Newcastle Golf Club

Lower North Coast, NSW | User Rating: Rate-4 (4.5) | Add A Review

Newcastle is one of only two courses in NSW given international recognition by the panel of experts rating the World’s Top 100 Courses. It has recently been rated “International Honourable Mention”, meaning that it has won sufficient points to be worthy of inclusion in the Top 100 courses in the USA. As only a handful of the World Panel have played in Newcastle, it speaks volumes that those who have played this hidden gem rate it so highly.

A true championship course of 6160 metres (6800 yards), it is based on undulating sand dunes like those of the great historic links of Great Britain and Ireland. However, instead of fairways lined by gorse and heather, Newcastle is carved out of a forest of Eucalypts and angophoras abounding in native flora and fauna, including kookaburras, bearded dragons and kangaroos, making it a delightful as well as a challenging course to play.

Although the course is situated only a few kilometres from the busy industrial city and port of Newcastle, the wide bands of trees separating the fairways give a feeling of peaceful isolation from the cares of the world.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

  • Name: Newcastle Golf Club
  • Region: Lower North Coast, NSW
  • Address: Vardon Road
    Newcastle, 2295, New South Wales, Australia
  • Directions: View Aerial Map »
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  • Accounts:
  • Bookings:
  • Proshop: (02) 4928 1984
  • General: (02) 4928 1365
  • Holes: 18
  • Metres: 6160m
  • Par: 72
1. Ztroy | Rated | 21 Aug 2012 | Add A Review

My favourite course in Australia. Really challenges every part of your game. Gets better every time you play, some great driving holes.

Greens can be super quick in winter.

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2. Kimusubi007 | Rated | 31 Jul 2012 | Add A Review

Great course, interesting, varied, exciting.

If this coiurse was closer to sydney you would be paying a $30k joining fee and a 5 year wait or more.

A showcase of how Aussie golf courses should be like.

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3. docsimonm | Rated | 09 Apr 2012 | Add A Review

Excellent layout and condition. Very testing at times. Personally think it’s good value compared to other top 20 courses, especially if you buy online and get it cheaper.

Pity the clubhouse doesn’t do proper meals but the basic made to order stuff is good.

4. Brush | Rated | 10 Feb 2012 | Add A Review

Thichadro must be on another planet. I played The Vintage and The Australian in last three weeks and tnen played Newcastle this week, three courses in excellent condition but Newcastle in different class. A truly magnificent course. I just want to play Newcastle again and again.

5. rnm | Rated | 11 Jan 2012 | Add A Review

After what i had read about NCGC, i was really excited to play there… what a let down. Very overpriced & over rated. I do alot of golf trips with the boys around Australia & think there are far better courses around for the $95 they charge. Yes there are some great challenging holes, but i have no idea how its rated in the top 100 courses in the world. next time up that way id be playing Pacific Dunes before this even came into consideration… just personal opinion though i suppose!

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6. modroslid | Rated | 17 Sep 2011 | Add A Review

Great members track but over priced

Some long par 3s

7. EzCal | Rated | 13 Jun 2011 | Add A Review

Played the course a few times now and it is just an amazing layout. It is built on Sand Dunes and this becomes obvious as the fairways and up and down making for an enjoyable round of golf. The course is in superb condition and the fairways are nice firm sand-based surfaces. I have played many of Australia’s top 50 golf courses and this definately ranks in my Top 5 with NSW,Royal Canberra, Magenta Shores and The Australian

8. gmt1 | Rated | 06 Jun 2011 | Add A Review

Played ngc a quite a few times now, it is truly one of the very best golf experiences around anywhere.

The run of holes from 3 to 13 are incredible, routed over the most perfect topography for golf.

Hitting the drive on number 5 is awesome, thrilling. As are many of the others. I wonder if Apperly thought the blind tee shots would be great, or if it was a situation where bulk earthmoving was more difficult at that time. We can thank him for providing such a wonderful natural environment to play in.

I do find the finishing holes a bit of a let down, they should look at doing something to bring them to the standard of the other holes in my opinion. If only it (& holes 1 & 2) could run through similar bushland to the eastern part of the site. I did notice some Ross Watson plans in the clubhouse when I was up there last year, not sure if some works are on the cards.

