Golf Clubs

Concord Golf Club Review (2026): Is the Doak Redesign Worth the Gate?

Last reviewed: July 26, 2026
Concord Golf Club Review (2026): Is the Doak Redesign Worth the Gate?
4.7
out of 5
★★★★★
Highly recommended for invited players; a historically important Sydney private club sharpened by Tom Doak's strategic redesign.

Concord Golf Club is a private championship course in Sydney’s Inner West with a rare combination of tournament history, practical city access and modern architectural relevance.

Tom Doak’s 2018 redesign refreshed a club whose roots reach back to 1899. Tight parkland corridors remain, but the greens, bunkers and short par 4s now ask more strategic questions.

The catch is access: there is no public tee sheet and membership is by invitation. Here is our full Concord Golf Club review.

GCR Score: 4.7 / 5
Verdict: Highly recommended for invited players; a historically important Sydney private club sharpened by Tom Doak’s strategic redesign.
Best For: Private-club members, architecture enthusiasts, strong competition golfers, reciprocals and invited visitors
Think Twice If: You need public tee times, visible membership pricing, or a relaxed access process
Last Reviewed: 25 July 2026

At a Glance

FieldDetail
Location190 Majors Bay Road, Concord NSW 2137
Course TypePrivate Sydney Inner West championship parkland
Holes18 holes, par 71 men / par 74 women
Course Length6,042m black; 6,146m blue; 5,209m red
Scratch / SlopeBlack 74 / 133; red 74 / 141
Green FeesNot publicly listed
Visitor AccessMember guest, reciprocal, arranged interstate/international visit or golf day
MembershipPrivate membership by invitation
Dress CodeStrict private-club course and clubhouse standard
Buggy HireConfirm availability with Golf Shop
Founded1899
Phone+61 2 9743 6111
Official WebsiteConcord Golf Club

All prices are Australian dollars. Confirm GST, access windows, cart rules, and membership availability directly before booking or joining.

Course Overview

Course Overview

Image: Concord Golf Club

Concord lists Dan Soutar, Ross Watson, Mark Parker and Tom Doak in its architectural history. The official course tour says the Doak redesign opened on 11 November 2018.

Golf NSW lists a 6,042m black course with a scratch rating of 74 and slope of 133. The red card is 5,209m, par 74, scratch 74 and slope 141. Those numbers support the club’s reputation as a demanding but walkable metropolitan test.

The tournament record is substantial: NSW Opens, Australian PGA Championships, the ANZ Championship and the Australian Women’s Open have all used Concord. That history is not decorative; it shows the site can challenge elite fields.

The club grew from the original Sydney Golf Club activity at Concord West. Local members formed Concord in 1899, Dan Soutar shaped the early full course, and later reconstruction by Ross Watson preceded Doak’s work. The result is a layered course rather than a heritage layout frozen in one era.

Our key takeaway: Concord combines old Sydney club heritage with one of the city’s most meaningful modern redesigns.

Course Design and Standout Holes

Doak’s work is most visible in decision-making rather than visual excess. The 297m black-tee first can be driven, but a miss leaves a difficult recovery around a subtly contoured green. It establishes risk and angle immediately.

The card then changes rhythm through tight par 4s, four par 3s and three par 5s. The 134m 14th is short enough to invite aggression, yet a poor strike into a defended green can turn a birdie chance into bogey.

Concord’s trees, strategic bunkers and fast greens demand control through the bag. The strongest players can attack, but the slope rating shows how quickly small misses accumulate for ordinary golfers.

Tee selection deserves attention because the listed black and blue routings do not simply progress by total distance on every hole. Follow the club’s daily markers and play the set that matches your carry distances rather than choosing by colour alone.

Green Fees and Visitor Access

Concord is a private members-only facility with defined but narrow visitor pathways.

