Sydney golf (with pictures)

[Ville Nurmi]

I´m going over to Australia for a business trip in a weeks time. I do have a few extra days. So where should I play after NSW GC? Royal Sydney will host a tournament so I guess not there.

And if somebody wants to play or have a few beers, IM me!

Best wishes,
Ville

[Chris Kane]

Sydney is a golfing wasteland after NSW.  Once you've played there, play Newcastle, a two-hour drive north.

[JESII]

You'll get plenty of good advice from the guys on here that know all of the others, but I would definitely suggest seeing NSW more than once if you're able...it's the only course I played in town, but I loved it.


Just saw Chris chime with a supportive nod to NSW.

[Mike_Clayton]

Ville,

NSW is the obvious choice - but the tournament is the Australian Open (11-14 Dec) and it is well worth spending a few hours there.

Chris,

Once The Lakes is finished it will be a significant improvement and a real addition to golf in Sydney. It is only a short drive up from Canberra - so we should book in a game now for August.

[PCCraig]

If planning a trip to AUS, obviously you should head to the Sand Belt, however is it worth a side trip to Sydney to see NSW? Or is it too far?

NSW looks amazing in photos, but if it really is such a wasteland in Sdyney after that, I'm not sure you would want to leave the Sandbelt?

[JESII]

Sydney is a really cool town in its own right, worth a visit regardless of the golf. Also, NSW is well worth the trip from Melbourne even if you don't go into the city.

[David_Elvins]

Other than NSW,  Barnbougle Dunes and Royal Melbourne West are the two places I would travel to play.

Royal Melbourne is an easy day trip, Barnbougle is an easy overnight trip. 

Both should be doable for less than AU$500 (inc airfaires, accom, airport transfers) and I would consider both.  Let me know if you need any detailed advice on either. 

[PCCraig]

Quick question for all;

Other than airfare from the States, is AUS affordable for a golf trip compared to a trip to Ireland/Scotland?

If so, why don't more Americans fly there for Golf?

[JESII]

Because of your qualifying statement...plus the full day each way to get there...

[Pete Lavallee]

Is St Michaels worth the effort to play; it looks interesting from their web site and certainly is very close to NSW so should play similarly. I was there 2 months ago and noticed a new course to the left of the highway travelling from the Airport to City Center. It had quite a few native sandy waste areas; I assumed it was growing in since I couldn't see any golfers or flags on the greens. It looked like it would be fun to play; any info on this course?

[Mike_Clayton]

Pete,

The 'new' course you saw has been there since 1928!
The freeway you were on cut through the course in the late 60s and Bruce Devlin and Robert Von Hagge built a 'new' course. The 2nd - 8th holes are left of the freeway and the rest are on the right (as you head into the city)
It opened in 1970 or 71 and has seen a deal of alteration since.
Last year we did a complete masterplan and are now more than half way through rebuilding every green and bunker as well as tweaking quite a few holes.
A big part of the plan was removing many trees from the front nine and returning the course to the character of the original 1928-1968 course.



The Australian Open is scheduled to be played at The Lakes in 2010.

[Jason Topp]

Quick question for all;

Other than airfare from the States, is AUS affordable for a golf trip compared to a trip to Ireland/Scotland?

If so, why don't more Americans fly there for Golf?

The costs were lower but not dramatically lower for me.  I assume travel time and exposure are the main reason many from the US do not consider it.

[Pete Lavallee]

Pete,

The 'new' course you saw has been there since 1928!
The freeway you were on cut through the course in the late 60s and Bruce Devlin and Robert Von Hagge built a 'new' course. The 2nd - 8th holes are left of the freeway and the rest are on the right (as you head into the city)
It opened in 1970 or 71 and has seen a deal of alteration since.
Last year we did a complete masterplan and are now more than half way through rebuilding every green and bunker as well as tweaking quite a few holes.
A big part of the plan was removing many trees from the front nine and returning the course to the character of the original 1928-1968 course.

Mike,

What's the name of the course and when does it plan on reopening?

