Forster Golf Club Review (2026): Short but Worth A$51?

Forster’s course begins with a par three and finishes after only 4,868 metres. It is not trying to overpower anyone.

This Forster Golf Club review found a friendly par-66 layout beside One Mile Beach. Generous fairways make holiday golf immediately accessible.

Small greens, coastal wind, water, and six par threes preserve enough difficulty. The A$51 visitor fee remains attractive for the setting.

The naming needs explanation. Forster is one of two courses operated by Forster Tuncurry Golf Club, alongside the stronger Tuncurry championship layout.

Membership therefore covers a broader club than this short course alone. Annual subs range from A$557 Bronze to A$2,781 Gold before playing charges.

I recommend Forster when enjoyment, location, and pace matter more than championship scale. Serious golfers should pair it with Tuncurry.

At a Glance

All prices are Australian dollars. Visitor prices come from the live March 2025 schedule and remain subject to change.

Course Overview

Forster is the shorter, friendlier half of a two-course coastal club. Its identity differs sharply from Tuncurry.

Forster later merged with the developing Great Lakes Country Club before Tuncurry opened in 1984. Members now receive access to both locations.

The first six holes occupy the beach side of the clubhouse. Ocean glimpses and sea breezes establish the holiday atmosphere immediately.

An Australian Golf Digest review describes Forster as short, open, and user-friendly. It correctly identifies Tuncurry as the stronger pure layout.

Our key takeaway: Forster succeeds by making seaside golf welcoming, while its sister course supplies the championship test.

Course Design and Standout Holes

Six par threes and no long par-five slog define Forster’s unusual par-66 rhythm. Approach precision matters more than driving distance.

The 170-metre opening par three immediately brings water left and a bunker right. Starting without a gentle driving hole feels distinctive.

The 299-metre second tempts longer golfers to cut a right dogleg. Out-of-bounds and an easterly breeze make the safer corner attractive.

The fourth heads directly towards the sea. Water, bunkers, wind, and a small green complicate a shot measuring around 142 metres.

Green Fees and Visitor Access

Forster costs A$15 less than the Tuncurry course under the club’s live visitor schedule. That gap reflects their different ambitions.

The website still labels these rates as effective from 1 March 2025. Confirm them before travel because prices can change without notice.

Social golf is available all day Monday and Sunday. Tuesday through Saturday access normally begins after 12:30pm.

Visitors with a valid GA handicap can enter many competitions. Private carts require prior approval and otherwise attract a A$25 visiting-cart fee.

Course Conditions

Forster usually delivers solid regional-club presentation, but its parkland base is less rain-resilient than Tuncurry’s sand. Check recent weather.

Small greens magnify maintenance timing. Coring or temporary surfaces affect the experience more when putting targets already drive the course’s challenge.

Membership and Annual Subscriptions

Forster membership is really a 36-hole club product with several usage tiers. Annual subs alone do not reveal the total playing cost.

Published fees include GST, annual subs, affiliation, and insurance where applicable. Monthly payment and pro-rata joining after April are available.

The current membership page does not state joining fees or category playing charges. The older March 2025 schedule listed both.

Ask for the current complete schedule before comparing tiers. Gold’s higher dues can still win when its per-round charge is substantially lower.

GA Handicap at Forster

The men’s Forster course plays to par 66 over 4,868 metres. The women’s course plays to par 68.

Eligible playing subs include affiliation and a GA Handicap. Social Playing membership does not provide one.

Pennant and Competition Golf

Forster hosts competition golf every day and supports a strong regional programme. Visitors can enter many regular events.

Monday is men’s veterans, Tuesday women’s, Wednesday and Friday men’s, Thursday medley, Saturday men’s, and Sunday mixed.

Reciprocal Rights

Forster Tuncurry publishes one of the clearer reciprocal programmes among regional NSW clubs. Eligible visitors receive useful savings.

Full Playing members from reciprocal clubs receive 50% off the visitor green fee, plus applicable competition charges and levies.

Play is capped at six rounds annually and local-area residents are excluded. Advance booking, membership proof, and an introduction letter may apply.

Facilities

Forster provides a full social clubhouse, while Tuncurry offers the quieter golf-focused companion facility. Membership connects both.

