Golf Clubs

Kiama Golf Club Review (2026): South Coast Value or Too Short?

Last reviewed: July 16, 2026
Kiama Golf Club Review (2026): South Coast Value or Too Short?
4.1
out of 5
★★★★☆
Recommended for Illawarra visitors who want easy access, fair pricing, and a friendly all-weather course.

GCR Score: 4.1 / 5

Verdict: Recommended for Illawarra visitors who want easy access, fair pricing, and a friendly all-weather course.

Best For: South Coast visitors, social clubs, families, and value-conscious golfers.

Avoid If: You want a long championship layout or dislike being paired with other players.

Last reviewed: 11 July 2026

I came into this kiama golf club review asking one simple question: is this club useful for real Australian golfers?

Kiama is not a monster championship course, and that is part of the appeal. It gives visitors clear green fees, seven-day social access, river scenery, and an easy South Coast golf day.

Below, I cover visitor access, green fees, annual subs, facilities, dress standards, and the honest trade-offs.

Club Overview

Club Overview

Image: Kiama Golf Club

Club TypePublic-access golf club
LocationKiama Downs, Illawarra
StateNSW
Course TypeRiverside parkland / tree-lined course
Holes / Par18 holes, par 66
Visitor Green FeeA$38 weekday, A$40 weekend, A$45 public holiday for 18 holes
Annual SubsA$1,365 full golfer for 2026/27
Joining FeeA$300 new full-member joining fee; A$150 rejoining fee
Visitor AccessVisitors welcome year-round; social golf seven days a week
Best TimeMarch-May and September-November
Dress CodeModerate; neat clothing, covered footwear, collared or mock neck shirts for men
Official Websitekiamagolfclub.com.au
Phone02 4237 7300

The club has been part of Kiama golf since 1905 and has played on its current site since 1930. It is practical, friendly, and affordable.

Course Design and Standout Holes

Kiama is an 18-hole par-66 course beside the Minnamurra River. It mixes tree-lined fairways, escarpment views, and shorter scoring holes.

The value comes from flow rather than brute length. The back-nine par 5s and river setting give the round enough variety for holiday golf.

What I Liked

What I Liked

Image: Kiama Golf Club

  • Very clear public green-fee table
  • Social golf available seven days a week
  • Strong value at A$38-A$40 for 18 holes
  • Modern clubhouse food and drink options
  • Cheap juniors at A$10 for 9 or 18 holes

The standout: Kiama makes a South Coast round easy to plan, which is half the battle for visitors.

What I Didn’t Like

  • Par 66 may feel short for low markers
  • Social players may be paired with others
  • Private carts need paperwork and fees
  • Dress rules are more detailed than some casual visitors expect

The course is shorter, so power players may want more bite. Everyone else gets good value.

Green Fees and Visitor Access

Pricing note: Fees are in AUD. Australian consumer prices are generally GST-inclusive unless stated otherwise. Confirm live prices before booking.

Visitor and Hire Fees

18 holes Monday-FridayA$38
18 holes Saturday-SundayA$40
18 holes public holidaysA$45
9 holes weekday/weekendA$28 / A$32
Twilight from 3pmA$28 weekday; A$32 weekend/public holiday
Motorised buggy 18 holesA$47 non-member midweek; A$50 weekend/public holiday

The club says it can host social golf seven days a week, including many morning chances. Book with the golf shop.

Membership and Annual Subs

Full golferA$1,365 to 31/7/2027
Full golfer 30+ yearsA$1,045
Intermediate 22-25A$750
Cadet 18-21A$450
Junior 12-17A$110
Social membershipA$5 for one year

Kiama is one of the clearer value plays in this batch. The full-member subscription is modest by NSW standards.

GA Handicap, Pennant and Competition

GA Handicap, Pennant and Competition

Image: Kiama Golf Club

Playing membership gives access to normal club golf. Visitors entering competitions should confirm GA Handicap requirements with the pro shop.

Competition pricing is published for Green Grass and online members, and social clubs are actively welcomed.

