Ranking golf courses, not unlike critiquing movies or restaurants, is far from being an exact science.
STONECUTTERS RIDGE GC
Colebee, NSW
Designers: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2012).
Average points: 49.400. 2022 ranking: 72.
Comments: “There is a lot to like about the stretch of holes from the 2nd to the 5th, which covers an open flat section of the property, with some interconnecting fairways. These holes require a well thought out strategy and good execution. Many of the remaining holes require less thought and are advantageous to the longer hitter.” – Justin Dickson.
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GC
Yokine, Western Australia
Designers: Eustace Cohen & Victor Steffanoni (1927); Alex Russell (1928); Graham Marsh (2001 & ongoing).
Average points: 50.688. 2022 ranking: NR.
Comments: “I love this layout and it has rarely played better or looked better than it has during the past 12 to 18 months. There has been lots of tweaks done, especially with the bunkering, and the course is now looking an absolute treat.” – Chris Gleeson.
“The conversion to Pure Distinction bent greens and the remodelling some greens has really lifted the course.” – Edward Lee.
SORRENTO GC
Sorrento, Victoria
Designers: Club members (1908); J.D Scott (1929); Peter Thomson,
Mike Wolveridge & Ross Perrett (2014); Neil Crafter & Paul Mogford (2012 & ongoing).
Average points: 51.000. 2022 ranking: 84.
Comments: ”A beautifully maintained Mornington Peninsula course that ticks a lot of boxes for ambience, fun and conditioning. It has a few doglegs that are right angles that feel forced and manufactured, however the standout holes 2, 6, 8, 10 and 16 are excellent.” – Ashley Clinch.
BLACK BULL GC
Yarrawonga, Victoria
Designers: Peter Thomson & Ross Perrett (2015).
Average points: 51.100. 2022 ranking: 80.
Comments: “Black Bull has swum against the tide to improve its position by three spots
this year. Well presented playing surfaces coupled with interesting holes make a round here memorable.” – Brendan James.
“The ‘Bull Ring’ is an exciting corner of the course with three holes played around the edge of a lake. But for mine, the closing trio of holes betters the ‘ring’ for sheer quality and great visuals.” – Alex Murray.
MT COMPASS GOLF COURSE
Mt Compass, South Australia
Designers: Brian & Neil Crafter (1995 & 1998); Neil Crafter (2016 & ongoing).
Average points: 51.200. 2022 ranking: 83.
Comments: “Mt Compass has improved in this ranking despite the loss of a very good
par-5 due to a redesign of the 2nd hole to become a less memorable par-4, and shortening of the par-4 3rd hole, to make room for a housing sub-division. It is a shame, especially when you consider Mt Compass has never looked as good.” – Brendan James.
“A forced redesign of a few holes along the boundary wasn’t ideal but the course has made up for it with fabulous conditioning. There is still a good mixture of short and long holes with a few quality short-par-4s making this a great place to spend a morning before hitting the wineries nearby.” – Michael Green.
COTTESLOE GC
Swanbourne,
Western Australia
Designers: David Anderson (1931); Alex Russell (1939); Justin Seward
& Boyd King (1960); Peter Thomson & Michael Wolveridge (1980); Graham Marsh (1998 and ongoing).
Average points: 51.455. 2022 ranking: NR.
Comments: “Redesign has been a part of the Cottesloe story for a few years now but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The final five green rebuilds of Graham Marsh’s masterplan are all but done and it will be the first time in decades that all 18 greens will have the same grass covering.” – Brendan James.
“Cottesloe is a fun course, beautifully conditioned and will become even better when the last stage of green remodelling is completed.” – Lachlan Farmer.
THE GLADES GC
Robina, Queensland
Designers: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2000).
Average points: 52.000. 2022 ranking: 75.
Comments: “Bob Harrison had no right to turn a Gold Coast swamp into such a fun, engaging and strategic golf course. As impressive a feat of engineering as of golf design, too.” – Scott Warren.
“One of the Gold Coast’s must-play courses that is always a treat to play but is at its very best in spring when the bentgrass greens are rolling smooth and fast and are firm under foot.” – Sam Brooking.
“Norman and Harrison literally fashioned a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.” – Kevin Nolan.
TASMANIA GC
Barilla Bay, Tasmania
Designer: Al Howard (1972).
Average points: 52.429. 2022 ranking: 79.
Comments: “What an incredible slice of land this course occupies. There are so many highlights but playing the par-5 3rd hole takes the cake. Playing that hole around the edge of the bay is worth whatever it costs you to travel to Hobart and experience this wonderful course and million-dollar views.” – Sue Johnson.
