Our Top-100 Courses intertwines with our other biennial rankings list, that of the best public access courses in the country. Many of those layouts appear high up in this list, underscoring how lucky Australian golfers are with the wealth of accessible, affordable, world-class tracks.

This year’s list was put together from the assessments of a newly-assembled judging panel, comprising some of Australia’s most well-travelled golfers. Judges for 2026 include: Claire Cook, Michael Green, Ashley Clinch, Paddy White, Rob Evans, David Garnier, Shane Gurnett, Mick Houston, Alex Johnston, Matt Laverty, Matt Cleary, Peter Martin, Carl Murphy, Kevin Nolan, Brett Papworth, Josh Petterwood, Clint Rice, Peter Robertson, Craig Sebbens, Clint Steindl, Scott Tyne, Simon Tyndale-Biscoe and Rob Williams.

A number of Australia’s top courses have seen significant change since our 2024 rankings. In Victoria, Commonwealth Golf Club has undergone extensive transformation under Tom Doak and Brian Slawnik of Renaissance Golf Design. Holes have been redesigned, green complexes and surrounds reshaped, and the entire irrigation system replaced, signalling one of the most substantial overhauls in the country. Nearby, Huntingdale Golf Club has also undergone major renovations.

In Western Australia, Mt Lawley Golf Club officially unveiled its refurbished layout. Links Kennedy Bay is also back in Top-100 standings after extensive renovations, continuing its evolution as one of WA’s most intriguing coastal courses. Cottesloe Golf Club, too, is on the up.

Tasmania’s long-awaited Seven Mile Beach finally opened 18 holes and it’s safe to say our judging panel was wowed. And you surely will be, too. Ricky Robinson's spectacular photos do it justice.

Seven Mile Beach. PHOTO: Ricky Robinson

In Queensland, Pelican Waters reopened following redevelopment while Indooroopilly added a new dimension with the opening of the new City nine.

In New South Wales, NSW Golf Club firmed again among the country’s greatest routes. Royal Sydney completed its full renovation and sat out the judging process, simply because the work was too recent to allow for proper evaluation.

As for Ellerston, we were again unable to put judges on-site, but we’ll certainly try again in the 2028 iteration.

In our February issue, we’ll share “The Next 30”, a list of excellent public access courses which didn’t quite make the Top 100, but are still well and truly worth playing.

100

CASTLE HILL CC

Castle Hill, NSW

Designers: Eric Apperly (1951); Jack Newton, Graeme Grant, John Spencer (1992–2006); Bob Harrison (2019).

The putting surfaces around Castle Hill are amazing. - Matt Laverty

Well-manicured with a reasonably challenging layout. - Craig Sebbens

99

MORNINGTON GC

Mornington, Victoria

Designers: Vern Morcom, Sloan Morpeth & Gus Jackson (1950); Jack Watson (1967); Ben Davey & Darius Oliver (ongoing).

Mornington is squeezing every drop of potential from its spectacular location. - Kevin Nolan

98

THE BRISBANE GC

Yeerongpilly, Queensland

Designers: Carnegie Clark (1904); Dr Alister MacKenzie (1926 advisory); Ross Watson (2007–2020).

Brisbane Golf Club sits on a surprisingly vast, undulating property whose playing surfaces have been dramatically improved with the removal of many trees. The first hole now offers a much less claustrophobic beginning to the round. The “extra” three holes provide players with varied layouts to add value to their memberships. - Kevin Nolan

97

ROYAL FREMANTLE GC

Fremantle, Western Australia

Designers: Arthur Oliphant & Peter Anderson (1906); Michael Coate (2004); Richard Chamberlain (ongoing).

As befitting golf “royalty”, “Freo” is beautifully conditioned, with tree-lined fairways feeding up to subtle greens protected by fine bunkering. It’s a test in the eponymous wind named “The Doctor,” and where Min Woo and Minjee Lee honed their skills. - Matt Cleary

96

BELMONT GC

Belmont, NSW

Designers: Prosper Ellis (1952); Jack Newton (2000s); James Wilcher (2018).

What a pleasant surprise this links style course was to play. The holes approaching and along the coast line are where the course really comes alive with more ground movement. – Carl Murphy

Belmont eases you in to the round with a fun, low-lying opening stretch, but truly shines on the back nine. Holes 14–16 overlooking the ocean wouldn’t look out of place on any great links course. – Michael Green

95

THE FEDERAL GC

Red Hill, ACT

Designers: Prosper Ellis (1955); Neil Crafter & Paul Mogford (ongoing).

Played here in winter, and the course was very wet but still enjoyable, with a variety of hole shapes and lengths. - Clint Rice

The undulation and mixture of holes (four par 3s, 10 par 4s, four  par 5s) keep you engaged, with the surrounding bush mostly set back out of the lines of play but visually appealing as one makes one’s way around the course. - Simon Tyndale-Biscoe

PLUS...

