4. Joondalup CC (Quarry/Dunes course)

The former No.1 resort course in the country narrowly missed grabbing third spot here. The Quarry/Dunes layout at Joondalup is one of the country’s most dramatic inland layouts, with most of its holes being routed around or over an abandoned limestone quarry.

The course offers the ‘wow’ factor in spades from its creative design to the outstanding conditioning of its playing surfaces.

Joondalup CC (Quarry/Dunes course)

Western Australia

Robert Trent Jones (1992)

6,523 metres, par-72

Quarry/Dunes course

GREEN FEE: $135 (Mon-Thurs); $145 (Fri-Sun).

CONTACT: (08) 9400 8812;

www.joondalupresort.com.au

5. St Andrews

When Golf Australia last published its Public Access courses ranking in January 2009, St Andrews Beach was not even considered because it was then a private course. Having since closed and then re-opened under new owners and management, St Andrews Beach has been reincarnated as one of the country’s best public access courses. Designed by Tom Doak, the undulating nature of the land that St Andrews Beach covers provides a unique golfing experience with generous fairways and spectacular green complexes. Since reopening in October 2009, the condition of the layout has gone from strength-to-strength. “It’s never looked better,” was a common call from our panel of judges.

St Andrews Beach, Victoria

Tom Doak (2005)

6,420 metres, par-72

GREEN FEE: $59; $79 (peak holiday times). $89 all day pass.

CONTACT: (03) 5988 6000;

www.standrewsbeachgolf.com.au