By 
GCR Score: 4.4 / 5
Verdict: Highly recommended for Murray golf trips and local value, with excellent membership and stay-and-play pricing.
Best For: Murray road trips, value members, resort groups, seniors, families, and golfers preferring a flat walk
Think Twice If: You need a published standard visitor green fee, championship length, or a dramatic elevation-heavy layout
Last Reviewed: 25 July 2026
Howlong Golf Resort turns a small Murray town into a practical golf destination with accommodation beside the course.
The strongest numbers are membership figures, not prestige claims. Local playing membership costs A$400, while eligible resort members pay A$129.
A flat walk, full resort facilities, and position-first golf broaden the appeal. Here is our full Howlong Golf Club review.
At a Glance
Image: Howlong Golf Resort
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | 186 Golf Club Drive, Howlong NSW 2643 |
| Course Type | Public-access Murray resort parkland |
| Holes | 18 holes on a flat, tree-lined routing |
| Course Length | Not stated on the current official page; confirm the live card |
| Scratch / Slope | Confirm the current rated card with the Pro Shop |
| Green Fees | Standard visitor rate shown in live booking; A$17 most comps |
| Visitor Access | Public social golf seven days; bookings up to 12 months ahead |
| Membership | Golf Playing A$400; resort membership A$129 |
| Dress Code | Current detailed golf dress policy is not published; confirm directly |
| Buggy Hire | Available through the Pro Shop; confirm current fee |
| Founded | Long-standing community club with resort development |
| Phone | +61 2 6026 5321 |
| Official Website | Howlong Golf Resort |
All prices are Australian dollars. Confirm GST, access windows, cart rules, and membership availability directly before booking or joining.
Course Overview
Image: Howlong Golf Resort
The official golf page describes an 18-hole course with flat terrain. Legend couch fairways and creeping bent greens support year-round play.
The routing is not overly long, but its corridors narrow. Trees, strategic bunkers, out-of-bounds, doglegs, and water reward controlled placement.
The Golf NSW profile highlights the community-focused resort model. It also confirms social golf seven days.
Our key takeaway: Howlong’s advantage is the complete value package: playable golf, affordable membership, accommodation, and broad resort facilities.
Course Design and Standout Holes
The 120m fifth looks simple, but sand guards both sides of a narrow two-level green. Precision matters more than power.
Water shapes the ninth at driving distance. A diagonal mound near the green adds uncertainty to the second shot.
The short par-5 11th invites two-shot attempts. Out-of-bounds right and a large eucalyptus punish the wrong attack line.
The 17th is a long par 3 over water. The drivable 18th then offers a final risk-reward choice beside more water.
Green Fees and Visitor Access
Howlong is easy to book, although its standard public fee is not displayed in a static table.
| Option | Published Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard social golf | Live booking / call | Book up to 12 months ahead |
| Most daily competitions | A$17 | Extra visitor fees may apply |
| 9-hole competition | A$12 | Extra visitor fees may apply |
| Play and Stay | A$99 per person nightly | Accommodation, unlimited golf, and breakfast |
| Resort member 18 holes | A$10 | Eligible members living over 100km away |
| Resort member 9 holes | A$5 | Eligible members living over 100km away |
Public golfers can reserve social times up to 12 months ahead without a booking fee. The Pro Shop handles questions and equipment.
The club’s A$99 play-and-stay package places accommodation 50m from the course. It includes unlimited golf and delivered breakfast.
The static official page omits the ordinary visitor green fee. Check live booking before comparing Howlong with Rich River or Yarrawonga.
All prices are Australian dollars. Confirm GST, package dates, room occupancy, buggy charges, and competition visitor supplements directly.
Course Conditions
Image: Howlong Golf Resort
The course is well drained and fully irrigated. Legend couch fairways and creeping bent greens target reliable year-round presentation.
Flat terrain reduces physical strain, but Murray heat changes the experience. Early starts and a buggy are sensible during hot spells.
The club emphasises careful presentation rather than tournament severity. Its strongest condition advantage is consistency for the price.
Membership and Annual Subscriptions
Howlong publishes an unusually affordable and flexible 12-month membership range.
| Category | Published Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Golf Playing | A$400 | Unlimited social golf and GA Handicap |
| Golf Pensioner | A$300 | Unlimited social golf and GA Handicap |
| Non-Home Club | A$285 | For eligible nearby-club members |
| Golf Playing Resort | A$129 | For golfers living over 100km away |
| Sand Green | A$150 | Three months with no green fees |
| Combination | A$540 | Add bowls or croquet |
The official membership page starts each 12-month term on the joining date. That avoids a shortened first year.
A$400 for unlimited local social golf is outstanding value. It can beat casual pricing quickly for anyone playing most weeks.
The A$129 Resort category targets golfers living over 100km away. Its A$10 round charge rewards repeat Murray trips without local eligibility.
The non-home category applies to members of Corowa, Albury, Thurgoona, or Wodonga. Confirm competition eligibility and affiliation before joining.
