Every now and then it’s great to reconnect with your mates on a weekend getaway. Downing pint after pint while reminiscing about days gone by is great, but sometimes you want to do more than sit around drinking. Why not organise a few days at one of Australia’s best golf courses as part of your trip? That way you can still get on the drink while getting a little exercise doing your best Happy Gilmore impression.
Australia is home to some of the world’s most prestigious and picturesque courses where you and the boys can spend a weekend whacking balls on the driving range or playing a full 18 while escaping from reality. Here’s our pick for the best golf courses in Australia for your boy’s trip.
Sanctuary Lakes Club, Victoria
Budget: $
Difficulty: Medium
Accommodation: Yes
Located just 20 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD, Sanctuary Lakes is a phenomenal 18-hole course designed by the one and only Greg Norman. Golf Australia named it the best publicly accessible course in Melbourne, meaning even your mates that struggle to keep the ball on the green should fair ok.Â
Quest Sanctuary Lakes is located two minutes walk from the club and offers 40 apartments for you and your crew to kick on after a hard days golfing.
70 Greg Norman Drive, Sanctuary Lakes
Emerald Lakes Golf Club, Queensland
Budget: $$
Difficulty: Easy
Accommodation: No
The Gold Coast plays host to the most golf courses in Australia so there are plenty of options when it comes to a weekend getaway. Emerald Lakes Golf Club is high on the list of must-play golf courses in Australia thanks to its picturesque views and close proximity to Surfers Paradise.
Although not as long as many of the other courses on this list, Emerald Lakes still offers a great challenge and is the only par 36 golf course on the Gold Coast to offer golf under lights, meaning you can finish your round and head straight to the local for a night out.
Corner of Nerang Broadbeach Road and Alabaster Drive, Carrara
The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Victoria
Budget: $$$
Difficulty: Hard
Accommodation: No
Recognised as one of Australia’s premier golfing experiences, The Royal Melbourne Golf Club is not for the inexperienced. This is the oldest course in Australia and the first non-American course chosen to host the PGA President’s cup. There are two 18-hole courses to choose from, East and West, with both featuring superb greens and creative bunkers that help create two of the best golf courses this country has to offer. One that must be ticked off by the boys at some stage in their lives.
Barnbougle, Tasmania
Budget: $$$
Difficulty: Medium
Accommodation: Yes
Escape the mainland and head to Tassie to try your golfing prowess at one of Australia’s most spectacular golf courses. Reminiscent of the classic greens and fairways of Scotland and Ireland, Barnbougle Golf features two outstanding fairways for you and the boys to play.
Both courses offer views of the remarkable coastline and provide a variety of accommodation options so you can truly escape for the weekend. There are even treatment and wellness facilities if you’re looking for a really relaxing weekend away. You can also fly in by private jet from Essendon Airport if you’re in the splurging mood.
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St Michael’s Golf Course, New South Wales
Budget: $$
Difficulty: Medium
Accommodation: No
This pristine rolling links course is found right on the coast and provides breathtaking oceans views along with a challenging course. Just a short drive from Sydney and you’ll be hitting balls across long lush fairways and doing your best to avoid the many bunkers populating the course.
If you really want to make the most of your weekend there are plenty of well-priced hotels in the area, allowing you time for a round at The Coast Golf Club just down the road.
Royal Adelaide Golf Club, South Australia
Budget: $$$
Difficulty: Hard
Accommodation: No
The City of Churches might not be the most exciting place in Australia but you can’t knock their golf courses. The Royal Adelaide Golf Club is a challenging open links layout that prides itself on being one of the best courses in the country.
Although not the cheapest, few courses are as open as the Royal Adelaide, and with McLaren Vale less than an hour away, if the golfing proves unfulfilling you can sample some of the best wine the region has on offer.