The feeling of being a million miles from anywhere out in the dunes and aussie bushland is a huge part of why this place is so good, so good in fact that it doesn’t matter how well you play, you still enjoy your time spent out there and can’t wait to go back, which I think is the test of a great golf course.

Looking forward to next time.

9. golfadict | Rated | 26 Apr 2011 | Add A Review

played her easter monday very nice course, well laid out very long.only took 3.5 hours to get round.has chipping,putting,practice areas.the only let down was the greens had not been cut and were extremely long and slow.but would love to play here again!!

10. Muss | Rated | 23 Feb 2011 | Add A Review

Played this course on Tuesday for first time found course to be pretty tight in places and unforgiving if you go bush but can see why golf digest ranked hole five in their top ten par fours its a great hole.

Only complaints i can give is greens where a bit slow and club house could do with an update.

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11. languid | Rated | 12 Oct 2010 | Add A Review

I was there on the same day as the last reviewer.
Agree with observations. We didn’t see a goanna though.
An enquiry about some small white stakes on the edges of some fairways and rough revealed that some changes to the width of fairays are in the pipeline. The stakes identify the edges of the new alignment.
What I saw indicated changes would be subtle.
This is a demanding but fair layout.
One of our group, a lady on a 30 handicap remarked that the ladies’ tees allow shorter hitters a reasonable chance of getting tee shots into play.
This is an outstanding course similar to the best in Victoria’s sandbelt.

12. PenguinWoods | Rated | 11 Oct 2010 | Add A Review

When i played here the course was havin big renovations, so there where pipelines and a fair few trucks out. the course has a beutiful setting, the course carved through beutiful sandy bushland. Saw a goanna run up a tree on the tenth. The greens ahd been cored so were slow, but would imagine ther quicker later on in the season. Fairways are great, greens good and bunkers fine and plentiful. loved it. Overall 9/10

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13. ascotinorange | Rated | 26 May 2010 | Add A Review

Played four rounds at Newcastle last week in NSW tournament. A difficult course, where missing the greens is not an option if you want to return a reasonable score. It was in great condition, even with a week of rain. Bunkers are not much fun with quite a heavy almost black sand in some place so best avoided. Greens are good but not consistent for speed. There were a few noticable quicker than the first few which makes for grumpiness when the ball flies past the hole! The 5th, 6th and 7th are a particulalry testing run of holes. On the par 3 7th, I managed a 6,2,2,5 over the four rounds – all to do with whether you hit the green or not – a horrible huge right hand bunker awaits anthing not arrow straight.
They have a range and good practice chipping/short game area. Suggest using it before embarking on the round!

14. Tilly49 | Rated | 11 Jan 2010 | Add A Review

Played NGC last week and was very impressed with the course. The condition is superb and allows most handicappers to produce a decent score. It is arguably the best course outside of Sydney and we had a superb day and will be back for sure.

15. tgu | Rated | 11 Dec 2009 | Add A Review

I am from Sweden and have played 15 different courses in Hunter region the last two months. Newcastle is one of the top courses with a challenging layout, perhaps to many blind holes but there where no surprise so you could follow your first instinct from tee.

16. jordantang | Rated | 04 Dec 2009 | Add A Review

Played on Newcastle Golf Course 3rd December 2009. The course is in great condition and provided you play mid-week, you virtually get the course yourself.

17. Dan_1984 | Rated | 28 Sep 2009 | Add A Review

Played there yesterday. Extremely challenging layout from back tees. Not good enough to hit fairways, need to know which side to hit to. Local knowledge is imperative. Luckily I had some course notes from a friend and then played with some members on the back 9.

Yesterday it was also blowing a gale which made things extremely difficuly given you can hardly afford to miss a green from start to finish. Most greens are elevated and protected by bunkers on both sides. Bunkers have unusual dirt like sand (pretty dense) – different from most courses in Aus. Usually best to miss short on this course but sometimes you end up rolling back 30m +.

