The Beginners Guide to Golf in Newcastle
Newcastle is an excellent place to play golf. Image courtesy of J Bearnicke.
If someone was to ask you what you knew about golf, what would you say? Hazarding a guess, I would imagine that the majority of answers would probably use the words “old men”, “boring” and “Tiger Woods”. But if you bear with me for a moment before I go on to tell you that golf is actually great fun, here are a few golfing facts that you might find interesting:
- There are an estimated 61 million golfers worldwide.
- 1.7 million of those come from Australia.
- Australia has one of the highest number of golf courses per capita in the world.
- Tiger Woods had his first hole-in-one at the age of eight years old.
So I suppose we can gather a few things from these little tidbits. Firstly, golf is so popular that it has one of the highest participation rates for sports in the world. Secondly, Australia is an excellent place to play golf and thirdly, that Tiger Woods fella is pretty darn good at it.
Unlike a lot of sports, golf can be played by absolutely anyone. Yes, it is a challenging sport and hitting that little white ball is often a hard task, but it’s also a game that gets us out in this beautiful Spring weather, it gives you the chance to socialise with friends and also provides a little bit of healthy competition.
If you don’t have your own set of clubs, don’t worry. All courses around the region provide gear that you can hire for your round complete with clubs, balls, tees and whatever else you may need to get you through your adventure.
And if you are well and truly a beginner, just ask the clubs resident Golf Professional and I’m sure he or she would be more than happy to provide a few tips.
Other things to remember if you’re thinking of heading out for a game mainly revolve around dress regulations. Just give the course you’re looking to play at a quick call and find out what you need to wear.
So if you now feel inclined to get out there and give golf a crack, Newcastle just happens to provide a plethora of places where you can hone your skills. Check out our Insider Map on where we believe the best places to play in Newcastle are and let us know what you think.
Have you ever played golf? Where are your favourite courses in the Newcastle region? Is golf really a sport for young people? We here at Urban Insider are always happy to hear your feedback so feel free to leave us a comment.
For more details on the game of golf, how to get started and a few tips and tricks, visit the Golf Australia website.
Or maybe even watch this for a little inspiration.
Beresfield Golf Course
280 Anderson Drive
Beresfield
(02) 4966 4665
Owned and operated by Newcastle City Council, Beresfield Golf Course is the perfect spot to try out your golfing skills. With wide fairways, big greens and not too many water hazards, the course is suited towards those wanting to learn more about the game. Open 7 days a week, the course is extremely popular with those wanting to test out their golfing ability. Not only is Beresfield the course best suited to the golfing novice, it is also the cheapest so be sure to call the club for more details.
-32.799107
151.642828
Merewether Golf Club
40 King Street
Adamstown
(02) 4963 1869
Situated in the heart of the city, Merewether Golf Club is a bit of a sanctuary amongst suburbia. A well groomed, tree lined layout, the course is an excellent place to play without having to travel too far from town. With helpful staff and a fully stocked pro shop, Merewether is perfect for those ranging from novice all the way through to professional. Always busy, give the club a call to reserve a game with prices starting around the $20 mark.
-32.940547
151.732779
Charlestown Golf Club
Barker Avenue
Hillsborough
(02) 4943 8748
Ideally situated between Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Charlestown Golf Club is one of the best courses in our region. A lot of work has been done on the course over recent years and it is now in pristine shape with lush fairways and smooth greens. Another course that is perfectly suited to both the beginner and/or experienced golfer, Charlestown has produced some of this regions more talented players. Why not head up after 3pm where you can play for just $18. Again, be sure to call ahead to make a booking.
-32.963433
151.670101
Belmont Golf Club
801 Pacific Highway
Marks Point
(02) 4945 2058
Set amongst the sand dunes and with the Pacific Ocean as its backdrop, Belmont Golf Club is certainly one of the regions best layouts. Home to one of the worlds most prestigious amateur golf events, Belmont may certainly test these world class golfers but is also forgiving enough for the golfing rookie. Wide fairways and not a lot of water make Belmont an ideal venue to hone your golfing talents. A round will set you back $25.
-33.05585
151.657376
Nelson Bay Golf Club
Dowling Street
Nelson Bay
(02) 4981 1132
If you happen to be in the Port Stephens area for the day, why not try out the 27 Hole Nelson Bay Golf Club. Situated amongst native trees and an abundance of wildlife, the course is always in tip-top shape. With the days beginning to stretch out, why not take advantage of their offer for a game of golf after 4pm for only $21. Give the club a call for more details.
-32.725361
152.145259
Newcastle Golf Club
Vardon Road
Fern Bay
(02) 4928 1984
If you're ready to take your game to the next level, Newcastle Golf Club is just the place to do it. Home to the NSW Open for the next five years and a course that is consistently ranked amongst the Top 15 in Australia, Newcastle is a demanding test that is not for the faint hearted. Of course, playing one of Australia's top courses comes at a price with Green Fees starting at $88. Only for the experienced!
-32.868053
151.793289
Great story,hope it gets more people interested in the greatest game you can play