Considered to be one of the most challenging (and frustrating!) sports in the world, golf requires excellent concentration, precision and a steady hand. All courses are set amongst quality accommodation options, book your stay at ChoiceHotels.com. Whether you’re a pro or just a fledgling trying to find their wings, Australia has some great golf courses for you to craft and sharpen your skills. Practice makes perfect, right?
1. Barnbougle Dunes, Tasmania
Running along the seaside shore off the Tasmanian waters, about an hour’s drive north east of Launceston, the Barnbougle Dunes were created by golf enthusiasts Tom Doak and Michael Clayton. These two believed that the best golf courses needed to feature tricky twists, humps and folds that were not only challenging, but also memorable. This course is also famous for the range of flora and fauna that populate it, including wallabies who call the tall grass their home.
2. The National Golf Club, Moonah, Victoria
With three different courses to choose from, the National is one of the most diverse courses in the country. Situated against the sandy plains of the Mornington Peninsula, it’s easy to see why this place is regarded as one of the best. With an open-front green, you’re going to need to be a master of the low run-and-bump shots to survive this course!
3. New South Wales Golf Club, New South Wales
We’ve been told this is one of the toughest golf courses of all time – even the world elites have a hard time making par. Designed by Alister MacKenzie, NSWGC was modelled after his famous cliff-top ocean course ‘Cypress Point’ in America. The par three 2nd is perhaps the most challenging sector of this course due to the harsh winds. Depending on which direction the gales blow, you’ll need to change your game plan accordingly.
4. Cape Wickham, Tasmania
A short trip from either Victoria or Tasmania, this elusive course is hidden away in the Bass Strait on King Island. With 18 holes that take you across shores and past the Cape Wickham Lighthouse, the 10th is the favourite here. Not only is it downhill, but it offers a picturesque view of the coastline.
5. Glades Golf Club, Robina, Queensland
Located just south of the Gold Coast in Robina, Glades Golf Club is filled with loads of bunkers and ponds. The signature hole is the 5th, a 170m par three that requires the tee shot to land across a large body of water, all the while maintaining accuracy with bunkers on either side. It’s a tough one, but very rewarding if you nail it!
Discover More: The 2023 sporting guide to Australia
