Ranking golf courses, not unlike critiquing movies or restaurants, is far from being an exact science.
While our stringent criteria and voting guidelines provided to our panellists establish benchmarks, the beauty really can be in the eye of the beholder when it comes to golf courses. This is something that really should be celebrated.
Considering that subjectivity, I’m sure our list will prompt some healthy 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, 163 courses received votes from our judges but, obviously, only the Top-100 is published here.
It has been a thorough process that began in the days after voting closed for our 2022 ranking with the judging panel being selected. The common thread between all of our passionate golfing judges is that they visit – sometimes covertly – 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 feel it is 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 an average score across the voting judges is attributed to each course. This year, the voting was so close in many instances that we extended the final average to three decimal points to ensure there were no ties.
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. Despite making enquiries to view the course, we were unable to get a team of judges onto the Packer family-owned Ellerston, so it was not considered for this ranking.
There were several courses not ranked due to major redevelopment work – either unfinished or are due to start very shortly. They include Kew GC, The National’s Long Island Course, Commonwealth GC and Huntingdale GC, all in Victoria. Indooroopilly GC (Queensland), Royal Sydney GC (NSW) as well as Links Kennedy Bay and Mt Lawley (WA).
All these courses will be looking for a spot in the 2026 ranking, which will include the new Tasmanian layout, 7 Mile Beach and, possibly, a revamped New South Wales GC course.
As you read this, planning is already underway for a new-look judging panel to get out and see as many courses as possible ahead of 2026. But, for now, here is the best of the best for 2024.
MANLY GC
Manly, NSW
Designers: Peter Thomson & Ross Perrett (2012).
Average points: 31.091. 2022 ranking: NR.
Comments: “Manly is a wonderful member’s course that is beautifully presented from tee to green. It is not a long layout, but it is difficult for long hitters to gain any sort of advantage due to the water hazards and bunkers punctuating your progress on every hole.” – Daniel Robertson.
“A dozen years on from its big redesign by Thomson and Perrett and Manly has rarely looked any better. It has its design faults, but the presentation is superb.” – Alex Lee.
SOUTHERN GC
Keysborough, Victoria
Designers: Sam Berriman (1949); Peter Thomson & Mike Wolveridge (1976); Bob Shearer (1990-2010); Ogilvy, Cocking & Mead – OCM (ongoing).
Average points: 32.727. 2022 ranking: NR.
Comments: “After a 12-year absence, Southern makes a return to the Top-100 ranking. The Sandbelt course has been improving bit-by-bit for several years, which is great to see because it is a layout with enormous potential. The design team of Ogilvy, Cocking & Mead has created a masterplan for the club, which will address some of the disparity between those holes considered Southern’s best and worst.” – Lucas Andrews.
RACV CAPE SCHANCK RESORT
Cape Schanck, Victoria
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jnr (1988).
Average points: 34.462. 2022 ranking: 88.
Comments: “Cape Schanck is the ‘poor man’s’ version of the Old Course at The National. You won’t be any poorer for playing it though, as it’s a lot of fun and open to anyone wanting to part with a green fee.” – Kevin Nolan.
“A little bit of a surprise package on the Mornington Peninsula – not talked of with
the regular beasts of Australian golf, but very pleasant, fun and not too long. Don’t
take it lightly … It’ll test every aspect of your game.” – Peter Martin.
THE HERITAGE G&CC – ST. JOHN COURSE
Chirnside Park, Victoria
Designer: Jack Nicklaus (2000).
Average points: 38.500. 2022 ranking: NR.
Comments: “Jack Nicklaus’ course at The Heritage has been in the ranking wilderness for almost a decade. But it rightfully returns to the fold after a significant amount of investment has been made in the course.The high level of conditioning really enhances the Golden Bear’s design work.” – Lucas Andrews.
“A fantastic course trying to climb the mountain back to its glory days of being one of the great golfing experiences in Melbourne. A championship course with a grand feel to it deserves a spot on this list.” – DJ Loypur.
CASTLE HILL CC
Castle Hill, NSW
Designers: Eric Apperly (1951); Jack Newton, Graeme Grant, John Spencer (1992-2006); Bob Harrison (2019).
Average points: 38.667. 2022 ranking: 98.
Comments: “The new home of the Webex Players Series Sydney is vastly different to the course that hosted the Aussie Tour’s Canon Challenge and Australian PGA back in the day. The redesign work carried out here by Bob Harrison created a much better, more strategic layout that is far more challenging for golfers of all standards.” – Chris Gleeson.
“Castle Hill might have the best presented kikuyu fairways in Australia. If it doesn’t it is certainly on the podium.” – Robyn Mitchell.
“Bob Harrison’s redesign at Castle Hill is proof you don’t need to move heaven and earth to create better golf. His simple changes have created a much better course.” – Joe Thomas.
