Bucket list experience:
Since 1931, the West course has left golfers agog with the sheer quality of its design, from tee to hole.
Fairways are generous, and even the tight lies are such that the ball just sits up on them, inviting you to a clean strike. The firm-faced bunkers are often tight to the greens, which run as true as any you’ll find anywhere in the world.
Dr Alistair Mackenzie never saw his completed masterpiece, but legendary designer wrote about it, ‘if only Melbourne were not so far removed from America, the standard of American golf architecture might well be higher.’
Royal Melbourne is 16 miles south of Melbourne. You must apply to play in writing through the website; do so well in advance. Only members of recognised clubs will be allowed to play on provision of a letter from your own club.
The course is open all year round, seven days a week. Visitor tee times are restricted to between 10.30am and 11.30am Mondays, Tuesdays and Friday. Any time of year is good to play, but perhaps avoid the hottest months – January and February.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia[16.9 miles]
Half-day tours to snorkel or boat-watch bottlenose dolphins in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay. Australian fur seals also often show up, and you may see a weedy sea dragon.
Best for ages: 6+ | £95 | Half day
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
Spectacular landscapes, impeccable fairways and greens, brilliantly-designed holes and plenty of golfing folklore – we asked golf expert and journalist Fionn Davenport to recommend his top 30 golf courses from around the world.
