Top 5 Golf Courses - Melbourne

Australia's rich golfing heritage is globally recognised, and the state of Victoria is at the heart of it, boasting a myriad of world-class golf courses. With a landscape that varies from sandy coastal dunes to lush parklands, Victoria provides golfing enthusiasts with a diverse and challenging golfing experience. Here are the top five golf courses in the Victoria, Australia area that you must put on your bucket list.

1. Royal Melbourne Golf Club

Arguably the jewel in the crown of Victorian golf, Royal Melbourne Golf Club is Australia's oldest and arguably most prestigious golf club. Its West Course, in particular, is consistently ranked as one of the top golf courses globally, designed by the legendary golf course architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie. With its strategic design, flawless conditioning, and stunning beauty, the course offers a thrilling golfing experience. The East Course, although slightly overshadowed by its sibling, also presents an outstanding layout that would be the top course at many other clubs.

2. Peninsula Kingswood CGC

Peninsula Kingswood is the first of its kind in Australia - the merger of two established clubs, Peninsula and Kingswood, each a century old.

North Course

Whilst the intention was never to create two distinctly different designs the nature of the site suggested that the North would always feel a little different to the South.  The North, playing over sandier and more undulating ground, with perhaps the best examples of heathland vegetation of any course in Melbourne, was always intended to be a pure sandbelt experience. Firm and fast, with tilted greens, expansive bunkers, wide fairways and roughs featuring that distinctive combination of sand, native grasses and heathland vegetation that the region is known for.

South Course

Since the original Peninsula course was developed into a 36 hole facility in the late 1960’s, the South course was always regarded as the longer more difficult test.  Built over flatter ground than the North its open, more manicured look often had it labeled (incorrectly) as a parkland. The new design looks to capture its sandbelt origins.  Greens and bunkers were built in a style and scale which closer matched its more famous neighbours, reworked bunkering and green design putting more of a premium on positioning from the tee.  Vegetation was removed to open up views across the course and many thousands of plants and grasses added to complement bunkers and tee carries. Perhaps the most unique characteristic of the new design has been opening up of the original creek lines, which proliferated the site and now form a key part of the design on at least half a dozen holes.

3. Kingston Heath Golf Club

Another MacKenzie masterpiece, Kingston Heath Golf Club, is a worthy rival to Royal Melbourne for the title of Australia's best golf course. Located in the world-renowned sandbelt region south of Melbourne's city centre, Kingston Heath features fast, firm fairways and intricate bunkering that demands strategic play. The course's par 3s are particularly memorable, showcasing McKenzies’ design genius.

4. Victoria Golf Club

Also located in the Melbourne sandbelt, Victoria Golf Club is a classic example of golden-age golf architecture. The course is known for its challenging par 4s and excellent green complexes, surrounded by strategic bunkering. The course has hosted numerous national and international tournaments, a testament to its quality and challenge.

5. Metropolitan Golf Club

Metropolitan Golf Club, one of the best-conditioned golf courses in Australia, is another must-play course in Victoria's sandbelt region. Known for its pure couch grass fairways and Bentgrass greens, the course is maintained to the highest standards year-round. The course layout encourages creative shot-making and will test golfers of all skill levels.