australia: Accommodations - Golf - Other Activities The origins of Australian Golf In Australia a century-old feud has raged between The Australian Golf Club in Sydney and Royal Melbourne Golf Club as to which is the oldest. The Australian was formed in 1882 but six years later lost its course until 1895. Royal Melbourne was founded in 1891 and technically may be the second oldest club in the land but certainly is the oldest continuous club. From the classic traditional courses of Melbourne’s famous Sandbelt to the coastal links of The Mornington Peninsula, Australia now boasts over 1,500 golf courses. A golf vacation to Australia is just as exciting and different as any trip down under!  Kingston Heath Golf Club Designed by: Dan Souter Par 72, 6303 yards Ranked number two in Australia and 21st in the world, Kingston Heath has hosted seven Australian Opens and numerous other championships. This is a very manicured course with undulating fairways and clever bunkering. [BACK TO TOP] Metropolitan Golf Club Designed by: J.B. Mackenzie, Dr. Alister Mackenzie, Dick Wilson and Michael Clayton Par 72, 6400 yards Featuring firm and fast bent grass greens, there are a total of 96 bunkers on the course and most holes are flanked by native Australian trees. (The Club also attracts many different species of native birds) This “sandbelt” course is recognized as one of the best in Australia. [BACK TO TOP] The Lakes Golf Club Designed by: Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge Par 73, 6711 yards Located 15 minutes outside of Sydney, the Lakes consists of many water hazards as well as marshes, trees and bunkers. This course is considered a classic mix of old fashioned and modern design. [BACK TO TOP] New South Wales Golf Course Designed by: Dr. Alister Mackenzie Par 72, 6323 yards Ranked in the top 50 in the world, New South Wales is built on a sand-duned peninsula overlooking Botany Bay. Featuring spectacular views, the course layout is bounded by water on both sides with undulating fairways and small greens. Wind is also a significant factor. [BACK TO TOP] Coolum Resort & Golf Course Designed by: Robert Trent Jones Par 72, 6263 yards Home of the Australian PGA, Coolum consists of neat fairways, well positioned bunkers and fast greens, all bordered by national bushland, rainforests and a private beach. [BACk TO TOP] The Glades Designed by: Greg Norman Par 72, 7020 yards Built among wetlands and a natural wildlife sanctuary, this undulating course features classic bunkers (98 of them) and challenging water holes. [BACk TO TOP] Mirage Country Club Designed by: Thomas Wolveridge Par 72, 7033 yards Set in a tropical rainforest with views of the Coral Sea from some holes, Mirage features large greens and fairways and dense, unforgiving rough. [BACK TO TOP] Royal Melbourne – West Designed by: Alister MacKenzie Par 72, 6594 yards Royal Melbourne – East Designed by: Alex Russell Par 71, 6560 yards The gem of Australia is Royal Melbourne, rated as the country’s top course. Royal Melbourne is home to two world-class golf courses - the Dr. Alister MacKenzie masterpiece, the West Course, and the excellent East Course designed by MacKenzie's partner Alex Russell. The tournament hybrid, or Composite course, is made up of 12 holes from the West and 6 from the East and is consistently ranked among the world's top ten golf courses (par 72, 6935 yards). [BACK TO TOP]