into a silk purse – a stunning transformation so much more fun and intriguing than its predecessor.” – Steve Beach.
“An extremely enjoyable golf course where you will find design features referenced from some of the great golf courses of the world, all delivered in a super high quality golf package. Fescue apron approaches are a standout.” – Ross Flannigan.
“This is an incredibly fun course for golfers of all abilities. A playing partner told me it’s a great social course because you don’t spend all your time looking for balls. Tom Doak and Brian Schneider have designed the great thinking person’s course.” – Ashley Clinch.
“In an era where too many golfers equate hard with good, The National’s Gunnamatta shows that good can also be amazing fun. A combination of width, angles and amazing green complexes that can start up to 30 metres from the putting surface proper, Gunnamatta provides options galore with slopes and banks to feed the ball to pins that might reject a lofted shot. Like all the very best courses, it’s not just the broad brush that stands out, but the intricate detail in the greens that have you learning new things each time you play it.” – Brian Walshe.
7. ROYAL MELBOURNE GC – EAST COURSE
Black Rock, Victoria
Designers: Alex Russell (1932); Tom Doak – Renaissance Golf (ongoing).
Average points: 94.05.
2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 rankings: 7, 6, 6, 7, 6.
Comments: “Almost too good to be anyone’s ‘second’ course, Royal Melbourne East winds its way across three different parcels of land. Renaissance Golf’s deft touch has removed a few rough edges from earlier work and better melded the original and later work together. Its best is as good as its neighbour which is high praise.” – Brian Walshe.
“The combination of shorter and longer two-shot holes plus one of the best range of four par-3s makes Royal Melbourne East the third best course on the Sandbelt in my opinion.” – James Bennett.
“Imagine being Tiger Woods’ little brother … regardless of how good you are you're probably never going to get the recognition you deserve. Royal Melbourne East is that little brother – a sensational golf course with some standout holes that complement the West Course in the Composite routing, which is still not high enough praise for 'The East'. The 135-metre 13th holes always seems to transport me to a peaceful patch of heaven along the Murray River, far away from the hustle and bustle of Cheltenham.” – Kevin Nolan.
“More than just the sibling of the West course, Royal Melbourne East is a fine, testing yet manageable layout. It sits comfortably within the upper echelon of Australian golf courses, and is still under-rated by some due to the grandeur of the course next to it. East has benefitted from further subtle tweaking from consultant architect Tom Doak and bunker work during the COVID-induced layoff. Its best holes are brilliant, and a joy to play.” – Matt Mollica.
6. PENINSULA KINGSWOOD – NORTH COURSE
Frankston, Victoria
Designers: Sloan Morpeth (1969); Mike Clayton (2002); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead – OCCM (2019).
Average points: 94.11.
2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 rankings: 5, NR, 20, 18, 17.
Comments: “The major renovations have been nothing short of spectacular. Exceptional green complexes, and gorgeous bunkering are complimented by pure putting surfaces, which are now even better a few years after the completion of the rebuild.” – Matt Mollica.
“The OCM redesign of this course was quite amazing. Opening up of the playing corridors along with greater strategic bunkering was quite a transformation from the original layout. The course can only continue to improve over time as it beds in even further.” – Carl Murphy.
“There wouldn't be anywhere in the World that has seen a better make over at a golfing facility.” – Cameron Howell.
“OCCM’s 21st century Sandbelt tribute is a big course with massive greens designed for big occasions. The bunkering is both plentiful and beautiful but the greens are the highlight. They are big with plenty of interesting movement and lots of little lobes and plateaus that can turn a hole from friendly into tough by moving the pin 15 paces.” – Brian Walshe.
“Peninsula North is quickly becoming a modern classic that is only improving with a few growing seasons under its belt. It possesses an exceptional set of par-3s with the 2nd hole being, not only the highlight, but one of the best on a world scale.” – DJ Loypur.
“This is a very impressive layout, with incredible playing surfaces. I found it more difficult than many others suggested. It's much tighter than the South Course and when the wind got up, playing the ball lower to the ground almost became mandatory. As a golfer, the North Course really excites me, however as a business owner, it frightens me to think what it must take to maintain the course(s) and surrounds.” – Peter Robertson.
“This is a great redesign of a quality golf site that has enhanced many of the vistas and now has quality playing surfaces. The number of hazards and waste areas look great but could be a concern for the high handicapper and could make for a miserable day.” – Ashley Clinch.
“This is a stunningly beautiful piece of undulating sandy land for golf.” – Rob Williamson.
5. KINGSTON HEATH GC
Heatherton, Victoria
Designers: Dan Soutar (1925), Dr Alister MacKenzie (1926), Graeme Grant (1983-1995); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead – OCCM (2018); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead – OCM (ongoing).
Average points: 96.85.
2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 rankings: 6, 4, 3, 4, 2.
Comments: “A routing that twists and weaves yet never feels cramped, Kingston Heath doesn’t bludgeon you but gently and subtlety lets you know that it’s a very good course. From the likes of the brilliant short par-3 10th to the sweeping downhill par-4 16th, it doesn’t try to overwhelm you but instead keeps asking questions for the golfer to answer.” – Brian Walshe.
“Kingston Heath’s bunkering consistently wins acclaim from all who play there, and the green complexes are among the best in Australia.” – Matt Mollica.
“There isn’t a weak hole at Kingston Heath … only debates about which hole is the best (11th for me). An unbelievable feat of golf architecture on such a small and relatively flat piece of land makes Kingston Heath truly remarkable.
The mastery of the design of Kingston Heath only grows as time goes on as it has remained largely unaffected against advancing technology. The aura of timelessness you get at Kingston Heath is a testament to the club’s constant monitoring of vegetation, and high presentation standards.” – DJ Loypur.
“It would be a wonderful exercise to take an overseas visitor to Kingston heath, play 18 (or 19) holes and then tell them there are two higher ranked golf courses across the road and potentially three or four more a short plane ride away. I assume they would think you were insane. It's always a great day when you wake up knowing you're going to Kingston Heath.” – Kevin Nolan.
“It’s not possible to get bored playing the Heath. It tests every part of your game, especially your brain.” – Rob Williamson.
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