Golf around Melbourne is more than just drives Down Under – it’s a whole different dimension of the game.
Royal Melbourne may be world-renowned, but Rory McIlroy isn’t entirely convinced. The Northern Irishman finds the number of blind shots on the composite course—used for the Australian Open—less than ideal. Yet, this critique only highlights the uniqueness of the Melbourne Sandbelt, a region that boasts three of the most iconic golf courses in the Southern Hemisphere.
Royal Melbourne: A MacKenzie Masterpiece
Completed in 1931, Royal Melbourne is one of Dr. Alister MacKenzie’s crown jewels, alongside Augusta National and Cypress Point. MacKenzie, originally a surgeon, applied principles of camouflage learned during the Boer War and inspiration from Old Tom Morris to create timeless golf course designs. Royal Melbourne’s layout is a testament to strategic golf, with greens that play like landscapes and bunkers placed with surgical precision.
Kingston Heath: Rory’s Favorite and Future Presidents Cup Host
Just 18 kilometers southeast of Melbourne, Kingston Heath is another MacKenzie-influenced gem. Originally a Par-82 with twelve Par-5s, it was designed with foresight, allowing it to adapt to modern driving distances. The course has hosted seven Australian Opens, the 2016 World Cup of Golf, and the 2009 Australian Masters, won by Tiger Woods. In 2028, it will host the Presidents Cup, further cementing its global status.
Victoria Golf Club: Tradition and Excellence
Completing the Sandbelt’s top trio is Victoria Golf Club, located just across the street from Royal Melbourne. It has hosted the Australian Open five times and was home to five-time Open Champion Peter Thomson. The course embodies MacKenzie’s design philosophy and is revered for its character and tradition. As Thomson once said, it’s the people and the legacy that give a club its soul.
The Melbourne Sandbelt, formed over millennia by geological and oceanic forces, is home to 25 golf courses. With its perfect sandy soil and natural undulations, it rivals the linkslands of Britain and the heathlands of Surrey. For golf purists and architecture aficionados alike, it’s a must-visit destination.