1. passyone | Rated | 25 Mar 2008 | Add A Review

I play at The Australian 6 times a year and it’s a great test of golf (see the scores from any Australian Open). No birdie holes, lots of water which laps some of the green’s edges, so many bunkers right in the landing zones no matter which tees you play from. You need to be straight and putt great. Always magnificently manicured, it’s simply a fantastic golf course far better than NSW or The Lakes which are close by. Long enough to make you feel jaded by the end of the round.

2. Wood | Rated | 14 Mar 2008 | Add A Review

Found the Australian to be a super course to play – it is so perfectly kept. It makes for a great tournament location as well. I disagree with some of the other reviews and say that it does have spectacular interesting holes – it even starts off with one! You don’t have to have great views to have a great hole. All in all I think this course along with the Lakes are two of my favourties.

3. ianjessup | Rated | 11 Nov 2006 | Add A Review

Ignore a lot of the other reviews. This is a long, hard grind from the back tees, especially if it's windy and every hole has a cross breeze. Nicklaus turned the greens around to run diagonally so to get near the flag you have to hit the career iron into each one - otherwise it's sand or water. This is uncompromising tournament strokeplay golf and while there is scarcely a memorable hole you will long remember it for its sheer difficulty. Then again, a mate of mine shot 63 off the plates in the A grade matchplay final !

4. kapitza | Rated | 22 Feb 2005 | Add A Review

What is grantp thinking? Did you play of the social markers? Not long??? Not challenging??? Ask 99% of the Open field if it wasn't challening given they couldn't break par. Try playing it from the back.

Golf course is fantastic, changes were made by Nicklaus to turn the golf course into a tournament course that spectators could enjoy. If you want a links course go to La Perouse.

5. grant | Rated | 21 Feb 2004 | Add A Review

I'm with whallop on this one. This course doesnt deserve it's ranking or it's publicity. Having played all bar 15 of the recent golf australia's top 50, I could not honestly rate this course in my top 50. Yes it's in great shape, yes it's got an aura about it, and yes it's club house is amazingly good, but as a test of golf it's just dull. Strategically it's basically resort golf - target golf. Where are the great, standout holes that make you glad you've played? I'd love to have seen the original links course - links this isnt. The greens are flat and featureless and the bunkering is odd. It's not even long. It's a pleasant walk ( apart from the freeway noise ) but i'll take my hard earned elswhere in Sydney thanks.

6. peanuts_1 | Rated | 31 Dec 2003 | Add A Review

One of the top Sydney courses (possibly no 2 behind NSW but Lakes and Terrey Hills are also in this bracket), The Aussie is a relatively American-style parkland course, which contrasts the others in this echelon in Sydney.

The first is a good opening - a dog leg par 5 that can be attacked by the longer hitters, but only by taking a risk with both shots. For more conservative golfers it is generous enough in width to enable a steady start to the round if you play regulation golf.

The third is a nice par 4, with the tee shot requiring thought for position to approach the green. This is protected by water short and bunkers practically everywhere else, and a sloping green that leans toward the water.

Greg Norman's albatross shot from the par 5 fifth fairway in a tournament last decade is marked with a plaque on the fairway. It's great to marvel at how long he hit that.

Both nines finish well, and all up the layout is strong, requiring good ball striking and good putting.

If invited back I would not hesitate.

7. whallop | Rated | 21 Sep 2003 | Add A Review

I am old enough to have played the old course before Nicklaus butchered it.

PLayed the current course recently and it was so American as to be almost embarrasing. Bulldoze it and start again.

8. chevychase | Rated | 21 Jul 2003 | Add A Review

The Australian stands as one of Australia's premier golf venues. Whilst exclusively private, if you know a member you can get to play "The Aussie" as it is affectionately known. As you would expect from a course of this calibre, it is always in superb condition. Jack Nicklaus is primarily responsible for the layout as it stands today; when the wind blows it is a severe test of one's physical and mental golfing ability. There are some very strong holes; the trio of the 7th, 8th & 9th are very long and demanding par fours to finish the front nine. There are some wonderful driving holes; the 12th and 14th come to mind. Risk-reward holes such as the 3rd and 17th. When conditions are benign the Australian can certainly yield to low scoring. It is not as naturally scenic as NSW; however the overall condition and design make up for the lack of a view. The facilities are excellent with a superb restaurant as well. If you ever get the chance to play the Australian, don't pass it up - it's worth the money.