Australians and golf go together like peas in a sun-kissed pod. It’s a hugely popular sport here Down Under, with well over a million of us partaking in a few rounds on the regular. Naturally, golf is great for your health and fitness, as it keeps you active, promotes strength (how else are you going to whack your balls several hundred yards) and even helps to keep your brain in check.
Indeed, the social nature of golf not only lends itself to helping you spark up new friendships (or rivalries, as the case may be) but in doing so, your mental health will benefit too. We can’t speak for the stress-induced if you miss that birdie putt on the 9th, though.
Luckily for those halfway up Australia’s east coast in Brisbane, the city is home to a huge number of golf courses. As it to be expected from the world of golf, some require you to have a membership before you even think about stepping foot on the fairway, while others are open to the public at all times, all you need to do is book yourself an allotted tee-off time.
And, with Brisbane being so close to the coast, several of the clubs we consider to be the best in town, offer up some incredible views, which you can savour even just by heading to clubs with a driving range bolted on to the side.
So, start limbering up your swinging arm as we take you through the very best golf courses to be found in Brisbane, and if you need some fresh balls, a new glove or some clubs, Brisbane’s best golf shops will hold you in good stead.
The Brisbane Golf Club
It only makes sense that we start with the most historic golf club in Brisbane. Founded in 1896 and claiming Lord Lamington as its first President, The Brisbane is now regarded as one of the very best in Australia.
The members-only club has had its a number of high-profile architects put their mark on the 18-holes, and is the only one in Australia to use Champion Utradwarf Bemurda grass.
Address: 70 Tennyson Memorial Avenue, Yeerongpilly, 4105
Phone: 07 3848 1008
Nudgee Golf Club
Currently undergoing a two-year re-developement but still keeping 27 of its 36 holes for members to play on, Nudgee Golf Club hosts an incredibly well-maintained course that welcomes both members and visitors alike.
It's proximity to the coast, Moreton Bay in particular, can introduce the inevitable coastal breezes that, while may help to keep you cool on a hot day, can also wreak havoc with ball flight. Your skills will certainly be tested, and with two 18-hole courses to play on, there's plenty of time to hone them.
Address: 1207 Nudgee Road, Nudgee, 4014
Phone: 07 3267 7744
Royal Queensland Golf Club
Celebrating 100 years in 2020, the Royal Queensland Golf Club prides itself as being the number one golf course in the entire state of Queensland. The original layout of the course was designed by Carnegie Clark, the reigning Australian Open Champion in 1920 but has since been remodelled, with construction work finishing in 2007.
It's regarded as one of the top 25 courses in Australia but to become a member you'll need to pay up just over $10,000 as an entrance fee (which you can pay over four years) and a subsequent annual payment of $4,000. But in return you'll obtain voting rights and full, unlimited access to the clubhouse and all of its facilities.
Victoria Park Golf Course
Victoria Park boasts an entire complex dedicated to golf, with not only a 110 acre, 18-hole course for your golfing pleasure, but a driving range and even a minigolf course too. But you're here for the adults game, and so you can expect an array of undulating greens that, because they're owned by the council, are open to everyone, no membership required.
A full round of 18 will set you back up to $40 depending on whether you play during the week or at the weekend, or you can head to Victoria Park on a Tuesday to take advantage of their fixed rate of $17.
Address: 309 Herston Road, Herston, 4006
Phone: 07 3252 0666
Bulimba Golf Course
Bulimba Golf Course is all about opening up the game of golf to everyone. It's open to all social players from early in the morning until dark, and if you arrive in groups of less than 8, you don't even need to book. You may want to head to Bulimba after 2pm though, as you'll only need to pay $10 to play as many holes as you can before the sun goes down, an ideal way to get some on-course action in, instead of heading to a driving range.
The course itself is only 9 holes, but you're able to play them all twice for the same price. If you fancy getting a little less serious with a round, you can opt in for a round of night golf, which sees you using glow in the dark balls.
Address: 105 Quay Street, Bulimba, 4171
Phone: 07 3399 6524
Indooroopilly Golf Club
Indooroopilly opened up its 124-acre course to golf fanatics back in 1926 and has since grown to offer members and visitors 36 holes of championship-quality golfing by way of six different course configurations.
The West Course configuration is ranked among Australia's 100 best, although any of the courses will certainly put your skills to the test.
The holes are set within acres of parkland that borders the Brisbane River, making for one of the most scenic rounds you'll play in the city. While membership is available (and the perks it brings) visitors are welcome six days a week.
Address: Meiers Road, Indooroopilly, 4068
Phone: 07 3721 2122
St Lucia Golf Links
St Lucia Golf Links sits on a site formerly occupied by the Indooroopilly Golf Club mentioned above. St Lucia came to be in 1985 following Indooroopilly's move to its new Long Pocket location, and took over the Hillstone building for its main clubhouse. Hillstone was built in the 1880s by Englishman William Dart, who needed a large home to house his family of 8 children. The house is still original as is the Mango Tree that you'll see when you pay a visit to the club.
St Lucia Golf Links is a public golf course that is favoured by a vast majority of Brisbane locals. There's no membership fee to pay and visitors can expect a course that is very user-friendly– although, don't expect an easy route the whole way round – and tranquil, due to many of the holes following the banks of the Brisbane River, which bring with them a delightful breeze.
Address: Carawa Street, St Lucia, 4067
Phone: 07 3870 3433
Pacific Golf Club
Pacific Golf Club offers visitors and members an 18-hole par 72 championship course and an adjoining 9-hole par 3 course, all nestled within stunning scenery. You won't want to let the beauty of the course distract you too much though, as the Bulimba Creek winds it way through much of the course, creating a water hazard for many of the holes.
Just 15 minutes from Brisbane CBD and only 10 minutes from the airport, Pacific Golf Club is ideally situated for golfers of all abilities.
McLeod Country Golf Club
Situated a short drive west of Brisbane CBD is McLeod Country Golf Club. This 18-hole course was founded in 1968 and quickly became a favourite among locals. The course serves up some unbelievable scenery as you make your way around, thanks to it being built within the Mount Ommaney Creek, but you'll first have to navigate 18 holes of undulating greens and fairways.
Membership is available for players who wish to return on several repeat visits, but occasional players are welcomed too, with a full 18-hole round costing up to $45.
Address: 61 Gertrude McLeod Crescent, Mount Ommaney, 4074
Phone: 07 3376 3666
Wynnum Golf Club
Tucked away in Brisbane's Bayside is Wynnum Golf Club, which can have its history traced back to 1921. This 31 hectare course offers 18-holes of championship quality, along with a federation style clubhouse that is one of finest in the area.
Both its own members and members of reciprocal clubs are welcome to play on the course for a small fee of as little as $25. A full list of reciprocal clubs from around Australia can be found on Wynnum's website.
Howeston Golf Course
Howeston was founded in 1972, originally as just a 9-hole course. But over a 50 year period, the same family owners have built it up into a fully-fledged 27-hole beauty. It has and (we assume) always will be a public golf course, welcoming anyone and everyone to enjoy a round across the three 9-hole courses.
Play works on a pay and play basis, no booking or membership required, with green fees costing up to $25 for weekend play, making it possibly the best value golf in Brisbane.
Address: 100A Creek Road, Birkdale, 4159
Phone: 07 3207 2452
