For our Course Review this month, we head to Murrumbidgee Country Club, where mountain views and crisp, high-country air deliver a rugged, uniquely Australian take on bush golf. It’s golf in the elements, written with the kind of detail only Matt Cleary can bring.

From there, we cross the Pacific to Fiji for Brett Geeves’ exploration of Natadola Bay. With dramatic ocean vistas, rugged fairways and a design made for romance, the course offers challenge, beauty and the kind of golfing experience you won’t forget in a hurry.

If your travels take you further afield, Nevada’s desert landscapes provide a different thrill. Cleary trades NRL jerseys and Las Vegas’ glitter for big hits and bold curves at courses like Wolf Creek and Cascata, proving the Badlands can be just as captivating as any tropical fairway.

Golf’s great rivalries also take centre stage. Callum Hill previews the Black Course showdown at Bethpage, where Team USA and Europe will clash on one of the world’s most notorious layouts. Meanwhile, Getty’s archival photography brings to life the Ryder Cup through the decades, from Nicklaus’ timeless gesture of sportsmanship to the Miracle at Medinah and beyond.

The season’s major championships receive their own moment in the spotlight, with James Smith reflecting on Rory McIlroy’s long-awaited career Grand Slam, Grace Kim’s breakthrough at the Evian, and Scottie Scheffler’s continuing domination in 2025.

Garrett Johnston then shifts the focus from players to their often-unsung partners, exploring the true value of a caddie – part strategist, part motivator, and part trusted ally when pressure peaks.

Callum Hill uncovers the golfing treasures of New Zealand’s Coromandel, where Whangamata, Tairua and Pauanui offer stunning beaches, native bush and coastal courses which rival anything across the Tasman.

And from the football pitch to the fairways, Jimmy Emanuel charts Gareth Bale’s reinvention – a superstar of Tottenham, Real Madrid and Wales who now channels his passion into golf, building his own dream holes and embracing the game in new ways.

Personality also shines through in our regular “19 Holes With … ” feature. This month, Matt Cleary sits down with Clint Rice, who swapped Launceston’s quiet life for reality TV fame on Married At First Sight. Between fleeting celebrity, unexpected perks and commercial intrigue, his story is as unorthodox as it is entertaining.

To round things out, we have fashion tips for the warmer months, ensuring you’ll look the part as the fairways heat up along with the weather.

Wherever your golf takes you this spring – be it high country, coastal cliffs or desert sands – the October 2025 issue of Golf Australia is packed with stories to inspire, entertain and keep you swinging.