Golf Clubs

Mollymook Golf Club Review (2026): Worth A$89 During the Rebuild?

Last reviewed: July 16, 2026
Mollymook Golf Club Review (2026): Worth A$89 During the Rebuild?
4.4
out of 5
★★★★☆
Highly recommended, provided you accept an evolving course during renovation

Mollymook Golf Club pairs a celebrated bushland championship course with a relaxed nine-hole seaside option. Hilltop is currently changing hole by hole. Here is our full Mollymook Golf Club review.

Hilltop remains open throughout a six-year redesign led by Ryan Van Der Veen. New greens, bunkers, tees, irrigation, and altered holes are progressively entering play.

Visitors can book seven days weekly. Current live prices are A$79 midweek and A$89 on weekends for 18 Hilltop holes.

The trade-off is uncertainty. Your scorecard and routing may differ as construction advances, while new surfaces mature beside established holes.

GCR Score: 4.4 / 5
Verdict: Highly recommended, provided you accept an evolving course during renovation
Best For: Strategic players, coastal travellers, wildlife lovers, and strong putters
Think Twice If: You expect a settled routing or immediate adult membership
Last Reviewed: 5 July 2026

At a Glance

FieldDetail
Location2 Clifford Close, Mollymook NSW 2539
Course TypeCoastal bushland parkland
Holes18 at Hilltop; nine at Beachside
Hilltop LengthApproximately 6,200m; routing is changing
Hilltop ParTraditionally par 72; confirm current card
Green FeesA$79 midweek; A$89 weekend
Visitor AccessPublic seven days; bookings essential
MembershipAdult waitlist; juniors and under-21 students exempt
Dress CodeRelaxed to moderate
Motorised BuggyA$50 for 18 holes
Founded1952; Hilltop opened during 1977
Phone(02) 4455 2055
Official Websitemollymookgolf.com.au

All prices are Australian dollars. Confirm whether quoted rates include GST before payment.

Course Overview

Photo of pokies

Image: Mollymook Golf Club

Hilltop occupies quiet bushland about two kilometres from Mollymook Beach. Waves remain audible, although most holes feel enclosed by trees.

The established course was created by Bill Andriske and Ken McKay Senior. It opened during 1977 and built a national reputation.

The old championship card measured roughly 6,200 metres. Tree-lined corridors, rolling ground, creeks, dams, and large greens protected its par.

A staged renovation began during late 2024. Architect Ryan Van Der Veen is rebuilding every hole over approximately six years.

Golf Australia Magazine ranked Hilltop 69th among public-access courses for 2025. Mollymook also won Golf Australia’s 2025 regional facility award.

Our key takeaway: judge today’s Hilltop as an excellent course in transition, not a finished renovation.

Course Design and Standout Holes

Hilltop traditionally rewards placement before power. Angles into its large, sloping greens matter more than chasing maximum driving distance.

The original sixth was a long par five. Renovation splits that land into a 172-metre par three and approximately 250-metre par four.

The newly rebuilt thirteenth opened in April 2026. It demonstrates the project’s broader direction through modern drainage, bunkering, and turf selection.

New greens use Pure Distinction bentgrass. Zoysia surrounds, TifTuf teeing areas, capillary bunkers, and upgraded irrigation should improve resilience.

A temporary nineteenth hole helps maintain 18-hole play during works. Exact sequencing can change, so collect the current card before starting.

Green Fees and Visitor Access

Hilltop Option18 Holes9 Holes
Midweek visitorA$79A$45
Weekend or holiday visitorA$89A$49
Member guestA$45A$30
Reciprocal visitorA$35A$20
Junior under 18A$25A$15
Competition feeA$18A$11
Motorised buggyA$50A$36
Hire clubsA$50A$35

Current live booking prices show A$79 from Monday through Friday. Saturday pricing rises to A$89, matching the published holiday rate.

Hilltop welcomes public players seven days, but reservations are essential. Competitions occupy regular fields throughout the week.

Beachside provides a cheaper nine-hole alternative beside the main clubhouse. Confirm its current fee separately because visitor schedules change seasonally.

  1. Review the active Hilltop routing before booking.
  2. Reserve buggies and hire clubs early.
  3. Ask whether renovation work affects preferred holes.
  4. Confirm competition eligibility using your Golf ID.