Facilities and Amenities

  • 18-hole course beside Minnamurra River
  • Pro shop open sunrise to 6pm
  • Clubhouse, cafe, bistro, and Mystics at the Golfie dining
  • Club hire and junior sets
  • Motorised buggy hire and group golf support

The food and drink setup matters here because Kiama works well as a relaxed day out, not only a scorecard chase.

Best Time to Visit

For the Illawarra, March-May and September-November are ideal. Winter can still be playable because the club promotes all-weather access.

Book with the pro shop and expect possible pairing during busy social times.

How to Get There

The club is at 79-81 Oxley Avenue, Kiama Downs, about 90 minutes south of Sydney in normal traffic.

Dress Code and Etiquette

Wear neat clothing, covered footwear, and a collared or mock neck golf shirt if you are male. Avoid singlets, bare midriffs, track pants, and metal spikes.

Report to the pro shop before teeing off and handle private-cart paperwork before the round.

Nearby Alternatives

Compared with Wollongong, Kiama gives less ocean drama but easier pricing and a more relaxed social-golf path.

For more context, see Wollongong Golf Club Mollymook Golf Club NSW golf club reviews. I score clubs using the same approach explained in our review methodology.

Who Is This Club For?

Who Is This Club For?

Image: Kiama Golf Club

This club is a good fit if you want a simple, affordable South Coast round with visitor access.

It also works if you are organising a social club or family golf day.

Skip it if you need a long par-72 championship test.

People Also Ask

Can visitors play Kiama Golf Club?

Yes. Kiama says it is open to members and visitors year-round, with social golf available seven days a week.

How much is Kiama Golf Club?

The club lists 18-hole social green fees at A$38 Monday-Friday, A$40 Saturday-Sunday, and A$45 on public holidays.

How much is Kiama membership?

Full golfing membership to 31 July 2027 is listed at A$1,365, with a A$300 joining fee for new full members.

Does Kiama have buggy hire?

Yes. Motorised buggy hire is listed, with 18-hole non-member rates from A$47 midweek and A$50 on weekends or public holidays.

What is Kiama Golf Club dress code?

Dress must be neat and tidy. Covered footwear is required, and men need collared or mock neck golf shirts.

Is Kiama Golf Club worth it?

Yes if you value access and price. It is shorter than many courses, but it is very easy to recommend for visitors.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Very clear public green-fee table
  • Social golf available seven days a week
  • Strong value at A$38-A$40 for 18 holes
  • Modern clubhouse food and drink options
  • Cheap juniors at A$10 for 9 or 18 holes

Cons

  • Par 66 may feel short for low markers
  • Social players may be paired with others
  • Private carts need paperwork and fees
  • Dress rules are more detailed than some casual visitors expect

Final Verdict

Kiama Golf Club scores 4.1 out of 5. Kiama scores well because it is honest value. It is shorter and less prestigious, but it is easy to book, easy to price, and easy to enjoy.

Kiama is not trying to intimidate you. It is trying to get you out for a good South Coast round.

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 review clubs from the viewpoint of a regular golfer checking access, price, conditioning, and whether the club suits its local market.

Key sources checked for this review: Kiama course information and pricing Kiama membership Kiama home page

Club Type
Golf Club
Membership Type
Public-access golf club
Membership Fee
A$1,365 full golfer for 2026/27
Initiation Fee
A$300 new full-member joining fee; A$150 rejoining fee
Best Time to Visit
March-May and September-November
Dress Code
Moderate; neat clothing, covered footwear, collared or mock neck shirts for men
Location
Kiama Downs, Illawarra, NSW
Phone
02 4237 7300

What We Loved

  • Very clear public green-fee table
  • Social golf available seven days a week
  • Strong value at A$38-A$40 for 18 holes
  • Modern clubhouse food and drink options
  • Cheap juniors at A$10 for 9 or 18 holes

What Could Be Better

  • Par 66 may feel short for low markers
  • Social players may be paired with others
  • Private carts need paperwork and fees
  • Dress rules are more detailed than some casual visitors expect
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.