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.
20. LINKS HOPE ISLAND
Hope Island, Queensland
UP 2
Judge’s comments: “Hope Island celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2023 and has rarely looked better in its past three decades. The ‘new’ short, semi-island par-3 9th hole has added to the quality of Hope Island’s collection of one-shotters, despite being a little out of place on a ‘links’ course.” – Brendan James.
“Any golfer heading to the Gold Coast must include Hope Island in their itinerary. It’s challenging and fun golf on five-star fairways and greens. What more could you want?” – Gavin Hill.
19. THE CUT
Dawesville, Western Australia
DOWN 2
Judge’s comments: “The Cut is home to the best back nine in Western Australia. These holes through dramatic oceanside dunes are stunning and a joy to play.” – Ken Robinson.
“When you walk up onto the 12th tee here, with the expanse of the Indian Ocean off to your right and a semi-blind drive facing you in front, you can feel your pulse race.” – Christian Harris.
18. BOUGLE RUN
Bridport, Tasmania
NOT RANKED
Judge’s comments: “Barnbougle’s third course – a 14-hole layout with 12 par-3s and two par-4s – makes its debut in this ranking. Some might think it a controversial inclusion, but I’ll be willing to wager they haven’t played the course, which offers one fun shot after another.” – Brendan James.
“Take a bow Bill Coore. Bougle Run is brilliant.” – Susan Johnson.
“Overwhelming proof exists that a course doesn’t have to be 18 holes, a par-72 and more than 6,000 metres to be considered challenging and enjoyable … to be considered a course good enough to be ranked. Bougle Run is that proof.” – Joe Thomas.
17. ST. MICHAEL’S GC
Little Bay, New South Wales
UP 6
Judge’s comments: “The joint host of this month’s Australian Amateur Championship has just completed the last of a long list of recent design changes – with the remodelling of the par-3 5th and par-5 7th – that have all improved the already unforgettable St. Micks.” – Joe Thomas.
“St. Michael’s is the best public access course in Sydney by a mile. There are few more demanding courses anywhere when the wind blows, which is a big part of the fun of playing here.” – Brendan James.
16. MOONAH LINKS – Open Course
Fingal, Victoria
UP 4
Judge’s comments: “Designed by Peter Thomson to be a tough test for competitors in the Australian Open, the Open Course meets that brief. But from the forward tees it is thankfully a softer challenge … at least when the wind isn’t blowing. Its presentation can never be questioned.” – Bernard Watson.
“The Open Course is beautifully expansive from tee-to-green with plenty of scattered bunkering adding caution to your progress.” – Jan Richardson.
15. NAROOMA GC
Narooma, New South Wales
UP 3
Judge’s comments: “This NSW South Coast course has been entrenched in the top half of this ranking for more than a decade but with more judges sampling its delights in recent times it has edged up to its highest position thus far. And it’s not surprising. Narooma’s oceanside location is home to a host of memorable holes, but it is the quality of its inland holes that also impress.” – Brendan James.
“One round at Narooma is all that is required to fall in love with this place.” – Nikki Scott.
14. MOONAH LINKS – Legends Course
Fingal, Victoria
UP 2
Judge’s comments: “The Legends Course is the perfect foil for the neighbouring Open Course, which was created to be tough and uncompromising. Legends, designed by Ross Perrett, on the other hand is more playable for golfers of all standards. Laid out on incredibly good golfing land, Legends’ holes weave across the landscape like they were always meant to be there.” – Hamish Walker.
13. HAMILTON ISLAND GC
Dent Island, Queensland
UP 2
Judge’s comments: “What a stunner. It provides one drama charged tee shot after another with challenging approach shots in between. This is exciting golf in the middle of the Whitsundays.” – Craig Smart.
“The Hamilton Island course is an engineering feat unmatched by any course ever built in this country. It does have its design flaws – like the landform-forced distance between some greens and the next tee – but the holes themselves are exciting, while the views compensate for any poor shot-making on the day.” – Lucas Andrews.
www.hamiltonislandgolfclub.com.au
12. PORTSEA GC
Portsea, Victoria
UP 7
Judge’s comments: “Elevation changes across the layout put a premium on quality shot-making on its superb collection of short par-4s and challenging par-3s. What it lacks in length it makes up for with strategic challenges throughout.” – James Walsh.
“Portsea has succeeded in reaching its highest-ever mark in this Top-100 Public Access Courses ranking. It is worthy acclaim for a course that is consistently well-presented and boasts a diverse collection of natural holes.” – Brendan James.
11. JOONDALUP RESORT – Quarry/Dune Course
Connolly, Western Australia
UP 2
Judge’s comments: “Presented with this site Robert Trent Jones Jnr went into creative overdrive with the Quarry/Dune Course and the result is the most dramatic inland layout in the country.” – Stephen Jackson.
“With most of the holes routed around an abandoned limestone quarry, there is ‘wow’ factor at every turn but the string of holes from the Quarry 2nd to the 5th, and then the Dune 3rd, 4th and 5th, are another step above.” – Matthew Greig.
10. BROOKWATER G&CC
Brookwater, Queensland
UP 2
Judge’s comments: “Brookwater used to feel quite claustrophobic at times during the round but a tree removal program (and some development along its edges) in key areas of the course has made the layout more playable for more players.” – Gavin Hill.
“Greg Norman and Bob Harrison’s heralded Brookwater has cracked the top-10 of this ranking for the first time, which is testament to the quality of the renovation work of the greens and bunkers a few years ago.” – Brendan James.
9. PORT FAIRY GL
Port Fairy, Victoria
UP 5
Judge’s comments: “The course widely recognised as offering the best value golf in Australia ($59, Sunday to Friday) just became even better value, surging into the top-10 of this rank for the first time. Minor changes across the layout (and there will be more
to come) just keep improving this links.” – Brendan James.
“Mike Clayton’s design advice to Port Fairy over the years has never missed the mark. Every change they’ve made, from clearing vegetation to remodelling bunkers, has worked.” – Hamish Walker.
“Golf across unspoiled dunes, ocean views and fun holes. Mic drop!” – Julie Stokes.
8. LONSDALE LINKS
Port Lonsdale, Victoria
NOT RANKED
Judge’s comments: “What a brilliant addition to the Australian golfing landscape. Wonderful!” – Paul Wilson.
“Lonsdale Links makes its debut in the Top-100 Public Access Courses ranking having already gained a reputation as one of Australia’s most fun courses.” – Brendan James.
“The outstanding highlight at Lonsdale Links is the design of the greens, which are large and contain plenty of contours, tiers and some subtle slopes. Some of the greens might even be considered quirky, but, on the whole, they are just fun to hit into and putt on.” – Nathan Burgess.
7. THE DUNES GL
Rye, Victoria
UP 1
Judge’s comments: “The Dunes has been in play now for 25 years and is looking great and playing even better. The firm rolling terrain continues to excite and impress from the opening tee shot.” – John Blackwell.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s blowing a gale or completely still, any round at The Dunes is a load of fun. With an incredibly diverse range of holes – from thought-provoking short par-4s to long, brutal par-5s and intense par-3s – The Dunes should be on your bucket list.” – Joe Thomas.
6. THIRTEENTH BEACH GL – Beach Course
Barwon Heads, Victoria
UP 1
Judge’s comments: “This is Tony Cashmore’s finest design work in an acclaimed career. The holes rolling within the dunes nearest to the beach are incredible and worth the affordable green fee alone.” – James Walsh.
“This modern take on links golf is an absolute wonder. I like how Cashmore incorporated some different green shapes, including punchbowls, and sizes into his terrific layout.” – Anthony Smith.
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