Four of Australia's best golf courses
With over 1500 courses in Australia, spots to tee off in our country are celebrated for their world-class design, spectacular surrounds and proximity to major cities or regional highlights. This means the greens on our golden soils are ranked amongst the best in the world. Here are four of the best in Australia, which also make it onto the list of the top 35 in the world.
1. Royal Melbourne G.C. (West)
Designed by renowned Scottish architecht Dr Alister in MacKenzie is 1926, the Royal Melbourne in Victoria is ranked the number 9 golf course in the world. Having played host to the Australian Open, the World Cup, Bicentennial Classic and The Presidents Cup, it’s rolling terrain and dramatic undulation a thought to be a “gift from the golfing gods”.
2. Barnbougle Dunes
Located on the pristine Bass Strait, this collaboration between American superstar designer, Tom Doak, and Australia pro-turned-architect, Michael Clayton was finished in 2004. With wide fairways and lively greens on the rolling dunes, this 18-hole course in Tasmania, which is still in its youth, is ranked 11 in the world. Many who have played here recall the seventh with affections – it is nicknames “Tom’s Little Devil”.
3. Kingston Heath G.C.
Designed by Australia pro Des Soutar in 1925, Kingston Heath in Melbourne is often considered an Alister MacKenzie design. But MacKenzie only made a brief visit in 1926 and made a few suggestions regarding the bunkering. Ranked 20 in the world, is famed for not only its superb conditioning all year around but also its bunkers that are long, sinewy, shaggy, gnarly, windswept and strategically placed.
4. New South Wales Golf Club
Positioned on the rugged cliffs at La Perouse in Sydney where it overlooks Botany Bay where Captain James Cook first sailed into Australia, this is considered a sacred site by golfers that was built by nature and shaped by the greatest hand of all – Dr Alister MacKenzie. The combination of undulating fairways, beautiful vistas and a spectacular clubhouse has seen in ranked 33 in thw world.