By 
GCR Score: 4.2 / 5
Verdict: Recommended for affordable public coastal golf, spectacular views, beginners, and quick Sydney rounds.
Best For: Public golfers, beginners, eastern suburbs locals, ocean-view seekers, walkers, and time-conscious players
Think Twice If: You want championship length, extensive practice facilities, or protection from strong coastal wind
Last Reviewed: 29 July 2026
Randwick Golf Club offers something rare in Sydney: affordable public golf with ocean views from every hole.
The catch is scale. Its 3,545m, par-59 routing is short, exposed, quirky, and unlike a conventional championship course.
This Randwick Golf Club review explains why that limitation also creates much of the club’s charm and value.
At a Glance
Image: Randwick Golf Club
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | 1 Howe Street, Malabar NSW 2036 |
| Course Type | Public-access coastal links-style short course |
| Holes | 18 holes; men par 59, women par 62 |
| Course Length | 3,545m from the back tees |
| Scratch / Slope | Confirm current daily rating with the Pro Shop |
| Green Fees | A$39 weekday or A$49 weekend for 18 holes |
| Visitor Access | Public social golf seven days around competitions |
| Membership | FY27 7 Day A$1,065 plus A$500 joining fee |
| Dress Code | Relaxed but suitably attired |
| Buggy Hire | A$50 for 18 holes; A$45 Monday-Friday |
| Founded | Original club 1932; Malabar course opened 1962 |
| Phone | +61 2 8347 3777 |
| Official Website | Randwick Golf Club |
All prices are Australian dollars. Confirm GST, access windows, cart rules, and membership availability directly before booking or joining.
Course Overview
The official golf page describes an 18-hole links-style course above Long Bay. Men play par 59, while women play par 62.
The back tees measure only 3,545m. That number signals a compact test built around wind, terrain, cliffs, and small targets.
A current Golf Australia Magazine review calls Randwick quirky, raw, and fun. It compares the natural seaside feel with lesser-known British links.
The Golf NSW profile confirms public access and an easy walk. It estimates roughly four hours for 18 holes.
Our key takeaway: Randwick is not championship golf, but its access, coastal setting, and price create a compelling experience.
Course Design and Standout Holes
The course uses available coastal land rather than imposing a grand architectural statement. Natural slopes and wind produce the strategy.
Several short par 4s tempt driver, yet exposed misses can run into rough or difficult angles. Position often matters more than distance.
The par 3s ask repeated control in moving air. A calm yardage can become the wrong club when a southerly reaches Malabar.
The fifth plays beside cliffs and can feel dramatic in strong wind. The seventh bends around a lake to a small target.
Ocean views arrive throughout the round, not as one signature reveal. That consistency separates Randwick from ordinary metropolitan short courses.
Green Fees and Visitor Access
Randwick publishes simple public prices and realistic weekly access windows.
| Option | Published Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday 18 holes | A$39 | Monday and Friday all day; other daily windows |
| Weekday twilight | A$29 | After 3pm, or 4pm during daylight saving |
| Weekend 18 holes | A$49 | After 11:30am, subject to availability |
| Weekend twilight | A$39 | After seasonal twilight start |
| Junior | A$19 / A$22 | Weekday / weekend |
| Pensioner | A$29 | Weekdays only |
| Motorised cart | A$50 | A$45 Monday-Friday; 9 holes A$30 |
Monday and Friday offer public social golf all day. Tuesday opens after 10:30am, while Thursday opens after 11am.
Wednesday allows play before 7:30am and after 11am. Saturday and Sunday public rounds begin after 11:30am.
Every slot remains subject to availability. Call the Pro Shop on +61 2 8347 3733 before relying on a published window.
Twilight is strong value for a compact course. Daylight saving moves the start from 3pm to 4pm.
Course Conditions
Wind is the defining condition. Calm weather makes the course attackable, while coastal gusts can reshape every short hole.
Salt exposure and limited land create a rawer presentation than elite neighbours. That natural quality is part of Randwick’s appeal.
The course is relatively easy to walk, although slopes and weather still matter. Carts remain available for players needing support.
Membership and Annual Subscriptions
FY27 fees remain unusually approachable for a Sydney course with this location.
| Category | Published Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Day | A$1,065 | Annual playing subscription |
| 6 Day | A$925 | Sunday through Friday |
| Colts | A$285 | University students or apprentices under 25 |
| Junior | A$155 | Ages 10-18 |
| Social | A$25 | Non-playing membership |
| Joining fee | A$500 | A$250 Colts; A$50 Juniors |
The FY27 membership page lists 7 Day at A$1,065 and 6 Day at A$925. Affiliation and insurance are included.
Adult 6 Day and 7 Day applicants pay a A$500 joining fee. Colts pay A$250, while Juniors pay A$50.
Members still pay A$10 weekday or A$15 weekend green fees. A competition fee of A$22 also applies.
Those usage charges weaken unlimited-golf comparisons, but the base subscription remains low. Frequent competitors should calculate total yearly play.
Junior membership is complimentary when a parent holds financial 6 Day or 7 Day membership. That is a useful family incentive.
