Sydney’s top golf courses & driving ranges

Golf courses near the city 

The Royal Sydney Golf Club enjoys an enviable position in Rose Bay, overlooking Sydney Harbour. This is a private members’ club, although visitors are welcomed onto the 18-hole championship course at certain times of the week. In addition to the fairways, there’s a nine-hole Centenary golf course, two practice areas, an indoor golf studio, 18 tennis courts, two bowling greens, croquet lawns, squash courts, a fitness centre and a clubhouse. Phew!  

It’s hard to believe that just 15 minutes from Sydney’s CBD lies Moore Park Golf, a vast expanse of green within the Centennial Parklands precinct. The 18-hole championship course is open to the public, and also comes with a driving range and a ‘19th-hole’ bistro where you can refresh after an invigorating round. Golf pros are always on hand for lessons. 

Further south, the NSW Golf Club in La Perouse sprawls over rugged cliffs overlooking Botany Bay. This stunning par-72 links-style course is private, although there are opportunities for non-member guests to play during the week. Designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, the championship course is a wonderful combination of undulating fairways, scenic vistas and challenging greens – small wonder it is regularly voted one of the top-10 courses in Australia. Needless to say, there’s also a stellar clubhouse.   

Next fairways south belong to Randwick Golf Course, hugging Buchan Point. The tagline here is, ‘With views like this, good luck keeping your eyes on the golf ball’ – indeed, the 18-hole links-style course has mesmerising views over Long Bay and the Pacific. The course and its restaurant are open to the public.  

Just to the south again is the Coast Golf Course, a par-70 oceanfront links course that surrounds Little Bay – there are ocean views from every hole. Public play is permitted on the course outside of member's competition times. 

A few minutes away is the St Michael’s Golf Club, a unique links-style course in Little Bay. The 18-hole championship course hugs the coast, guaranteeing glimmering Pacific Ocean Views. You can become a member or tee off as a guest, and make the most of additional facilities including a driving range and clubhouse for refreshments.    

There are many more to try. Eastlake Golf Club is set among the picturesque Botany Wetlands, near Sydney Airport, with 18 holes that are open to the public. It neighbours the Australian Golf Club, a private members club that guests can play on by invitation; the Lakes Golf Club, offering an 18-hole championship course that is open to members and their guests; and the Bonnie Doon Golf Club, one of the oldest courses in Australia.  

Beachside golf courses 

Bondi Beach is not the only famous landmark in Bondi. The Bondi Golf & Diggers Club’s challenging nine-hole course has breathtaking views of the world-famous stretch of sand and the sparkling blue sea. You may even spot migrating humpback whales breaching between May and November. Members and the public are welcome to tee off and also pop into the clubhouse for a meal or beverage.  

Head north over the Harbour Bridge to Northbridge Golf Club, an 18-hole course carved from the rugged sandstone escarpment overlooking Sydney’s Middle Harbour. It’s fair to say there are a few scenic distractions. The course welcomes both the public and members. Golfing great Peter Thomson described Long Reef Golf Club on the Northern Beaches as 'the best site of any golf course in Sydney'. Tee off on this 18-hole course – with unsurpassed views all the way to the Central Coast in the north and Manly to the south – and you’ll see why. Members and the public are welcome.   

Nearby, the nine-hole Palm Beach Golf Course sits between Pittwater and Palm Beach, with views all the way to Lion Island. The outlook is just as spectacular from Mona Vale Golf Club, its 18 holes as challenging as they are scenic. Both welcome members and the general public.  

Golf courses in greater Sydney 

The Riverside Oaks Golf Resort by the Hawkesbury River is an 18 hole, par 72 championship course, set across 240 hectares of unspoilt natural bushland. It’s open to the public and members, and there are extensive facilities including a clubhouse and accommodation, should you wish to linger.  

Further south, in the pretty rural hinterland near Camden, you’ll find Camden Golf Club, an 18 hole, par 71 for men, par 73 for women course – the public are welcome at certain times of the week. Your backdrop here is the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains.  

Bankstown Golf Club in the southwest is an 18-hole championship course, open to the public and members. Golfing legend Greg Norman designed Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course that sits amid the rolling hills of Eastern Creek in Sydney’s western hills. The public and members are welcome to tee off.   

Driving ranges 

When it’s time to hone your skills, head to one of Sydney’s many dedicated driving ranges. Moore Park Golf has a 60-bay, all-weather driving range. Nearby, Cullen’s Driving Range at St Michael’s Golf Club in Little Bay is just 20 minutes from the CBD and has views of the eastern seaboard. Tempe Golf Driving Range & Academy, near the airport, has 20 shaded bays and floodlights, so you can practice your swing in the evening. 

Further afield, Thornleigh Golf Centre has a 50-bay driving range, with 20 automated tees. There are also two 18-hole putt putt courses for a bit of fun. While Swing Factory – Golf Paradise in Terrey Hills is currently closed for an extensive makeover, when it reopens mid-2024 it will be shinier than ever. Its two-level, sheltered complex can accommodate 58 players, and there’s also mini-golf available.  

The Georges River Driving Range has a full length driving range for 10 and with automated ball machines; you can also make the most of the putting green and adjoining golf course. And Pittwater Golf Centre has 40 wide bays plus three teaching bays and 36 holes of mini-golf facilities. 

Aqua Golf in Penrith is a driving range with a difference, allowing you to hit balls over the water with various targets and prizes your goal. The facility is all weather, and you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Blue Mountains.   

Indoor golfing experiences 

Whether there’s sunshine or rain, you can build your skills at Howe2Golf. This facility boasts-state-of-the-art golfing simulators, and you can also book lessons with the facility’s golf pros. Elevate your game at GolfSpace, where there are eight TrackMan driving range bays, 12 simulator bays and a putt putt green.  

Slip away from the office to enjoy a round at Golf in the City, which boasts five simulators in the heart of the CBD. While further afield, Big Swing Golf Stanmore comes with high-tech simulators that allow you to play golf, as well as nine other sports including soccer, basketball and dodgeball. Meanwhile, Holey Moley in Newtown is a quirky indoor mini golf experience, replete with a bar so you can make a night of it.