Golf in Australia

As a country which has spawned many great golfers over the years, it should come as no surprise that Australia provides an excellent choice of courses throughout its vast territory.

There are more than 1600 courses in the country, most of which are concentrated in the populous south-east corner of the continent.

The 'sandbelt' in Melbourne is the jewel in Australia's golfing crown. Within 20 minutes of each other are Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Metropolitan, Victoria, Commonweatlth, Huntingdale and Yarra Yarra - all championship courses which are equal to the best anywhere else in the world.

Royal Melbourne is Australia's most-famous course and is believed by many to be one of designer Dr Alister Mackenzie's masterpieces.

Queensland is regarded as Australia's golf resort capital, the second largest state in size in the country being home to no less than ten such facilities. Hope Island, Sanctuary Cove and The Glades are widely thought to be the pick of them.

At Hope Island there's a links course which was designed by Peter Thomson, while Greg Norman's Glades opened to rave reviews in 2000 and has remained very popular ever since. Queensland also boasts Laklelands, the first Jack Nicklaus signature course in Australia.

In Brisbane, the state's major city, you can take your pick from a number of fine courses, including Royal Queensland, Brisbane Golf Club and the relatively new Brookwater Golf Club.

Adelaide, the capital city, is also blessed with some excellent courses, including Royal Adelaide, The Grange and Kooyonga, while Royal Canberra is often referred to as 'Australia's Augusta'.

In Western Australia a visit to The Vines, a resort course in Perth, is well worthwhile, and, if you're prepared to take a flight to Tasmania, the Apple Isle boasts the most golf courses per capita of all the Australian states.