Ranking golf courses, not unlike critiquing movies or restaurants, is far from being an exact science.
SANCTUARY COVE G&CC – PINES COURSE
Sanctuary Cove, Queensland
Designers: Arnold Palmer & Ed Seay (1989).
Average points: 60.000. 2022 ranking: 65.
Comments: “The multi-million-dollar renovation of Arnold Palmer’s only Australian course design has breathed life back into the famed layout and seen it bounce back to its highest ranking in more than a decade. New irrigation, new greens and a standard of presentation that was always evident in its first ten years has The Pines heading for higher honours again.” – Brendan James.
“The recent green upgrades have made a significant improvement to Arnold Palmer design. Standing on the tee of the spectacular and upgraded par-5 17th hole, which is reminiscent of the 6th at Palmer’s Bay Hill in Florida, you can almost feel the presence of The King.” – Steve Davis.
THE CUT GC
Dawesville, Western Australia
Designer: James Wilcher (2004).
Average points: 60.111. 2022 ranking: 63.
Comments: “The Cut, especially its back nine holes, is one of the most dramatic layouts in the country. Some are critical that its often-narrow fairways are not well suited to its windswept location. But there is no denying The Cut’s beautiful coastal setting and dramatic rises and falls of its holes make for inspiring and fun golf.” – Chris Gleeson.
“I dare anyone to stand on the 12th tee at The Cut and admit they are not entertained.” – Brendan James.
THE EASTERN GC – SOUTH COURSE
Yering, Victoria
Designer: Greg Norman (2015).
Average points: 60.167. 2022 ranking: 54.
Comments: “The best routing by far of the 27 holes on the course, this takes in quite a few elevation changes offering a lot of hole variety.” – Carl Murphy.
“The extensive upgrade of its drainage in recent years seemed to work well after the big floods within the region last summer. The layout recovered better than it would have in previous years and, generally, the course is in better shape than it has been for quite some time.” – James Walsh.
“There are some seriously good holes on the South Course and most of them can be found on the inward half. I particularly like the questions the two shorter par-4s – 15 and 16 – ask.” – Lucas Andrews.
THE VINTAGE GC
Pokolbin, NSW
Designers: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2004).
Average points: 60.888. 2022 ranking: 52.
Comments: “A round at The Vintage seems to build to show off its best in the final six, with the short par-4s – the 13th and 15th – encouraging risk and reward tee shot strategies to make the best score.” – Edward Lee.
“I have always been a fan of The Vintage. The design has always excited me but my last visit left the impression parts of the course were looking a little tired. Of note were the overgrown reeds in hazards (up to six or seven feet high) and its impact on the great design as your view of the hole – on the par-5 14th for example – is obscured, which is not what Norman and Harrison intended with the design.” – Joe Thomas.
ST MICHAELS GC
Little Bay, NSW
Designers: Michael Moran & C.W Cole (1938); Ben Chambers Centreline Golf (ongoing).
Average points: 61.833. 2022 ranking: 61.
Comments: “A wild and varied layout which never quite seems to have enough funds to do a comprehensive 18-hole renovation with a world-class architect but even so its incremental improvements over the years still add to the charming character of this quirky oceanside favourite.” – Adrian Logue.
“The routing has changed very little since Moran and Cole pegged it out in the late 1930s. But the course has changed a lot in the past dozen years as bunkers have been added, green complexes renovated and vast tracts of non-native scrub removed to expose sandy wasteland areas, which add a new level of strategy. The in-house remodelling work has been a constant for a while and has really transformed the course.” – Brendan James.
MEADOW SPRINGS G&CC
Meadow Springs, Western Australia
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jnr (1993).
Average points: 62.000. 2022 ranking: 57.
Comments: “I have been to Meadow Springs dozens of times during the past 20-odd years, and it never ceases to amaze me how good the greens and fairways are presented. The turf quality of Meadow Springs really allows Jones’ design to sing.” – Brendan James.
“This Robert Trent Jones Jnr design is beautifully presented with huge greens, framed by large Tuart trees. Most holes have bunkers left and right on the dogleg which almost act as guideposts.” – Ashley Clinch.
TERREY HILLS G&CC
Terrey Hills, NSW
Designers: Graham Marsh & Ross Watson (1994); Graham Marsh (2017).
Average points: 62.100. 2022 ranking: 50.
