One inevitable question whenever our biennial Top 100 Courses ranking appears is: which courses just missed out? Naturally, the unlucky course ranked 101st (more on which one that was later) is just the first of a legion of still-very-good layouts to miss the cut. And almost always, the courses ranked 101st to 125th or so are actually not that far from breaking onto our list.
Normally we simply leave our ranking at 100 courses and move on. But not this time. Here, one month after the release of our 2020/2021 ranking, are the next 100 courses. Our expanded course-rating panel of 182 golfers provided more than 4,500 scores for 263 different golf courses across Australia, which makes the 101-200 portion of the longer list more clearly defined than ever.
With about 1,500 golf courses in the country, sitting inside the top 200 still places a course in the upper echelon. Meanwhile, the numeric difference between courses grows increasingly tighter as you venture down the list. For 2020, the gap between course No.100 and No.200 was a mere seven points out of 80, compared to 16 points separating No.1 and No.100.
So it doesn’t take a mathematics genius to work out that the further you go down the list, the tighter things become. In that light, to preserve the prestige of the main Top 100, we’ve not ranked all the courses in this second 100. Instead, you’ll see an alphabetical list categorised by state or territory.
Unlike the Top 100, courses in New South Wales dominate the second 100 – a stat helped largely by the presence of a high number of border courses, particularly along the Murray River. They are technically NSW in location but most feel more attached to Victoria. Next up is Victoria, while thereafter the other states and territories contribute a proportionate number of courses considering their population.
With about 1,500 golf courses in the country, sitting inside the top 200 still places a course in the upper echelon.
Scan the list and you will probably stop on multiple occasions and think, I can’t believe this course isn’t in the Top 100. It’s an indication of the exceptional depth in our country’s 1,500 or so courses. As you will see from our six ‘snapshot’ layouts, many are past Top 100 denizens – and might return there again. But if you were to use this list as the starting point for planning a golf getaway or two, you wouldn’t be disappointed by the calibre of golf courses to be experienced. The quality on this list represents an embarrassment of riches for Australian golf.
Did you miss our Top 100 Courses issue in March? The full ranking – and an explanation of the process and ranking criteria can be found here top100.australiangolfdigest.com.au.
The courses ranked 101 to 200 in Australia
Australian Capital Territory
- Yowani
New South Wales
- Belmont
- Brighton Lakes
- Byron Bay
- Club Catalina (1-18)
- Cobram-Barooga (Old)
- Coffs Harbour (1-18)
- Coolangatta-Tweed (River)
- Corowa (1-18)
- Cromer
- Duntryleague
- Forster-Tuncurry (Tuncurry)
- Lakeside Camden
- Liverpool
- Long Reef
- Lynwood
- Macquarie Links
- Manly
- Monash
- Moss Vale
- Mount Broughton
- Murwillumbah
- Narrandera
- Nelson Bay (Championship)
- Ocean Shores
- Pennant Hills
- Pymble
- Rich River (East)
- Riverside Oaks (Gangurru)
- Ryde-Parramatta
- Tallwoods
- The Coast
- Tocumwal (Presidents)
- Tura Beach
- Wollongong
- Yarrawonga Mulwala (Murray)
Northern Territory
- Alice Springs
Queensland
- Bribie Island
- Capricorn (Championship)
- Gailes
- Indooroopilly (East)
- Indooroopilly (West)
- Kooralbyn Valley
- McLeod
- Palm Meadows
- Palmer Gold Coast
- Palmer Sea Reef
- Southport
- Twin Waters
South Australia
- Blackwood
- Millicent
- Mount Gambier
- Mount Osmond
- Naracoorte
- Tanunda Pines
- Victor Harbor
Tasmania
- Devonport
- Royal Hobart
- Tasmania
- Ulverstone
Victoria
- Anglesea
- Ballarat
- Club Mandalay
- Eynesbury
- Flinders
- Gardiners Run
- Growling Frog
- Horsham
- Kew
- Keysborough
- Lakes Entrance
- Leongatha
- Mornington
- Northern
- Patterson River
- Portarlington
- RACV Torquay
- Ranfurlie
- Riversdale
- Rosebud (North)
- Sandhurst (Champions)
- Sandhurst (North)
- Shepparton
- Southern
- The Heritage (Henley)
- The Heritage (St John)
- The Sands Torquay
- Warrnambool
- Yering Meadows (Nursery/Valley)
Western Australia
- Albany
- Araluen
- Bunbury
- Capel
- Dunsborough Lakes
- Hartfield
- Mandurah
- Melville Glades
- Royal Fremantle
- Royal Perth
- The Vines (Ellenbrook)
Course Snapshots
Twin Waters, Queensland
A perennial favourite on the Sunshine Coast – and a course once ranked as high as 20th in the land – Twin Waters Golf Club was squeezed out of the main list a decade ago. It fell not due to declining quality (if anything the course has improved since 2010), but instead through the increasingly competitive nature of the Top 100 ranking. Still, it is one course that could easily make a return. A links-style design in a thoroughly non-British locale or climate, the resort course endures because it offers a point of difference and because it is neither a brutal beast nor a puny pushover.
