By 
GCR Score: 4.4 / 5
Verdict: Recommended for accessible seaside golf near Newcastle
Best For: Coastal-course fans, visitors, and golfers who enjoy wind strategy
Think Twice If: You want uniform inland conditions or the cheapest summer round
Last Reviewed: 2 July 2026
Belmont saves its best reveal for the back nine. The course edges Nine Mile Beach, and the Pacific begins shaping both the view and the score. This Belmont Golf Club review explains why the A$75 visitor fee is more interesting than the plain roadside entrance suggests.
The men’s layout measures about 5,997 metres and plays to par 72. Water influences the lower opening holes, while sand, coastal vegetation, and wind define the ocean side.
Visitors can play all week around competitions. Standard 18-hole golf costs A$75, rising to A$80 during December and January. Twilight play after 4pm costs A$45.
That combination earns a clear recommendation. Belmont delivers genuine seaside character without private-club access barriers.
At a Glance
Image: Belmont Golf Club
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | 801A Pacific Highway, Marks Point NSW 2280 |
| Course Type | Seaside parkland and links-style dunes |
| Holes | 18, par 72 men; par 74 women |
| Course Length | 5,997m men’s markers |
| Men’s Rating | Scratch 72, slope 125 |
| Green Fees | A$75 standard / A$80 Dec–Jan |
| Visitor Access | Open seven days around competitions |
| Membership | Open with prorated entry |
| Dress Code | Moderate to strict |
| Buggy Hire | A$55 for 18 holes |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Phone | (02) 4945 4348 |
| Official Website | Belmont Golf & Bowls |
All prices are Australian dollars and include GST. Confirm rates with the golf shop before travelling.
Course Overview
Belmont combines two landscapes in one round. The front nine crosses flatter ground with marsh and water. The back nine moves beside the beach and into stronger coastal character.
The club opened in 1952 and has continually revised the layout. Its better-known tournament history includes the Lake Macquarie International Amateur and NSW junior championships.
Golf NSW’s Belmont profile highlights generous fairways, guarded greens, water hazards, and the contrasting nines. Those wide fairways are welcome because wind can move an apparently good drive.
Our key takeaway: the ordinary-looking inland holes set up a back nine with real coastal punch.
Course Design and Standout Holes
Belmont’s ocean-side stretch provides the reason to visit. The best holes reward a controlled flight rather than a high, soft target shot.
The 401-metre fourteenth runs parallel to the Pacific. Bitou bush squeezes both sides, two left bunkers defend the fast green, and hidden slopes complicate the first putt.
The short sixteenth measures only 110 metres from blue markers. Ocean sits to the right, dunes frame the target, and a deep left bunker guards a green cut with pronounced swales.
The seventeenth returns to a longer par four after that visual par three. Wind often makes the sequence harder than the card suggests.
Green Fees and Visitor Access
Image: Belmont Golf Club
Belmont is publicly bookable and unusually transparent about current fees. Contact the golf shop for competition and social windows.
| 2026 Option | 18 Holes | 9 Holes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard visitor | A$75 | A$40 |
| High season, Dec–Jan | A$80 | A$50 |
| Twilight after 4pm | A$45 unlimited | Not listed |
| Junior visitor | A$20 social / A$25 comp | Confirm |
| Motorised buggy | A$55 | A$40 |
| Club hire | A$40 | A$25 |
A two-player package includes 18 holes, a cart, and two drink tickets for A$180. It is unavailable Wednesday, Saturday, December, and January.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday carry regular competitions. Social players should book rather than arrive unannounced.
Course Conditions
Sandy coastal ground helps Belmont remain playable, but its two landscapes do not always dry equally. Lower water-side areas can feel softer than the dunes.
Wind is the main daily variable. A calm morning and breezy afternoon can produce two different courses, especially from the thirteenth onward.
The club and Golf NSW both emphasise course presentation. Even so, ask about green renovation dates before a dedicated golf trip.
High-season pricing reflects demand, not guaranteed calmer weather. December and January can bring heat above 30°C and strong sea breezes.
Membership and Annual Subscriptions
Belmont offers sensible regional membership pricing with no published waitlist. The membership year runs from 1 October to 30 September.
| Category | Annual Subscription | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Seven-day | A$1,751 | Member rates Monday–Sunday |
| Six-day | A$1,419 | Sunday–Friday |
| Five-day | A$1,314 | Monday–Friday |
| Intermediate seven-day, 21–24 | A$696 | Monday–Sunday |
| Colt | A$425 | Monday–Sunday |
| Junior | A$73 | Junior rates Monday–Sunday |
A A$500 joining fee applies to ordinary seven-, six-, and five-day categories. Most adult golf tiers include A$100 clubhouse bar credit and affiliation fees.
At A$75 per public round, seven-day subs break even after about 24 rounds before member playing fees. Members still pay A$10 for an 18-hole social round or A$25 competition fee.
GA Handicap at Belmont
The men’s course carries scratch 72 and slope 125 at roughly 5,997 metres. The number looks moderate, but wind can push the daily difficulty higher.
The women’s layout measures about 5,391 metres, with scratch 74 and slope 127. A male GA 18 golfer receives about 18 shots from the rated men’s markers.
That makes Belmont suitable for a broad handicap range. Beginners gain room from several fairways, while low markers must control trajectory near the beach.
