Commonwealth Golf Club
One of the quieter members of the Melbourne sandbelt, and a course that punches well above its reputation. Established in 1920, shaped over the decades and recently restored under guidance from Tom Doak's Renaissance Golf Design, Commonwealth is a par 73 of firm, fast sandbelt golf that hosted the 1967 Australian Open. It belongs on any serious sandbelt pilgrimage.
Photo: Commonwealth Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Commonwealth is the sandbelt course that visiting golfers most often underrate before they play it and most often rave about afterward. Established in 1920 at South Oakleigh, its early holes were laid out by club professional Sam Bennett with the full eighteen in play by 1924, and the routing and greens were refined over the following decades, including Sloan Morpeth's reworking of all eighteen putting surfaces in the mid 1930s. The result is a course of real variety on classic sandbelt ground.
A recent restoration carried out with guidance from Tom Doak's Renaissance Golf Design, led on site by Brian Slawnik, has sharpened the bunkering and surrounds and returned the firm, running character the sandbelt is loved for. It is a par 73 that asks for placement and a deft short game rather than brute length, and it sits comfortably alongside its more famous neighbours. For a group building a Melbourne week, Commonwealth is a smart inclusion that rewards the eye and the wedges.
Commonwealth at a glance
- Established
- 1920
- Design
- Bennett and Morpeth; Doak era restoration
- Type
- Sandbelt heathland
- Par
- 73
- Yardage
- About 6,289 yds
- Green fee
- Members and guests
Club history, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Commonwealth Golf Club and leading sandbelt sources. The club was established in 1920, early holes laid out by Sam Bennett with the full eighteen complete by 1924, greens reworked by Sloan Morpeth in the mid 1930s, and a recent restoration delivered with guidance from Tom Doak's Renaissance Golf Design under Brian Slawnik. It is a par 73 of about 6,289 yards, with length varying by tee. Commonwealth is a private members club with limited visitor access and no published public green fee; any guest rate is arranged through the golf shop. Access and fees are indicative for 2026; always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Commonwealth makes its case through variety and strategy rather than length. The fairways run firm over sandy soil, the bunkering bites in close to greens and landing areas, and the contoured putting surfaces ask for the approach to come in from the correct angle. As on the best sandbelt courses, the smart line off the tee is rarely the most obvious one.
The green complexes are the heart of it. Many are subtly tilted and ringed by sand, so missing on the wrong side leaves a delicate recovery and three putts come easily to the careless. The restoration has restored width and sandy edges that reward an aggressive, thoughtful player while still punishing the loose shot, and the par 3s in particular stand out for their demand on distance control.
The closing stretch brings the round home over the same firm, fast turf, the bunkering tightening the lines and the greens insisting on precise pace. Walk off the eighteenth and the lasting impression is of a course that flatters no one and rewards the player who thinks. It is honest, classical golf, and a worthy companion to the marquee names of the sandbelt.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; overseas and interstate visitors play on a limited basis, generally on selected weekdays |
| Green fee | No published public fee; any guest or visitor rate is arranged through the golf shop (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Contact the golf shop well in advance; an introduction or a sandbelt golf specialist helps secure a tee time |
| On the day | Walking suits the firm sandbelt turf; carts and caddies can be arranged; pace and etiquette are expected |
| Getting there | South Oakleigh in southeast Melbourne, around 25 to 30 minutes from the city centre and close to the other sandbelt clubs |
| Best months | October to April for the warm, dry sandbelt season when the turf runs at its firmest |
Access arrangements verified June 2026; Commonwealth is private and policies change, so always confirm directly before planning a visit with the golf shop or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in central Melbourne or the bayside suburbs, both an easy drive from the sandbelt and full of excellent hotels, dining and the wider attractions of one of the world's great sporting cities. A central base keeps Commonwealth and its neighbours within a short run each morning.
For a golf focused stay, the bayside suburbs around Black Rock and Brighton put a cluster of sandbelt courses close at hand. It is the ideal region to build a multi course pilgrimage around, pairing Commonwealth with Kingston Heath, Royal Melbourne, Victoria and the other sandbelt classics.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Commonwealth.
Build a Melbourne golf trip
We secure the sandbelt tee times where access allows, pair Commonwealth with the best of the region and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Commonwealth questions
When was Commonwealth Golf Club established?
Commonwealth Golf Club was established in 1920 on the Melbourne sandbelt. The early holes were laid out by club professional Sam Bennett, with the full 18 in play by 1924, and the greens were redesigned in the mid 1930s by Sloan Morpeth.
What is the par and length of Commonwealth?
Commonwealth is a par 73 measuring about 6,289 yards from its standard tees, played on the firm, fast turf typical of the Melbourne sandbelt. Length varies by tee.
Has Commonwealth been restored?
Yes. Commonwealth undertook a significant restoration with guidance from Tom Doak's Renaissance Golf Design, led on site by Brian Slawnik, returning sandbelt character to the bunkering and surrounds.
Can visitors play Commonwealth Golf Club?
Commonwealth is a private members club with limited visitor access, generally on selected weekdays and often by introduction or through a sandbelt golf specialist. Contact the golf shop well in advance; always confirm access directly before planning.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Club history, par and yardage verified June 2026; access and any guest green fee indicative for 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.