By David Luis 
Ranked #12 in our Best Golf Clubs in Queensland — see how it compares with the rest of the top 17.
Caloundra Golf Club offers traditional bushland golf five minutes from the southern Sunshine Coast beaches. Tight corridors, undulating ground, wildlife, and fast greens reward accuracy over power. Here is our full Caloundra Golf Club review.
Visitor access is refreshingly direct. The club accepts online weekday tee times and discounts 18 holes from A$85 to A$80. Seniors, juniors, twilight players, and social groups receive separate rates.
Membership is the harder proposition. Full membership is currently waitlisted, and the published 2026/27 first-year cost is A$4,249. That includes a A$2,475 nomination fee.
The course itself remains the attraction. Caloundra is not a manicured resort with ocean views. It is a compact, strategic members’ course where trees, slopes, and small targets can humble careless golfers.
I would book Caloundra before a flashy resort when shot-making matters most. To me, its character feels local, established, and pleasantly free from generic Sunshine Coast resort theatre.
GCR Score: 4.1 / 5
Verdict: Recommended for accurate golfers seeking an authentic Sunshine Coast round
Best For: Walkers, seniors, wildlife lovers, and strategic players
Think Twice If: You want resort conditioning, wide fairways, or immediate full membership
Last Reviewed: October 11, 2026.
At a Glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | 1 Charles Woodward Drive, Caloundra QLD 4551 |
| Course Type | Traditional bushland parkland |
| Holes | 18, par 71 |
| Course Length | 5,987m championship layout |
| Published Slope Range | 104–133 across rated markers |
| Green Fees | A$80 online, A$85 standard |
| Visitor Access | Public weekday online bookings |
| Membership | Full; waitlist operating |
| Dress Code | Moderate |
| Buggy Hire | A$50 for 18 holes |
| Founded | 1951 |
| Phone | (07) 5491 1811 |
| Official Website | caloundragolfclub.com |
All prices are Australian dollars. Confirm whether quoted rates include GST before payment.
Course Overview
Image: Caloundra Golf Club.
Caloundra opened as a nine-hole course during 1951. The full 18 opened in 1966, and championship status followed during 1989.
The current par-71 layout measures 5,987 metres. It is shorter than many modern championship courses, but tight lines protect par effectively.
Native vegetation, modest elevation changes, and several water hazards shape the routing. Kangaroos and birdlife add unmistakable Queensland character.
Former Open champion Ian Baker-Finch learned golf here. Golf Australia Magazine also highlights Caloundra’s traditional shot-making character.
Our key takeaway: leave the driver in the bag whenever trees narrow the landing area.
Course Design and Standout Holes
The 341-metre first doglegs left. A drive toward the right mound opens the approach, while bunkers surround the green.
The fourth is a memorable par five exceeding 500 metres. Its drive crosses water before climbing over sloping ground toward a hidden green.
The fifth follows with another long par five. This back-to-back sequence tests concentration before the round settles.
The eighteenth provides a demanding finish through mature bushland. Players protecting a score should favour position and accept a longer approach.
Greens are frequently praised for speed and challenge. Approach location matters because downhill putts become defensive quickly.
Green Fees and Visitor Access
| Option | 18 Holes | 9 Holes |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor standard | A$85 | A$55 |
| Visitor online | A$80 | A$50 |
| Senior card holder | A$60 | A$40 |
| Reciprocal visitor | A$60 | A$40 |
| Junior visitor | A$30 | A$20 |
| Junior reciprocal | A$20 | A$15 |
| Twilight | A$40 | Not listed |
| Motorised buggy | A$50 | A$30 |
Visitors can book available weekday times through the public portal. Competition and member demand may restrict weekends and prime mornings.
Online specials reduce two walking players to A$130. Two players with a cart cost A$175, while four walkers cost A$260.
Social groups of 12–35 pay A$50 each for 18 holes. Groups above 35 pay A$45, subject to club approval.
Nine-hole online specials are published too: two walkers pay A$80, two players with a cart pay A$110, four walkers pay A$160, and four players with carts pay A$220. The 18-hole four-player cart special is A$350. The club’s fee page quotes no cancellation terms, so ask when you book.
- Check the visitor calendar for available days.
- Use the online rate rather than paying standard price.
- Reserve carts before arrival.
- Confirm competition access if using a GA handicap.
Course Conditions
Image: Caloundra Golf Club.
Recent club testimonials consistently praise fast greens and overall presentation. The putting surfaces are the clearest conditioning strength.
Tree cover and narrow corridors can leave shaded or damp areas after rain. Queensland storm periods may also trigger lightning suspensions.
The club publishes a formal lightning procedure. Players should stop immediately when officials sound the relevant warning.
Ask about coring and renovation dates before booking. An A$80 visitor round deserves current information, especially around green maintenance.