“Tasmania is a strong course, with amazing views, whose standing in Australian golf has risen in recent years on the back of the selected tree removal across the course. If there is one criticism it would that the hilltop location impacts some of the holes with significant side slopes.” – Peter Shaw.
PELICAN WATERS GC
Pelican Waters, Queensland
Designers: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2000); Greg Norman (2023 & ongoing).
Average points: 52.778. 2022 ranking: NR.
Comments: “Pelican Waters returns after not being considered for ranking in 2022 as Greg Norman redesigned part of the course to include four new holes and some remodelled versions of the older holes. Part of the redesign has seen the nines reversed, with all the completely new holes – 10, 11, 17 and 18 – on the inward half.” – Brendan James.
“The reversing of the nines might be the best result of the work that has been carried out at Pelican Waters in the past few years. Norman’s new holes collectively are not quite as good as the originals.” – Lucas Andrews.
MAROOCHY RIVER GC
Bli Bli, Queensland
Designer: Graham Marsh (2015).
Average points: 52.857. 2022 ranking: 78.
Comments: “A Graham Marsh design on the Sunshine Coast that plays firm, in excellent condition and provides challenge and variety for all golfers, which is an achievement given the flat land. There is lots of water running through the course but is rarely in play unless you are very wayward.” – Ashley Clinch.
“Maroochy River is a course where the most significant defence is the prevailing wind that comes in off the ocean. Short holes generally play into the wind and longer holes downwind, making club selection and distance control a constant challenge.” – Steve Davis.
SETTLERS RUN G&CC
Botanic Ridge, Victoria
Designers: Greg Norman, Bob Harrison & Harley Kruse (2007).
Average points: 53.300. 2022 ranking: 73.
Comments: “A visually appealing course that rolls through undulating terrain. There’s a good variety of holes with a number of shorter par-4s being the standouts.” – Ashley Clinch.
“Settlers Run is generally very good, in terms of design and conditioning. However, it can sometimes get found out by bad weather, but the club is looking at investing in rectifying its drainage problems sooner rather than later.” – James Walsh.
AVONDALE GC
Pymble, NSW
Designers: Eric Apperly (1927); Ross Watson (2008).
Average points: 53.455. 2022 ranking: 76.
Comments: “Almost unlimited opportunity with resources and land in the heart of Sydney’s exclusive North Shore. Perhaps over bunkered, but often superbly presented and wonderfully removed from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city.” – Adrian Logue.
“Probably Ross Watson’s best design work, with some terrific rolling land that brings the course alive during the back nine.” – Scott Warren.
LINKS LADY BAY RESORT
Normanville, South Australia
Designers: Jack Newton, Graeme Grant & John Spencer (2000).
Average points: 55.091. 2022 ranking: 70.
Comments: “Links Lady Bay has reached its highest mark in this ranking for the past decade. It has been a consistent performer in this list and it is starting to lose its reputation for being too rough around the edges. Today, it is undoubtedly in the best condition seen by our judges, which brings the best out in the links design.” – Brendan James.
“A links design that gives you space off the tee and provides risk reward opportunities for the low marker. However, a proliferation of bunkers could make it hard for the high handicapper. The back nine holds the best holes – 11, 12, 13 and 17, however, it also has some of the forgettable holes 14, 15 and 16.” – Ashley Clinch.
ROYAL HOBART GC
Seven Mile Beach, Tasmania
Designers: Vern Morcom (1963); Richard Chamberlain (ongoing).
Average points: 55.250. 2022 ranking: 71.
Comments: “An ongoing program of tree removal has continued to show benefits at Royal Hobart as it has opened up views across the course and done away with some of the narrow corridor aspects it once had. The new short 7th hole is a welcome addition on a course which still has plenty of upside and improvement to come.” – Brian Walshe.
“The flat ground holds Royal Hobart back somewhat, but there’s micro-undulation throughout that sets up the smart, testing holes and the bunkering brings strategy to the fore. Not every course can be Royal Melbourne, but Royal Hobart is on a path to maximising its potential.” – Scott Warren.
SANCTUARY LAKES GC
Sanctuary Lakes, Victoria
Designers: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2000).
Average points: 55.888. 2022 ranking: 67.
Comments: “Greg Norman and Bob Harrison really made a name for themselves for creating fun and challenging layouts on land that, in all truths, should never have been considered for a new course construction. The pair turned their hand to swamps (Pelican Waters and The Glades) and at Sanctuary Lakes they had salt flats. Nearly a quarter of a century on and looking at the beautiful layout you wouldn’t know how bad the land was before the course was built.” – Joe Thomas.