[Mike_Clayton]

Peter,

The Lakes.

They are opening a couple of the new holes you saw on the left of the freeway next week.
The rest of the front nine should not be too far behind and the whole of the course will be in the second half of next year.

[D_Malley]

what about manly is the course any good? 

[David_Elvins]

what about manly is the course any good? 

THe northern suburbs of Sydney have quite a few nice clubs, however they do not offer much from an architectural prespective.  Manly is not rated in Australia's top 50 golf courses.

One interesting example of the architectural divide between Melbourne and Sydney is the number of golf course books in second hand book stores.  The average second hand book store in melbourne would have 10-20 books on golf courses for every one that you find in Sydney.

[Chris Kane]

what about manly is the course any good? 

I am yet to hear a good word about it.

[Kevin Pallier]

Ville

I work in the city and would be happy to catch up for a few beers ? I've sent you my details.

NSWGC is the ONLY MUST PLAY when in Sydney. I did a quick write-up when Ed Getka and David Kelly were out here last year if you do a search for it.

The Lakes (notwithstanding Mike Clayton's WIP), The Australian and Royal Sydney are certainly a class below NSWGC and are worth a game if you want to stay close to the CBD. It's then a drop-off again to the next class of golf courses.

If you dont mind jumping in a car - then the state's next best courses after NSWGC are Newcastle and Magenta Shores - both between 1-2 hours north of the city.

Hope this helps.

[Terry Thornton]

Ville,

I would also suggest you contact NSWGC sooner rather than later to organise your game. (assuming you're playing as an unaccompanied guest) As the 2009 Aus Open is to be played at NSWGC I'd imagine there will be numerous Golf Australia officials etc looking/playing over the course this year as well as the normal increased numbers of interstaters. The office number is 61 2 96614455 or email via their website www.nswgolfclub.com.au

[Matt_Sullivan]

Ville, you have received some good advice here. NSWGC is a standout. I would normally put the Lakes second (but a long way behind) even before Mike's work -- the back 9 is a lot of fun -- but half of it is closed at present for Mike's renovations. As has been mentioned, the Australian and Royal Sydney are decent courses but by no means world class

Newcastle is great, but 2 hour trek from Sydney. I'm not as high on Magenta Shores as Kevin and would not make a special trip for it

Manly is very uninspired as is pretty much everything on the North Shore. If you are looking for a cheap and cheerful game near the CBD then St Michael's is your best bet. Maybe A$50 during the week, some great views (it's next door to NSWGC) and some decent holes

[Mark Bourgeois]

what about manly is the course any good? 

One interesting example of the architectural divide between Melbourne and Sydney is the number of golf course books in second hand book stores.  The average second hand book store in melbourne would have 10-20 books on golf courses for every one that you find in Sydney.

David, that's a deceptive statement as everyone knows there aren't any bookstores in Sydney!

Ville, golf in Sydney doesn't have to be about the architecture. If you can't get on NSW, St Michaels in La Perouse is right next door and affords the same stunning views. Bondi is a nine holer situated on headlands adjacent to the lovely crescent beach.

If a man is tired of the Sydneyside Pacific, he is tired of the world. Regardless of the architecture!

Mark

[Ville Nurmi]

Thank you all for the information.
The season in Finland is ending so no golf at the moment. Luckily the trip and a little more in one and a half weeks.
So no watching Australian Open.

BR
Ville

[Andrew Summerell]

Ville,

I live in Sydney. Take Terry Thornton’s advice & contact New South Wales as soon as possible. He knows what he is talking about.

If you have the time & I can arrange my schedule, I would be more than happy to arrange a game with you at Newcastle GC. I’m a member there even though I live in Sydney.

[Andrew Summerell]

Is St Michaels worth the effort to play

If you only have limited time; no, St Michael's is not worth playing unless you are unable to get onto the others mentioned.

[Andrew Summerell]

what about manly is the course any good? 

It is extremely average. That is an understated Australian way of say awful. Not only does it not make Australia's Top 50 anymore, it would be well into the bottom half of Sydney's top 50.