Perth has some of Australia’s best golf that most eastern states golfers never experience. The isolation works in our favor - courses are less crowded, memberships are available, and you can play genuine championship golf without the Sydney or Melbourne wait lists.

Having played Perth courses for over 15 years, I’ve got strong opinions on where you should be playing and where you can skip. Here’s the definitive ranking.

Top Tier - Championship Golf

Royal Perth Golf Club sits at the top without question. The course hosted the 1970 Australian Open when Jack Nicklaus won, and it still holds up as one of Australia’s finest tests.

The design is strategic and demanding - you need to think on every shot, placement matters more than distance, and the greens are subtle and difficult to read. When I finally got to play here through a member, it exceeded expectations.

Conditions are pristine year-round. Royal Perth maintains standards that few Australian clubs match. The presentation is consistently excellent.

Joondalup Country Club might be the best resort course in Australia. Two championship layouts (Quarry and Dune) both worthy of your time, with Quarry being the more dramatic and memorable.

The Quarry course has stunning design using the landscape spectacularly. Elevation changes, water features, strategic bunkering - it’s all there and executed brilliantly.

Public access makes this achievable for anyone. Green fees are premium ($180-220 range) but the quality justifies it. This should be on every Perth visitor’s list.

Lake Karrinyup Country Club is another championship venue with rich history and excellent golf. The course has hosted multiple major events and plays firm, fast, and strategic.

Tree-lined fairways, subtle greens, and strategic design create golf that rewards thinking over power. You can score well here but only by playing smart golf throughout.

Access is limited - member introduction or specific visitor times. Worth the effort to arrange if you can.

Upper Mid-Tier - Excellent Golf

The Vines Resort offers 36 holes of quality golf in the Swan Valley. Both courses (Lakes and Ellenbrook) are championship standard with the Lakes course being the stronger layout.

Resort setting means excellent conditioning and easy access. You can book online and play whenever suits. Green fees are reasonable ($100-140) for the quality.

The combination of two quality courses plus resort facilities makes this ideal for golf trip headquarters.

Meadow Springs Golf Club in Mandurah is a hidden gem that’s often overlooked. Championship standard golf about 75 minutes south of Perth CBD.

The course is interesting and challenging throughout with good variety and strategic design. When conditions are firm, it plays even better.

Green fees are very reasonable ($70-90) for this quality. If you’re willing to drive to Mandurah, this represents excellent value.

Araluen Golf Resort has beautiful bush setting and interesting course design. It’s not overly long but strategic placement matters constantly.

The setting is spectacular - you’re playing through jarrah forest with wildflowers (in season) creating stunning natural scenery.

Public access and moderate green fees ($80-100) make this accessible and worthwhile, particularly for the unique setting.

Mid-Tier - Solid Options

Joondalup Resort (separate from Joondalup Country Club) offers good resort golf that’s accessible and well-maintained. Not championship level but very playable and enjoyable.

The course is forgiving enough for high handicappers while still interesting for better players. Good option if you’re playing with varied abilities.

Green fees around $80-100 depending on time. Decent value for the quality and convenience.

Secret Harbour Golf Links is links-style golf south of Perth. When the wind is up it plays challenging and fun - proper links golf character.

Conditions can be variable - this is less manicured than resort courses but that’s partly the links aesthetic. When firm and fast it’s excellent.

Very affordable ($60-80) and easily accessible. Worth playing for something different from typical Perth parkland.

Rockingham Golf Club is solid public golf with ocean views and decent conditioning. Nothing spectacular but reliable and enjoyable.

The coastal location provides scenery and often wind, making course management important. It’s not just hitting driver everywhere.

Budget-friendly green fees ($50-70) make this good value for casual rounds or practicing on a proper course without big expense.

Budget-Friendly Options Worth Playing

Kwinana Golf Club is cheap and cheerful with better conditions than the price suggests. If you’re playing frequently and budget matters, this works well.

The course won’t challenge low handicappers but it’s fun and playable for mid-to-high markers. Conditions are basic but adequate.

Green fees under $40 make this accessible for regular golf without breaking the bank.

Collier Park Golf Course (public) is Perth’s main municipal course and it’s decent for what it is. Nothing fancy but playable and very affordable.