GA Handicap at This Club
Local playing and pensioner memberships maintain a handicap. The Golf Australia handicap guide explains official national records and Daily Handicaps.
Non-home members maintain their handicap elsewhere. Resort members should confirm whether their chosen competition requires another home club.
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Pennant and Competition Golf
Image: Howlong Golf Resort
Competitions run across most of the week, excluding tournament days. Most daily events cost A$17, while nine-hole competitions cost A$12.
Golf NSW lists medley golf Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. Monday has nine-hole Stableford, Wednesday is women’s golf, and Thursday hosts veterans.
Visitors can ask the Pro Shop about entry and supplements. A current GA Handicap will usually simplify competition access.
Reciprocal Rights
Local playing members receive reciprocal access at participating clubs. The current public page does not provide one complete partner list.
Request written details before building a trip around reciprocal golf. Distance limits, introductions, and event exclusions can change the benefit.
Facilities
Howlong has the broadest non-golf facility package in AU-Day 18.
- On-course studio and apartment accommodation
- Ten undercover practice bays and a putting green
- Pro Shop, coaching, repairs, rentals, and club fitting
- Clubhouse dining, bar, and function spaces
- Swimming pool and grass tennis court
- Bowls, croquet, gateball, bingo, and mahjong
- Practice access around the 19th hole
Groups can park once and remain onsite for a full weekend. That convenience is Howlong’s biggest advantage over a standalone country course.
The practice bays cover wet or hot warm-ups. The broader activities also help mixed-interest families and travelling groups.
Best Time to Visit
March to May and September to November avoid the Murray’s harshest heat. They also suit wine-region and golf weekends.
Winter can deliver crisp mornings and good walking conditions. Summer rounds should start early and include serious heat planning.
How to Get There
Howlong sits between Albury and Corowa, near the Rutherglen wine region. Golf NSW estimates 3.5 hours from Melbourne.
Canberra is about four hours away by road. The resort address is 186 Golf Club Drive, with accommodation beside the course.
Dress Code
Image: Howlong Golf Resort
The current public golf pages do not show a detailed dress-code table. Ask the Pro Shop before competition or formal clubhouse use.
Neat golf attire and enclosed footwear are the sensible default. Resort informality should not be mistaken for unrestricted competition dress.
Nearby Alternatives
- Rich River Golf Club – a larger Murray resort with two courses and a matching 4.4 score
- Yarrawonga & Border Golf Club – broader multi-course scale beside the Murray
- Wollongong Golf Club – another NSW stay-and-play option with a coastal setting
Explore more NSW golf club reviews and compare visitor access before choosing a tee time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the public play Howlong Golf Club?
Yes. Howlong welcomes social golfers seven days a week and accepts bookings up to 12 months ahead without a booking fee. Public times run through the online system or Pro Shop. Competition entry is also possible, although visitors may pay supplements and should carry a current GA Handicap.
How much does it cost to play Howlong Golf Club?
The current static official page sends standard social golfers to live booking rather than publishing one fixed fee. Most competitions cost A$17, and nine-hole events cost A$12 before possible visitor supplements. Eligible A$129 resort members pay A$10 for 18 holes or A$5 for nine.
How much is Howlong Golf Club membership?
Local Golf Playing membership costs A$400 for 12 months, while pensioner membership costs A$300. Eligible non-home members pay A$285. Golfers living over 100km away can choose the A$129 resort category. Sand-green membership costs A$150, and combined sport membership starts at A$540.
Is Howlong Golf Resort good for a golf trip?
Yes. Accommodation sits about 50m from the course. The promoted A$99 per-person nightly package includes unlimited golf and delivered breakfast. The resort also has dining, a pool, bowls, croquet, tennis, and practice facilities. Confirm room occupancy, package dates, and buggy costs before booking.
Is Howlong Golf Club difficult to walk?
The course is notably flat, making it one of the easier Murray layouts to walk. Difficulty comes from narrow corridors, doglegs, out-of-bounds, strategic bunkers, and water rather than climbing. Summer heat remains the main physical concern, so early tee times and hydration matter during hotter months.
What are the best holes at Howlong Golf Club?
The 17th is a long par 3 over water, while the drivable 18th creates a memorable risk-reward finish. The ninth also brings water into the drive. Earlier, the 120m fifth demands precise iron play, and the reachable par-5 11th tempts stronger players beside out-of-bounds.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Outstanding A$400 local membership value
- A$129 long-distance resort category
- On-course accommodation and broad resort facilities
- Flat, accessible walking terrain
- Strategic water and dogleg finish
What Could Be Better
- Standard visitor green fee is not shown statically
- Current rated length and slope need direct confirmation
- Murray summer heat can be severe
- Detailed dress policy is not easy to find
- Golf architecture favours playability over championship scale
Final Verdict
Howlong Golf Resort earns 4.4 out of 5. Few regional clubs combine this much access, membership value, and onsite convenience.
The score loses ground because standard public pricing and rated card details are not transparent. The course also lacks championship scale.
Choose Howlong for an affordable Murray weekend or regular local golf. Rich River wins when two-course variety matters more.
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.