Greens were in very average condition – some bare, some lush. Fairways a touch bare as well at the moment. Last few holes undergoing maintenance. However, all in all a wonderful challenging course! Staff and members very friendly. I will return once I polish up that short game.

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18. rawauasap | Rated | 28 Sep 2009 | Add A Review

Very disappointing course, far too many blind shots with no indication in the cart or on the card where to hit, 2 temporary greens, (not advised prior to tee off.) The rest of the greens was like like playing 16 different courses, absolutely no consistency at all.No marshalls on course to ensure speedy play 5 hours for 18 not acceptable. I have been fortunate enough to play lots of golf in many countries, and how this course has got the high rating it has I can not understand. Will not rush back

19. Putfection | Rated | 17 Aug 2009 | Add A Review

Played Newcastle on 16th August 2009, teeing off at 7am. I was very impressed with the course which was very tough when playing from the very back tees. You really have to plot your way around this one and it being my first game here it wasnt easy for me. You really need to have played here before or play with someone who can tell you the best lines to take.

Its okay being in the fairway but on some holes you need to know which half of the fairway for your next shot. The fairways are lined with bush and if your off the fairway your ball is gone. The greens were good, however i found them to be different speeds and varying in condition.

Many were like upturned saucers and were really difficult to find and hold unless you knew which side to miss, and the entire course is very well bunkered.

The only slightly negative thing i have to say about the course is that sometimes you were playing from a bare sandy lie, if you were just off the fairway. I guess its to be expected with the course being built on sand. I dont see what people mean when they say its like a links course the turf is similar because its built on sand. The fairways are linned by trees and bush which isnt very links like. It is a beautiful course to play with lots of wildlife to see.

I would love to play it again sometime and would advise you to do the same. Just make sure your on your game because it is very very tough and great fun.

20. TRICKY77 | Rated | 04 Aug 2009 | Add A Review

played there last sunday no one around after lunch time which made for a relaxing round except for finding a few bunkers early played here a couple of times now and find it very over rated

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21. kicamomis | Rated | 03 Aug 2009 | Add A Review

Beautifull course very challenging for social player very enjoyable had a great day

22. Hack101 | Rated | 24 Mar 2009 | Add A Review

Thoroughly enjoyed my round at this top notch course. I really enjoyed the ampitheatre that each hole creates through its design. Luckily I was having a good day with the driver, otherwise there was huge potential to hit drives into bush. It is a course you need to really think your way around, rather than blasting all day. I wish bunkers everywhere had the sand of Newcastle. I usually dread getting in them, but getting out of these bunkers was relatively easy. I can’t wait to head back for another game.

23. JayPreston | Rated | 01 Sep 2008 | Add A Review

Newcastle is a great course. Easily holds its place as the top course in Hunter Valley. I noticed they have just launched a new website www.newcastlegolf.com.au with more info and news.

24. golfingmad | Rated | 30 May 2008 | Add A Review

Well, I totally agree with all reviewers that gave the 5 stars to this great, great golf course. I recently had the pleasure of playing in the Vardon event here and ammassed an absolute cricket score for the 36 hole event but am chomping at the bit to get back here for another game. There is truly so much to like about this course – the design of some of the par 4’s on the front 9 can only be described as ingeneous. Although not the longest course I have ever played, there is difficulty aplenty with gauging the required landing space for drives of huge importance especially as deep bush lies in wait for errant drives.

As you would expect from a course of this quality, the course was in excellent condition throughout for this time of year. Personally, I would rate this course within my top 5 in Australia but as a previous reviewer commented mozzie repellant is a must.

25. glenmore | Rated | 18 Dec 2007 | Add A Review

What a fantastic design!!Completely Natural!! The beauty of this course is how each hole is in its own natural ampitheatre completely surrounded by the native flora & fauna. Caution! Bring Mossie Repellant!. There is a great mix of holes here, some blind tee shots and some exacting holes with a premium placed on accuracy and nerve. Holes 5 – 10 are probably the best holes in a row in Australia. Make the trip if you’re a purist!! ranked No 11 in Golf Australia Magazine.