The course gets heavy use so conditions reflect that - don’t expect pristine surfaces. But it’s maintained adequately and provides golf practice opportunities.

Weekend rates around $40-50 make this approachable for beginners or budget-conscious players.

Links-Style Golf in Perth

Fremantle Golf Course is proper links-style golf on coastal land. Firm, fast, windy - exactly what links golf should be.

The course isn’t pretty in a traditional sense but it’s authentic and challenging. When the Fremantle Doctor wind is blowing, scoring gets very difficult.

Conditions vary but that’s part of links golf character. Moderate green fees ($70-90) for unique golf experience.

Cottesloe Golf Club has links characteristics and ocean views in premium location. The course is short but strategic with subtle greens.

It’s charming rather than championship quality. The location and setting are the main appeals - actual golf is solid but not spectacular.

Access is somewhat limited and green fees reflect the location. Worth playing once for the experience but maybe not a regular destination.

Best for Visitors Without Connections

Focus on Joondalup Country Club (both courses), The Vines, Araluen, and Secret Harbour. All offer quality golf with easy online booking.

If budget allows, Joondalup Country Club is unmissable. It’s as good as Perth golf gets with full public access.

The Vines provides variety with two courses and makes excellent trip headquarters with resort facilities.

Planning a Perth Golf Trip

Base yourself in Perth CBD for access to northern and southern courses, or in Swan Valley near The Vines if you’re playing multiple rounds there.

A long weekend (3-4 days) allows for 4-5 rounds comfortably. Mix premium courses with affordable options for variety and budget management.

Spring (September-November) offers perfect conditions - warm weather, wildflowers blooming, courses in great shape. This is peak season.

Summer (December-February) can be hot. Early tee times are essential - by midday you’ll be dealing with significant heat.

Autumn (March-May) is excellent with warm but not hot conditions and generally settled weather.

Winter (June-August) is mild by Perth standards. Golf is comfortable year-round here unlike eastern states.

What Makes Perth Golf Special

The variety from links-style coastal golf to bush setting courses to strategic parkland creates diverse experiences within one city.

Accessibility is better than Melbourne or Sydney. Getting tee times at quality courses is easier, and memberships are actually available rather than decade-long wait lists.

The standard of public access golf is high. You can play championship-quality courses without private club connections more easily than most Australian cities.

Conditions are generally excellent - Perth’s climate allows year-round quality, and courses maintain well in the dry climate.

Hidden Gems to Explore

Gosnells Golf Club doesn’t get much attention but offers solid parkland golf at very reasonable prices. Worth exploring if you’re local.

Wembley Golf Course is a municipal course that punches above its price point for conditions and playability. Good for regular practice rounds.

Melville Glades Golf Club is a 9-hole course that’s cheap, cheerful, and perfect for quick rounds or practicing without committing to full 18-hole rounds.

Courses to Skip

I won’t name specific courses to avoid, but generally skip anywhere with consistently poor reviews for condition. Cheap green fees don’t justify bad golf experiences.

Some older courses are trading on past reputation while letting maintenance slip. Do basic research before booking - recent reviews will tell you if conditions have deteriorated.

Getting Private Club Access

Some clubs run periodic visitor days - check websites or call pro shops. Royal Perth and Lake Karrinyup sometimes have opportunities.

Interstate club reciprocals occasionally work. If your home club has connections, it’s worth investigating.

Corporate golf connections can sometimes arrange access. Many Perth businesses have relationships with premier clubs.

High-end golf tour operators can arrange packages including private club access. This costs more but solves the access challenge.

Making the Most of Your Perth Golf

Don’t try to play too much. Perth has attractions beyond golf - beaches, wine regions, food scene - and golf trips that balance different experiences are more enjoyable than pure golf marathons.

Combine rounds with exploring Margaret River wine region, beaches along the coast, or Perth’s improving food scene. Golf plus broader experiences creates better trips.

The isolation that keeps Perth golf relatively uncrowded also means you should plan properly. Book tee times ahead, confirm access for any restricted courses, and have backup options.

For someone from the eastern states, Perth golf represents genuine discovery. These courses don’t get the national recognition they deserve, but the quality is absolutely there. The combination of championship golf, accessibility, great conditions, and less crowding makes Perth one of Australia’s best golf destinations.