Comments: “Terrey Hills is a real driver’s course, which I like. The opening hole of both nines as well as the 13th and back nine par-5s, are terrific, memorable driving holes. I also like the design change to the par-3 12th where the green is now closer to water and really brings the hazard into play.” – James Walsh.
THE LINKS HOPE ISLAND
Hope Island, Queensland
Designers: Peter Thomson, Mike Wolveridge & Ross Perrett (1997); Mike Wolveridge & Ross Perrett (2021).
Average points: 62.250. 2022 ranking: 55.
Comments: “There’s never a boring round at Hope Island. The new par-3 9th semi-island green is a tough one, especially when the wind is powering, while the new short par-4 3rd is a beauty.” – Jacqui Lee.
“Hope Island’s new 3rd hole is a good short par-4 and a wonderful addition to the course.It is quite a narrow hole before opening up as you approach the fairway bunkers, which
have remained from its days as a par-3. The water down the left of the hole is now well in play.” – Lucas Andrews.
THIRTEENTH BEACH LINKS – CREEK COURSE
Barwon Heads, Victoria
Designers: Tony Cashmore & Sir Nick Faldo (2004); Darius Oliver (ongoing).
Average points: 62.375. 2022 ranking: 53.
Comments: “The Creek Course offers some respite from its more challenging sibling especially if there’s a chance of inclement weather during your visit. The large undulating greens present a challenge and getting your ball to the correct portion of the putting surface is a must if you want to score well.” – Kevin Nolan.
“The Creek Course is loads of fun. I’ll be back.” – Rob Williamson.
ROSEBUD CC – NORTH COURSE
Rosebud, Victoria
Designers: Jack Watson (1964); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead – OCM (2019 & ongoing).
Average points: 62.455. 2022 ranking: 69.
Comments: “The OCM masterplan is working wonders on this Mornington Peninsula favourite by opening up of vistas through the course with the selective removal of trees. New waste areas are prevalent and there’s seamless transition from green to tees. The holes through the middle of the back nine are the standouts rolling through wonderful undulating land.” – Ashley Clinch.
“I walked away from the North Course wanting more. There is so much more that could be gained from this good piece of golf terrain.” – Carl Murphy.
“Not too often does such a good golf course sneak under the radar but that what’s happened with the North Course at Rosebud. It has been overshadowed by some of the big-name courses around it but the continual improvements to the architecture, conditioning (which is superb) and vegetation management really makes the North Course a must play.” – Brian Walshe.
ELANORA CC
Elanora Heights, NSW
Designers: Dan Soutar (1929); James Wilcher (2004).
Average points: 63.714. 2022 ranking: 46.
Comments: “Consistently superb presentation and dramatic views from Sydney’s rocky escarpments. Some outstanding holes and a special overall experience.” – Adrian Logue.
“The couch fairways and A1 bentgrass greens are some of Sydney’s finest. Elanora is a beautiful setting for golf but there are holes here that are very narrow, which can lead to one-dimensional golf … keep it in the middle of the fairway at your peril.” – Brendan James.
CURLEWIS GC
Curlewis, Victoria
Designers: Vern Morcom (1947); Mike Clayton (2009 & ongoing).
Average points: 64.000. 2022 ranking: 49.
Comments: “Curlewis made its debut in this Top-100 ranking (or any ranking) at No.88 in 2014. There have been lots of changes over the decade – including a new and engaged ownership taking over – which have all proven positive for the layout.” – Brendan James.
“One of the most improved courses in this country across the past decade. The complete redesign of the now 10th and 18th holes, and a host of other exciting changes keeps this fine layout on the rise.” – Anthony Whiteman.
THE GRANGE GC – EAST COURSE
Grange, South Australia
Designers: Vern Morcom (1967); Greg Norman (2013).
Average points: 64.333. 2022 ranking: 48.
Comments: “A course that is a favourite of members but feels hemmed in and manipulated at times, particularly on the front nine. The use of waste areas on some holes is odd, unkempt and a bug bear of members. Strange given they do it well on the West Course. Best holes on the back nine come late in the round at 14, 15 and 17.” – Ashley Clinch.
“There’s not much left of Morcom’s original on the East Course after Greg Norman’s makeover a decade ago. The layout now features Norman’s trademark bold, big bunkering as well as some memorable short par-4s and par-3s.” – Alex Lees.
HAMILTON ISLAND GC
Dent Island, Queensland
Designers: Peter Thomson & Ross Perrett (2003).
