By 
GCR Score: 4.3 / 5
Verdict: Recommended for demanding public golf close to Sydney
Best For: Strong walkers, strategic players, and Northern Beaches locals
Think Twice If: Sloping terrain or a A$4,000 joining fee changes the equation
Last Reviewed: 3 July 2026
Wakehurst’s first hole asks a proper question before you have found a rhythm. Lay back on the 288-metre dogleg, or challenge trees and trouble? This Wakehurst Golf Club review found that the same risk-versus-position choice shapes much of the round.
The Seaforth course occupies rugged bushland beside Manly Dam. Its 6,112-metre black setup plays to par 72, with uneven ground and fast-changing elevation. It feels harder than many public Sydney layouts.
It also feels unusually removed from nearby traffic and dense neighbourhoods.
Public access is available every day, but only through defined windows. Current 2026 green fees are A$70 weekdays and A$75 on weekends.
Wakehurst has also rebuilt three greens during the past three years. That investment improves the golf, while premium membership fees reflect its Northern Beaches location.
I would play here for the course rather than luxury. The bush setting and strategic challenge justify the visitor fee.
At a Glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Upper Clontarf Street, Seaforth NSW 2092 |
| Course Type | Hilly bushland parkland |
| Holes | 18, par 72 men; par 74 women |
| Course Length | 6,112m black; 5,859m white |
| Black Rating | About scratch 73, slope 136 |
| Green Fees | A$70 weekday; A$75 weekend |
| Visitor Access | Public seven days in selected windows |
| Seven-Day Membership | A$3,795 annually |
| Joining Fee | A$4,000 for adult playing categories |
| Cart Hire | A$50 for 18 holes |
| Opened | 1972 |
| Phone | (02) 9949 3188; pro shop (02) 9948 6126 |
| Official Website | Wakehurst Golf Club |
All prices are Australian dollars. Confirm tee ratings and available times when booking.
Course Overview
Image: Wakehurst Golf Club
Wakehurst is a demanding public bushland course with enough length and elevation to test every club. Its Manly Dam setting gives it genuine identity.
The club’s origins stretch to 1960, with the current course opening in 1972.
An unusual 1980s waste-management agreement funded major redevelopment and helped secure the club’s future.
The Golf NSW Wakehurst profile describes public access and the modern clubhouse views. It places the course roughly 20 minutes from central Sydney outside heavy traffic.
Our key takeaway: Wakehurst gives public golfers a private-club level of strategic resistance.
Course Design and Standout Holes
Wakehurst rewards committed targets because sloping ground magnifies indecision. Blind angles and elevation make local knowledge valuable.
The short first bends left around trees. An iron leaves a full approach, while a longer cut risks a penalty area and out-of-bounds.
The 497-metre fourth and 505-metre eighth drive a par-37 outward nine. Both demand placement before distance becomes useful.
The 415-metre fourteenth is the men’s number-one index hole. It begins a stern closing stretch that also includes the 197-metre sixteenth.
The seventeenth measures 385 metres from black markers. Its position before a 353-metre closing par four leaves little space for a loose finish.
Wakehurst’s three recently rebuilt greens deserve attention.
Green Fees and Visitor Access
Wakehurst’s public pricing is simple, but its tee-time windows require planning. Online booking is the safest route.
| 2026 Option | Weekday | Weekend or Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 18 holes | A$70 | A$75 |
| Nine holes | A$40 | A$45 |
| Concession, 18 holes | A$49 | Not listed |
| Motor cart, 18 holes | A$50 | A$50 |
| Club hire, 18 holes | A$25 | A$25 |
| Pull buggy | A$6 | A$6 |
A 1.5% booking fee applies. These rates took effect on 5 January 2026.
Most weekday social windows open between 10:30am and 12:30pm. Friday access can begin after 8am.
Saturday visitors generally start after 1pm, while Sunday starts after noon. Limited early nine-hole places appear on most days.
Course Conditions
Wakehurst’s recent green programme is the clearest condition upgrade for 2026. Three greens have been delivered over three years.
The course sits on uneven, sloping terrain. Wet weather can affect footing, cart rules, and the way balls release into low areas.
Current player-app feedback rates condition strongly and commonly describes quick greens.
Wildlife is part of the setting. Follow local instructions and avoid entering bush beyond normal ball-retrieval limits.
Membership and Annual Subscriptions
Image: Wakehurst Golf Club
Wakehurst membership is expensive beside its public green fee, especially in year one. Frequent competition play creates the strongest case.
| Category | Annual Fee | Joining Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Seven-day | A$3,795 | A$4,000 |
| Six-day | A$3,380 | A$4,000 |
| Five-day | A$2,895 | A$4,000 |
| Development | A$1,100 | Confirm club |
| Intermediate, 22–25 | A$1,100 | Confirm club |
| Junior, 17–21 | A$550 | None listed |
| Cadet, 12–16 | A$220 | None listed |
A A$100 non-refundable application fee applies to most categories. Adult dues include a A$295 house levy where stated.
Seven-day dues equal about 54 weekday public rounds. First-year cost exceeds 111 rounds before competition charges or other spending.
GA Handicap at Wakehurst
Wakehurst’s black setup is rated around scratch 73 and slope 136. That is a serious rating for a par-72 public course.
The black course measures 6,112 metres. Published white figures are about 5,859 metres, scratch 71, and slope 131.
A male GA 18 golfer receives roughly 22 shots from black markers before daily-handicap adjustments. Terrain and long par fours explain the additional allowance.
Use the current scorecard because tees and ratings can change after course works.