Pennant and Competition Golf
Belmont supports an active competition culture and serious amateur golf. Weekly fields run across five days.
Its history as the Lake Macquarie International Amateur venue gives the course useful competitive credibility. The club has also hosted NSW boys’ and girls’ junior championships.
Members who enjoy regular medley, men’s, women’s, veterans, and open golf will find enough variety. Confirm pennant team availability directly when joining.
Reciprocal Rights
Belmont members receive reciprocal options across several states. Listed partners include Coffs Harbour, Forster Tuncurry, Mollymook, Port Macquarie, Rossdale, Mansfield, and Rockingham.
Incoming reciprocal golfers should arrange access through their home club. Discounts and available days can differ from ordinary social bookings.
Facilities
Image: Belmont Golf Club
Belmont works well as a full golf day rather than a quick tee-and-leave visit. Golf, bowls, dining, and practice share the venue.
- Practice: driving range and short-game facilities
- Golf shop: Lake Macquarie Golf operation, coaching, and hire equipment
- Dining: clubhouse restaurant and cafe
- Transport: courtesy bus in the local area
- Other sport: men’s and women’s bowls
Best Time to Visit
March through May offers the most reliable mix of mild weather and value. September through November is also excellent before high-season fees begin.
Winter days are often comfortable near 17°C, although coastal wind feels cooler. Summer can reach 30°C and brings the A$80 visitor rate.
Book an early round when the forecast shows a strengthening nor-easter. That gives you the best chance to enjoy the ocean holes before wind peaks.
How to Get There
Belmont is at Marks Point, about 25 kilometres south of Newcastle CBD. The drive commonly takes 30–35 minutes.
Sydney is roughly 130 kilometres south and about two hours away outside traffic. The Pacific Highway entrance is easy to pass, so slow down near Marks Point.
Dress Code
Dress code level: Moderate to strict. Belmont expects neat, clean golf clothing across the course, clubhouse, practice facilities, and car park.
Staff can refuse access when clothing does not meet club standards. A collared golf shirt, tailored shorts or trousers, socks, and enclosed golf shoes are the safe choice.
Nearby Alternatives
- Toukley Golf Club: cheaper Central Coast golf with less ocean exposure
- Charlestown Golf Club: inland Newcastle parkland and a different wind profile
- Nelson Bay Golf Club: resort-town golf with abundant wildlife north of Newcastle
Browse more NSW golf club reviews before planning a Hunter or Central Coast trip.
Who Is This Club For?
This club is a good fit if you want public seaside golf without premium resort pricing.
This club is a good fit if varied nines and wind strategy keep repeat rounds interesting.
Skip this one if you dislike exposed coastal holes or expect every fairway to play equally firm after rain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can visitors play Belmont Golf Club?
Yes. Belmont welcomes social visitors seven days around its competition schedule. Tuesday through Sunday all contain organised fields, so booking with the golf shop is strongly recommended. Public tee times are available online, while competition entry may require a current Golf Australia handicap.
How much are Belmont Golf Club green fees?
Standard 2026 visitor fees are A$75 for 18 holes and A$40 for nine. December and January rates rise to A$80 and A$50. Twilight golf after 4pm costs A$45 for unlimited holes. An 18-hole motorised buggy costs A$55.
How much is Belmont Golf Club membership?
Belmont’s 2025/26 annual subscriptions cost A$1,751 for seven-day, A$1,419 for six-day, and A$1,314 for five-day membership. A A$500 joining fee applies to those ordinary adult categories. Most tiers include affiliation fees and A$100 clubhouse bar credit.
What is the Belmont Golf Club dress code?
Belmont expects neat, clean golf attire across the whole property. Wear a collared golf shirt, tailored shorts or trousers, socks, and enclosed golf shoes. Staff may refuse course or clubhouse access if clothing falls below the club’s standard, even when one item technically complies.
Is Belmont Golf Club a links course?
Belmont is best described as a seaside course with genuine links-style sections. The flatter front nine includes marsh and water, while the back nine reaches sandy dunes beside Nine Mile Beach. Ocean wind, coastal vegetation, and firm exposed holes create its strongest links character.
What are the best holes at Belmont Golf Club?
The 401-metre fourteenth and 110-metre sixteenth are the highlights. Fourteen runs beside the Pacific between coastal vegetation and bunkers. Sixteen plays toward a small swale-filled green framed by dunes, with ocean views from Caves Beach to Redhead.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Memorable ocean-side back-nine stretch
- Transparent visitor and hire pricing
- Seven-day public access
- Good-value regional annual subscriptions
- Strong amateur tournament heritage
What Could Be Better
- December and January carry higher green fees
- Wind can dominate exposed holes
- Lower front-nine areas may play softer after rain
- Members still pay per-round social or competition fees
Final Verdict
Belmont Golf Club earns 4.4 out of 5. The ocean stretch, public access, and transparent pricing create one of the Hunter region’s stronger visitor propositions.
Not every hole has equal visual drama. The course succeeds because the water-side opening and coastal finish demand different skills.
Play Belmont for seaside variety. Choose Toukley when lower cost and a less exposed round matter more.
See our review methodology for scoring details.
Author Note
I assess Australian golf clubs through current access, design, annual cost, and the details visitors discover too late. Learn more about our editorial approach.
Last reviewed: 2 July 2026. Rates and access can change; confirm directly before travelling.
