Our biennial ranking of the Top-100 Public Access Courses in the nation is here. With international travel off the table for the foreseeable future, here is a feast of fine courses everyone can play … right here at home.
29. PELICAN WATERS GC
Pelican Waters, Queensland
DOWN 4
Judge’s Comment: “For a course that is the hub for a surrounding residential community, Pelican Waters has a lion’s share of visually appealing holes. Many of these holes are featured on the front nine, which is set to be completely re-built as part of a new residential development being undertaken by the course’s owners and covers land currently home to the 8th and 9th holes.” – Brendan James.
28. PACIFIC HARBOUR G&CC
Banksia Beach, Queensland
DOWN 4
Judge’s Comments: “This Ross Watson design is a challenge for all players. It’s generally wide enough for high handicappers and casual golfers to keep their ball in play (although there are some forced carries to contend with), while single figure players can chase a good score by playing to the edges and shooting at the flags.” – Craig Smart.
“In my opinion there are few courses that offer as many different shots from a variety of lies from one round to another than Pacific Harbour does. My only concern is the encroachment of couch into the greens, making them a little smaller than their original size.” – Toby McCracken.
27. THE VINTAGE GC
Rothbury, NSW
DOWN 10
Judge’s Comments: “Immaculate is one word that springs to mind whenever I’m asked about The Vintage. The fairways and greens are beautifully maintained and are a joy to play on.” – Sandra Lyons.
“I’ve always enjoyed the challenge a round at The Vintage offers. But I cannot understand the move to start growing thick grass collars around many of the fairway bunkers scattered across the course, which stops balls rolling into the sand and makes holes less strategic as a result.” – Brendan James.
26. THIRTEENTH BEACH LINKS (Creek Course)
Barwon Heads, Victoria
UP 1
Judge’s Comments: “The Tony Cashmore and Nick Faldo-designed Creek Course has been entrenched in the mid-20s of this ranking for a decade, which is testament to the quality of the layout and the respect it has earned since opening in 2004.” – Brendan James.
“The land is not as dramatic as the neighbouring Beach Course but it makes up for this with very good risk-and-reward holes on a big stage of wide fairways and big rolling greens.” – Sam Brooking.
25. CURLEWIS GC
Curlewis, Victoria
UP 12
Judge’s Comments: “One of the most improved courses in this list during the past eight years, since making its debut in 2013 at No.57. This can be attributed to significant design changes, advised by Mike Clayton, which has created a memorable golfing experience. Trees have been cleared, vast areas of sandy wasteland opened up and a new par-4 9th hole added as part of recent improvements made to the layout.” – Brendan James.
“Curlewis is simply a fun course to play. It seems like every change, even the little ones, made during the past few years has made the course better every time.” – Julian Allen.
24. THE GLADES GC
Robina, Queensland
UP 4
Judge’s Comment: “An extensive bunker refurbishment as part of an increased investment in the layout has elevated the presentation of The Glades in recent times. Aside from the sandy hazards, the greens might just be the best rolling surfaces on the Gold Coast. They are generally presented firm under foot and at a good speed.” – Joe Thomas.
23. ST MICHAEL’S GC
Little Bay, NSW
UP 7
Judge’s Comments: “St Michael’s occupies a rare piece of Sydney seaside real estate and shares borders with the world acclaimed NSW Golf Club to the south and The Coast GC (ranked No.57 in this list) to the north. The quality of the neighbourhood screams great golfing potential, which is being realised through recent design changes. The removal of scrub on many holes has not only exposed vast tracts of sandy wasteland it has also opened up the playing corridors. There are few more fun and challenging courses to play in Sydney when the wind blows.” – Brendan James.
“Always a fun experience. The stretch of holes from the par-3 12th to the par-5 17th never fails to excite, especially when the wind is pumping from the south.” – Brett Oldham.
22. LINKS HOPE ISLAND
Hope Island, Queensland
DOWN 2
Judge’s Comments: “No golfing trip to the Gold Coast should by-pass Hope Island. Consistently good conditioning combines with a very good design that provides risk-and-reward strategies right across the layout.” – Terry Anderson.