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GA Handicap at This Club
Playing membership supports a GA Handicap and GolfLink record. The Golf Australia guide explains the system.
A short course can still support valid handicap competition when rated tees and daily handicaps apply. Confirm the current card before play.
Visitors joining an eligible event should carry GolfLink details. Public social rounds do not automatically create a handicap record.
Pennant and Competition Golf
Men compete Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Women have Wednesday and Sunday fields, while veterans use Thursday mornings.
Competitions occupy the main morning windows, explaining the later public access. Membership improves access for golfers who enjoy organised play.
Beginners receive coaching through the resident PGA professional. The welcoming public environment lowers the intimidation barrier.
Reciprocal Rights
Randwick lists reciprocal arrangements with Churchill Waverley, Gisborne, The Springs, and Comrie.
Members need a letter of introduction and must contact the host directly. A small fee can apply when host members also pay one.
Facilities
Facilities cover the essentials while keeping the coastal course central.
- Pro Shop and PGA coaching
- Motorised cart hire
- Limited practice tee and hitting net
- Licensed clubhouse
- Bay Window Restaurant
- Free parking
The Bay Window Restaurant overlooks Long Bay and the Pacific. Clubhouse hospitality expands the appeal beyond golf.
Practice is limited compared with a full driving range. Use the net for warm-up, not an extended distance session.
Best Time to Visit
Autumn and spring provide mild walking weather. A light-wind forecast matters more than temperature for first-time scoring.
Summer twilight offers excellent scenery and value, but daylight-saving times begin later. Early winter rounds can produce calmer conditions.
How to Get There
Randwick sits at 1 Howe Street in Malabar, around 10km south-east of central Sydney. Coastal and eastern suburbs golfers have easy access.
Driving or rideshare works best with clubs, and free parking is available. Allow extra time during eastern suburbs traffic peaks.
Dress Code
Randwick uses a relaxed standard but still requires suitable attire. The fixture rules identify jogger-style shorts as inappropriate.
Choose a golf shirt, neat shorts or trousers, and enclosed shoes. Avoid beachwear, singlets, thongs, or clothing that appears untidy.
The public welcome is genuine, yet clubhouse licensing rules still apply. Visitors can sign in temporarily or buy A$25 social membership.
Nearby Alternatives
- New South Wales Golf Club: elite private coastal golf nearby, with much stricter access.
- The Coast Golf Club: a longer public coastal test with stronger championship character.
- Bondi Golf & Diggers Club: another short, scenic, accessible eastern suburbs option.
Explore more NSW golf club reviews and compare visitor access before choosing a tee time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the public play Randwick Golf Club?
Yes. Randwick offers public social golf every week. Monday and Friday are available all day, while other weekdays open around competitions. Weekend public play starts after 11:30am. Call the Pro Shop before travelling because tee availability, weather, and cart supply can change.
How much are Randwick Golf Club green fees?
The 2026 public rate is A$39 for weekday 18-hole play and A$49 on weekends. Weekday twilight costs A$29, while weekend twilight costs A$39. Juniors pay A$19 weekdays or A$22 weekends. An 18-hole cart costs A$50, reduced midweek.
Is Randwick Golf Club an 18-hole course?
Yes. Randwick has 18 holes, but the back-tee course measures only 3,545m. Men play par 59 and women play par 62. It is a genuine short course, not a full-length championship layout. Wind, cliffs, lakes, and compact targets provide its defence.
How much is Randwick Golf Club membership?
FY27 7 Day membership costs A$1,065, while 6 Day costs A$925. Both carry a A$500 joining fee. Members also pay green fees of A$10 weekdays or A$15 weekends, plus A$22 for competitions. Colts cost A$285 and Juniors cost A$155.
Is Randwick Golf Club good for beginners?
Yes. Public access, short holes, an easy walk, coaching, and modest fees make Randwick beginner-friendly. The course still teaches useful skills because wind and small targets punish poor direction. New golfers should book a quieter weekday window and avoid judging distance solely from calm conditions.
Who is Randwick Golf Club best for?
Randwick best suits public golfers, beginners, eastern suburbs residents, walkers, and visitors seeking ocean scenery without private-club pricing. It also rewards wedge practice and creative wind play. Golfers demanding championship length, a large range, or immaculate resort presentation should choose a different Sydney course.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Pacific Ocean views throughout the round
- Clear A$39 weekday and A$49 weekend public fees
- Friendly beginner and social-golf proposition
- Affordable FY27 membership
- Compact, walkable 18-hole routing
What Could Be Better
- Very short 3,545m, par-59 course
- Strong wind can dominate the experience
- Members still pay per-round and competition charges
- Limited practice facilities
Final Verdict
Randwick Golf Club earns 4.2 out of 5. It delivers unusual coastal scenery, public access, and genuine Sydney value.
The course is too short and facility-light for a higher score. Those limits also keep the experience approachable.
Play Randwick for fun, wind, views, and accessibility. Choose The Coast when full-length golf 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: 29 July 2026. Rates and access can change; confirm directly before travelling.