KALGOORLIE GC
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Designers: Graham Marsh (2010).
Average points: 56.500. 2022 ranking: 66.
Comments: “Kalgoorlie plays firm and fast as a desert course should. It is consistent in its overall presentation and with its landscapes and surrounds. It’s a challenge with some raised large greens with bunkers that sit off the green.” – Ashley Clinch.
“This is one of Graham Marsh’s finest designs and thankfully, through rankings like this and coverage of the WA PGA it hosts, it is starting to get the recognition it deserves. Apart from the high end golfing experience, it boasts a rich palette of colours from the ochre sandy watselands and bunkers, to the green carpet-like fairways and cloudless blue skies (usually), which certainly makes it worth driving nearly seven hours from Perth to play here.” – Chris Gleeson.
MOONAH LINKS – OPEN COURSE
Fingal, Victoria
Designers: Peter Thomson, Mike Wolveridge and Ross Perrett (2001).
Average points: 57.562. 2022 ranking: 68.
Comments: “For all its design flaws, and there are a few, I still love the challenge of the Open Course and its presentation in recent times has generally been great.” – Alex Lees.
“A course with some really well-designed holes in character with the surrounds, which offer some interesting challenges. However, the routing within parts of the course becomes confusing, detracting from the flow of the course.” – Carl Murphy.
CRANBOURNE GC
Cranbourne, Victoria
Designers: Sam Berriman (1954); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead – OCCM (2017).
Average points: 57.667. 2022 ranking: 62.
Comments: “It’s a pity this could be the last time we see Cranbourne inside the Top-100 as we will be losing this beautiful course in the not-too-distant future once the Huntingdale renovation is complete.” – Kevin Nolan.
“My first experience at playing Cranbourne was sadly probably my last as this course will be disappearing once the renovations at Huntingdale are done. The course was in superb condition and fun to play. It will be missed.” – Claire Cook.
“Cranbourne was among the group of underrated but impressive layouts that can be found on the edge of the Melbourne Sandbelt. It was, perhaps, the finest design work of Sam Berriman’s career, which only got better with age.” – Brendan James.
RANFURLIE GC
Cranbourne West, Victoria
Designers: Mike Clayton (2002); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead – OCCM (2017)
Average points: 58.250. 2022 ranking: 64.
Comments: “Ranfurlie seamlessly encapsulates the quintessential elements of Sandbelt golf, with its expansive fairways reminiscent of the generous width Alister MacKenzie originally introduced at Royal Melbourne. The bunkers, too, adhere to the characteristic Sandbelt design ethos – both in their aesthetic and their strategic placement, extending right up to the edges
of the greens.” – Kevin Nolan.
“Ranfurlie might be the most misunderstood course introduced to the Melbourne landscape in the past 50 years. Some have said it is a paddock with flags in it. It may seem so at first glance, but the truth is Mike Clayton’s design is a strategic gem, where the centre of the fairway is not always the best place to be, where the player willing to risk hitting in a bunker for a better line to the target on the next shot is rewarded for good shot-making. Yes, its wide and sparse but there is great golf to be found out in that paddock.” – Brendan James.
RACV HEALESVILLE
Healesville, Victoria
Designer: Mike Clayton (2009).
Average points: 59.357. 2022 ranking: 60.
Comments: “Healesville is proof a course doesn’t need to be a long championship layout to satisfy even high-level golfers.” – DJ Loypur.
“This is a fun golf course … hands down. It’s a wonderful design that can be enjoyed by long hitting pros playing alongside their steady-as-she-goes grandmother or father. It’s a course for all that, unfortunately, can sometimes be let down by less-than-ideal conditioning, usually after significant rainfall.” – Brendan James.
“I found this course a whole lot of fun. The two par-5s are quite reachable but have danger everywhere. It’s a relatively short course but can play ‘long’ as a few of the holes have drives to elevated fairways. It is a super piece of golf architecture really.” – Peter Martin.
THE GRAND GC
Gilston, Queensland
Designers: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (1997).
Average points: 59.429. 2022 ranking: 59.
Comments: “While it is very difficult to gain access to The Grand, the reward is a truly exceptional golfing experience. The Grand is consistently one of the best conditioned courses in southeast Queensland, helped in part by the low amount of traffic it experiences. The stretch from the challenging long par-4 7th hole through to the 13th is a fantastic stretch of golf holes.” – Steve Davis.
“Still the best conditioned course in Queensland.” – Peter Martin.
Related Articles
Review: Mt Compass Golf Course
Review: Bonville Golf Resort