Membership and Annual Subscriptions
Caloundra currently reports full membership and maintains a waitlist. It offers seven-day, intermediate, and junior categories. Applications are taken at the club office from 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, and the waitlist is arranged through administration on (07) 5491 1811.
| Published 2026/27 Category | Subscription | Nomination |
|---|---|---|
| Full | A$1,650 | A$2,475 |
| Intermediate | A$500–A$800 | A$200 |
| Junior | A$250 | A$5 |
Affiliation costs A$98 and insurance costs A$26. The membership year runs from 1 July through 30 June, and the club says new memberships are charged pro-rata by joining month. Monthly payment plans are available for full membership.
Full first-year cost reaches A$4,249 before competition fees (A$1,650 subscription, A$2,475 nomination, A$98 affiliation and A$26 insurance). Annual renewal totals A$1,774 using the published schedule. Pro-rata billing may reduce a part-year first invoice, so confirm what it covers.
Renewal breaks even near 21 standard visitor rounds at A$85. First-year break-even approaches 50 rounds because of the nomination fee.
Members pay A$15 competition entry but no social green fee. If you are weighing a long wait, what a club waitlist involves explains the usual sequence, and our guide to membership cost in Australia shows where this nomination fee sits among other clubs.
What Changed in the 2026/27 Fee Schedule
An earlier version of this review used the 2025/26 schedule. The club now publishes 2026/27 prices, and the biggest movement is the one-off nomination fee.
| Item | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full subscription | A$1,500 | A$1,650 | +A$150 |
| Full nomination fee | A$1,500 | A$2,475 | +A$975 |
| Affiliation | A$92 | A$98 | +A$6 |
| Insurance | A$24 | A$26 | +A$2 |
| Full first-year total | A$3,116 | A$4,249 | +A$1,133 |
| Full renewal total | A$1,616 | A$1,774 | +A$158 |
| Intermediate subscription | A$400–A$500 | A$500–A$800 | Higher range |
| Junior subscription | A$200 | A$250 | +A$50 |
The nomination fee rose about 65 per cent, while the annual subscription rose about 10 per cent. The 2025/26 column comes from this review’s earlier schedule, not from a current club page.
GA Handicap at Caloundra
Published course information shows slope ratings from 104 through 133 across available markers. The longest setup measures about 5,987 metres.
A slope near 133 gives most visitors more strokes than the 113 standard baseline. Forward markers offer a substantially gentler calculation.
Because several course lengths circulate online, use the current scorecard at check-in. The club’s daily handicap display remains authoritative.
Visitors without a handicap should read how much does a golf handicap cost in Australia before deciding whether joining a club is worth it.
Pennant and Competition Golf
Caloundra supports men’s, women’s, veterans’, and junior competition programmes. Its 2026 fixture includes medals, matchplay, championships, and open events.
The club has produced state and national-level players. Its tight course develops control, patience, and reliable approach play.
Visitors with a current GA handicap should ask about open competition spaces. Public bookings do not automatically include competition entry.
Reciprocal Rights
Full reciprocal partners include Carpentaria, Toowoomba, Settlers Run, Keysborough, Ryde-Parramatta, Western Australian, Mount Lawley, and Darwin. Fees may still apply at these clubs.
Part-reciprocal Queensland clubs include Headland, Maroochy River, Mount Coolum, Noosa, and Beerwah. Restrictions may exclude weekends and public holidays.
A current club membership card is required. A Golf Link card alone is not accepted for reciprocity.
The club lists many more part-reciprocal Queensland courses, including Gympie, Hervey Bay, Kingaroy, Maleny, Samford Valley, and Woodford. Burleigh and Cobram Barooga charge 50 per cent of the green fee. Caloundra members also receive two free games a year at Headland.
Facilities
- Practice: outdoor range, short-game area, and putting green.
- Technology: indoor Game Development Centre with TrackMan.
- Golf shop: equipment, fittings, lessons, hire carts, and visitor check-in.
- Clubhouse: licensed bar, dining, viewing deck, and function rooms.
- Coaching: private tuition, playing lessons, clinics, and junior academy.
Private lessons begin at A$75 for 30 minutes. The modern teaching centre is stronger than the course’s traditional image suggests.
The club also lists rainbow lorikeets that visitors can see and feed in the late afternoon. Its packages page currently says it is not taking function bookings, so ask before planning an event.
Best Time to Visit
Image: Caloundra Golf Club.
May through September provides the best walking weather, usually around 10–25°C. Humidity falls, and winter rainfall is generally manageable.
Summer temperatures often reach 28–32°C with high humidity. Afternoon storms create lightning and delay risks.
Book early during winter because Sunshine Coast demand rises. Twilight offers value during warmer months when daylight permits.
