Golf Courses

SYDNEY HAS PLAYED an important role in building and maintaining Australia’s rich golfing pedigree. The city has hosted the Australian Open—the nation’s most prestigious tournament—in all but one year since 2005. Such an honour could only be bestowed upon a city that boasts a range of premier courses, and Sydney definitely levels up.

Sydney’s scenic coastline plays in its golf courses’ favour, with a number of iconic clubs situated only a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean. Elsewhere, other courses offer uninterrupted views of the city’s skyline and are located mere minutes from the CBD. It’s credentials like these that have made Sydney one of the most popular golfing destinations in the world, among genuine pros and hobby golfers alike.

If you’re lucky enough to be teeing off in Sydney, you’re spoiled for choice in regards to potential locations. These courses all offer an unforgettable experience, for players of all skill levels. Here are Sydney’s best golf courses.


The best public golf courses in Sydney

Wakehurst Golf Club

Upper Clontarf Street, Seaforth

Wakehurst Golf Club, located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches in the sleepy hamlet of Seaforth, is a picturesque, challenging course boasting an offering that is unique in Sydney—and that’s being surrounded by native bushland. While Sydney courses make great use of their natural surroundings, most of them are located too close to residential areas to be immersed in bushland as dense as this. Wakehurst’s serene setting is bolstered by views of Manly dam and the leafy precincts of the Northern Beaches.


Moore Park Golf

Cleveland Street, Moore Park

As far as easily accessible and conveniently located public golf courses go, few can hold a candle to Moore Park Golf. Located just minutes from the CBD, Moore Park is practically an urban oasis on the border of the iconic Centennial Parklands. For those hoping to squeeze in a round during a workday, (we won’t tell the boss), let it be known that Moore Park is only a short public transport ride from the city. What’s more, with wide fairways and a forgiving layout, Moore Park is suitable for all skill levels.


Bankstown Golf Club

70 Ashford Avenue, Milperra NSW

A hidden gem in Sydney’s south-west, Bankstown Golf Club possesses immaculate grounds, a group one graded layout and a challenge for even the most experienced golfers. It’s also worth noting that, with a par of 71, Bankstown has a record score of just 69. Surely that’s ripe for the taking?


Eastlake Golf Club

67 Gardeners Road, Daceyville

Located in the Eastern Sydney suburb of Kingsford, Eastlake Golf Club offers a picturesque urban golfing experience. With its convenient location only a short light rail trip from the city centre, the course provides stunning views of the Sydney skyline while maintaining the signature tranquil atmosphere that any respectable course prides itself on. Eastlake also has a reputation as one of Sydney’s more progressive clubs, with equal on-course rights for men and women.


Fox Hills Golf Club

55 Fox Hills Crescent, Prospect

Just ten minutes from the Parramatta CBD, the links-style course at Fox Hills Golf Club is the best in the entire Hills district—and if you’re familiar with the area’s many clubs, you’ll know that’s a big claim. Undulating terrain, tree-lined fairways and stunning views of the surrounding nature are all highlights of the Fox Hills setting. As for the course itself, four different tee-positions ensure the challenge is up to the standard of even the most experienced golfers.


Mona Vale Golf Club

3 Golf Avenue, Mona Vale

If you like to cool off at the beach after a round of golf, have we got news for you. The Mona Vale Golf Club is literally metres from the shore. Part of the course challenges golfers with woods, hills and a traditional parkland layout, while for the later holes, the ocean breeze provides another obstacle. Mona Vale is also one of the cheapest courses to play on this list, with rounds for less than $50.


St. Michael’s Golf Club

Jennifer Street, Little Bay

The first of three courses situated on the Little Bay/La Perouse peninsula to appear on this list, the St. Michael’s links is a formidable challenge, one that is made harder by the erratic nature of the nearby ocean breeze, but it’s all worth it for those unbeatable views. The designers of the St. Michael’s course wanted to craft a championship quality links without disturbing the natural beauty of its surroundings. They’ve done exactly that, and more.


Northbridge Golf Club

296C Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge

Northbridge Golf Club winds through a heritage listed park, with towering red gums watching your every swing—and shank. Northbridge overlooks Middle Harbour, which isn’t quite Sydney Harbour, but it does mean the club can lay claim to being one of the few courses in Sydney with harbour views. Par threes are aplenty at Northbridge, meaning the emphasis is on precision rather than power. Tough luck for the Happy Gilmore among your friend group.


The Coast Golf Club

1 Coast Hospital Road, Little Bay

Our second entry from the Little Bay/La Perouse peninsula is The Coast Golf Club. Aptly named, The Coast hugs its namesake, with the Pacific Ocean being more than just a backdrop, but an obstacle on a few holes. If the strong sea-breeze wasn’t enough of a challenge, having to play incisive shots over the top of crashing waves surely will be. Keep an eye out for the 15th hole, where you’ll need to manoeuvre over the open ocean to continue play. Our advice? Bring some spare balls.


Bondi Golf & Diggers Club

5 Military Road, North Bondi

If you like to walk, the Bondi Golf & Diggers Club could be for you. The course is only nine holes and most of them are par threes, so a buggy won’t be necessary (if it is, you may need to reevaluate your exercise routine). While a nine-hole course may be seen as suboptimal among golfing purists, who could resist the opportunity to play around amongst those views?


The best private golf courses in Sydney

The Lakes Golf Club

Corner of Vernon Avenue and King Street, Eastlakes

If you manage to play at The Lakes, you are either a PGA pro, a member paying exorbitant fees, or someone who should consider buying a lottery ticket because their streak of luck is peerless. The Lakes is one of the world’s most exclusive clubs—having hosted the Australian Open on eight occasions—and only a select few ever get the pleasure of traversing its storied, undulating fairways, which require a calculating approach to conquer.


The Australian Golf Club

53 Bannerman Crescent, Rosebery

The Aus has played host to an uncountable number of prestigious national and international tournaments, most notably hosting the Australian Open a record 22 times, including in 2023. Located in Kensington, The Australian Golf Club utilises a traditional layout that has made it an ideal venue for competition. With tree-lined fairways and fast greens, The Aus’ conditioning is unrivalled, and it provides a challenging experience for members and pros, but rarely anyone else, due to its exclusivity.


Royal Sydney Golf Club

Kent Road, Rose Bay

Situated in Rose Bay, Royal Sydney Golf Club is a hallowed establishment known for its immaculately manicured fairways and challenging greens. A 15-time host of the Australian Open, the Royal has views of Sydney Harbour and a rich history dating back to 1893, it’s a must-play for any avid golfer. The exclusive club’s course has been in a state of almost constant flux since its foundation, with numerous revamps over the years maintaining an undeniably modern challenge—the latest of which is currently underway and will improve the course’s biodiversity and environmental friendliness.


New South Wales Golf Club

101 Henry Head Lane, La Perouse

We’ve saved the best for last. The golfing gods could hardly have selected a better spot for a course than on the coastal clifftops of Sydney’s Southeastern suburbs. Perched on the cliffs of La Perouse, the New South Wales Golf Club offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and a championship course designed by the legendary Dr. Alister MacKenzie. The New South Wales Golf Club came in at number six in Golf Digest’s most recent annual rankings of Australia’s best course, higher than any other course in the state. If you ever get the chance to play here, don’t pass it up, and watch out for all the bunkers.


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