uniworld.com<\/a><\/p>\nFIND A WAY TO GET TO KING ISLAND<\/p>\n
The rock in Bass Strait is isolated yet worth the pilgrimage for two-and-a-half outstanding golf courses, two of which are truly world class. Cape Wickham is the top-ranked layout we have according to Australian Golf Digest, while Ocean Dunes ranks in the low teens. And don\u2019t discount the island\u2019s original course \u2013 King Island Golf & Bowling Club \u2013 where the nine-hole layout is easily augmented into an 18-hole excursion via alternate tees. But it\u2019s the \u2018big two\u2019 that pull golfers in. The wild and adventurous designs are often matched by equally volatile weather. However, poor conditions rarely linger, as the Roaring Forties quickly propel squalls away. You, by contrast, should stay put. And for several days. \u2013 Steve Keipert<\/p>\n
TOUR TASMANIA<\/p>\n
Acknowledging here that King Island is part of Tasmania, we\u2019re separating the two as an indication that both offer differing experiences as well as logistics to reach. The rest of Tasmania is a hive of activity, especially with the recent opening of 7 Mile Beach where the second course is already under construction. In 2026, work should begin on the long-awaited Arm End course that\u2019s on a magnificent peninsula sticking into the River Derwent, while this year will see the re-opening of the Country Club of Tasmania course in Launceston after a four-year renovation. But perhaps Tassie\u2019s real delights lie in the golf experiences to be found elsewhere \u2013 the charm of Ratho, Australia\u2019s oldest golf course, the mighty Barnbougle trio and the myriad nine-holers across the state. \u2013 S.K.<\/p>\n
SOAK UP SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t wait to explore more of Queensland\u2019s southern coastline and the Brisbane area. There are so many quality courses to play, like Brisbane\u2019s Royal Queensland and Indooroopilly Golf club to the Sunshine Coast favourites like Twin Waters, Peregian Springs and hidden gems like Maleny Golf Club, which Adam Scott shone a light on by playing a nine-hole match there during COVID-19 and showing the game on Instagram live. Throw in the Gold Cast and there\u2019s Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island, The Glades and more. It would be a marvellous 10 days of golf. \u2013 Evin Priest<\/p>\n
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REVEL IN A NEW ZEALAND ROAD TRIP<\/p>\n
Our neighbour presents a far more driveable nation than our own, where so much \u2018nothing\u2019 consumes the centre of Australia. Even Cook Strait is no hurdle, with a car ferry to traverse the gap between New Zealand\u2019s two main islands. From the quasi-tropical climes of the North Island\u2019s northern regions to the frigid but fantastic southern tip of the South, the country is littered with diverse golf environments that match the varied terrain. One day you might play golf beside a picturesque lake then the next on a mesmerising layout bordered by a mountain range. So pack your clubs and hit the road for an experience you\u2019ll never forget. Or regret. \u2013 S.K.<\/p>\n
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IMMERSE YOURSELF IN TE ARAI LINKS<\/p>\n
I was fortunate enough to play Tara Iti in 2016, but haven\u2019t returned to that incredible, sandy, coastal area of Mangawhai in New Zealand since. Now that neighbouring Te Arai Links has established itself in that time, it\u2019s a great reason to return. I\u2019ll be there for the 2026 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Te Arai and it\u2019ll be really moving to see a young amateur have a putt on the 18th green at the South course to win that will send him to the 2027 Masters and 155th Open Championship at St Andrews. \u2013 E.P.<\/p>\n
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DIVE INTO QUEENSTOWN<\/p>\n
Golf might not feel like enough of a white-knuckle pursuit to fit properly into the high-adrenaline landscape of activities in Queenstown. However, there are so many high-calibre golf courses there and in nearby Arrowtown that your blood is certain to get pumping in a manner befitting bungee-jumping, skiing, snowboarding, skydiving, jetboating and the town\u2019s other famous pastimes. Time-honoured golf options like Millbrook, Jack\u2019s Point, The Hills and Queenstown Golf Club will next summer be joined by the new Glendhu layout at nearby Wanaka and, in late 2027, by the Hogan Gully course at Arrowtown. It\u2019s a perfect case of a great golf destination getting even better. \u2013 S.K.<\/p>\n
FEEL THE HYPE OF SHIGARAKI<\/p>\n
Shigaraki, tucked into misty valleys in Japan\u2019s Shiga Prefecture, offers a rare blend of championship golf and timeless culture. Its courses \u2013 often threaded through pine forests and rolling hills \u2013 offer fairways framed by forest ridges and rock-cut valleys.<\/p>\n
Golf there isn\u2019t just about the round. Expect elegant bentgrass greens, courteous caddies, and the tradition of a relaxed lunch or tea mid-round \u2013 all wrapped in serene mountain air. Beyond the turf, Shigaraki is Japan\u2019s pottery heartland. After 18 holes you can wander the kiln-lined lanes, admire handmade ceramics and even craft your own piece.<\/p>\n