Has it made the Top 100 before? Yes
When? 2010 (89th), 2008 (79th), 2006 (68th), 2004 (67th), 2002 (42nd), 2000 (32nd), 1998 (20th), 1996 (22nd), 1994 (30th), 1991 (42nd)
Brighton Lakes, Sydney
Seven newly designed holes opened last winter, giving the formerly named New Brighton course a fresh stretch of golf to accompany its new and expansive clubhouse. Designed by Bob Harrison, the new holes at Brighton Lakes Recreation and Golf Club span the fourth to 10th and sit on the opposite side of the M5 Motorway to the clubhouse. They occupy what was part of the former Greenwood Golf Course, which the club purchased when six holes and a practice fairway were lost to build the Brighton Lakes housing estate. The seven newcomers complement four other holes previously redesigned by Harrison.
Has it made the Top 100 before? No
Melville Glades, Perth
One of Western Australia’s most loved golf clubs and located only 20 minutes from the Perth CBD, Melville Glades Golf Club is a private, 18-hole parkland course nestled within tranquil bushland surrounds. The layout offers a wide variety of holes and excellent condition all year. This trait was reflected in our ranking panel’s judging, with the course earning scores for Aesthetics and Conditioning the equal of many Top 100 Courses. Coupled with a modern and elegant clubhouse and function centre, and with a club history spanning more than 50 years, Melville Glades prides itself on maintaining a relaxed, social atmosphere.
Has it made the Top 100 before? Yes
When? 1994 (97th)
Blackwood, Adelaide
Adelaide is blessed with a collection of fine layouts outside the much-vaunted Big 4. One of the best lies on the south-eastern fringe at Blackwood Golf Club. A semi-rural setting and a location rich in natural features gave rise to a course that’s endlessly enjoyable. The land offers great movement, with several spurs and ridges defining the fairways to give many holes interesting and demanding contours. Most are lined by towering trees, although importantly in most instances the foliage stops well before the greens, meaning the most delicate grass is not excessively shaded.
Has it made the Top 100 before? Yes
When? 1998 (99th), 1996 (91st), 1994 (64th), 1989 (97th), 1986 (Sixth Ten)
Ranfurlie, Melbourne
We are prepared to let one cat out of the bag… Ranfurlie Golf Club was unlucky course No.101. The spacious and strategic layout borrows plenty of attributes from the neighbouring Sandbelt and has a legion of admirers, but also a number of followers who are not enamoured with the design. As such, the divisive layout has bounced around our ranking for several years and this time suffered just enough of a numerical drop to dip outside the main list. The Shot Values and Design Variety scores given by our panel for the Mike Clayton-penned layout did not cause its fall, rather its demotion is another illustration of the overall competitiveness of the first 100.
Has it made the Top 100 before? Yes
When? 2018 (78th), 2016 (75th), 2014 (74th), 2012 (72nd), 2010 (82nd), 2008 (95th), 2004 (95th)
Ulverstone, Tasmania
Many Tasmanian golfers continue to regard Ulverstone Golf Club as the best layout in the state, which is an extraordinary compliment to give in the Barnbougle/King Island era. Yet visit the place and you can see where such deep-felt sentiment comes from. The course is tucked away in a secluded location alongside the Leven River with enormous eucalypts towering over the 18 holes. Drive past Ulverstone while touring the scenic north-west region of the island state and you’ve missed out on a memorable setting for golf.
Has it made the Top 100 before? Yes
When? 2002 (100th), 2000 (94th), 1996 (92nd), 1994 (96th), 1986 (Ninth Ten)