Course Conditions

Photo

Image: Mollymook Golf Club

Hilltop’s established identity centres on firm, fast, difficult greens. Its practice green deliberately mirrors those demanding putting conditions.

Recent player feedback remains favourable, but construction creates unavoidable variation. New surfaces can differ noticeably from older greens and surrounds.

The renovation should improve drainage and consistency over time. Capillary bunkers and modern irrigation address recurring maintenance pressures.

Ask the golf shop which holes use temporary arrangements. That answer matters more than a generic condition rating during this project.

Membership and Annual Subscriptions

Mollymook stopped accepting new adult golf members during November 2021. A formal waitlist remains the route for Full and Weekday applicants.

CategoryCurrent PositionPublished Price
Full GolfWaitlistNot publicly disclosed
WeekdayWaitlistNot publicly disclosed
CountryResidency restrictions applyNot publicly disclosed
JuniorCan bypass waitlistConfirm with club
Under-21 StudentCan bypass waitlistConfirm with club

Full and Weekday members can use both Hilltop and Beachside. Country membership serves golfers living outside the defined local area.

The club does not publish current annual golf subscriptions. Request the complete schedule, levies, competition charges, and joining costs before applying.

This absence prevents a responsible break-even calculation. Visitor golf remains the transparent option until the club supplies written membership pricing.

GA Handicap at Mollymook

Golf NSW lists the established blue course at 6,212 metres, scratch 74, and slope 137. The red course measures 5,304 metres.

Those figures describe the traditional layout. Renovation sequencing may produce temporary ratings or changed daily handicap calculations.

Use the displayed daily handicap and current scorecard at Hilltop. Visit Golf Australia for the national handicap framework.

Pennant and Competition Golf

Mollymook operates a busy weekly competition programme. Men and women compete Saturday, while women also play Tuesday.

Veterans compete Wednesday, with mixed events on Thursday and Sunday. The club’s 2026 fixture also includes open championships.

Hilltop has developed strong competitive golfers, including Australian amateur champion Jye Halls. Its demanding greens reward repeat-course knowledge.

Visitors should confirm available competition places directly. A Golf ID does not guarantee entry into a member field.

Reciprocal Rights

Mollymook maintains reciprocal arrangements across Australia and overseas. The current list includes clubs in every Australian state and New Zealand.

Reduced Hilltop pricing is A$35 for 18 holes under the published schedule. Eligibility and available days depend on each agreement.

Arrange a letter of introduction through your home club before travelling. Confirm exclusions during holidays, major events, and renovation periods.

Facilities

Photo

Image: Mollymook Golf Club

  • Practice: 200-metre fairway, bunker, nets, and putting green
  • Golf shop: daily opening from 6am, lessons, equipment, and hire
  • Hilltop hospitality: bar from 10am and a weather-dependent snack kitchen
  • Beachside clubhouse: bistro, cafe, bars, functions, and ocean views
  • Equipment: motorised buggies, pull trolleys, and club sets

Best Time to Visit

March through May and September through November offer comfortable coastal conditions. Typical daytime temperatures range from approximately 17–25°C.

Winter mornings can be cool but remain playable. Summer holidays bring higher visitor demand, heat, and the A$89 peak rate.

Renovation timing now matters alongside weather. Ask which new holes are open before choosing between immediate play and a later return.

How to Get There

Hilltop sits at 2 Clifford Close, approximately three kilometres north of Ulladulla. Beachside occupies 72 Golf Avenue near Mollymook Beach.

Driving from Sydney takes roughly three hours and 30 minutes without heavy holiday traffic. Canberra is approximately two hours and 30 minutes away.

Dress Code

Dress code level: Relaxed to Moderate. Arrive in clean, tidy golf clothing and suitable enclosed footwear.

The club prohibits swimwear, bare feet, offensive clothing, gang colours, and untidy or dirty garments. Staff retain final entry discretion.

Ask the golf shop about course-specific requirements. The published entry rules primarily cover both club premises.

Nearby Alternatives

  • Beachside: Mollymook’s scenic, shorter nine-hole option beside the ocean
  • Forster Golf Club: another friendly NSW seaside layout with compact greens
  • Nelson Bay Golf Club: 27 holes, wildlife, and stronger destination facilities

Browse more NSW golf club reviews. Hilltop is the hardest strategic test among these coastal choices.