Average points: 64.462. 2022 ranking: 42.
Comments: “Hamilton Island is one of the most beautiful places in the world to play golf. A view on every hole and challenges to all your golfing skills (or lack of). The only criticism is the distance you have to drive your cart in between holes but it’s easy to see how the landscape dictated this was always going to be a tough course build.” – Sam Brooking.
“Yes, this is a tough course and most of the holes seem detached from one another, but you can’t help having a wonderful time playing here.” – Daniel Robertson.
SPRING VALLEY GC
Clayton South, Victoria
Designers: Vern Morcom (1948); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead – OCCM (2017).
Average points: 64.500. 2022 ranking: 45.
Comments: “Spring Valley has become a very enjoyable course, that offers challenges to all golfers with great variety, beautiful bunkering, and wonderful green complexes. The par-3s are standouts with a variety of lengths and shots to different parts of the compass.” – Ashley Clinch.
MOONAH LINKS – LEGENDS COURSE
Fingal, Victoria
Designer: Ross Perrett (2003).
Average points: 65.900. 2022 ranking: 47.
Comments: “The Legends Course is generous and gettable but still interesting and tactical, which is what a member-friendly course should be all about.” – DJ Loypur.
“I’m always enthusiastic about playing the Legends Course. Where the neighbouring Open Course is often intimidating, the Legends offers plenty of fun and the presentation has improved a lot in the past years.” – Joe Thomas.
SANDRINGHAM GOLF LINKS
Cheltenham, Victoria
Designers: Vern Morcom (1932 & 1956); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead – OCM (2020).
Average points: 70.857. 2022 ranking: 51.
Comments: “Interesting redesign by OCM could be the future of public golf. Plenty of width off the tee, short by modern standards but tricky around the greens for low markers to provide a challenge.” – Ashley Clinch.
“Sandy Links offers as much strategic merit as some of its famous neighbours. Conditions had fallen away on one of my earlier visits, but drastically improved recently.” – Carl Murphy.
PORTSEA GC
Portsea, Victoria
Designers: Jock Young (1926); Alex Russell (1929); Sloan Morpeth & Jack Howard (1965); Mike Clayton (2000); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead – OCM (2017 & ongoing).
Average points: 71.231. 2022 ranking: 37.
Comments: “One of the Mornington Peninsula’s original gems that is at its strategic best when played firm and fast under foot and with the wind adding some interest. The wide fairways actually play much narrower when you consider the second shots required right across the course. Venture to the wrong side of a fairway off the tee here and getting back into position requires superior shot-making.” – Lucas Andrews.
BROOKWATER GC
Brookwater, Queensland
Designers: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2002).
Average points: 71.333. 2022 ranking: 34.
Comments: “There is nowhere to hide on this very penal course. Every shot from 1st tee to 18th green demands your undivided attention.” – Peter Martin.
“A brute of a course scattered throughout the bushland. Not a course for the fainthearted or the high handicapper. The layout has been softened over the years with further bush clearing, green reshaping as continued more housing starts to emerge beside the fairways and greens.” – Peter Robertson.
“Brookwater is a drama charged layout. Dramatic elevation changes, bold bunkering and towering trees … welcome to big town!” – Chris Gleeson.
BOUGLE RUN
Bridport, Tasmania
Designer: Bill Coore (2021).
Average points: 71.357. 2022 ranking: 38.
Comments: “A fun and welcome addition to Barnbougle. Routed across the tops of the dunes at the back of Lost Farm it’s a combination of pitch and putt par-3s together with a couple of longer one-shotters and a pair of short par-4s for good measure. It’s a fun way to end the day.” – Brian Walshe.
“The perfect accompaniment to its full-size neighbours.” – Adrian Logue.
JOONDALUP RESORT
– QUARRY/DUNE COURSE
Joondalup, Western Australia.
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jnr (1985).
Average points: 71.385. 2022 ranking: 41.
Comments: “Feeling like something dreamed up in a video game the overly dramatic Joondalup perfectly balances the line between silly and fun, making it a great and memorable place to play.” – DJ Loypur.
“The Quarry/Dune nine is as fun and challenging to play as it was when it opened nearly 40 years ago. It has aged extremely well and the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th holes on Quarry, and the 3rd and 4th on the Dune, are as breathtaking now as they were in the mid-80s.” – Brendan James.
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