OptionPublished DetailNotes
Member guestFee not publishedHost member must arrange access
Recognised reciprocal memberFee not publishedPrior enquiry and proof required
Interstate / international visitorBy prior arrangementSubject to availability
Corporate golf dayPackage enquiryTypically arranged on approved days
Public daily feeNot availableNo ordinary public tee sheet

The visitor page identifies three direct routes: play as a member guest, visit through a recognised reciprocal club, or submit an interstate or international visitor enquiry.

Golf days and selected open events create occasional alternatives, but they are not the same as routine public access. Every route requires planning and club approval.

Green fees are not published. Ask for the complete cost, cart availability, handicap requirement and dress expectations when the visit is confirmed.

The access gate is a real deduction in our score, but it also protects the pace and presentation members are paying for.

Course Conditions

Course Conditions

Image: Concord Golf Club

Concord promotes lush, tight fairways and fast greens, and its tournament history creates a high conditioning expectation. The modern rebuild and dedicated greens operation support that standard.

The Inner West can still receive heavy rain, and the club’s practice rules specifically note wet-weather closures. Check live course status before an arranged visit because private access is too difficult to waste on a closure.

Membership and Annual Subscriptions

Membership is by invitation and the club does not publish subscription or entrance fees.

CategoryPublished FeeNotes
Playing membershipNot publicly disclosedInvitation required
Entrance / joining feeNot publicly disclosedConfirm during the formal process
Junior developmentProgramme fees varyClinics and performance pathways available
Social / house accessNot publicly disclosedAsk club for current categories

Prospective members are directed to their personal or professional network and encouraged to approach an existing Concord member. This is not an open online purchase process.

The lack of public pricing makes independent value assessment impossible. Before progressing, obtain the entrance fee, annual subscription, house account, capital charges, nomination requirements and wait time in writing.

For a serious Inner West golfer who can secure an invitation, the course quality, practice centre and competition pedigree form a persuasive package. For anyone outside the network, access may remain the decisive barrier.

GA Handicap at This Club

The black scratch and slope of 74/133 indicate a course that plays harder than its par for a scratch golfer and scales meaningfully for higher handicaps. The red 74/141 rating is even more demanding relative to par.

Visitors should provide a current GA Handicap or recognised overseas equivalent when making an enquiry. Use the daily rating displayed by the club.

Pennant and Competition Golf

Golf NSW lists men’s competitions on Wednesday and Saturday, women’s competitions on Tuesday and Friday, and a Sunday medley. Social windows include Monday, Tuesday afternoon, Thursday and Friday afternoon, though private access rules still apply.

Concord’s women won the 2026 Metropolitan Major Pennant Division 1 title. The result reinforces that this is an active high-performance club, not merely a prestigious address.

Reciprocal Rights

Members of recognised reciprocal clubs can enquire for access. Incoming players should arrange a letter of introduction, confirm residence restrictions and wait for approval before making travel plans.

Facilities

Facilities

Image: Concord Golf Club

Concord’s practice infrastructure is among the strongest in this AU batch.

  • Driving range and short-game practice areas
  • Chipping greens and practice nets
  • Golf Performance and Fitting Centre
  • Simulator, swing analysis and putt lab
  • Professional coaching and junior clinics
  • Historic clubhouse, dining and function rooms

The performance centre makes membership more useful for players who train rather than simply turn up for a Saturday comp. Range use is controlled, including a 130m maximum in the main practice direction.

The historic clubhouse retains a traditional Sydney private-club identity while supporting modern functions and dining.

Best Time to Visit

March to May and September to November are Sydney’s most reliable golf windows. Mild conditions suit the walking course and allow the greens and strategic contours to play as intended.

Winter can be excellent on dry days. Summer humidity and thunderstorms are the main comfort risks, while prolonged rain can affect the course and practice areas.

How to Get There

Concord is at 190 Majors Bay Road in Sydney’s Inner West, close to Sydney Olympic Park and roughly 15km from the CBD. Entry is via Flavelle Street.