Who Is This Club For?

Photo of ocean views

Image: Mollymook Golf Club

Mollymook suits confident drivers, thoughtful iron players, strong putters, and travellers seeking genuine South Coast character.

Beachside helps families and time-limited golfers. Hilltop’s current project better suits players comfortable with temporary change.

Adult membership seekers face an indefinite waitlist. Golfers demanding a completed, uniform presentation may prefer returning after later renovation stages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can visitors play Mollymook Golf Club?

Yes. Hilltop accepts public bookings seven days weekly, although reservations are essential. Member competitions can limit preferred times. The nine-hole Beachside course also welcomes visitors. Check the live portal and active renovation routing before travelling. Public holidays attract peak pricing and stronger demand.

How much are Mollymook Golf Club green fees?

Current Hilltop prices are A$79 for 18 midweek holes and A$89 on weekends. Nine holes cost A$45 midweek and A$49 on weekends. An 18-hole motorised buggy costs A$50. Rates can change during holidays. Confirm all equipment charges when booking today.

Is Mollymook Golf Club under renovation?

Yes. Hilltop is progressing through a six-year, hole-by-hole redesign led by Ryan Van Der Veen. New greens, tees, bunkers, drainage, and irrigation are entering play progressively. The club maintains 18-hole availability through staged works. Temporary routing may change between visits.

Can I join Mollymook Golf Club?

Most new adult golf applicants must join a waitlist operating since November 2021. Juniors and under-21 students can bypass that queue. Current annual golf subscriptions are not published, so request every fee directly before applying. Full and Weekday categories include both courses.

What are the best holes at Mollymook Hilltop?

The answer is changing during renovation. The rebuilt thirteenth opened in April 2026 and previews the new design direction. The split former sixth also creates two new strategic holes. Ask which routing applies on your date. Established tree-lined holes remain demanding.

Does Mollymook Golf Club have two courses?

Yes. Hilltop is the full 18-hole championship course in coastal bushland. Beachside is a shorter nine-hole layout beside the main clubhouse and ocean. Full and Weekday golf memberships provide access to both courses. Visitor prices and booking calendars differ between them.

Pros and Cons

What We Liked

  • Nationally respected bushland design
  • Seven-day public visitor access
  • Fast, challenging putting surfaces
  • Ambitious drainage and turf upgrades
  • Two contrasting courses near the beach

What Could Be Better

  • Routing changes during long renovation
  • A$89 weekend visitor fee
  • Adult golf membership waitlist
  • Annual subscriptions not publicly disclosed
  • New and established surfaces may vary

Final Verdict

Mollymook Golf Club earns 4.4 out of 5. Hilltop combines strategic depth, strong greens, public access, and authentic coastal bushland.

The renovation makes today’s experience less settled. It also gives returning golfers a compelling reason to follow the course’s evolution.

Book Hilltop now if construction does not bother you. Choose Beachside or postpone if a consistent championship presentation matters most.

See our review methodology for scoring details.

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

Author Note

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

Last reviewed: 5 July 2026. Rates, routing, and access can change; confirm directly before travelling.

Ranked #9 in our Best Golf Clubs in NSW: See why this club is ranked #9 in our Best Golf Clubs in NSW roundup.

Club Type
Golf Club
Membership Type
Adult golf membership waitlist; junior and under-21 exceptions
Membership Fee
Not publicly disclosed
Initiation Fee
Not publicly disclosed
Best Time to Visit
March-May and September-November
Dress Code
Relaxed to Moderate - clean, tidy golf clothing and enclosed footwear
Location
2 Clifford Close, Mollymook NSW 2539, Australia
Phone
(02) 4455 2055

What We Loved

  • Nationally respected bushland design
  • Seven-day public visitor access
  • Fast, challenging putting surfaces
  • Ambitious drainage and turf upgrades
  • Two contrasting courses near the beach

What Could Be Better

  • Routing changes during long renovation
  • A$89 weekend visitor fee
  • Adult golf membership waitlist
  • Annual subscriptions not publicly disclosed
  • New and established surfaces may vary
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.