New South Wales is home to some of the best golf courses in Australia, from championship Sydney layouts to standout coastal courses along the state’s coastline. Here’s the definitive ranking of NSW’s top 10 golf courses, according to Australian Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses panel.
1. New South Wales Golf Club — No.4 overall
Perched on the cliffs of La Perouse in Sydney’s east, New South Wales Golf Club is renowned for its stunning coastal aesthetics. A recent renovation by Mackenzie & Ebert improved the layout’s shortcomings while preserving its majestic oceanside setting, one of the best in Australian golf.
2. Royal Sydney Golf Club (Bay) — No.19 overall
The Bay course at Royal Sydney has been transformed by acclaimed architect Gil Hanse, delivering a renewed shot-making test in one of Sydney’s most prestigious golf settings.
3. The Lakes Golf Club — No.23 overall
A strategic, water-laden layout in Sydney, The Lakes consistently rates among the state’s best courses thanks to its excellent shot options and championship pedigree.
4. The Australian Golf Club — No.25 overall
Located in Sydney’s Kensington, The Australian is celebrated for its immaculate conditioning and green complexes, making every shot a genuine test of skill.
5. Magenta Shores — No.34 overall
A Ross Watson-designed seaside course on the NSW Central Coast, Magenta Shores recently hosted the Australian Women’s Classic and continues to impress with its consistent challenge across every hole.
6. Bonville Golf Resort — No.36 overall
Set on the NSW North Coast, Bonville is loved for its secluded, picturesque setting and remains one of the most aesthetically striking golf courses in regional NSW.
7. Bonnie Doon — No.45 overall
A Sydney golf club known for its creative green complexes, Bonnie Doon offers golfers a memorable test with standout back-nine holes.
8. Elanora — No.46 overall
Nestled in Sydney’s northern bushland, Elanora is one of the state’s most consistent performers, prized for its lack of weaknesses across every category.
9. Terrey Hills — No.51 overall
Another northern Sydney golf course, Terrey Hills has undergone recent green renovations and continues to be a highly rated option for Sydney golfers.
10. St Michael’s — No.53 overall
A coastal Sydney golf course, St Michael’s underwent a couch fairway conversion and greens renovation project, elevating its reputation among NSW’s best golf courses.
Want to see how the rest of the country stacks up? Check out the full Top 100 Courses ranking here.
