By 
GCR Score: 4.4 / 5
Verdict: A polished North Shore private club with strong course work and limited access
Best For: Sydney golfers who value heritage, private-club facilities, and a renovated Top 100 course
Avoid If: You need public tee times or published membership pricing
Last Reviewed: 13 July 2026
Killara Golf Club is easy to misunderstand if you only look at the suburb and the clubhouse. This is not just a pleasant North Shore member course. The club has 1899 roots, a Harley Kruse redevelopment, and a Golf Digest Australia Top 100 ranking.
This Killara Golf Club review rates it as a strong private Sydney option, but with the usual caveat. Access matters. If you want easier public golf nearby, compare our Gordon Golf Club review first.
Killara Golf Club overview
| Club Type | Golf Club |
| Location | Killara, New South Wales |
| Founded | 1899 |
| Membership Type | Private members club with guest and reciprocal access |
| Initiation Fee | Not publicly disclosed in the pages reviewed |
| Annual Subscription | Not publicly disclosed; categories include 7-day, 6-day, Restricted, Under 40, and House membership |
| Green Fee | Not publicly listed for general visitor play; reciprocal booking form lists cart A$44 and hire clubs A$75 |
| Best Time to Visit | March-May and September-November |
| Dress Code | Private-club standard; collared shirts tucked in for men on course, tailored bottoms, soft-spiked or dimple-soled shoes |
| Reservations Required | Yes; member guest, reciprocal, or corporate access only |
| Official Website | kgc.com.au |
| Phone | +61 2 9498 2700 |
What I liked and did not like
Image: Killara Golf Club
What I liked
- The renovation has substance. Harley Kruse rebuilt bunkers, tees, and greens, reversed some hole directions, and reopened playing corridors.
- The course ranking is a real signal. Killara lists a Golf Digest Australia ranking of 73 in May 2024.
- The facilities go beyond golf. Tennis, squash, bowls, billiards, bridge, golf shop, simulator, clubhouse, and events make it a broader sporting club.
- Reciprocal access rules are specific. The booking page gives clear available windows and equipment charges.
What I did not like
- Access is limited. This is a private members club, not a public booking course.
- Membership fees are not public. You need to contact the club for current joining costs and subscriptions.
- Dress standards are stricter than public golf. That suits the club, but casual visitors need to prepare.
Membership and fees
All prices are in AUD where published. Killara does not publicly list full joining fees or annual subscriptions on the pages reviewed. It does list Golf Membership categories including 7-day, 6-day, and Restricted, plus Under 40 Golfing Membership with staggered fees from age 12 to 39. House Membership provides non-golf clubhouse access plus tennis courts, squash, billiards, and bowling greens.
Visitor access is mainly through members, reciprocal clubs, or corporate golf. The reciprocal enquiry page says bookings can be accommodated, subject to availability, Sunday after 7:30am, Monday after 7:30am, Thursday after 10:30am when no corporate day is held, and Friday after 7:30am. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday tee times are only offered three days prior after members have had access, and no guests are allowed on those days.
Equipment costs are at least visible: motorised carts are A$44 per cart and hire clubs are A$75 per set through the reciprocal booking form.
Facilities and amenities
Image: Killara Golf Club
- 18-hole A-grade championship course on Sydney North Shore
- Harley Kruse course redevelopment completed in 2019
- Pure Distinction greens and Zeon Zoysia surrounds and tees
- Indoor golf simulator, golf shop, tuition, and club fitting
- Two tennis courts, squash court, bowling green, billiards, bridge, and clubhouse facilities
- Functions, weddings, corporate golf, and meeting spaces
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Best time to visit
March to May and September to November are the best Sydney windows. Killara is tree-lined and undulating, so mild weather helps you enjoy the walk and the course strategy without summer fatigue.
Dress code and etiquette
Killara is direct about standards. Men should wear collared shirts tucked in, tailored trousers or shorts with a belt, golf-specific hoodies where appropriate, and soft-spiked or dimple-soled shoes. Women have broader golf-attire options, including collared shirts, dresses, tailored bottoms, golf-specific hoodies, and soft-spiked or dimple-soled shoes. Hats are not worn in the clubhouse.
Who is Killara Golf Club for?
Image: Killara Golf Club
Killara is for golfers who want a traditional private North Shore club with real course pedigree and broader sporting facilities.
It is not for public-access golfers. If you want a simple tee time, use the NSW Golf Clubs archive and compare it with more open clubs. For private Sydney prestige, also read The Australian Golf Club review.
People also ask
Can visitors play Killara Golf Club?
Yes, but mainly as guests of members, reciprocal club visitors, or corporate golf participants. The reciprocal booking page lists limited booking windows and requires advance enquiry.
How much does Killara Golf Club membership cost?
Killara does not publicly list current joining fees or annual subscriptions in the pages reviewed. Membership enquiries should go directly to the club.
Is Killara Golf Club private?
Yes. Killara describes itself as a private members club with guest, reciprocal, and corporate access pathways.
What is Killara Golf Club ranked?
Killara states that it ranked number 73 in Golf Digest Australia’s Top 100 Golf Courses in May 2024.
What did the Harley Kruse renovation change?
The club says the redevelopment rebuilt bunkers, tees, and greens, reversed some hole directions, reopened playing corridors, and added Pure Distinction greens with Zeon Zoysia surrounds and tees.
Is Killara Golf Club worth it?
Yes for golfers who can access it and value a polished private North Shore club. It is not worth chasing if you need public access or transparent published fees.
Verdict and score
Killara Golf Club earns 4.4 out of 5. The course pedigree, renovation, facilities, and North Shore setting are strong. I marked it down for private access and non-public fee disclosure.
Author note
This Killara Golf Club review uses official club information, current fee and access pages where available, and GreatClubReview’s 5-point scoring method. Primary sources reviewed: club home; membership page; dress code; reciprocal booking page; course page. Confirm live tee times, weather, member guest rules, and fee changes before booking.
Ranked #8 in our Best Golf Clubs in NSW: See why this club is ranked #8 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.