How to Get There
Caloundra Golf Club is five minutes from central Caloundra and nearby beaches. Brisbane CBD is approximately 90 kilometres south.
Sunshine Coast Airport is about 30 minutes north in ordinary traffic. Driving is easiest, and on-site parking is available.
Public buses serve Caloundra, but carrying clubs makes a car or rideshare more practical.
Dress Code
Dress code level: Moderate. Golf shirts, tidy trousers, shorts or skirts, sports socks, and suitable shoes are expected.
Singlets, men’s sleeveless shirts, tracksuits, exercise wear, swimwear, offensive graphics, and dirty clothing are prohibited.
The clubhouse requires smart casual clothing. Rubber thongs are not allowed after 6:30pm.
Nearby Alternatives
Image: Caloundra Golf Club.
- Headland Golf Club: elevated coastal outlooks and a more dramatic terrain profile.
- Pelican Waters Golf Club: modern Greg Norman design with resort-style presentation.
- Beerwah Golf Club: lower-key hinterland golf near the Glass House Mountains.
Browse more QLD golf club reviews. Caloundra is the traditional accuracy test among these nearby options.
Who Is This Club For?
Caloundra suits accurate players, walkers, seniors, and golfers who value wildlife and club culture. Its online discounts also help travelling pairs.
Big hitters wanting wide resort fairways may feel constrained. Membership seekers must accept a waitlist and substantial nomination fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can visitors play Caloundra Golf Club?
Yes. Caloundra welcomes visitors and offers public online tee times during the week. Member competitions can restrict weekends and prime periods. Use the live booking portal, then confirm course works and cart availability before travelling to the Sunshine Coast.
How much are Caloundra Golf Club green fees?
Standard visitor prices are A$85 for 18 holes and A$55 for nine. Online booking reduces them to A$80 and A$50. Seniors pay A$60 for 18 holes, juniors pay A$30, and twilight golf costs A$40.
Is Caloundra Golf Club membership open?
No. The club currently states that membership is full and operates a waitlist. Published 2026/27 full costs total A$4,249 initially. That includes subscription, nomination, affiliation, and insurance charges. Confirm pro-rata billing before applying.
What is the Caloundra Golf Club dress code?
Caloundra expects tidy golf attire and suitable shoes. Singlets, men’s sleeveless shirts, tracksuits, exercise wear, swimwear, offensive graphics, and dirty clothing are prohibited. The clubhouse uses smart casual rules, and rubber thongs are banned after 6:30pm.
Does Caloundra Golf Club have a driving range?
Yes. Caloundra provides an outdoor driving range, short-game area, and putting green. Its indoor Game Development Centre adds TrackMan technology for lessons and fitting. Private coaching, playing lessons, group clinics, and a junior academy are also available.
How much does Caloundra Golf Club membership cost in 2026/27?
Full membership has a A$1,650 subscription and a one-off A$2,475 nomination fee. Add A$98 affiliation and A$26 insurance for A$4,249 in year one and A$1,774 on renewal. Intermediate subscriptions run A$500–A$800, and junior subscriptions cost A$250.
Does Caloundra Golf Club have reciprocal rights?
Yes. Full reciprocal partners include Toowoomba, Carpentaria, Settlers Run, Keysborough, Ryde-Parramatta, and Darwin. Part-reciprocal Queensland clubs may exclude weekends and public holidays. Show a current club card because Golflink cards are not accepted.
What are the best holes at Caloundra?
The fourth is the standout. This long par five requires a drive across water toward a rising, sloping fairway. The neighbouring fifth extends the demanding sequence. The tree-lined eighteenth provides a strong closing test where position matters more than distance.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Strategic bushland design rewarding accuracy.
- Fast, frequently praised putting surfaces.
- Clear visitor pricing with online discounts.
- TrackMan teaching centre and broad coaching options.
- Abundant kangaroos, lorikeets, and native wildlife.
What Could Be Better
- Full membership is currently waitlisted.
- A$2,475 nomination fee raises first-year cost.
- Weekend visitor access can be limited.
- Tight corridors may frustrate aggressive drivers.
- Summer humidity and storms affect afternoon play.
Final Verdict
Caloundra Golf Club earns 4.1 out of 5. Its strategic design, strong greens, visitor rates, and wildlife create an authentic local round.
The course lacks resort spectacle, while membership access remains difficult. Neither issue undermines its appeal for thoughtful golfers.
Book online for the A$80 rate and choose a cool morning. Skip it if broad driving corridors matter more than shot placement.
See how it stacks up against Australia’s best in our Best Golf Clubs in Australia roundup.
Author Note
I assess clubs through current access, cost, course design, and details visitors discover too late.
Last reviewed: October 11, 2026. Rates and access can change; confirm directly before travelling.