For any golfer chasing something with soul, Shigaraki delivers tradition, texture and timeless charm \u2013 golf with a deep pulse of place. \u2013 B.C.<\/p>\n
VENTURE BEYOND THE \u2018BIG 4\u2019 IN ADELAIDE<\/p>\n
Adelaide has quietly built a reputation as one of Australia\u2019s great golf cities, thanks largely to its \u201cBig Four\u201d \u2013 Royal Adelaide, Glenelg, Kooyonga and Grange golf clubs. Each offers a distinct test: Royal Adelaide\u2019s sweeping dunes and sandy scrub provide the backdrop for multiple playing lines on every hole; Glenelg\u2019s traditional links characteristics, with natural sand dunes and native vegetation have been thoughtfully restored to their former glory; Kooyonga\u2019s classic championship feel will only improve with LIV Golf Adelaide heading its way next year; and The Grange\u2019s polished dual layouts have never played better thanks to financial injection from hosting LIV Golf three years in a row. It\u2019s a rare cluster of quality within minutes of the CBD. Off the course, Adelaide shines just as brightly. The city\u2019s restaurant scene is booming, with laneway bars, modern Australian dining and fresh local produce at every turn. And less than an hour away lies the Barossa Valley, where iconic wineries, lengthy lunches and laid-back cellar doors offer the perfect post-round indulgence. \u2013 B.C.<\/p>\n
ATTEND THE AUSSIE \u2018MAJORS\u2019<\/p>\n
Did you feel a thrill while watching the Australian PGA Championship and Australian Open play out late last year? Did they inspire you to be on-course when the 2026 editions roll around? We don\u2019t blame you. With the Australian Open heading to Kingston Heath in December, that championship is already shaping as a highlight of the year. And while we don\u2019t yet know the host venue for the \u201926 PGA, we do know that the Australian WPGA Championship is set for Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club from March 19-22. Might its \u2018brother\u2019 event join it on the Gold Coast later in the year? Time will tell. \u2013 S.K.<\/p>\n
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PLAY ALL YOU CAN IN MELBOURNE AND SURROUNDS<\/p>\n
Confession: I\u2019m one of those golfers who has been to Melbourne to play golf (mainly for work) more times than I can remember, but I\u2019m a course repeater. I\u2019m fortunate to have played Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Victoria and others multiple times, but have yet to tee it up at Spring Valley and Woodlands, while I also have a few courses down towards the Mornington such as Flinders and The National\u2019s Gunnamatta course that I want to tick off. That needs to happen in 2026. \u2013 E.P.<\/p>\n
GET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK AND GO REGIONAL<\/p>\n
I\u2019m calling Yering in Victoria \u201cregional\u201d, as it\u2019s far enough out of Melbourne to feel like a getaway but is still less than an hour from the CBD. There has been a revitalisation among golf courses on the doorstep of award-winning Yarra Valley wineries such as Eastern Golf Club. Eastern has undergone some wonderful work on the vegetation across its 27-hole course and it also has a brand-new clubhouse, while the on-site cottages present a great accommodation option. Across the road, Yering Meadows Golf Club has completed a major bunker renovation, and there\u2019s also the two markedly different courses at The Heritage to play. \u2013 E.P.<\/p>\n
TAKE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA\u2019S DIVERSITY<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll read about golf in Western Australia in more detail elsewhere this issue, yet we\u2019ll take this opportunity to reinforce the delights of playing golf in WA, for they warrant emphasis. Within such a large space are a large variety of experiences, be they desert (think Kalgoorlie), linksy (Albany), coastal (Links Kennedy Bay or The Cut, among others), urban (take your pick!) or downright remote (Broome or Karratha, anyone?). Golf in WA is whatever you choose to make it, but if you truly wish to lift the lid on the entire state, you\u2019d better set aside a good few weeks to cover it all. Maybe months. \u2013 S.K.<\/p>\n
FILL YOUR CUP IN IRELAND<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t wait to return to my favourite country in the world in 2026. I want to explore more regions, but it\u2019s worth emphasising how underrated the Dublin area is as a golf destination relative to its famous, far-flung counties (but visit them, too). Dublin is world-class and convenient: fly into Dublin Airport, drive 15 minutes to Malahide, stay at the recently rebranded Portmarnock Resort and play Jameson Golf Links\u2019 historic course. Then tee up at The Island Golf Club, Portmarnock, Royal Dublin, Howth Golf Club and Corballis Links, which are all within a short drive. Dine out each night in the seaside town of Malahide and listen to traditional Irish music in the pubs. Next day, go into Dublin city and explore. \u2013 E.P.<\/p>\n
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EXPERIENCE VIETNAM\u2019S VITALITY<\/p>\n
