Golfing in the Sutherland Shire

For many years I used to think playing golf was a waste of a good walk.  How times have changed and all it took was a few lessons to change my mind. I am not what you would call a serious golfer; I play about a dozen times a year and I have a handicap of 36. The Sutherland Shire has five golf courses that offer the novice through to the serious golfer;

The Ridge.

Offering one of the finest public access facilities in NSW, The Ridge is a championship level golf course with couch fairways and bent grass greens. It also features one of the best short practice game areas in Australia where you can practice getting out of a bunker, chipping to your hearts content and trying out your short or long putting skills.

There is a 52-bay night-lit driving range, BBQ facilities, a Pro Shop and an experienced coaching team of 8 PGA Professionals. If you need to tune up your golfing swing they also private, beginner, lady and seniors’ clinics, plus junior programs. Membership is available, as well as cart, club and pull cart hire.

There are five Par-5 holes, 10 Par-4 holes and four Par-3 holes over a total distance of 6231 metres, making it the longest golf course in the Shire. I have played here a number of times and have managed to get 2 pars on hole 3, three pars on hole 10 and 2 pars on hole 11. For me that is a great result and I don’t mind playing there even though it is rated as a hard course.

The Ridge Golf Club: Recreation Drive, Barden Ridge. 

Woolooware.

Woolooware golf course is a public 18-hole golf course with three Par-5, 10 Par-4 and five Par-3 holes over a distance of 5772 metres.

Competitions are held Monday (Vets), Tuesday (Ladies), Wednesday, Saturday (Men’s), and Sunday (Mixed). All visitors from other Golf Clubs are welcome to play in these competitions, as long as you book five days prior to competition day. They also offer a number of packages for corporate groups, charity events or large groups wanting to have a great day on the greens.

They have two PGA Professionals; Barry Bent is head professional and has been a coach at Woolooware golf course for the past 38 years and Adam Short is in charge of their junior program.

Woolooware Golf Club: Harnleigh Avenue, Woolooware. 

Kareela.

Kareela Golf Club started in the late 1960's as Salisbury Golf Club. It was originally a nine-hole course that officially opened in September of 1970 by Councillor A.T. Gietzett. The second nine holes were opened on July 4th 1971 by the then Minister for Lands the Honourable T.L. Lewis. A significant feature of that course was that not a single tree was removed in its design. The beautiful natural setting of the course provides a challenging yet picturesque journey through the 18-hole championship course rated by NSW Golf Assoc. as a Group 3 course.

The 18-hole course has nine Par-4, eight Par-3 and one Par-5 holes and at 4327 metres it’s not as long as the others. This is a golf course you should try at least once as it’s challenging yet rewarding with its steep, hilly and undulating front nine holes, opening up to a back nine where they are flatter and more water hazards.

Kareela Golf and Social Club: 1 Bates Drive, Kareela. 

Cronulla.

To play on this well groomed 5805 metre golf course you must be a member or come as a member’s guest. As someone who is still aspiring to achieve a hole in one, I thought I would check out the stats of hole in ones for the past five years. There has been 120 holes in ones (including 39 at the 7th and 25 at the 18th). The 7th hole is a short Par-3, while the 18th is one the best holes on the course. It is a beautifully designed small green that presents an array of different pin positions to test anyone’s putting skills.

I have been told that’s hard to get up and down, particularly from the left-hand side. Two strategically placed bunkers guard the green and it can be a very difficult challenge into a southerly wind. How good would it be walking up to the club house on the 18th and picking your ball out of the cup. 25 golfers have!

Practice nets, chipping and putting greens available any time and practice fairways available outside competition times you can practice refining your game of golf.

If you’re not already a member, you could try the 3-month trial membership or the 1-year introduction to golf package.  Juniors 8 to 12 years can join their “Come and try day” on 8 October 9am to 12pm for a cost of $15. Register here. 

Cronulla Golf: Cnr Hume & Elouera Roads, Cronulla. 

Sylvania Waters.

Sylvania Par 3 is a picturesque, boutique golf course spread over 15 acres of flat land. While the course is particularly good for beginners and kids, the skilled golfer can brush up on short games or fill in a few fun hours.

They have also embraced Soccer Golf – a new craze sweeping the world! Using the skills of soccer and the rules of Golf, the goal is to get the ball in the hole in the least number of shots as you can. 

Sylvania Par 3: 223B Belgrave Esplanade, Sylvania Waters.