Perth is blessed with a number of great public golf courses that cater to a wide range of golfer. From those who just want to enjoy a relaxing weekend round, to those wanting to test their skills and their handicap.
We have been lucky enough to play most of them and we’ve put together a list of the best public perth golf courses. And offer some tips on what to focus on when you should play them!
The Best Public Perth Golf Courses
The Vines Golf Course
Based in the Swan Valley around 35 minutes from CBD, it’s a lovely drive out by the vineyards. The Vines offers two 18-hole courses, Ellenbrook & Lakes. Both are par 72 and both hover around the 6500m mark for length. The Lakes is considered the superior of the two, but that does not mean Ellenbrook is bad. We have played the Ellenbrook on a busy Saturday morning in winter. I used to get lessons at the vines when I was younger, so was very familiar with the grass driving range and the excellent putting & chipping area.
The Vines Tip – Watch out for the Kangaroos firstly. You may find plenty of them laying by bunkers or on the side of greens. Or even watching you tee off.
Lake Joondalup Golf Course
Located about 20 minutes from the CBD, Lake Joondalup is the premier golf course towards the North end of Perth. We were fortunate to visit Lake Joondalup as part of a charity golf day and managed to play 18 of the 27 holes on offer. Broken into three 9-hole courses, Lakes, Quarry & Dunes. We were lucky enough to play Lakes & Quarry. Designed by Robert Trent-Jones Jr, the stretch of 3-5 on the Quarry is one of the most breathtaking and intimidating we have experienced. Recently listed at 17 in Australia’s top 100 golf courses by Golf Digest Australia.
Lake Joondalup Tips – Take a step back and think about your shots, there are a few holes that look wide & open, but with lots of well-positioned bunkers and slopes. You can still end up in trouble.
Wembley Golf Course
From personal experience, we’d say this is the busiest course in Perth. Just 10 minutes from the CBD, you can see why. Offering 36 holes of golf, a double-story automated driving range with recently installed Trackman technology. As well as this, there are some great putting & chipping areas to practice before you round or after work. There have been some major investments at Wembley Golf Course and it shows. You can pick between playing the Tuart & Old course (not that one). The Old Course was first opened in 1932 making it one of the oldest in Perth. When booking, we suggest just alternating between the two, at Wembley at times it’s more about just getting a tee time! With tree-lined fairways and dog legs galore, it’s important to just keep it on the green stuff if you want to keep that score down.
Wembley Tips – With tree-lined fairways and dog legs galore, it’s important to just keep it on the green stuff if you want to keep that score down
Araluen Golf Course
Set in Perth’s hill, Araluen golf course is a true golfing test of the Australian kind. An 18-hole test of stamina in the heat. The true stand-out hole is the 16th, this par 3 is a stunning piece of design & tests your nerve. Tee boxes slowly make their way down the hillside via a zigzag path. Leaving a 150m shot over water & with a 40m drop. Featuring many well-placed bunkers and blind shots into greens, just be sure of yourself as you take on this challenge.
Araluen Tips – The rough is, rough. With lots of red dirt, if you stray too far away from the green stuff, think about your shot carefully or you might end up with a damaged club (My 9 iron for example).
The Cut Golf Course
If you want to play a links course in Perth, The Cut is our recommendation. Based in Dawesville around 60 minutes south of the CBD, it may be a little drive but well worth it. This 18-hole course was designed by renowned golf architect James Wilcher and it is a testament to his expertise. The turf itself is in such great condition, that not a blade of grass is out of place. The stand-out holes are basically from 1 to 18, there isn’t a dull moment and it’s a course we cannot wait to get back to!
The Cut Tip – It may sound silly, but stay on the green stuff. When we say the rough is the bush, we mean it. In hot months snakes are known to slither around. So just keep it in the fairway. Play it safe.
Hillview golf course
Based in Maida Vale, the Hillview Golf Course is a 27 hole course full of challenges. The course is in decent shape and rounds are cheap, $27 on weekends for 9 hole. And ideal for a post work 9 holes are just $22, you can rotate between the 3 courses during the week if need be! Providing plenty of variety. With a grass driving range as well as decent putting & chipping practice areas, you can work on it all.
Hillview Tips – Keep it low, it gets windy here, so keep it below the trees if you want to make sure you end up in the fairway.
Whaleback Golf Course
Just 20 minutes from the CBD, Whaleback golf course is an ideal course for a relaxing 9 holes. The track offers plenty of challenges, with well-placed bunkers & the back 9 has plenty of danger with a large lake. With a Toptracer driving range, you can really dial in your numbers, and even play a round of virtual golf!
Whaleback Tips – We can safely say the back 9 is more of a challenge, so if you’re shooting for low scores, take your risks on the front 9 and play it safe on the back.
Maylands Golf Course
Probably the closest course to the city, Maylands is a great one for anyone working close to the CBD. This 18-hole course is usually in peak condition and one of the best maintained. Offering great views of the city and the Swan River, even if you have a bad round it’s still a good walk! With a brand new clubhouse, it’s a good place for the 19th hole.
Maylands Tips – The greens can catch you out but once you get the read of pace that makes the difference.
Collier Park Golf Course
10 minutes south of the CBD, Collier Park is a 27 hole course split in separate courses, Pines, Island & Lake. These courses are on rotation to make sure maintenance can keep them in great shape and each offers a different challenge, from tree-lined fairways, to lakes and trick bunkers.
Collier Tips: Get your distances right and avoid the hazards. I know that sounds simple, but club up or down to avoid any potential chaos.
Best 9 Holes Public Golf Courses In Perth
Embleton Golf Course
This short 9 golf course is very close to the CBD in Embleton, featuring 5 par 3’s, you best be able to hold the greens here. Ideal for an after-work 9 or just a quick round, the course isn’t overly difficult but does still pose a challenge for a range of skill levels. Beginners will find it a fun test, and scratch will be looking to score very low and take risks. Featuring a putting green for some pre-round practice, you best get dialled in!
Embleton Tips: Be accurate off the tee, maybe use your fairway wood or hybrid here. This course isn’t long and being wayward could end with you on another fairway!
The Springs Club
In 2017 the Springs Club in Armadale underwent a large renovation, including new greens, tees and fairways. Keeping the same layout, we can safely see the new greens are some of the most testing in Perth. Not for the faint of heart. This 9 hole course offers a wide range of challenges, with well-placed water hazards on a number of holes that can really become a scorecard ruiner. With midweek rounds from $23 ($18 for concession) & $28 on weekends, this is one of the most affordable in Perth.
Springs Club Tips: Take your time on the greens, they’re undulating and tricky. Leave yourself short of the hill and you’ll be on for a 3 or even 4 putt in no time.
Point Walter Golf Course
Based in Bicton, Point Walter Golf Course is a great 9-hole course just 10 minutes from Fremantle. While not a course that is overly difficult, some narrow fairways can cause trouble if you’re wayward off the tee. The course also holds a Guinness World Record for the longest putt in golf.
Point Walter Tips: There are plenty of dog legs on this course, if you have the length you can take the driver head cover off and let it rip. The 8th green is also a driveable downhill par 4, just don’t Happy Gilmore it.
Well there it is, those are our picks for the best public courses in & around Perth. Golf has seen an explosion in popularity in WA over the last few years, meaning some of the lesser loved tracks are getting the appreciation they deserve. How many of these have you played and which are you looking forward to?
