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10. Palm Meadows, Carrara
Palm Meadows Dr, Carrara
5594 2450
palmmeadows.com.au
Palm Meadows was the very first resort golf course built on the Gold Coast, which club manager Mark Bath said gives it plenty of history.
“We’ve been operating for about 30 years, so there’s plenty of history here, that’s for sure,” he said.
“It’s just a great layout, there are fantastic greens, over 80 bunkers and water on 14 holes.
“It’s challenging but it’s also a fun course — great for all ability levels.”
Mark said the club prides itself on offering a great product at affordable rates to both members and the general public.
9. Burleigh Golf Club
114 Albion Ave, Miami
5572 8266
burleighgolfclub.com.au
Burleigh Golf Club was built in the 1950s by its own members, including Joan Rackley who played in the club’s very first competition back in 1955 and continues to play there now — over 60 years later. The 18 hole, 71 par course is set among bountiful foliage, naturally landscaped greens and looks after the environment by using a recycled water supply.
8. Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club
The Parkway, Hope Island
5699 9000
Boasting two full golf courses, Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club is well-known for its spaciousness, accommodation of its players and luxury. The first of the courses is The Pines, Australia’s only course designed by late golfing legend Arnold Palmer, which reflects his ideology that golf is “deceptively simple and endlessly complicated.” The second is their Palms course, which underwent an $8.8 million revamp in 2011, raising its profile to one of the best courses in Australia.
7. Southport Golf Course
Slatyer Ave, Southport
5571 1444
southportgolfclub.com.au
General manager Steve Lamerton said while Southport Golf Course is a fantastic course, it definitely presents a challenge to their members.
“Although short it’s a true test of golf and tight targets, it’s just under 6000m — it gets tougher as one progresses through,” he said.
“When we host major competitions with 140 scratch markers only three or four manage to break par.
“Founded in 1924, has hosted many state and national competitions and continues to be the Coasts pre-eminent private golf club.”
6. Lakelands Golf Club, Merrimac
100 Lakelands Dr, Merrimac
5579 8700
On hearing his beloved Lakelands had been voted in the top 10 best golf courses on the Gold Coast, corporate memberships manager Dylan Stoner could barely contain his excitement.
“We pride ourselves on the condition and playability of our golf course all year round so it’s great to see good feedback,” he said.
“We have a very sociable membership base and a lot of international visitors so it makes Lakelands a really dynamic place to be.”
18 time major PGA championship winner Jack Nicklaus designed the Lakelands course, his first signature course in the whole of Australia.
It features cascading greens, a waterfall and an 18 hole, 72 par course of international championship standards.
5. Links Hope Island
Hope Island Rd, Hope Island
5530 9000
linkshopeisland.com.au
Links Hope Island doesn’t just rate in the Gold Coast’s top 10 golf courses but has been voted in the top courses in Australia. Designed by five times British Open Champion, Peter Thomson, and partner Mike Wolveridge, the course’s current replacement cost is estimated at $25 million. In addition to the par 72 course these luxury greens also boast an aquatic style driving range, a putting and chipping green, a concierge bag drop and GPS carts.
4. Boomerang Farm Golf Course, Mudgeeraba
55 Johns Rd, Mudgeeraba
5530 5231
boomerangfarm.com.au
Regardless of how well you’re playing, it’s hard not to feel serene in the tranquil setting of Boomerang Farm Golf Course. The full 18 hole course is spread over 20 hectares of lush greens, picturesque dams and historic farm buildings.
3. RACV Royal Pines Resort, Benowa
Ross St, Benowa
5597 8700
racv.com.au
RACV is perhaps best known for hosting the Australian Professional Golfers Association Championships. The golfing tournament is held over four days and attracts many of the world’s best professionals, which in December 2016 will see Gold Coast boy Adam Scott and defending champion Nathan Holman battle it out for the win.
2. Emerald Lakes Golf Club, Carrara
Corner Alabaster Drive & Nerang-Broadbeach Road, Carrara
5594 4400
emeraldlakesgolf.com.au
The Emerald Lakes grounds seem to sprawl on forever, with everything anyone who golfs for real or for fun could need. The club is very proud of their floodlit grounds, which means you don’t have to cut the perfect round short just because of the sunlight. The driving range is also well-lit, perfect for after hours social golf or letting out pent up aggression after a long, hard day at work — some would say there’s no better stress relief than smacking a ball with a stick as hard as you can.
1. The Grand Golf Club, Gilston
364 Gilston Rd, Gilston
5596 0400
thegrandgolfclub.com.au
The Grand Golf Club’s story is definitely a strange tale of ups and downs, now landing on a significant up.
At the height of his international career, Greg Norman designed a $30 million course on the Gold Coast for a group of Japanese owners. It opened in 1990 but with no funds available for day-to-day operations, it closed after just one day.
It stayed untouched for five years before a consortium of businessmen had a shared vision of establishing a club and golf course unparalleled in the Australian market.
The course would be owned by its members, where only members and their guests could play. From there The Grand Golf Club was born.
The group acquired the site in February 1996 and engaged Norman to restore the pristine course, installing the ‘Great White Shark’ as number one member after 18 months of intensive work.
Key members include Greg Norman, James and Kerry Packer, Mick Doohan, Steve ‘Stefan’ Ackerie, Sir Geoff Hurst — the first and only player to score a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup Final — Mick Dittman, Don Argus, Terry Morris, Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin and Bruce Mathieson — just to name a few.
With only 555 memberships available The Grand has maintained its pure ‘members only’ agenda, however club captain David Burrup said there are currently spots available to join.
“While we have a strong and dedicated membership, we welcome anyone interested in golf to come and inspect the facilities we have to offer and talk with our existing members,” he said.
“The Grand is an exclusive golfing experience that is rare in many places around Australia, and we welcome new members who wish to be part of our club and enjoy the same common interest — golf.
“A Grand membership includes year round use of the course, club car golf cart use, driving range, bag drop service and a compulsory house account for cashless use of bar, restaurant and golf shop facilities.”
Mr Burrup said members and staff alike at The Grand are immensely proud of their club and course.
“To be recognised as the best course on the Gold Coast as voted by the public is something that the members of The Grand take great pride in,” he said.
“The Gold Coast is known to have many fine golf courses so by no means is it an easy competition to win.”
Sally Coates, Gold Coast Bulletin
October 8, 2016 3:00pm
http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/lifestyle/best-of-gold-coast