Pennant and Competition Golf
Wakehurst maintains an active competition calendar and fields Major Pennant teams. Its 2026 programme lists home-and-away fixtures early in the year.
Men’s, women’s, medley, team, and honour-board events fill most weeks. Prime morning access therefore belongs mainly to members.
Players seeking pennant golf should ask about trials, eligibility, and team pathways before choosing a membership category.
Reciprocal Rights
Wakehurst membership can include reciprocal opportunities, but no simple current public list is prominent. Request written details before relying on them.
Benefits often depend on membership category, introduction letters, and the host club’s competition calendar. Fees may still apply.
Ask the office for the current club list and booking process. That avoids valuing an outdated reciprocal arrangement.
Facilities
Wakehurst provides strong core golf facilities and a clubhouse overlooking Manly Dam. It is a club venue, not a full resort.
- Practice: putting green, chipping green, bunker, and coaching
- Golf shop: hire clubs, carts, fitting, lessons, and equipment
- Dining: cafe, bistro, bar, and terrace views
- Events: weddings, corporate functions, and community gatherings
- Changing: player amenities for members and guests
The club even serves a branded Wakehurst Lager.
Best Time to Visit
Image: Wakehurst Golf Club
September through November offers the best balance of firm ground, mild temperatures, and longer light. Autumn is the next-best option.
Winter can produce cool, damp starts on shaded bushland slopes. Summer afternoons are warmer but expose walkers to more heat.
Book Friday morning for unusually broad public access. Weekend visitors should reserve well ahead for the afternoon windows.
How to Get There
Wakehurst sits in Seaforth on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, beside Manly Dam. Road traffic determines the real journey time.
The course is roughly 15 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Peak-hour bridge and Northern Beaches congestion can stretch a short map distance.
Driving or rideshare is practical, with parking on site.
Dress Code
Dress code level: Moderate and modern. Golf-specific collarless shirts, neat T-shirts, cargo shorts, jeans, and golf dresses can be acceptable.
Tanks, singlets, football jerseys, swimwear, exercise bottoms, and very short workwear are prohibited. Bare feet, thongs, sandals, and Crocs are also unsuitable.
Choose clean golf clothing and proper enclosed shoes.
Nearby Alternatives
- Northbridge Golf Club: shorter, hillier public golf closer to the CBD
- Long Reef Golf Club: premium coastal views and a higher visitor fee
- Warringah Golf Club: flatter, shorter public golf with a new clubhouse coming during 2026
Browse more NSW golf club reviews. Wakehurst is the best option here for pure bushland difficulty.
Who Is This Club For?
Image: Wakehurst Golf Club
This club is a good fit if you enjoy strategic golf and do not mind uneven walking terrain.
This club is a good fit if you want a serious public course without leaving metropolitan Sydney.
Skip this one if a flat stroll matters. Think carefully about membership if green-fee savings are your only goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the public play Wakehurst Golf Club?
Yes. Wakehurst is open to public golfers seven days, but social times fit around member competitions. Most weekday 18-hole windows start late morning. Saturday access generally begins after 1pm, while Sunday starts after noon. Online booking is recommended because the available periods can fill quickly.
How much are Wakehurst Golf Club green fees?
Wakehurst’s 2026 fee is A$70 for 18 weekday holes and A$75 on weekends or public holidays. Nine holes cost A$40 or A$45. Eligible weekday concession players pay A$49 for 18 holes. A 1.5% booking charge applies to online transactions.
How much is Wakehurst Golf Club membership?
Seven-day membership costs A$3,795 annually, while six-day costs A$3,380 and five-day costs A$2,895. Those adult playing categories carry a A$4,000 joining fee. A A$100 application fee also applies to most categories. Confirm competition charges and current inclusions before calculating total first-year cost.
Is Wakehurst Golf Club a hard course?
Yes. Wakehurst’s black course measures about 6,112 metres and carries a slope near 136. Long par fours, bushland, uneven lies, elevation, and quick greens create the difficulty. Higher handicaps receive useful extra strokes, but accurate target selection matters more than trying to overpower every dogleg.
Does Wakehurst Golf Club have cart hire?
Yes. An 18-hole motor cart costs A$50 and a nine-hole cart costs A$30. Pull buggies cost A$6. The course includes slopes and uneven terrain, so reserve a cart early if walking is difficult. Wet-weather restrictions can still change cart access on the day.
What is the Wakehurst Golf Club dress code?
Wakehurst uses a modern moderate dress code. Golf collarless shirts, neat T-shirts, jeans, cargo shorts, and golf dresses may be accepted. Tanks, singlets, football jerseys, exercise bottoms, swimwear, bare feet, thongs, sandals, and Crocs are prohibited. Clean golf clothing and enclosed shoes remain the safest choice.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Demanding bushland design beside Manly Dam
- Public access available every day
- Three rebuilt greens in three years
- Modern, practical dress rules
- Strong competition and pennant programme
What Could Be Better
- A$4,000 joining fee weakens first-year value
- Prime visitor windows are limited by competitions
- Uneven terrain will not suit every golfer
- Reciprocal information needs clearer publication
Final Verdict
Wakehurst Golf Club earns 4.3 out of 5. Its strategic bushland course, daily public access, and recent green investment justify the visitor fee.
Membership is harder to justify through round savings alone. The terrain also makes a cart sensible for some players.
Choose Wakehurst for demanding public golf. Choose Long Reef when ocean scenery matters more than bushland strategy.
See our review methodology for scoring details.
Author Note
I assess Australian golf clubs through current access, design, cost, and the details visitors discover too late. Learn more about our editorial approach.
Last reviewed: 3 July 2026. Rates and access can change; confirm directly before travelling.