MORNINGTON GC
Mornington, Victoria
Designers: Vern Morcom, Sloan Morpeth and Gus Jackson (1950); Jack Watson (1967); Ben Davey and Darius Oliver (ongoing).
Average points: 39.375. 2022 ranking: 98.
Comments: “Spectacular views across Port Phillip Bay alongside the western side of the course. Each time you play its very different because of the ever-present breeze coming off the water. Yet another satisfying golfing experience within the Mornington Peninsula area.” – Claire Cook.
“The beautiful natural design on some fantastic terrain has create ‘always interesting’ golf. Throw in a bit of wind (more than sometimes) and it gets even better. The ongoing changes, with the 6th and 7th holes being the latest to be tweaked, continue to improve this course which boasts great potential.” – Brendan James.
THE BRISBANE GC
Yeerongpilly, Queensland
Designers: Carnegie Clark (1904); Dr Alister MacKenzie (1926 advisory); Ross Watson (2007-2020).
Average points: 40.400. 2022 ranking: 97.
Comments: “Ongoing enhancements, including improved irrigation, selective vegetation removal across the course, and tee box renovations, have been key to the improvement of Brisbane Golf Club. The 1st hole, a tricky yet short par-5 named ‘Founders Way’, is one of the few remnants from the original Carnegie Clark layout and is a highlight of a round here.” – Steven Davis.
“Insight with a fresh set of eyes in newly appointed course superintendent Dave Mason (formerly of Metropolitan GC) has Brisbane Golf Club moving in the right direction with tree removal, new fairway definition lines and a basic clean-up of dead areas.” – Peter Martin.
ROYAL FREMANTLE GC
Fremantle, Western Australia
Designers: Arthur Oliphant & Peter Anderson (1906); Michael Coate (2004); Richard Chamberlain (ongoing).
Average points: 41.688. 2022 ranking: NR.
Comments: “Perth’s best course south of the Swan River presents an array of challenges. The undulating terrain has provided the blank canvas for a significant number of interesting holes like the long uphill par-4 7th hole, which can be brutish, and the gentler climb alongside the lake on the 15th hole.” – Alex Murray.
BELMONT GC
Belmont, NSW
Designers: Prosper Ellis (1952); Jack Newton (2000s); James Wilcher (2018).
Average points: 41.833. 2022 ranking: 89.
Comments: “A very good links course that never throws up two rounds of any similarity. The holes that run closest to the beach, particularly through the middle of the back nine, are outstanding and truly memorable highlights of any round.” – David Griffiths.
“A course that many locals regard with great affection and possibly the best of this distinctly NSW beachside/swampy links style of golf course with mostly flat features and warm season grasses.” – Adrian Logue.
THE FEDERAL GC
Red Hill, ACT
Designers: Prosper Ellis (1955); Neil Crafter & Paul Mogford (ongoing).
Average points: 42.455. 2022 ranking: 93.
Comments: “Federal is a beautiful layout which is likely to undergo some redevelopment in the years to come, and time will only tell if this lifts this Prosper Ellis original in the ranking.” – Chris Gleeson.
“Federal’s finest moments come on the back nine, bookended by the uphill par-5 13th and the downhill par-5 17th. You will really enjoy the golf, and the beautiful views, across this section of the course.” – Lucas Andrews.
“Federal is home to some good holes and is always well presented. The layout is covered with too many trees, which affects the playability on some holes.” – Peter Shaw.
PYMBLE GC
St. Ives, NSW
Designers: Carnegie Clark & Dan Soutar (1928); Eric Apperly (1953); Ross Watson (2006); James Wilcher (ongoing)
Average points: 42.714. 2022 ranking: NR.
Comments: “Pymble has only graced this ranking once and that was back in 2012
when it grabbed the last spot on the list at No.100. It’s return comes on the back of some
ongoing redesign work by James Wilcher that has ramped up the interest level with the introduction of several new, more dynamic green complexes as well as the removal of some unneccessary fairway bunkering ” – Brendan James.
“Always well-presented, but representative of the many suburban Sydney courses that sacrifice potentially fun golf to ensure a par in the 70s and a length over 6,000 metres. The superb RACV Healesville course provides an example of what could be possible on sites like Pymble.” – Scott Warren.
MONASH CC
Ingleside, NSW
Designers: James Herd Scott (1951); Bob Harrison (2014-2016); James Wilcher (2017 and ongoing).
Average points: 43.111. 2022 ranking: 94.
Comments: “Monash is high in the hills above Sydney’s northern beaches, so you can imagine the elevation change during a round might be quite dramatic. It is dramatic enough to make the golf very interesting without being a punishing walk. I couldn’t fault the conditioning either, with the greens being an absolute standout.” – Dan Robertson.
