Golf is growing in Australia. Participation rates are up, club memberships are up and general interest in the game is on the rise post-pandemic.
All of this means, if you’re not a member of a club, that you’re probably already finding it difficult to find a tee time. So, if you’re looking for a course to play where you don’t need to know a member to get a game, or a place where the golf is interesting and fun … a place that will hopefully provide you with a memorable golfing experience. You’ve come to the right place.
This presentation of Australia’s Top-100 Public Access Courses for 2023 is somewhat different to past rankings, with several highly-acclaimed layouts not appearing, some new courses making their mark and a host of improving layouts forcing their way into the top grade.
What you will find is that every course appearing in this ranking, as well as those that just missed out, offer public access tee times at least five and a half days a week. This benchmark standard has always been the foundation of our public access rankings. Sticking to that guideline, seven courses that appeared in our 2021 Public Access Courses ranking – Barwon Heads, Newcastle, Bonville, Ranfurlie, Indooroopilly, Sanctuary Cove’s Palms Course and Settlers Run – were not considered for this ranking as they have reduced their public access tee times. That said, in many cases you can still play these courses, either as a resort guest or by booking ahead for the times they still have available.
Also not considered for this ranking was Links Kennedy Bay and Pelican Waters, as both have been undergoing major redesign construction work for most of the voting period since January 2021.
La Nina and the associated flooding of many areas in the eastern states has also had an effect on this ranking, with Riverside Oaks’ Bungool Course closed for significant periods due to flood damage and, therefore, not considered. Other courses, particularly those along the Murray River, throughout Victoria and in northern NSW, that have been affected by recent floods still appear in the list having been judged prior to these events.
There is also a host of courses – 16 in all – that didn’t appear in this ranking in 2021 but make their mark here including the acclaimed Lonsdale Links, Barnbougle’s 14-hole short course Bougle Run, Melbourne’s Sandy Golf Links and the northern NSW nine-holer, Teven Valley. Teven Valley becomes the first nine-hole course ever to make this national ranking.
We hope you enjoy our 2023 Top-100 Public Access Courses ranking and it comes in handy as a guide to planning your next round or golfing getaway … Enjoy!
100. DUNTRYLEAGUE CC
Orange, New South Wales
DOWN 2
Judge’s comments: “Duntryleague has long been regarded as one of the best courses in regional NSW and for good reason. The design, overseen by acclaimed course architect Eric Apperly back in 1935, has withstood the test of time and remains a great test.” – Joe Thomas.
“With the historic Duntryleague mansion standing above the surrounding course, a round here is a great experience, especially in autumn when cooler temperature turns the dozens of species of trees across the property into a colourful display.” – Julie Stokes.
99. TOOWOOMBA GC (Middle Ridge)
Toowoomba, Queensland
NOT RANKED
Judge’s comments: “What a pleasant surprise Toowoomba was. Condition-wise, I couldn’t fault the place with very good kikuyu fairways and terrific bentgrass greens.” – Terry Anderson.
“The layout is much better than what it was when I last played at Toowoomba about a decade ago. I really like the changes, including the relatively new par-4 9th hole, but my favourite hole remains the little downhill par-3 7th over the lake. A real nerve jangler!” – Toby Greenwood.
98. BUNBURY GC
Clifton Park, Western Australia
NOT RANKED
Judge’s comments: “Legend has it the great Seve Ballesteros played here back in the day and this is the kind of course where his supernatural powers of escaping trouble would have thrived. Bunbury features plenty of heavily tree-lined doglegging holes where you can easily run into trouble. That level of challenge was exciting.” – Peter Anton.
“Bunbury opens with a par-3 on both nines, but it is the diminutive downhill 10th that all first-timers to the course will love. The tee sits about 30 metres above the angled green – with large bunkers short and long – and an accompanying view of the nearby estuary. What a gem!” – Phil Nicholls.
97. PALMER GOLD COAST
Robina, Queensland
NOT RANKED
Judge’s comments: “I was a little disappointed at the conditioning of the old Robina Woods when I last played there pre-COVID. But returning there in 2022 I really liked what I found and it certainly complements what I have always considered one of the more interesting places to play on the Gold Coast.” – Craig Smart.
