This list, compiled by an expert panel of judges, is a celebration of the country’s finest golfing destinations, from coastal masterpieces to inland gems. Our Public Access Courses list intertwines with a rankings list of the best golf courses in the country no matter their member status.

For those who enjoy exploring public access layouts though, this list is a must-read. These are the courses at which you can tee off five and a half days a week.

100. DUNTRYLEAGUE
Orange, New South Wales
If you planned your trip here in autumn, you’d be that blown away by all the colours around you that 20 stableford points wouldn’t raise your blood pressure. A couple of greens are too “slopey”, but generally a fun, well-kept layout and the clubhouse WILL be in your phone’s camera, trust me. – Mark Hayes
 
99. BUNBURY GC
Bunbury, Western Australia
Laid out on good golfing land between the Collie River and the Leschenault Estuary, Bunbury rolls across a 180-acre bushland setting, with mature native trees lining every hole. Length is not the course’s primary defence, but the tight driving lines from most tees to the tree-lined fairways demand accuracy to score well.
 
98. TOOWOOMBA GC
Middle Ridge, Queensland
Established in 1896, Toowoomba Golf Club is one of Queensland’s oldest, so it’s not surprising its fairways roll between very mature gums and pines. The well-manicured kikuyu fairways and true-rolling Penncross bentgrass greens are of outstanding quality.
www.toowoombagolfclub.com.au
 
97. YARRA BEND GOLF
Melbourne, Victoria
Only 15 minutes from the centre of Melbourtne, Yarra Bend has plenty of trees and is relatively short. The nine I played is under 3000 metres and has three par-3s and one par-5. Work was underway on the 2nd. A great place for beginners. – Simon Tyndale-Biscoe
www.yarrabendgolf.com
 
96. PAMBULA MERIMBULA GC (RED/YELLOW COURSE)
Pambula, New South Wales
The challenging Pambula-Merimbula 27-hole layout offers a good mix of tight-driving holes, interesting dogleg fairways and huge true-rolling greens. Each nine has its own character, but all cover a gently rolling landscape, dominated by massive gum trees lining most holes.
www.pmgcgolf.com.au
 
95. BLACKWOOD GC
Cherry Gardens, South Australia
Opened for play on the current site in 1963, Blackwood has undergone many changes from Vern Morcom’s original work. Combined with the maturing over more than 50 years of hundreds of trees, Blackwood has evolved into a tight-driving layout, where a premium is placed on accuracy. The rolling landscape combines well with the heavily tree-lined fairways to provide a picturesque setting for an enjoyable and challenging round.
 
Teven Valley Golf Course. (PHOTO: Brendan James)
 
94. TEVEN VALLEY
Teven, New South Wales
This little nine-hole course, 25 minutes’ south-west of Byron Bay, could well be the model for the future of golf. The place just screams fun, from the welcoming and relaxed clubhouse staff, to the lack of dress codes, through to the design, which is simply perfect for the land it is located on. The stretch of holes between 4-8 could be the best use of a paddock for golf in the country: short grass everywhere, three driveable par-4s, a lovely running creek featuring on three of these holes, and green complexes which are intelligent and hide dangers of missing to the wrong locations. The first hole is a stern test and the final hole “Snakebite” would probably be ridiculous anywhere else but here; it just works. Do yourself a favour and add this to your itinerary. You won’t be disappointed. – Brendan Egan
 
93. BRIGHTON LAKES
Moorebank, New South Wales
In the best condition the course has ever been in almost 100 years of existence. Course architect Bob Harrison was commissioned to design seven new holes and redesign four others as part of the Brighton Lakes redevelopment. Today, it’s one of the best publicly accessible courses to be found in south-western Sydney.
www.brightonlakesrgc.com.au
 
92. CATALINA CLUB (HOLES 1-18)
Batemans Bay, New South Wales
Although its location is coastal near Batemans Bay, this 27-hole layout does not have ocean vistas, but is more of a parkland course. The course is thoughtfully bunkered, and back in the day played host to some of Australia’s finest golfers; Davis, Norman et al graced the well-manicured fairways in the South Coast Pro Am. It has maintained its quality. The newest nine is most rewarding visually and in terms of course design. Well worth a visit on any NSW South Coast golfing odyssey. – Michael Hodgett
 
If you are looking for an easy walk, then this is the course for you. Located just outside Batemans Bay, Catalina Club offers 27 holes of flat, open holes. The old course is just over 6000m in length, so not particularly long, but can challenge you with plenty of bunkers and slick greens. – Robert McLaughlin
www.catalinaclub.com.au
 
 
Horizons Golf Resort. (PHOTO: Brendan James)
 
91. HORIZONS GOLF RESORT
Salamander Bay, New South Wales
Graham Marsh and Ross Watson's design has stood the test of time. This is truly a great layout and always a joy to play. The course’s rejuvenation continues to evolve. – Jason Menzies
www.horizons.com.au
 
90. COBRAM-BAROOGA GC (OLD COURSE)
Barooga, New South Wales
The re-routing of the Old Course around the “Sporties” clubhouse in recent years has been a boon, particularly linking what are two unique and fascinating holes near the old “golf” clubhouse. The snaking par-5 15th up to the old hut, then the very short par-4 down and away from it at the 16th give a great chance to turn your fortunes around. – Mark Hayes 
www.cbgc.com.au