On a strip of sandy soil in Melbourne's southeast lie more world class courses than almost anywhere on earth, the Sandbelt, where Alister MacKenzie's bunkering and the fast, firm turf produced a golfing region that rivals any. Here are the ten we rate most highly, ranked, with our verdict and how to play each.
Photograph: Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Owen Tully, via Google
The Sandbelt was made by geology and one great visit. The free draining sandy soil southeast of Melbourne is perfect for golf, and when Alister MacKenzie came through in 1926 he set out Royal Melbourne's West Course with Alex Russell and reshaped the bunkering of the clubs around it. The result is a cluster of courses, Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Metropolitan, Victoria and the rest, that share a single, instantly recognisable style and sit within a short drive of one another.
We weighed design quality, conditioning, the genius of the bunkering and greens and championship pedigree, and we noted access plainly, because the Sandbelt clubs are private members clubs that arrange visitor golf on their own terms. Every fact here, from designers and opening years to host events, was checked at the time of writing. Green fees are indicative and the cooler months suit travelling golfers. The verdicts are ours, the order reflects our editors' view, and if you want these built into a costed trip, that is exactly what our concierge does.
Australia's greatest course and one of the ten best in the world, Alister MacKenzie's masterpiece with Alex Russell, all wide fairways, fearsome bunkering and lightning greens on the perfect sandy soil. The composite course, drawn from the West and East, hosts the game's biggest events. Visitor access by arrangement.
Designed by Dan Soutar with bunkering by MacKenzie, routinely rated the second best course in Australia and many good judges' outright favourite, a flawless routing on a compact site with the finest set of bunkers in the country. Visitor access by arrangement.
Alex Russell's own course at Royal Melbourne, less famous than the West but a superb layout in its own right, six of whose holes form part of the great composite course. A wonderful round that visitors often underrate. Visitor access by arrangement.
The closest of the great clubs to the city and the most immaculately conditioned course in Australia, a classic Sandbelt test of fine greens and bunkering that has hosted Australian Opens and Presidents Cup golf. Visitor access by arrangement.
Kingston Heath's neighbour and a wonderful MacKenzie influenced course, the home club of five time Open champion Peter Thomson, with bold bunkering and quick greens. A connoisseur's Sandbelt round. Visitor access by arrangement.
The merged Peninsula club's superb North course, recently reworked back to its Sandbelt roots, a powerful layout among tea tree and sand a little further south toward the bay. One of the most improved courses in the country. Visitor access by arrangement.
A strong, tree lined Sandbelt course of fine greens and bunkering, a quietly excellent members club that has hosted national events and rewards accurate, thoughtful golf. Visitor access by arrangement.
A classic Sandbelt course with MacKenzie influenced bunkering and a celebrated par 3, a connoisseur's club that sits comfortably among the belt's best and rewards a second look. Visitor access by arrangement.
Long the home of the Australian Masters and its famous gold jacket, a parkland leaning Sandbelt course, strong, well bunkered and a regular professional venue. A fine, testing round close to the belt's heart. Visitor access by arrangement.
One of the purest small Sandbelt courses, a charming, classic layout of superb greens and bunkering that punches well above its modest length and delights everyone who plays it. The perfect finish to a Sandbelt week. Visitor access by arrangement.
Designers, opening years and host history verified June 2026. The Sandbelt clubs are private members clubs that arrange visitor golf on their own terms, usually midweek, noted where relevant. Green fees are indicative only. Course profiles are added across the site as the directory grows. Always confirm access, dress codes and fees directly before booking.
Tell us how many Sandbelt courses you want to play and roughly when. One concierge costs the whole trip to the head and replies within one working day, with no obligation.
Royal Melbourne's West Course, Alister MacKenzie and Alex Russell's 1931 masterpiece at Black Rock, is rated the finest course in Australia and one of the ten best in the world. Kingston Heath is widely considered the second, and many good judges prefer it. Metropolitan, Victoria and the East Course complete the top of the Sandbelt.
The Sandbelt clubs are private members clubs, but most arrange visitor tee times, often midweek and frequently through a golf tour operator or a stay and play package. The cooler months from October to April suit travelling golfers. Always confirm access, dress codes and fees directly before booking.
Sandbelt tee time windows, the best months to travel south and the Australian trips our concierge is quietly building. Every other week.