“Hope Island is always fun to play and is one of the fairest, yet still challenging, courses to play in Queensland. The course is designed and set-up to receive all kinds of approach shots, whether they are low and running or coming in from a height.” – Deborah Hill.
21. MEADOW SPRINGS G&CC
Meadow Springs, Western Australia
DOWN 3
Judge’s Comments: “You would need to travel a long way to find a better conditioned course in WA.” – Richard O’Reilly.
“Robert Trent Jones Jr is renowned for his designs on difficult and dramatic land but his creation at Meadow Springs didn’t offer that canvas at all, yet he produced a wonderful layout that gently rolls between tall stands of ancient Tuart trees. The most significant elevation changes are on the back nine with the par-4 17th, where you play uphill to a massive tiered green, being one of the premier holes.” – Chris Davidson.
20. MOONAH LINKS (Open Course)
Fingal, Victoria
UP 3
Judge’s Comments: “Moonah Links’ Open Course has rarely looked as good as it has during the past few years. The greens and close mown surrounds are the standout. They’re always nicely maintained, while the putting surfaces are firm and roll at a good speed. The high standard of the surrounds does give you the option of using a range of clubs for recovery shots, from your putter through to a chip-and-run with a wood, which just adds to the fun of playing this course.” – Julie Stokes.
“I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of the Open Course but there was a period a few years back where the quality of the turf, particularly in gathering areas on the fairway, had become a problem. This is not the case anymore and its presentation deserves applauding.” – Sam Brooking.
19. PORTSEA GC
Portsea, Victoria
NO CHANGE
Judge’s Comment: “One of the great Mornington Peninsula courses where the design doesn’t feel contrived as it winds across wonderful golfing terrain.” – James Walsh.
“If you haven’t played Portsea, add it to your bucket list. It’s not an overly long course but the variety of lies and resulting shots you will face in a round throws down the challenge in earnest, even on a calm day.” – Graham Brady.
18. NAROOMA GC
Narooma, NSW
UP 4
Judge’s Comment: “The jewel in the golfing crown of NSW’s South Coast has reached its highest ever position in this ranking as a result of superior conditioning as well as some minor tweaks to the design in recent times. While the ocean cliff-top holes seem to get all the acclaim, the inland holes covering more dramatic terrain – from the 10th to the 15th – not only offer a starkly different golfing experience but are very good holes in their own right.” – Brendan James.
17. THE CUT GC
Dawesville, Western Australia
DOWN 1
Judge’s Comment: “Beautiful ocean views, dramatic golfing land and well-manicured fairways and greens. If you can’t like that, then you’re too hard to please.” – Nikki Scott.
“With the exception of the string of holes – the 5th to the 9th – that weave through
the residential estate, The Cut is a visual delight. Standing on the elevated tee of the long par-4 12th in the late afternoon, with the sun hanging low over the Indian Ocean, might be as good as it gets.” – Anthony Brown.
16. MOONAH LINKS (Legends Course)
Fingal, Victoria
DOWN 1
Judge’s Comments: “What a great foil this course is to the neighbouring Open Course. Legends doesn’t play as long, but the strategy required to score well is certainly ramped up.” – Alex Georgiou.
“The Legends Course is simply superb. There is plenty of width on most holes that allows you to pick your route from the tee and, if you play your intended shot well, you’ll have an easier approach shot into the green. Also, I’m yet to play this course when the greens haven’t been outstanding.” – Paul Wilson.
15. HAMILTON ISLAND GC
Dent Island, Queensland
DOWN 1
Judge’s Comments: “Hamilton Island could easily mount a case for the most beautiful
setting to play golf in Australia, perhaps the world.” – Tara Vincent.
“This Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett design is easily the most dramatic layout they ever created. The holes fall and rise through valleys or hug the edges of ridges, creating a vast number of different shot scenarios and all accompanied by magnificent views. My only criticism would be the long distances between some of the greens and tees, but I guess there was no choice considering the land the designers were working with.” – Gavin Hill.
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