A quintet of courses in different parts of our most populous state drew our attention during the first half of summer
Diversity is king in New South Wales, where the full gamut of environments intertwines to produce playing experiences for golfers that span desert to rainforest and everything in between. In our travels during the summer holiday break, we collectively moved in divergent directions, sampling five different courses operated by four golf clubs and in a variety of locations. From a suburban stunner to coastal favourites and more, these courses captured our focus.
Killara: An inspired renovation
The stately club on Sydney’s North Shore marked 125 years in 2024, yet many of the celebrations occurred a few years earlier when a significant renovation breathed new life into the layout. Unusually split into three ‘paddocks’ by suburban roads, Killara today defies its illogical physical footprint by presenting a layout that has flourished ever since course architect Harley Kruse masterminded a renovation that included converting the grasses. Now made up of Zoysia green surrounds and Pure Distinction putting surfaces – firsts in Sydney – Killara also welcomed new drainage and irrigation, a re-routing of some holes and reconstruction of its bunkers. It is once again a must-play layout for visitors to Sydney.
Forster Tuncurry: Two in one
The revitalised Tuncurry layout at Forster Tuncurry Golf Club is a case of a very good but choked course blossoming again. A concerted effort to address vegetation concerns coupled with design input from Craig Parry make this a can’t-pass-up gem on the Mid-North Coast. The scenic and playability enhancements cannot be overstated, and the Tuncurry course ranks as perhaps the most improved NSW course of the past few years. The nearby Forster layout, which is part of the same golf club, is far more elementary in comparison, although that is exactly what some golfers are looking for. With more space to move and less of a penalty for wayward shots, the Forster course is much more user-friendly.
Bonville: A perennial favourite
Bonville feels like the funnel into which all northern NSW golf falls, in the sense that all golfers seem to wind up playing there eventually, such is the allure of the place. The quality of the golf course is perpetually high, yes, but so is the sense of escapism and isolation to be found, even though one of the state’s larger regional centres is a mere 10-minute drive away. A recent operational shift to offering all-inclusive ‘stay, play and dine’ packages, amid limited social play, hasn’t slowed demand. Visiting players now take in all that Bonville has to offer rather than making it a mere hit-and-run mission that includes golf alone.

cluBarham: A mover on the Murray
Murray Downs received all the attention when Lucas Herbert ran down Cam Smith to take the NSW Open title last November, but the cluBarham course quietly played its part in proceedings that week. One of the tournament pre-qualifying venues, cluBarham Golf & Sports owns a central location along the line of top Murray River golf courses and is another layout undergoing key upgrades under Ben Chambers from Centreline Golf Design. Emphasis is on creating more dynamic green complexes, while about $1.2 million has been earmarked for the remaining course upgrades and a clubhouse renovation. After that will come the installation of a new irrigation system to ensure the playing surfaces are in peak shape all year.