Perfect to a tee.

WORDS ELJAY WHITE

We make the rounds of some of Australia’s most gorgeous golf courses and yes, they’re open to the public

Golf, for some, is a lot of walking, interspersed with moments of disappointment and bad maths. Mark Twain quipped that golf was a good walk spoiled.
It has also been said that the first law of golf is: no matter how bad your last shot was, the worst is yet to come.
The origin of golf is open to debate. Some say it’s Chinese, some say Dutch, but it’s more often agreed that the Scottish hold the honour of starting the game in the 1100s.
What is known as fact is there are nearly 32,000 golf courses worldwide, and the game,no matter how frustrating it may be, is hugely popular. The staid, conservative conventions, typical of golf in years gone by, have been phased out (well, almost) and the modern game welcomes everyone.
Australia boasts some of the finest courses on the planet, many in awe-inspiring surroundings. While many are members-only, just as many are open to the public and playable all year round.
We checked out some of Australia’s best public courses where you can drive, chip and putt your way to a great day on the grass.

The youthful Barnbougle continues to gain a reputation as one of the world’s top golf courses.

BARNBOUGLE DUNES, TASMANIA
This course in Tasmania boasts several very impressive awards: Australia’s best public access course, seventh best public course in the world and 35th best course in the world.
An unspoilt and wild coastline makes the location for this brilliant course close to perfect. Designed by golf architects Tom Doak and Michael Clayton, the youthful Barnbougle continues to gain a reputation as one of the world’s top golf courses.

Noteworthy feature: Hole 4 has one of the largest bunkers in the Southern Hemisphere.
Green fees: 18 holes: AU$98; 9 holes: AU$60; all day: AU$120.

THE VINTAGE, NEW SOUTH WALES

Get a taste of the Great White Shark’s game by playing the only Greg Norman-designed golf course in New South Wales accessible to the public. This 18-hole golf course has been ranked among the best golf courses in Australia, and measures 6,310m with a par of 71.

The Vintage has now secured the rights to the NSW Open Golf Championship until 2012. Play a round here and you might bump into celebrities John Newcombe, Steve Waugh, Andrew Johns and Allan Border
Noteworthy feature:

The 8th is the signature hole and one of the world’s great par 3s. Water right and bunkers left make this one of the most demanding holes in the country.

Noteworthy feature:The 8th is the signature hole and one of the world’s great par 3s. Water right and bunkers left make this one of the most demanding holes in the country.
Green fees:Mon–Thu, 18 holes: AU$85;Fri–Sun and public holidays, 18 holes: AU$110.

Eight great golf courses around the region:

Nirwana Bali Golf Club
Bali, Indonesia

Mines Resort & Golf Club
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa
Phuket, Thailand

Thai Country Club
Chachoengsao, Bangkok, Thailand

Shinyo (New Sun) Country Club
Nagoya, Japan

Ocean Dunes Golf Club
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ko’olau Golf Club
Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

Clearwater Golf Club
Christchurch, New Zealand

BROOKWATER GOLF CLUB, QUEENSLAND


It’s easy to look good in Oakley’s
cool threadsBrookwater Golf Club is a spectacular 18-hole, par 72, championship golf course with signature bunkering and superb use of natural waterways.

This too is designed by Aussie champ Greg Norman (with Bob Harrison), and holds the honour of being voted the No. 1 golf course in Queensland and Best Australian Clubhouse in 2006.

Check out the award-winning clubhouse and Armstrongs at Brookwater restaurant, all with breathtaking views of the golf course.

Noteworthy feature: The 4th is a 551m par 5 – a very dramatic and challenging hole.
Green fees: Mon–Thu AU$110; Fri–Sun AU$130.

Sporte Leisure’s
range is sharp and smart

THE DUNES GOLF LINKS, VICTORIA

The Dunes has been rated best public access golf course in Victoria for the last nine years running and is currently No. 4 in Australia. Designed by Tony Cashmore, with 27 holes available to play, a 280m driving range, large chipping green, practice bunker and putting green, The Dunes has a lot to offer.
Set amid more than 150 hectares of rolling coastal sand hills in “The Cups” region of the Mornington Peninsula, The Dunes’ 18-hole championship course has been designed to exploit the natural beauty of the terrain, while providing a true test of skill and judgment for golfers of every level.

Noteworthy feature: Tom Watson described the 17th at The Dunes as “an exquisite golf hole”.
Green fees: 18 holes: AU$65.


Etiquette:

Golf is well known for its rules, regulations and etiquette – on the course and in the clubhouse. It’s said that in Japan, whoever hits a hole-in-one must throw a lavish celebration for everyone. In Thailand, many golfers take three caddies: one for the clubs, one to carry the umbrella, and one to carry a stool and give a massage while waiting. Whether you’re playing for fun or to seal a deal, here are the basics of golf etiquette:
• Don’t be late for your tee time.
• Don’t move, talk, rustle, jerk, sneeze or cough when your fellow players are hitting a shot.
• Keep out of sight from your fellow golfers when they’re playing a shot.
• Walk briskly between shots and park your clubs closest to the exit point from the green.
• Let players through if you’re holding them up.
• Don’t stand behind or in front of a player who’s putting. Always stand to the side.
• Repair pitch marks and divots.
• Rake the bunker.
• Play in order. The lowest score tees off first on the following hole, and the person farthest from the pin plays each shot thereafter.
• Mark the card immediately after finishing the hole and check with your partner if you’re uncertain of their score. Don’t wait to mark your card when it’s your turn to play.
• Don’t swear or curse (or do so under your breath so as not to disturb other players).
• Don’t litter the course.
• Wear appropriate clothing and respect the club rules.

THE GOLF CLUB KENNEDY BAY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Vijay Singh swings in Pinhigh’s
new colour palette

Set beside the sea amid undulating sand dunes and natural bushland, The Golf Club Kennedy Bay was voted best golf course in the state. It boasts a magnificent northerly vista over Warnbro Sound and an expanse of the Indian Ocean.
Kennedy Bay is designed by golf champion Ian Baker-Finch and with its exposed coastal location, pot-style bunkers and heath vegetation, represents an irresistible challenge to even the most seasoned golfer.

Noteworthy feature: The 16th hole: ‘Wee Tap’ is a par 3, 138m beauty, voted No. 1 golf hole in Western Australia, No. 7 in Australia.
Green fees: 9 holes: AU$35; 18 holes AU$60.

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FIND IT:

Barnbougle Dunes, Tasmania
425 Waterhouse Rd, Bridport, Tasmania, tel: +61 (3) 6356 0094

The Dunes Golf Links
Browns Rd, Rye, Victoria, tel: +61 (3) 5985 1334

The Vintage
Vintage Drive, Rothbury,
New South Wales, tel: +61 (2) 4998 6789

Brookwater Golf Club
1 Tournament Drv,

Brookwater, Queensland, tel: +61 (7) 3814 5500
The Golf Club Kennedy Bay

Port Kennedy Drv,
Port Kennedy, Western Australia, tel: +61 (8) 9524 5333