Vardon Rd, Fern Bay,
nr Newcastle, New South Wales 2295
Office
+61 (0)2 4928 1365Pro shop
+61 (0)2 4928 1984Fax
+61 (0)2 4920 1190Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Jason Laws (Head Professional)The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined parkland. Gently undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Woodland.
Designer:
Original design by Fred Popplewell Sr (1915). Later significant improvements by Eric Apperly (1937) and Bob Harrison (2020s).
-32.869824
151.794088
12 km NE of Newcastle; 155 km N of Sydney
From the centre of Newcastle follow Hwy 121, direction Nelson Bay. At the northern edge of the city, cross the Hunter River (South Arm) via the Tourle St Bridge, direction Nelson Bay. Cross the river again (North Arm) via the Stockton / Kooragang Island Bridge. 1km north of the Kooragang Island Bridge turn right off Nelson Bay Road (Hwy 121) into Vardon Road. Golf entrance is 100 metres on your left.
Newcastle, NSW
The industrial port of Newcastle may not seem the most obvious place to find one of Australia's Top 10 golf courses, but just across the Stockton Bridge, tantalisingly within earshot (but not sight of the sea), these "inland links" can compete with the best.
A fabulous layout in a very natural setting with each hole individually crafted is the key to this long-established and challenging course. The soft, springy undulating fairways are mainly cut through an environment of small trees and bushes, usually with enough room to hit the "big timber" from the tee, although at times accuracy is needed more than length. A case in point is the par-4 6th, a tight par-4 to an elevated and heavily bunkered green - a hole often listed among the world's best.
Bunkering throughout is impressive, deep and plentiful, particularly around the soft, receptive greens. The back-nine, with two long par-3s and several long par-4s presents a tough examination, assuming you've coped with the front-nine, which itself is no pushover.
Overall quality is generally very good without creating a manicured feel to the course. The only oddity here is why the 2nd hole, splendidly located in full view of the clubhouse, is not the closing hole. As it is the 18th brings you back to the car park - a triumph of practicality over aesthetics perhaps!
Visitor tee-times generally available on Mon, Tues(pm), Thur(pm), Fri & Sun. More restricted on Weds & Sat.
Must enquire/book in advance. Official handicap/golf club membership required.
Non-metal spike facility. Walking permitted at all times. Golf carts available for hire.
Good
Newcastle GC was founded in 1901 on the site of an old racecourse at Broadmeadow in Newcastle. In 1916 the club built 9 holes on a remote stretch of sand dune country at Fern Bay, the golfers travelling by charter ferry from Newcastle.
In the 1930's, when a vehicular ferry service made the course more accessible, Eric Apperley was commissioned to design an 18 hole course. It is a tribute to the vision of the pioneers that 7 of the original 9 holes were incorporated into the 18 hole design.
Australia's 31st best course (Australian Golf Digest, 2024/25).
295 Maitland Road, Mayfield, Newcastle, NSW 2304
+61 (0)2 4968 1394
Visit websiteNo
Newcastle
Pacific Dunes; Belmont
51 Nelson Bay Road, Fern Bay, nr Newcastle, NSW
+61 (0)2 4928 2366
Visit websiteNo
Newcastle
Pacific Dunes
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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