Australia’s Top 10 Golf Courses for 2025: All Square Rankings
All Square 4min read •
8 Feb 2025
Australia is home to some of the finest golf courses in the world, offering a mix of championship layouts, stunning coastal views, and challenging designs that test players of all skill levels. According to the All Square rankings, these ten courses stand out as the best the country has to offer.
1. Royal Melbourne Golf Club – West Course
Regarded as Australia’s premier golf course, the West Course at Royal Melbourne is a masterpiece designed by Alister MacKenzie. With its undulating fairways, fast greens, and strategically placed bunkers, it provides a challenge that has hosted multiple Presidents Cups and Australian Opens. The course’s impeccable conditioning and world-class design make it a must-play for serious golfers.
2. Kingston Heath Golf Club
Another jewel of the Melbourne Sandbelt, Kingston Heath is known for its intricate bunkering and firm, fast greens. Originally designed by Dan Soutar, with Alister MacKenzie’s bunkering expertise, it is a thinking golfer’s course that requires precise shot-making and course management to score well.
3. Barnbougle Golf Club – The Dunes
Tasmania’s Barnbougle Dunes has cemented itself as one of the top links-style courses outside of Scotland and Ireland. The rugged coastal scenery, rolling fairways, and strategically placed bunkers create a visually stunning and challenging experience. Designed by Tom Doak and Mike Clayton, it is a true test of links golf.
4. New South Wales Golf Club
Perched along the rugged cliffs of Sydney’s Botany Bay, New South Wales Golf Club delivers breathtaking ocean views and a course design reminiscent of the great Scottish links. Designed by Alister MacKenzie, it features challenging elevation changes, deep bunkers, and unpredictable coastal winds.
5. Barnbougle Golf Club – Lost Farm
Lost Farm, the second course at Barnbougle, is every bit as impressive as its neighbor. Designed by Bill Coore, it features 20 holes that wind through towering dunes, offering a diverse range of challenges and incredible panoramic views. The wide fairways and unique routing provide an unforgettable golf experience.
6. Ellerston Golf Club
A private and exclusive masterpiece, Ellerston was designed by Greg Norman for the late Kerry Packer. Nestled in the New South Wales hinterland, this ultra-private course boasts dramatic elevation changes, pristine fairways, and championship-level difficulty. Playing here is a rare privilege, but those who do consider it one of Australia’s greatest courses.
7. Victoria Golf Club
Another Sandbelt gem, Victoria Golf Club provides a world-class layout that has hosted numerous major events, including the Australian Open. Known for its subtle design complexities, strategic bunkering, and undulating greens, it is a true test of golf that rewards intelligent play.
8. Royal Adelaide Golf Club
Blending links-style golf with a parkland setting, Royal Adelaide is South Australia’s top-ranked course. Designed by H.L. Rymill and later refined by MacKenzie, it features sandy waste areas, rolling fairways, and some of the best greens in the country. The historic charm and unique layout make it a favorite among Australian golf enthusiasts.
9. The Metropolitan Golf Club
Metropolitan Golf Club is famous for its lush conditioning, lightning-fast greens, and impeccable bunkering. This Melbourne Sandbelt course provides a pure golfing experience with a challenging layout that has hosted numerous professional tournaments. Precision is key to scoring well on this classic design.
10. Lake Karrinyup Country Club
The premier golf course in Western Australia, Lake Karrinyup blends natural beauty with championship-caliber golf. Designed by Alex Russell, this course weaves through native bushland and around picturesque lakes, offering a serene yet challenging test for golfers. It has played host to multiple Australian Opens and remains a bucket-list destination.
These ten golf courses represent the pinnacle of Australian golf, combining breathtaking scenery, world-class design, and championship-level challenges. Whether you’re a local golfer or planning a trip to Australia, playing at any of these prestigious courses will be an unforgettable experience.
Cape Wickham a truely magnificent course. I would play it again before Barnbougke.