• Golf shop: bookings, equipment, coaching, and cart hire
• Forster clubhouse: three bars, change rooms, showers, Keno, and TAB
• Dining: Buko’s Bistro and a large social lounge
• Functions: Fairway Function Centre for up to 220 guests
• Courtesy bus: local door-to-door service from 4:30pm daily
• Sister course: Tuncurry championship golf about seven kilometres away

Best Time to Visit

March through May combines mild temperatures, sea-breeze interest, and fewer peak holiday crowds. Spring is equally attractive.

Choose Monday or Sunday for all-day social access. Book after a dry spell if firm lies and unrestricted carts are important.

How to Get There

The course sits in central Forster beside One Mile Beach. The club estimates an easy three-hour drive from Sydney.

The Strand Street course is easy to combine with local accommodation. Tuncurry lies about seven kilometres away across the bridge.

Dress Code

Dress code level: Moderate. Wear neat golf attire and enclosed footwear on the course.

Collared or recognised golf shirts, tailored shorts, skirts, and trousers are dependable choices. Swimming attire and untidy clothing are inappropriate.

Nearby Alternatives

• Tuncurry Golf Course: the same club’s longer, stronger, sand-based championship layout
• Nelson Bay Golf Club: 27 forest holes, abundant wildlife, and higher peak fees
• Belmont Golf Club: longer coastal championship golf south of Newcastle

Explore more NSW golf club reviews. Forster offers the easiest walk and gentlest visitor test here.

Who Is This Club For?

Forster suits holiday golfers wanting a welcoming round without championship length, steep terrain, or punishing rough.

It also suits local members who value access to two contrasting courses under one subscription.

Skip it when a long, nationally ranked layout is the priority. Play Tuncurry instead, or combine both for the complete club experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are Forster Golf Club green fees?

The live club schedule lists A$51 for 18-hole social golf and A$34 for nine holes or twilight. Competition entry is A$58. A motorised cart costs A$52 for 18 holes. These prices are still labelled from March 2025, so confirm the total before travelling.

Is Forster Golf Club the same as Forster Tuncurry Golf Club?

Forster is one of two courses operated by Forster Tuncurry Golf Club. The short par-66 Forster course sits beside One Mile Beach. The longer par-72 Tuncurry course lies about seven kilometres away. Membership categories serve the combined club and can provide access to both layouts.

Is Forster Golf Club an easy course?

Forster is friendly, short, and comfortable to walk, but small greens prevent it from becoming trivial. Six par threes, coastal wind, water, bunkers, and several sloping targets reward accurate iron play. Higher handicappers receive generous driving areas, while skilled golfers still need precise approaches.

How much is Forster Tuncurry Golf Club membership?

Current annual subs are A$2,781 for Gold, A$1,782 for Silver Plus, and A$1,226 for Silver. Bronze costs A$557. Intermediate subs range from A$227 to A$395. Ask for the complete current playing-fee and joining-fee schedule before comparing each category’s total annual cost.

Can visitors enter competitions at Forster?

Yes. Visitors with a valid GA handicap and home-club membership are welcome in many competitions. The published Forster visitor competition fee is A$58. Event eligibility, available places, and times can change around tournaments. Contact the Forster golf shop before entering or planning a group visit.

Can visitors bring a private cart to Forster Golf Club?

Normally no. Visitors cannot bring private carts onto either course without prior approval from the General Manager or Captain. An exception may apply when rental carts are unavailable. Approved private carts attract a A$25 daily fee. Mobility-dependent golfers should arrange this before booking the round.

Pros and Cons

What We Liked

• Affordable A$51 seaside round
• Friendly layout for mixed abilities
• Small greens preserve strategic interest
• Easy walking beside One Mile Beach
• Membership connects two contrasting courses

What Could Be Better

• Short 4,868-metre par-66 card
• Visitor prices still carry a March 2025 label
• Total membership cost needs clearer presentation
• Less wet-weather resilience than Tuncurry

Final Verdict

Forster Golf Club earns 4.2 out of 5. It provides friendly, affordable seaside golf without pretending to be a championship brute.

The short card limits its ceiling, while unclear total member costs require a direct quote. The two-course structure restores substantial value.

Choose Forster for relaxed holiday golf. Choose Nelson Bay when 27-hole variety and wildlife justify a higher fee.

See our review methodology for scoring details.

Author Note

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

Last reviewed: 4 July 2026. Rates, conditions, competition access, and membership charges can change; confirm directly before travelling.