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26. mahonym | Rated | 13 Oct 2005 | Add A Review

I've lost count of the number of times that I've walked off the 18th green at Newcastle with 20 something stableford points and thought that was so good and couldn't wait to play it again.

The course is strong from 1 to 18, poor shots are punished as they should be, great shots are rewarded and every shot requires you to think.

In general, the greens are elevated so an approach shot that misses the green leaves you with a pretty interesting chip shot back to the hole. The greens can be lighting quick at times so you need to hold your nerve on the greens if you want to score well.

You know you're in for an interesting day when you arrive at the third hole a 210m, par 3 especially if the wind is blowing in your face. It can really blow hard on this "Links' style course just to make things a little more difficult.

Every aspect of your game will be fairly tested from the fifth hole right through to the 12th. These are some of the best holes in Australian golf and more you play them, the more you appreciate their subtle challenges.

Holes 14, 16, 17 and 18 provide a stern test for the homeward journey. Especially the 17th, it's a really great test. After you drive into wide fairway, you could be hitting any club from 8I to 2I into an elevated green. Miss the green and your in bogey country. This green can be three putt territory at the best of times courtesy of it's dome like shape.

The course is always presented exceptionally well with some of the best couch fairways in New South Wales.

The experience of playing Newcastle can be best summarised by a golfer who had shot well over 100 and all he could say was "What a course! When are we playing it again?"

27. bugger | Rated | 03 Jun 2003 | Add A Review

What a superb golf course!

I have played Newcastle about 10 times now and it rates highly on my list.

There is a certain ambience about Newcastle when you walk these fairways.

The flora and fauna here is breathtaking.

When you walk these fairways you can't help but look back at each hole. Even if you are having an off day, you can't helf enjoying this experience. I urge anyone who has an appreciation of traditional golf design and is sick of the "stadium" courses.

Holes 4 thru 12 are probably the best stretch of holes anywhere in Australia. Holes 5, 6 and 7 are talked about but I think 8 and 9 are equally as interesting.

Hole 8 is a demanding short par 4 where a solid drive to the left and a short iron second is required to a well bunkered green in a beautiful setting. The 9th hole is a classic par 5 that plays a lot longer than it's 475 metres. A long straight tee shot is required and than it is a blind second shot up over a large hill where you just pick you spot to hit and hope you judge the distance and line correctly.

That shot is always exciting to play. Then depending on where you finish it is uphill again to a friendly green where if you finish below the cup you have a good shot at birdie. The 10th hole is do or die with you tee shot. Here you haveno option but to drill a teeshot down the middle as tea tree is on both sides of the fairway. After negotiating the first shot it is semi blind second shot over large rolling hills down to a green framed by bushland. Hole 11 is a straightforward hole where precision is the order of the day. A solid second shot is required and anything less will likely result in a dropped shot. Hole 12 is an exacting uphill par three to a severley sloping green. Don't miss right here. Hole 14 is good solid par 4 where the best tee shot is down the left where it feeds back to middle. A nice hole but could do with a new green. 15 and 16 are probably a little weak but 17 is a beauty. A strong tee shot generally into the wing is required avoiding wasteland bunkering on the left and a small dyke on the right. The second shot is uphill to a green that breaks severeley lift to right. 18 is a good finishing hole with a tee shot that needs to cover some scrub and second shot with a mid to short iron to large well bunkered green.

So there you go. I urge you to try this course, but beware it's tough and there is a premium on being accurate due to the thick scrub that surrounds most fairways.

This is truly a "golfers" golf course.

Don't miss it.

28. stevenb | Rated | 26 Mar 2003 | Add A Review

No wonder it is rated in the top 15 courses in Australia.

Newcastle GC will challenge any player of any handicap. The greens are the best in the Hunter, and the fairways are in perfect condition year round.

To play this course, you must be a thinking golfer, as the holes here have many ways to play them. Using the right path could mean using an 7I instead of a 4I.

Highly recommend but be warned, practise first as this course will test you to the Max!

Did I also mention that Newcastle GC also has a full (Grass) driving range, pitching green and putting green, so no hitting off mats here.

Steven

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