96. PAMBULA MERIMBULA GC – Red/Yellow Course, 10-27
Pambula, New South Wales
NOT RANKED
Judge’s comments: “Pambula Merimbula has been knocking on the door of a place in this ranking for several years and now all the good work that has been carried out on the course has paid off. The 27-hole Pambula Merimbula features some memorable holes, with the lion’s share to be found on holes 10 to 27 layout. I particularly like the heavily wooded confines of the back nine of this routing, with the long par-5 23rd being a challenging standout and the start of an impressive run of holes back to the clubhouse.” – Lucas Andrews.
95. BLACKWOOD GC
Cherry Gardens, South Australia
NOT RANKED
Judge’s comments: “What an absolutely wonderful place to play. Right in the heart of the Adelaide Hills, Blackwood was a real eye-opener to me as a visitor from interstate. It was well-manicured and featured plenty of interesting holes, with the 12th, 15th and 16th holes being a standout for me. There’s some really good elevation change across the
course, while several sharp doglegs and their strategic demands add to the enjoyment.” – Nathan Burgess.
“I thoroughly enjoyed Blackwood. It boasts some really interesting holes (the 15th is a cracker) and it was such a beautiful walk … and just 20km from the Adelaide CBD.” – Deborah Hill.
94. TEVEN VALLEY
Teven, New South Wales
NOT RANKED
Judge’s comments: “This is one of the best nine-hole courses I’ve ever played. It is beautifully presented, and Craig Parry’s redesign has transformed and elevated what was previously just another nine-hole course that had great potential based on the land it was on.” – Hamish Walker.
“A fantastic redesign from Craig Parry and put into play at a high standard by
course super Paul Gumbleton. The choice of zoysia from tee to green cannot be questioned as these playing surfaces are superb, while the Tifeagle greens are outstanding.” – Brett Oldham.
“Teven Valley does in nine holes what some 18-hole layouts fail to do … make every hole interesting, fun and challenging.” – Brendan James.
www.tevenvalleygolfcourse.com.au
93. BRIGHTON LAKES R&GC
Moorebank, New South Wales
NOT RANKED
Judge’s comments: “Born out of a redevelopment of land formerly occupied for decades by New Brighton Golf Club, Brighton Lakes is a much better course than it ever was. Redesigned by Bob Harrison, this is a modern, highly playable course for players of all standards.” – Lucas Andrews.
“Reopened after the Bob Harrison redesign in 2019, Brighton Lakes has never looked better. The playing surfaces are very good, while the visual appeal is highlighted by Harrison’s bunkering and the many water hazards that are in play on half of the holes. I don’t think I could ever be bored playing here.” – Joseph Kent.
92. HORIZONS RESORT
Salamander Bay, New South Wales
NOT RANKED
Judge’s comments: “After an absence of more than a dozen years, an ever-improving Horizons returns to this ranking. The course’s demise began in the mid 2000s and it wasn’t until the current owners took the reins and invested heavily in the layout that Horizons turned the corner. Today, the Graham Marsh and Ross Watson-designed course, which was celebrated in the 90s, is winning praise again for its presentation and interesting holes.” – Brendan James.
“I returned to play Horizons early in 2022 after nearly 10 years, when I walked off mid-round because the greens were horrible. Having heard the course had improved I went back and it is almost back to what it was when it hosted Tour events in the early 2000s. I can’t wait to go back.” – Alex Georgiou.
91. CLUB CATALINA G&CC – Old Course, 1-18
Bateman’s Bay, New South Wales
NOT RANKED
Judge’s comments: “Another 27-hole course on NSW’s South Coast offering three 18-hole combinations. Holes 1 to 18, known as the Old Course, is the best routing with the greatest number of attractive, fun holes. The course improvement plan, by course designer Harley Kruse, has seen non-native trees removed as well as the redesign of the par-4 15th hole, which is now one of the best on the layout.” – Lucas Andrews.
“Great greens, fun holes and all in a beautiful setting. Catalina never disappoints.” – Susan Johnson.
90. COBRAM-BAROOGA GC – Old Course
Barooga, New South Wales
UP 4
Judge’s comments: “The redesign work on the Old Course have grown in and enhanced a round here. The new 18th, a short par-4 that offers a semi-blind tee shot, is memorable as is the driveable old 1st hole, which sits better within the re-routing as the 16th. Both holes create a wonderful climax to the round where anything can happen, depending on your level of aggression from the tee.” – Scott Matthews.
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