“The highs are literally and metaphorically high at Monash with some sweeping vistas and architecturally interesting holes.” – Adrian Logue.
THE HERITAGE G&CC – HENLEY COURSE
Chirnside Park, Victoria
Designer: Tony Cashmore (2006).
Average points: 43.250. 2022 ranking: NR.
Comments: “The Henley course is routed much closer to the Yarra River, on a more undulating parcel of land than the neighbouring St. John Course. With water in play on many holes, and a more rural, natural setting than St. John, Henley is an enjoyable and fun layout to play.” – Matt Mollica.
“The Henley has no reliance on length to create a challenge, and playing to the edges of the wide fairways to set up an easier follow up shot is what Tony Cashmore’s design encourages.” – Tony Lachlan.
RIVERSDALE GC
Mt Waverley, Victoria
Designers: Alex Russell (1930); Neil Crafter & Paul Mogford – Golf Strategies (2007 & ongoing).
Average points: 43.833. 2022 ranking: 90.
Comments: “There has been some impressive renovating of several greens in recent times by Crafter and Mogford. The green on the par-3 3rd hole is a beauty and looks like it has been in the ground as long as the course has existed. I’m looking forward to seeing what else will be remodelled in recapturing the best of the original creation.” – Lucas Andrews.
SUN CITY CC
Yanchep, Western Australia
Designers: Murray Dawson & Bob Green (1974); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead – OCCM (2016).
Average points: 44.250. 2022 ranking: 81.
Comments: “I’m a big fan of the changes made by OCCM but there is still much to be done for Sun City to fulfil the potential we got a glimpse of with the first and second stages of redesigned holes.” – Sam Brooking.
“The changes made by OCCM have lifted a great course out of the ground, with the emphasis on strategy and making it playable for golfers of all abilities. I’m sure I’m not alone in my anticipation of seeing what is to come at Sun City.” – Brendan James.
MURRAY DOWNS G&CC
Murray Downs, NSW
Designers: Ted & Geoff Parslow (1988 & 2009).
Average points: 46.400. 2022 ranking: 86.
Comments: “Murray Downs is incredibly consistent in its presentation. I have played the course many times during the past dozen years or so, and I can’t recall any occasion where I have been disappointed with how the course shaped up. All this just adds to the fact the design is a beauty – wide fairways, but only one correct side to play from depending on the pin position, expansive bunkering and big, subtly sloped greens that really test your nerve.” – Alex Georgiou.
JOONDALUP RESORT – QUARRY/LAKE COURSE
Joondalup, Western Australia
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jnr (1985).
Average points: 47.000. 2022 ranking: 87.
Comments: “While the Quarry Course is home to Joondalup’s superstar offerings, the Lake Course certainly can’t be dismissed as just an extra. It packs some punch, but you will get a kick out of putting on the massive greens and playing shots over the moon crater bunkers. As usual, Joondalup’s condition can’t be questioned.” – Chris Gleeson.
KILLARA GC
Killara, NSW
Designers: Club members (1906); Commander John Harris (1961-1965); Prosper Ellis (1965); Harley Kruse (2020).
Average points: 48.143. 2022 ranking: 85.
Comments: “With Killara’s exciting renovation all but complete the club now enters a new phase of maintaining and improving its asset against a masterplan. A great example of the potential of Sydney parkland golf.” – Adrian Logue.
“Playing Killara is a much-improved experience. The remodelled holes are superb, but it is the change of turf that has been an inspired choice. The Pure Distinction bentgrass greens are excellent, as are the zoysia surrounds.” – Brendan James.
NAROOMA GC
Narooma, NSW
Designers: John Spencer (1980).
Average points: 49.000. 2022 ranking: 77.
Comments: “Narooma’s holes closest to the cliffs are what it is known for with Hogan’s Hole, the par-3 3rd, at the top of the list. But the holes in the hinterland are extremely well done. Narooma is a beautiful layout that provides all players with fun challenges. In my opinion, it gets near top marks for condition … the crew here must work 24-7.” – Ashley Clinch.
WARRNAMBOOL GC
Warrnambool, Victoria
Designers: George Lowe Jnr. (1928); Perrett Webb (ongoing).
Average points: 49.250. 2022 ranking: 82.
Comments: “In 2018, I mentioned Warrnambool’s program of clearing vegetation to expose sandy wasteland had significantly improved much of the front nine and progressing further with these subtle changes would see the layout continue to rise in the ranking … and it has. Also, worth noting too that Warrnambool’s presentation is first class and would be the envy of many private metropolitan clubs.” – Brendan James.
“This club continues to make strides in the right direction with improvements to design and aesthetic on the 4th, 5th and 6th holes. Wouldn’t it be great if they could access more dunes land like they have across this stretch of holes?” – Ashley Clinch.
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