There are few Australian golf courses that feel as naturally connected to their surroundings as The Vintage in the Hunter Valley. Set among vineyards, rolling countryside and distant mountain ranges near Pokolbin, the Greg Norman/Bob Harrison design has matured into one of regional New South Wales’ most compelling golf destinations.
The Vintage made an immediate impression when it opened in 2003, presenting an instantly demanding test characterised by Norman and Harrison’s trademark flashed-face bunkers, water hazards and fairways of varying width. Yet balance is perhaps The Vintage’s greatest strength. It is a course that rewards thought as much as execution – conservative players can plot their way around, while confident ball-strikers are repeatedly tempted to take the aggressive line.
The short par 4s create compelling risk-and-reward decisions, while the one-shotters demand commitment. The eighth is a standout: a long par 3 framed by water short and right and bunkers left where the sensible option can be far more rewarding than the heroic one. The closing holes continue the drama, with the downhill 17th offering another memorable water carry before the round concludes with a potent uphill par 4.
Today, The Vintage is a compelling blend of golf, landscape and total-destination appeal. It is one of those rare Australian golf properties where age has become an asset rather than an impediment.
THE DETAILS
The Vintage Golf Club
Ranking for 2026-2027: 60th
Prior rankings: 53rd (2024), 51st (2022), 51st (2020), 46th (2018), 43rd (2016), 45th (2014), 50th (2012), 44th (2010), 40th (2008), 44th (2006), 41st (2004)
Where: Vintage Drive, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Phone: (02) 4998 2500
Web: thevintage.com.au