Feature story: Forged at Federal

In the 1980s, a quiet revolution brewed at Federal Golf Club in Canberra. A ragtag bunch of kids, long socks and all, became touring pros, coaches, mentors and caddies. This is part one of the story of the club that launched a legion.

94

MONASH CC

Ingleside, NSW

Designers: James Herd Scott (1951); Bob Harrison (2014–2016); James Wilcher (2017 & ongoing).

Possibly the fastest greens I’ve ever played on, which makes Monash a real test. In good condition, the Kikuyu fairways can be brilliant to play off, but it sometimes suffers in the wet. - Brett Papworth

93

THE HERITAGE G&CC – HENLEY COURSE

Chirnside Park, Victoria

Designer: Tony Cashmore (2006).

With several holes where water is a factor (it runs by the Yarra River), the Henley Course doesn’t need length to challenge the golfer. A lovely, serene place to play. - Matt Cleary

92

INDOOROOPILLY GC – THE WEST COURSE – RED/GOLD

Indooroopilly, Queensland

Designer: Ross Watson (1985 & 2008); Ross Perrett & Karrie Webb (2019–ongoing).

With fairways that stretch across lush, immaculate turf, it’s set on mostly level ground with gentle undulations. Well-placed bunkers and artful water hazards offer a sporting test and visual appeal. - Matt Cleary

91

SUN CITY CC

Yanchep, Western Australia

Designers: Murray Dawson & Bob Green (1974); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead – OCCM (2016).

A long time between visits, it was good to see how this course has developed. Since the initial renovations by OCCM, the course has bed in well. I can’t wait to see if further developments are made with the course, as there is quite a lot of potential. - Carl Murphy

90

MURRAY DOWNS G&CC

Murray Downs, NSW

Designers: Ted & Geoff Parslow (1988 & 2009).

A must-play on any Murray trip. - Matt Cleary

The 6th green at St Michaels (with a cameo by the 5th green The Coast). PHOTO: Brendan James / Snaphook Media

89

JOONDALUP RESORT – QUARRY/LAKE COURSE

Joondalup, Western Australia

Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jnr (1985).

Got to be one of Australia’s best public-access courses. - Josh Petterwood

Wow, some spectacular holes here. - Rob Evans

88

KILLARA GC

Killara, NSW

Designers: Club members (1906); Commander John Harris (1961–1965); Prosper Ellis (1965); Harley Kruse (2020).

Killara’s routing is quirky in places, but it works. Deceptively hilly in areas, the course asks you to use every club in the bag. - Kevin Nolan

The renovations of this course have made a huge improvement, not just for play but also presentation. Varying undulation is encountered throughout. The corridors feel open on most holes, allowing the true hazards to come into play. - Carl Murphy

87

NAROOMA GC

Narooma, NSW

Designer: John Spencer (1980).

Front six holes offer superb views, with possibly two of the best holes in NSW in No. 2 and No. 3. The 7th is a disaster, and the remaining holes differ in character. Would be a great course if better conditioned. - Rob Evans

An awesome course playing two separate styles: open, ocean views before bush. Two completely different nines. - Mick Houston

Improving. Front nine not nearly as challenging as the back. Hogan’s Hole, hitting over the ocean, is a highlight. - Craig Sebbens

86

WARRNAMBOOL GC

Warrnambool, Victoria

Designers: George Lowe Jnr. (1928); Perrett Webb (ongoing).

The ‘Bool’ has some terrific holes built into dunes, but unfortunately they are flanked by some uninteresting holes. The back-to-back par 3s at 8 & 9 were a bit of a letdown after an interesting front 9. It would have been great to see the club split the spend on the clubhouse with the course, which is screaming out to achieve its true potential. - Kevin Nolan

85

STONECUTTERS RIDGE GC

Colebee, NSW

Designers: Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2012).

A great layout and track in western Sydney. A lot of Shark in the bunkdering. - Rob Evans

PLUS...

Review: Pymble Golf Club

Of all the questions that are asked of a golf course one that is rarely heard is “does it give the members what they want?”

84

RIVERSDALE GC

Mt Waverley, Victoria

Designers: Alex Russell (1930); Neil Crafter & Paul Mogford – Golf Strategies (2007 & ongoing).

The host of Australia’s second oldest 72-hole amateur championship, The Riversdale Cup, Riversdale is a well-conditioned mix of fun mounding, pot bunkers and colourful trees. - Matt Cleary

83

PYMBLE GC

St. Ives, NSW

Designers: Carnegie Clark & Dan Soutar (1928); Eric Apperly (1953); Ross Watson (2006); James Wilcher (ongoing).

Recently remodelled a number of holes/greens, which has modernised and improved the course. Pymble is always turned out superbly, and after a lovely, friendly opening par 5, it gets properly testing. Tree-lined and sometimes pretty tight, it is a tough walk, but the clubhouse overlooking the course cures the pain! Definitely suits those who play with a little ’left to right’ flight. Much harder for the drawer. - Brett Papworth