Golf
Golf has been a favourite pastime of royalty as well as us lesser mortals for centuries, and there are few cities in the world where you can find playing a round or two of golf as pleasant and invigorating as in Perth. Certainly our Mediterranean climate is conducive to playing this popular sport all year round.
With space to spare, golf courses here in WA are, more usually than not, set in magnificent, undulating countryside, offering the visitor an ideal opportunity for scenic discovery.
Their proximity to native bushland could well mean a close encounter of the Australian kind if an emu or kangaroo decides to share the fairway with you, and if you're here during spring, you will also experience the beauty of our wildflowers.
For the ultimate in golfing luxury, try The Vines Resort (Ph: 9297 0222), 30 minutes drive from Perth in the heart of the Swan Valley. Incorporating an international class hotel complex, The Vines offers a range of other sporting facilities and several fine restaurants. Neat casual golf attire is required.
Glen Iris Country Club (Ph: 9414 1900) is located 15 minutes south of the city at Jandakot. The magnificent course was designed by Michael Coates, WA's leading golf architect, making a round definitely worth while.
An easy 25-minute drive along Freeway North, the beautiful Joondalup Country Club (Ph: 9400 8811) was designed by Robert Trent Jones Junior and is WA's highest ranked golf estate. Featuring a bar, restaurant and tennis courts, Joondalup's fees are on par (no pun intended!) with The Vines. Strict dress requirements apply.
There are several grounds located very close to Perth City, including Collier Park Golf Course (Ph: 9484 1666) which is set in a picturesque pine plantation five minutes from the city, in Como. Located alongside the Burswood Resort Complex, the Burswood Park Public Golf Course (Ph: 9362 7576) is also convenient for city visitors. The suburbs are home to many very attractive courses, just as painstakingly maintained but less expensive than their city and country cousins. One is the City of Perth Golf Complex in Floreat (Ph: 9484 2500). Then there is Lake Claremont Public Golf Course (Ph: 9384 2887) which offers day and night playing, barbecue facilities and low fees.
For those staying at Rendezvous Observation City, the Hamersley Public Golf Course (Ph: 9447 7137) is a 5 minute drive away in Karrinyup, and features a par 72, 18 hole green, a tavern and reasonable rates.
If you are visiting Fremantle, the Fremantle Municipal Golf Course (Ph: 9430 2316) is another bargain. Just 2km from central Fremantle, the pleasantly undulating 9-hole course offers views of the ocean all year round, with cooling breezes in summer. Known as Home of the WA Open, Meadow Springs (Ph: 9581 6002) is a championship golf course rated amongst the top three courses in WA. Located 75km south of Perth near Mandurah, Meadow Springs boasts several restaurants and bars.
Motorised carts are available for hire at the more upmarket clubs, although you may need proof of membership of another golf club to hire them. Green fees vary, but you should expect to pay somewhere between $15 and $30 for 18 holes and $10 and $15 for 9 holes. The courses mentioned hire out equipment and offer tuition, although you may need to book in advance. Many have well stocked pro shops. Call and check before planning your visit, since golf is a popular pastime here in WA. Also ask for details of any dress requirements since these do sometimes apply. Several centres offer special rates to pensioners.
Other enquiries about golfing in this State may be directed to the WA Golf Association on (Ph: 9367 2490).
| Burswood Park Public
Golf Course Great Eastern Hwy Burswood Phone: (08) 9362 7576 Public Course View Website |
Lake Karrinyup Country
Club North Beach Rd Karrinyup Phone: (08) 9447 577 Private Club View Website Send E-Mail |
| Collier Park Golf
Course Hayman Rd Como Phone: (08) 9450 6488 Public Course View Website Send E-Mail |
Point Walter Public
Golf Course Honour Ave Bicton Phone: (08) 9330 3262 Public Course View Website |
| Cottesloe Golf Club
173 Alfred Rd Swanbourne Phone: (08) 9384 3222 Private Club View Website |
Royal Perth Golf Club
Labouchere Rd South Perth Phone: (08) 9367 1059 Private Club View Website |
| Fremantle Public Golf
Club Montreal St Fremantle Phone: (08) 9336 3933 Public Course |
Seaview Golf Course
Forrest Street Cottesloe Phone: (08) 9384 0471 Private Club |
| Glen Iris Country
Club Dean Road Jandakot Phone: (08) 9414 1900 Public Course Send E-Mail |
The Vines Verdelho Drive Ellenbrook Phone: (08) 9297 3000 Public Course View Website Send E-Mail |
| Joondalup Country
Club Country Blv Connolly Phone: (08) 9300 1739 Public Course View Website Send E-Mail |
Wembley Golf Complex
The Boulevard Floreat Phone: (08) 9387 7075 Public Course View Website |
| Lake Claremont Golf
Course Lapsley Rd Claremont Phone: (08) 9384 2887 Public Course View Website |
Whaleback Golf Course
Whaleback Ave Lynwood Phone: (08) 9457 8999 Public Course View Website |