Down Under Dreams
Welcome back to the “Golftal.com World Tour!” After our pilgrimage to the raw, ancient links of Scotland, it’s time to head south—way south—to Australia.
Now, I’ve got to tell you, if you’re a golf purist, Australia is a place you need to have on your bucket list. It’s a unique blend. It doesn’t have the 600-year history of Scotland, nor does it have the lush, “target golf” style of the USA.
Australian golf is defined by one magical word: the “Sandbelt.”
This is a small, sandy patch of land just outside of Melbourne that just so happens to be home to the highest concentration of world-class golf courses on Earth. The soil is perfect, allowing for firm, fast fairways and some of the most beautiful, artistic bunkering you will ever see.
But it’s not just the Sandbelt. In the last 20 years, a new mecca has emerged in Tasmania that rivals the best “buddies trip” destinations in the world.
I’ve been lucky enough to play my way through the Aussie classics. Here’s my guide to the courses that define this incredible golf country.
How I Chose These Courses (My Methodology)
My criteria for this list are simple. I’m not just looking at magazine rankings; I’m looking for the full experience.
- Architectural Genius: Australia is a showcase for Dr. Alister MacKenzie (the man who designed Augusta National), and his influence is everywhere.
- The “Feel”: Does this course play “fast and firm” as intended? Is it strategic?
- Championship Pedigree: Has it hosted the world’s best at the Presidents Cup or the Australian Open?
- The “Pilgrimage” Factor: Is this course worth the 20-hour flight? (Spoiler: yes).
Here are the icons of Australian golf.
The Golftal.com Guide to Popular Australia Golf Courses
| Course Name & Location | My Quick Take | Why It’s an Icon | My Personal Golftal.com Tip |
| Royal Melbourne (West) Melbourne, Victoria | The undisputed king. This is, in my opinion, one of the five best golf courses on Earth. It’s Alister MacKenzie’s finest work—a flawless masterpiece of strategy and beauty. | It’s the crown jewel of the Sandbelt. It’s most famous as the home of the Presidents Cup, where pros play the “Composite Course” (a mix of the West and East courses). The bunkering is not just a hazard; it’s a work of art. | My #1 Tip: This course is all about strategy. You must hit the correct side of the fairway to get an angle into the greens. And those greens… they are the fastest, purest surfaces I’ve ever putted. Stay below the hole at all costs. |
| Kingston Heath Melbourne, Victoria | My personal pick for the best, most dramatic bunkering in the world. It’s a strategic gem that proves you don’t need 8,000 yards to be a world-class test. | Another Sandbelt icon. MacKenzie consulted on the bunkering, and it shows. It’s a “golfer’s golf course” that is revered by pros and purists for its brilliant routing. | My trick: This course tests your long irons. You’ll be hitting 4, 5, and 6-irons into par-4s and the world-famous par-3 15th. Before you go, spend a full practice session with your long and mid-irons. You will thank me later. |
| New South Wales (NSW) GC Sydney, New South Wales | The “Pebble Beach of Australia.” This is a raw, stunning, and windswept coastal experience that will take your breath away. | It’s perched on the cliffs of La Perouse, overlooking Botany Bay. It’s another MacKenzie-influenced design. The stretch from 5-7 is its “Amen Corner,” culminating in the epic par-3 6th that plays over the ocean. | My tip: This is not a “calm day” course. Expect a minimum of a two-club wind. Do not get heroic. Take extra club, swing at 80%, and just focus on finding the green. The wind is the primary defense, and it is relentless. |
| Barnbougle Dunes Bridport, Tasmania | The “Bandon Dunes of the Southern Hemisphere.” This is not a golf course; it’s a giant, sandy adventure park. It’s one of the most fun rounds of golf you will ever play. | This Tom Doak design put Tasmania on the global map. It’s a walking-only, fescue-covered wonderland. The 4th hole, a short par-4 with a massive bunker, is pure genius. | My tip: Throw your scorecard away. This is “feel” golf. Use the “ground game.” A putter from 50 yards off the green is often the smart play. You’re here to have fun, so embrace the creative shots. Stay on-site in the cabins for the full experience. |
| Barnbougle Lost Farm Bridport, Tasmania | The “sister course” to the Dunes, and many (including me, on certain days) think it’s even better. A stunning Coore & Crenshaw design with 20 holes (yes, 20). | It’s more spacious than the Dunes, but just as strategic. The routing is wild, playing through and over massive coastal dunes. The par-4 5th, playing to a green tucked behind a dune, is an all-timer. | My #1 trick: Ask the starter to play all 20 holes! There’s an alternate par-3 (13A) and an alternate route on 18. Also, the restaurant at Lost Farm has one of the best views (and wine lists) in all of Australian golf. |
My Final Thoughts on Aussie Golf
If you’re a golf nut like me, a trip to the Melbourne Sandbelt is a non-negotiable pilgrimage. The firm, fast-running conditions and strategic bunkering will teach you a whole new way to play the game.
And the Barnbougle resort in Tasmania? It’s simply one of the greatest golf destinations on the planet.
Honorable mentions must go to the other Sandbelt gems like Metropolitan, Victoria Golf Club, and Royal Adelaide.
What’s on your Aussie bucket list? Did I miss a course you love? Let me know in the comments!
Next on the Golftal.com World Tour, we’re heading to a country of incredible beauty, discipline, and some of the most perfect greens in the world: Japan.