The buzz about Central Vietnam\u2019s golf options has grown almost as loud as the motorbike horns that soundtrack daily life in Danang. Vietnam Golf Coast clubs such as Ba Na Hills Golf Club, laid out by Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald over rolling foothills, and Montgomerie Links, the work of Scottish legend Colin Montgomerie, are ranked among Asia\u2019s best courses. Other highlights, meanwhile, include tracks designed by luminaries including Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Robert Trent Jones Jnr and Jack Nicklaus. Central Vietnam is arguably Vietnam\u2019s hub for golf tourism, offering luxury hotels alongside a range of attractions including wide beaches and the UNESCO-listed heritage sites in the ancient port of Hoi An. But for golfers, the evolving play options is the area\u2019s most compelling drawcard. \u2013 B.C.<\/p>\n
MEANDER ACROSS OUR CAPITAL<\/p>\n
I have never played Royal Canberra and now that Ogilvy Cocking Mead have renovated it, the anticipation to tee it up there is high. I have family in Canberra who live near Federal Golf Club, although I\u2019ve only ever played it once. I\u2019d love to see those beautiful, sweeping tee shots at Federal again and the scenic views of the Brindabella Range in the distance. Add Yowani and Gold Creek country clubs, the fantastic food and wine in the ACT, and I\u2019m targeting a winter weekend golf getaway. \u2013 E.P.<\/p>\n
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SAY \u2018BULA!\u2019 TO FIJI<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve only ever been to Fiji once, in 2015, and it was one of the most beautiful and enchanting countries I\u2019ve ever been to. The people are so welcoming and hospitable. There\u2019s a goodbye song the locals will sing to you when they know you\u2019re flying out the following day and it\u2019s quite moving. I really want to experience the ocean views from the Vijay Singh-designed Natadola Bay golf resort and stay at the unbelievably beautiful InterContinental. And, of course, see more of Fiji. Bula! \u2013 E.P.<\/p>\n
HEAD OFF COURSE AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS<\/p>\n
Make 2026 the year you take your game off the course \u2013 and bring your mates along for the ride. Off-course facilities like driving ranges, mini-golf courses and golf-entertainment hubs like simulators are perfect for honing your swing in a relaxed, non-intimidating setting. Many feature state-of-the-art technology, delicious food and drinks. According to the latest Golf Participation Report, 1.6 million Aussies played off-course facilities only last year. Join the trend, introduce friends to the game, and discover just how much fun golf can be beyond the fairways. \u2013 B.C.<\/p>\n
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GO ALL-IN ON LAS VEGAS<\/p>\n
NRL Vegas combines things we all (at least NSW and Queensland folk) love: golf, rugby league and Las Vegas. I\u2019d love to see how American fans and travelling\/expat Australians receive the Bulldogs vs Dragons atmosphere and the Knights vs Cowboys. Las Vegas, apart from being resort and show heaven, is also packed full of great American desert courses well away from the pricey big names like Bali Hai and Shadow Creek. I can\u2019t wait to get back and play great-value courses like Paiute and Primm Valley in California (which is just across the state border but still in the desert) \u2013 with some rugby league watching, too. \u2013 E.P.<\/p>\n
UNCOVER A GEM ALONG THE LIMESTONE COAST<\/p>\n
Haven\u2019t heard of the Limestone Coast? Allow us to enlighten you. Home to courses such as Robe, Naracoorte, Millicent, Kingston, Blue Lake and Mount Gambier, the Limestone Coast occupies the south-eastern corner of South Australia and sits snugly between Adelaide and Melbourne. The region is rugged, exposed and could be the next undiscovered hotspot in Australian golf if the long-mooted, 36-hole layout at Nora Creina ever goes ahead. Veteran course architect Bob Harrison has penned a scintillating layout that will work in harmony with the remarkable dunescape near Robe. The project gained approval in 2019, but South Australian golfers continue to await further progress. Maybe this will be the year it finally happens. \u2013 S.K.<\/p>\n
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FEEL THE FLOW ON THE FLEURIEU PENINSULA<\/p>\n
The region south of Adelaide will step into the golf spotlight even further when The Cliffs Kangaroo Island course opens later this year (more on that in a moment). As one of the entry ways to the island is via a car ferry that departs from Cape Jervis at the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula, golfers are likely to find themselves using one golf haven as a means of reaching another. That\u2019s if they don\u2019t know about the Fleurieu Peninsula golf scene already. Highlighted by the exceptional Links Lady Bay course and ably backed by the Mount Compass and McCracken layouts, the peninsula is also home to Willunga and Victor Harbor golf clubs \u2013 the former of which is a PGA Tour of Australasia venue and the latter the original home of the popular ambrose format. \u2013 S.K.<\/p>\n
MAKE THE HOP TO KANGAROO ISLAND<\/p>\n
