Seemingly endless fields of green. Crisp air blowing through. Yards and yards of mental and physical challenges. Bobby Jones once said that “Golf is the closest game to the game we call life.” Perhaps this is why so many of us get addicted to the sport. Every shot is an opportunity to get a good break, although it doesn’t always turn out that way. No matter what happens and wherever your ball lies, you have to just keep playing and aiming for the green. The next day you have to go back to the very first tee, play the game and try to aim for that birdie (or albatross if you’re really ambitious) all over again.
Golf: whether you’re in it for the health, heart, and strengthening, for the relaxing and socialising, or even for the competitiveness of the sport, it definitely has its way of getting you hooked and coming back for more. The next time you have a sudden urge to play nine or eighteen holes, grab a few good mates (and maybe an 8-seater van rental to fit all the clubs), and head out to one of these local public access golf courses:
St. Andrews Beach Golf Course
Image by www.standrewsbeachgolf.com.au
St Andrews Beach Golf Course is a premier pay-to-play links course by the world renowned architect Tom Doak. It’s incredible landscape stretches over the stunning Mornington Peninsula with a picturesque layout. While the gorgeous layout, in itself, is already worth the game; the best part of it all is that the course stays in the same pristine condition all year ’round. Ask anyone who has ever been there, at any point of the year and they’d tell you the same thing.
Bring on your Golf IQ as the teasing par 4s and par 5s can be imposing for the average player, even on the best of days. The fairways are generous but if you miss them or land in one of the cavernous bunkers, you’ll find yourself hitting bogey after bogey on the next few holes.
Address: 209 Sandy Rd, Fingal, Victoria 3941
Phone: 03 5988 6000
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.standrewbeachgolf.com.au
Par: 70
Length: 6627 yards
Green Fees: $89 on peak days and weekends
$74 midweek and off peak
$59 for up to four players with a Guide during midweek/off peak
Newcastle Golf Club
Image by www.iseekgolf.com
If you’re looking for a more natural course that still brings a challenge then the semi-private Newcastle Golf Club might just be what you’re looking for. Around 20 minutes from the city centre (from Nelson Bay Road to Port Stephens), this inland link can compete with the best, with its fabulous layout in a natural carved out eucalyptus forest setting.
More than its aesthetics, Newcastle Golf club has springy and soft undulating fairways cutting through trees and bushes. Believe me when I say that you’ll be needing more accuracy than distance. Try getting passed the tight par 4 with an elevated and heavily bunkered green. The back nine won’t be any kinder to you either. You’ll have to go through two long par 3s and several long par 4s which would require a little more Golf intelligence.
Address: Vardon Road, Fern Bay 2295
Phone: 02 4928 1365
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.newcastlegolf.com.au
Par: 72
Length: 6627 yards
Green Fees: $88 visitors
$77 with Guide
$55 district club visitor
*Group discounts available
Golf can be affordable. Yes, you read that right. All it takes is knowing the right public access golf courses to go to, and you’ll be saving loads on membership fees. Want to save even more? Keep your vehicle safe and sound while you’re going from fore to score for as low as $7 per day with a secure airport parking from Alpha.
