If you know your drivers from your putters and fancy a leisurely game of golf on your Australian road trip, you’re in luck. From South Australia all the way up to Queensland, there are more places than we could ever list to stop off for round or two. We’ve rounded up some popular courses you can call into from wherever you pick up your car hire, without going miles off the beaten track. Royal Melbourne Golf Club
Well-renowned and regularly ranked in the world top 10, The Royal Melbourne actually hosts two courses. The West Course was crafted in the 1920s by horse-drawn equipment, with the East Course opening the following decade. The course highlight is the 6th hole on the West Course, according to Great Golf Australia, for forcing the player to choose between two challenging approaches. The club is no stranger to hosting international tournaments and will see the return of the Presidents Cup next year. Players tackle a course made up of six holes from the East Course and 12 from the West Course. The Sands, Victoria One of the plus points of this course is its proximity to other Australian attractions. It’s located on the Great Ocean Road, which means any non-golfers you are travelling with won’t be adverse to heading this direction. The course boasts stunning coastal views, and is just a few kilometres from the famous Bells Beach – home of the Rip Curl Pro Surfing competition. Why not surf one day and play golf the next? The Royal Adelaide Golf Course
Popular for having retained its character despite various modifications over the years, the course is located close to Adelaide, making an easy side trip with our city centre car hire. Having moved to its current Seaton site in 1904, it’s played host to nine Open Championships and has just edged into the top 100 in the world. The links course can be a little tricky in areas, with a number of shots requiring a combination of precision and adventurous determination. The Grange Railway Line still dissects the course which makes it even more memorable. The Lakes Golf Club, Sydney As you’d expect, this course is surrounded by water, with players having to aim over a lake to reach some of the holes. The club hosts prestigious events such as the PGA Championship and the Johnnie Walker Classic to name just a couple, and maintains the greens to such standards at all times. Sandy soil allows play even when wet weather threatens to cast a shadow and it is extremely close to the CBD and our car hire venues. New South Wales Golf Club
The clifftop club overlooks the very bay where Captain James Cook first sailed into Australia, boasting spectacular rugged scenery. It’s ranked within the top 50 in the world and includes a glimpse of Sydney’s cityscape. The 6th hole is its most famous section, requiring a shot over the sea and back onto the mainland. Overall, the course is famous for leaving players at the mercy of Mother Nature – it could go either way! Royal Pines, Gold Coast, Queensland Home of the Australian PGA tour, the course is immaculately groomed. Close to the famous beaches of Surfers Paradise, the Gold Coast skyline provides views in one direction, while the Hinterland mountains are visible in the other. It’s only a one hour drive to Brisbane, too. With 27 holes and three 18 hole combinations available as well as a driving range, the course provides varied landscape throughout. Hamilton Island Golf Club, Queensland
OK, so this one is off the beaten track but we couldn’t help but mention it. Located in the beautiful Whitsundays, this is the only island-based championship standard golf club in Australia. The course provides 360 degree views of the Great Barrier Marine Park, and clubhouse is perched in a very scenic spot too. The ever-present breeze can add a level of challenge. You do have to fly into Hamilton Island to get across to the course, which despite the name is actually located on Dent Island. Book your car hire from any of our many locations today.