The Cliffs Kangaroo Island is set to become one of Australia\u2019s most talked-about new golf destinations \u2013 a spectacular coastal offering carved into one of the country\u2019s most dramatic landscapes. Perched atop soaring cliffs and overlooking the wild Southern Ocean, the course delivers a blend of raw beauty and strategy. Expect rugged, wind-shaped fairways, heroic carries across chasms and greens poised on cliff edges where every approach feels cinematic. Off the course, Kangaroo Island\u2019s signature experiences \u2013 pristine beaches, wildlife encounters, world-class produce and boutique lodges \u2013 round out an unforgettable escape. The Cliffs isn\u2019t just a new course; it will be a bucket-list pilgrimage for golfers who crave scenery, challenge and pure coastal theatre. \u2013 B.C.<\/p>\n
FEED YOUR SOUL IN SCOTLAND<\/p>\n
No journey in this game is complete without playing golf in Scotland. Yes, a lap of the Old Course at St Andrews is the ultimate touchstone in the country that gave us golf, but playing anywhere in Scotland feeds the soul. Whether along the east coast or west, amid the Highlands or in and around Edinburgh and Glasgow, there is simply no experience in the Home of Golf that won\u2019t leave you feeling closer to its origins. And the beautiful thing about playing in Scotland? It\u2019s the courses you haven\u2019t heard of that often conjure the most memorable encounters, and offer the best value. \u2013 S.K.<\/p>\n
PLAY ALL 140 HOLES AT BANDON<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re going to travel all the way to Oregon on America\u2019s west coast, you\u2019re going to want to fill your plate with golf. Fortunately, the mighty Bandon Dunes resort is a golf smorgasbord, with 90 full-length holes, 32 short holes and 18 \u2018putting\u2019 holes. If there\u2019s a better week\u2019s golf to be found in a single location, we haven\u2019t discovered it. With 25 years spanning the original Bandon Dunes course (1999) and the most recent addition \u2013 the cool and quirky Shorty\u2019s layout (2024) \u2013 your biggest issue will be containing yourself. Can you fit in all 140 holes in one trip? We\u2019d certainly like to try. \u2013 S.K.<\/p>\n
SEE ALL OF SYDNEY<\/p>\n
Sydney offers a smorgasbord of golf experiences \u2013 from inner-city public courses to dramatic links along rugged coastline \u2013 meaning players of all standards can find a round to love.<\/p>\n
Within minutes of the CBD, Moore Park Golf Course still delivers a full 18-hole public course (despite the best efforts of the NSW Government to slice it in half), a 60-bay all-weather driving range and a lively clubhouse bistro \u2013 perfect for a post-round feed or a quick hit after work.<\/p>\n
For coastal links with real character, few rival New South Wales Golf Club, the iconic layout perched above Botany Bay and consistently ranked among Australia\u2019s top five courses.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, spots such as Bondi Golf & Diggers Club and Long Reef Golf Club deliver scenic seaside rounds for golfers of all levels, while a cluster of driving ranges and indoor simulators scattered across the city \u2013 from traditional tees to high-tech bays \u2013 ensure you can keep swinging whatever the weather. For options within an hour\u2019s drive of the CBD, try Camden Lakeside, Oak Point Golf Club (formerly Liverpool Golf Club) and, if you\u2019re lucky enough to score a round there, Terrey Hills Golf & Country Club on the Northern Beaches. \u2013 B.C.<\/p>\n
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HUG THE COAST OF NEW SOUTH WALES<\/p>\n
Play Australia\u2019s nod to Augusta National at two of the country\u2019s most picturesque coastal gems. Bonville Golf Resort, often dubbed \u201cAustralia\u2019s Augusta\u201d, delivers towering gums, immaculate conditioning and that same soothing sense of seclusion you feel driving down Magnolia Lane. Further south, Mollymook Golf Club\u2019s Hilltop course offers a similarly awe-inspiring stroll through cathedral-like forest, its rolling fairways framed by eucalypts rather than Georgia pines. Both layouts blend beauty, challenge and serenity in a way that feels unmistakably Augusta-esque \u2013 yet also unmistakably Australian \u2013 making them essential stops on any 2026 golf itinerary. \u2013 B.C.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Stuck for ideas on where to travel with your sticks in the new year? Our list of favourite…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":367796,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[566],"tags":[64,63,755,138978,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-367795","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-golf","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-golf","11":"tag-january-2026","12":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/367795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=367795"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/367795\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/367796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=367795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=367795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=367795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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