Since relocating from suburban Doncaster to the outskirts of Melbourne in the Yarra Valley 11 years ago, Eastern Golf Club has built a new home for itself and garnered a renewed spirit – along with new golf courses. The primary 27 holes (there is also a nine-hole, par-3 layout) have multiple configurations, but it’s the South course, comprising the first to 18th holes, that squeezed back into our most recent Top 100 Courses ranking.
Greg Norman’s firm reached deep into its reservoir of creative juices in penning the Eastern layout, melding familiar design traits with unique additions against a rural backdrop replete with abundant wildlife. Entirely open in nature, the South course moves from undulating land across the early holes to mostly flatter areas later in the round where the design features take centre stage. A good example comes at the snaking, par-5 14th hole, golfers need to safely guide a series of shots to avoid bunkers and a sizeable pond before climbing aboard a raised green in what is a quintessentially “Eastern” moment in the round.
The adjoining Shark Waters nine adds another dimension to the golf offerings, with the collection of full-length par 3s an ideal stand-alone proposition or a neat adjunct to playing one of the main loops of nine. Off the course, the rebuilt clubhouse is less than a year old, while the on-site Yering Gorge Cottages and walking trails make Eastern a multi-faceted drawcard.
THE DETAILS
Eastern Golf Club
Ranking for 2026-2027: 99th (South course)
Prior rankings: 94th (2020)
Where: Victoria Rd, Yering VIC 3770
Phone: (03) 9739 0110
Web: easterngolfclub.com.au