The location is unusually convenient for a private championship course. Driving is simplest with clubs, though Concord West and North Strathfield transport links make the area accessible.

Dress Code

Concord enforces formal course and clubhouse standards. Inappropriately dressed visitors can be refused entry, and the host or organiser is responsible for explaining the rules.

Wear recognised golf attire and soft-spike shoes, and review the current pictorial policy before visiting. Do not assume neat streetwear will pass on the course.

Nearby Alternatives

Explore more NSW golf club reviews and compare visitor access before choosing a tee time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the public play Concord Golf Club?

No ordinary public tee sheet is available. Access is through a member guest, recognised reciprocal club, approved interstate or international visit, golf day or selected open event.

How much does it cost to play Concord Golf Club?

Visitor green fees are not published. The club provides the applicable cost after confirming an eligible access route.

How do you join Concord Golf Club?

Membership is by invitation. The club encourages prospects to identify an existing member through personal or professional networks.

Who redesigned Concord Golf Club?

Tom Doak’s Renaissance Golf Design completed the latest major redesign, which officially opened in November 2018.

What is the slope rating at Concord Golf Club?

Golf NSW lists the black course at scratch 74 and slope 133, and the red course at scratch 74 and slope 141.

What is the dress code at Concord Golf Club?

A strict private-club dress policy applies on the course and in the clubhouse. Visitors should review the current policy before arrival.

Pros and Cons

What We Liked

  • Tom Doak redesign with genuine strategic interest
  • Major Australian tournament history
  • Strong scratch and slope challenge
  • Excellent performance and practice facilities
  • Convenient Sydney Inner West location

What Could Be Better

  • No public tee times
  • Membership and visitor fees are not disclosed
  • Invitation-based membership limits access
  • Strict dress and visitor process
  • Wet-weather closures can disrupt rare visits

Final Verdict

Concord Golf Club earns 4.7 out of 5. The Doak redesign, tournament heritage, strong ratings and practice infrastructure place it among the best private golf products in Sydney.

The score stops short of the very top because access and price transparency matter. A course most readers cannot book and a membership they cannot cost cannot be a universal recommendation.

If you receive a member, reciprocal or visitor invitation, take it. Concord is not merely old and private; it is strategically current and worth the access effort.

See our review methodology for scoring details.

See how it stacks up against the state’s best in our Best Golf Clubs in NSW roundup.

See how it stacks up against Australia’s best in our Best Golf Clubs in Australia roundup.

Author Note

I assess golf clubs through current access, design, cost, and the small details visitors usually discover too late. Learn more about our editorial approach.

Last reviewed: 25 July 2026. Rates and access can change; confirm directly before travelling.

Club Type
Golf Club
Membership Type
Private invitation membership, junior development and approved visitor pathways
Membership Fee
Not publicly disclosed; private invitation membership
Initiation Fee
Not publicly disclosed
Best Time to Visit
March-May and September-November
Dress Code
Strict private-club course and clubhouse policy
Location
Concord, NSW, Australia
Phone
+61 2 9743 6111

What We Loved

  • Tom Doak redesign with genuine strategic interest
  • Major Australian tournament history
  • Strong scratch and slope challenge
  • Excellent performance and practice facilities
  • Convenient Sydney Inner West location

What Could Be Better

  • No public tee times
  • Membership and visitor fees are not disclosed
  • Invitation-based membership limits access
  • Strict dress and visitor process
  • Wet-weather closures can disrupt rare visits
David Luis

Club Reviewer & Founder — GreatClubReview.com

13 club reviews written

David Luis has spent more than a decade researching, visiting, and reviewing private and public clubs across the United States. A golfer and club culture enthusiast, he founded GreatClubReview.com to give prospective members and guests an honest, membership-fee-transparent view of what clubs are actually worth. Every review draws on firsthand research, member conversations, and publicly available pricing data — no press packages, no comped access. He has published reviews of more than a dozen golf, country, sports, and private members clubs across North America.