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.
5. OCEAN DUNES
King Island, Tasmania
UP 1
Judge’s comments: “What a course. The opening four holes of Graeme Grant’s design are absolutely world class. In fact, the par-3 4th – playing from one rocky shoreline outcrop over the swelling sea to a wide green on another rock shelf – is one of this country’s most spectacular one-shot holes.” – Lucas Andrews.
“This is such a dramatic course. From the stunners that hug the shoreline (how good is the long par-3 10th hole?) to the rolling inland holes, Ocean Dunes offers an unforgettable golfing experience.” – Christian Harris.
“So much is made about Ocean Dunes’ stunning holes, and for good reason. But I was really impressed with the fescue fairways, which are brilliant to hit off.” – Daniel O’Keefe.
4. ST ANDREWS BEACH
Fingal, Victoria
NO CHANGE
Judge’s comments: “World renowned course designer Tom Doak created this marvellous layout on land he later described is being ‘perfect for golf’. I couldn’t agree more.” – Paul Wilson.
“St Andrews Beach has an incredibly diverse offering of holes that test every facet of your game. Imaginative bunkering lines the journey into equally creative greenscapes that are usually just a continuation of the rolling fairway in front. Standing over a ball 15-foot off a green, with 25 feet to the flag, offers the chance to play four or five different shots with a range of clubs.” – Brendan James.
3. BARNBOUGLE LOST FARM
Bridport, Tasmania
NO CHANGE
Judge’s comments: “Of the top-three courses in this ranking, I suspect Lost Farm is the layout where most golfers, from scratch players to high handicappers, have the most fun. There are so many ways to play each hole, which is a tribute to the creative genius of designer Bill Coore.” – Lucas Andrews.
“Lost Farm is one of those courses you need to play a few times to gain a greater appreciation for its nuances and learning the best spots from which to approach the pin positions of the day. I’m still learning after nearly 20 years of trips to Barnbougle, but my appreciation for this wonder course will never wane.” – Brendan James.
2. BARNBOUGLE DUNES
Bridport, Tasmania
NO CHANGE
Judge’s comments: “The pioneer for what some are calling the second Golden Age of course design in Australia. Tom Doak and Mike Clayton’s amazing creation put Tasmania on the global golfing stage and inspired others to develop world class, affordable golf.” – Alex Georgiou.
“One visit to Barnbougle, and a round on both courses, makes it difficult not to sit back and compare the neighbouring layouts. Dunes is arguably a more testing layout compared with Lost Farm and, in my opinion, has more holes – like the 3rd, 4th, 7th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 17th – that could easily be considered among the world’s best.” – Alistair Cameron.
1. CAPE WICKHAM LINKS
King Island, Tasmania
NO CHANGE
Judge’s comments: “From the moment you walk on Cape Wickham’s 1st tee, you are seduced by the visually spectacular view down the opening fairway and back across the beachside 18th hole. Even when the weather isn’t at its best, you can’t help but be awestruck … then, four hours on, you realise this course doesn’t let up on being stunning for another 17 holes.” – Nikki Scott.
“I reckon you could play this course 100 times and you might hit the same shot with the same club on the same hole once. You could never get bored playing this wonderful addition to the list of the world’s best golf courses.” – Terry Anderson.
“I played Cape Wickham for the first time only recently, having only read reviews and drooled over course images online. Neither did this wonderful course justice. There were so many times when I walked onto the tee and had to soak in the view, and had to try and work out the best way to play the hole, all the while trying to stop my cap from flying off in the wind. What an experience!” – Anthony Smith.
THE JUDGING PANEL
Each of the judges, drawn from the large pool of Golf Australia magazine readers/subscribers, was given specific guidelines about how to rank courses based on a set criteria (see below). Judges were to only rank courses they had seen since December 2020.
Brendan James, Joe Thomas, Hamish Walker, Felicity Chapman, Susan Johnson, Lucas Andrews, Joseph Baker, Nikki Scott, Daniel O’Keefe, Matthew Greig, Jodie Ewart, Graham Brady, Jack Donaldson, Gavin Hill, Paul Wilson, Toby Greenwood, Scott Matthews, Terry Anderson, Alex Georgiou, Craig Smart, Nathan Burgess, John Blackwell, Phil Nicholls, Bernard Watson, Charles Thomas, Richard O’Reilly, James Walsh, Steven Jeffrey, Julian Allen, Sam Brooking, Joseph Kent, Deborah Hill, Christian Harris, Stephen Jackson, Brett Oldham, Ken Robinson, Greg Rogers, Tristan Holmes, Edward Lee, Peter Anton, Jan Richardson, Debbie Walker, Julie Stokes, Anthony Smith, Alistair Cameron.
TOP-100 RANKING CRITERIA
DESIGN (50%)
When ranking a course, judges were advised to ask the following questions to themselves to determine where a course stands in their list.
• Is there a good balance of par-3s, 4s and 5s? Is there good variety?
• Is risk-and-reward a factor on many holes?
• How fair is the course for all players?
• Does the design offer a wide selection of shots bringing any variation of wind direction into play?
• Does the course set-up (mowing lines, rough) complement the design?
• How memorable are individual holes and the course as a whole?
CONDITION (40%)
Things to consider include:
• The overall condition of playing surfaces. Take into consideration elements out of control of course staff like drought, bushfire and flood.
• Are the fairways cut to be well-defined from semi-rough and rough?
• Have the bunkers been well-presented. Is the sand consistent?
VISUAL APPEAL (10%)
In relation to public access courses, visual appeal is an important factor in not only attracting golfers but also getting those same golfers to play the course again and again. Visual appeal makes up the remaining 10 percent. Things to consider include:
• How aesthetically pleasing is the course to look at?
• Are there many holes that have the ‘wow’ factor?
• Does the course bIend well with its surrounds?
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