Sydney is home to a number of golf driving ranges, some unsurprisingly better than others. But what should you be looking out for when deciding where to go and hit some balls on an evening after work?
Firstly, you want to make sure your driving range of choice has plenty of bays so as to avoid any chance of not getting a spot at the time you want to go.
Within that, you’ll want to make sure the bays are wide enough to allow you to practice your full swing (you might not be as good as you think) and if you’re a lefty, make sure the range has bays to accommodate you as well.
Double-decker bays are never a bad thing – although no floodlights for late-night practice is most definitely a bad thing – and if the tees are automatically loaded for you, then bonus. Other factors to take into account include the golf club selection on offer if you don’t have your own to take with you (and if you don’t, Sydney has some great golf shops to pick some up) and some driving ranges may have targets on the outfield to help test your direction.
So, looking for the best driving range near you? We’ve looked over all the golf driving ranges in Sydney to come up with a definitive list of the ones you should be swinging from.
Topics in this Sydney driving ranges story…
Moore Park Driving Range
Corner Anzac Parade & Cleveland Street, Moore Park, 2021
Nestled in the heart of Sydney City between Surry Hills & the Eastern Suburbs you’ll find Moore Park golf driving range. Home to 60 bays that are up and running no matter the weather, Moore Park’s driving range has a few other features that will help you improve your technique.
These include FIFA grade turf to mimic that of golf courses, so balls will bounce in a similar fashion, and simulated water and sand hazards will help you learn to keep the ball on the green. Bays are in action from 6am – 10.30pm, but you will need to hire golf clubs if you don’t have your own.
Barton Park Driving Range
210 West Botany Street, Arncliffe, 2205
Barton Park’s golf driving range is situated a short drive from Sydney Airport. Once you arrive, you’ll be treated to 30 covered bays so you can hit some balls come rain or shine. Two grass hitting tees let you practice your putting and balls used are the same white golf balls you’d expect to find on a regular course.
Barton Park also prides itself on the lessons it offers beginners and amateurs alike and is open early from 7.30 am – 5.30pm everyday (currently closed on Mondays for extra cleaning).
Cullen’s Driving Range
2 Jennifer Street, Little Bay, 2036
Cullen’s driving range can be found within the St. Michael’s Golf Club in Little Bay (one of Sydney’s best golf courses no less), which, being a coastal club, offers sublime panoramic views out to the ocean.
If you’re not quite as handy with a club as you’d like to think, Cullen’s has PGA professionals coaches on stand by to help improve your swing, and you can even book private lessons should you wish.
George’s River Golf Driving Range
255 Henry Lawson Drive, Georges Hall, 2198
Situated within George’s River Golf Course, this full-length golf driving range offers up 10 fully-covered bays for you to smash some balls and better still, golf balls are automatically loaded onto the tee, so no more bending over!
If it’s your putting game you need to work on, then George’s River also offers a grass practice area. Ken Trimble, the club’s PGA professional can also help you perfect your swing even further, in case it’s a little rusty.
Liverpool Golf Driving Range
Hollywood Drive, Lansvale, 2166
Head west out of the CBD towards Liverpool to the suburb’s golf course and you’ll be greeted with a 240-metre driving range – also nestled alongside George’s River – that is perfect for hitting a few golf balls with your best golf driver. Once you’ve released a build-up of energy, you can head to either the putting or chipping greens to hone your other golfing skills.
Golf In The City
8 Spring Street, Sydney, 2000
If you fancy thwacking a few golf balls during the day but you have to do that little thing called work, then Golf In The City offers the perfect compromise. As the name suggests, it’s placed perfectly in the city for workers wanting to hit a few during their lunch hour or as soon as the clock hits 5pm.
It’s not a conventional driving range, but rather a simulation of real-world courses that has you hitting balls at a projection screen. The technology on offer is able to analyse your drives, with the intention of helping you improve each time.
Pittwater Golf Centre Driving Range
1500 Pittwater Road, Warriewood, 2102
It’s not just those south of the bridge that get to have all the ball-hitting fun, as Pittwater Golf Centre’s driving range has 40 wide, floodlit bays, meaning there’s a greater chance of you being able to make a booking. If you’re still finding your swing, there are three dedicated training bays away from the main action.
Distance markers make it easy to compete against your mates and targets turn your session into a proper competition. Pittwater also offers driving range ball packages (up to 5000 balls) that can be used across a 12-month period, along with discounts in both the Proshop and Avalon and Long Reef golf courses.
Sharks Golf Driving Range
1647 The Horsley Drive, Horsley Park, 2175
Sharks Golf is a dedicated driving range facility west of Sydney CBD in Horsley Park. It remains running no matter the weather and has bays split over three levels to add some variation to your game.
Sharks Golf is happy for you to take your own golf clubs if you have them, or you can choose to rent the ones on offer. It may be a short drive out of the city, but the facilities are rated as some of the best in the entire state of NSW, so will be well worth it.
Golf Paradise Driving Range
1A – 1B Myoora Rd, Terrey Hills, NSW 2084
If you live in North Sydney and fancy sending some golf balls flying, take a trip to Golf Paradise. Paradise is probably the right word for this venue, as it’s situated in the middle of sprawling green forests in Terrey Hills.
The driving range itself is split over two levels with enough space for 58 players, and all bays are sheltered so you can continue playing even if the heavens open. Toptracer technology is installed in a few of the bays on the upper level, so if you really want to prove to your mates you’re better than them, make sure you try and book one of these.