Cottesloe Golf Club
On the sandy heath behind Perth's famous coast, Cottesloe is a private members club with a links flavor. Founded in 1908 and settled at Swanbourne in 1931, this par 72 of about 6,065 yards has been refined over the decades by Thomson, Wolveridge and Perrott and more recently by Graham Marsh.
Photo: Cottesloe Golf Club Inc. via Google.
The verdict
Cottesloe is one of Perth's oldest and most characterful clubs, founded in 1908 and settled on its present Swanbourne site in 1931, where a course was carved from the coastal scrub and sand hills by volunteers with a horse and plough. That sandy, free draining ground gives Cottesloe a firm, links like quality rare among the city's parkland clubs.
It has been refined rather than reinvented over the years, with the Thomson, Wolveridge and Perrott practice reshaping the layout in the early 1980s and Graham Marsh adding further improvements in recent seasons. The result is a smart, walkable members course close to the Indian Ocean, a fine private round to fold into a Perth golf trip.
Cottesloe Golf Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1931 (Swanbourne)
- Designer
- David Anderson, later Graham Marsh
- Type
- Coastal sand
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,065 yds
- Green fee
- Members and guests
History, designers, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Cottesloe Golf Club and leading course databases. The club was founded in 1908 and moved to Swanbourne in 1931, the layout reshaped by Thomson, Wolveridge and Perrott in the early 1980s and improved by Graham Marsh in 2008 and again in 2024; it plays to par 72 of about 6,065 yards on firm, sandy coastal ground. Cottesloe is a private members club, so always confirm access and any guest rate directly before planning.
The holes worth the trip
The charm of Cottesloe is the ground it is built on. The fairways run firm and fast across sandy soil, the ball chases on the bounce, and the breeze off the nearby ocean is a constant companion that changes the character of the round from one day to the next.
At about 6,065 yards and par 72 it is not long by modern standards, but the defense is in the angles, the green complexes and the wind rather than raw length. Graham Marsh's recent work has sharpened the bunkering and the greens, asking for thought off the tee and a deft touch on and around the putting surfaces.
It is a course that rewards the player who plots a route and controls the ball on the ground, the links way of playing. For a visitor it offers a different flavor from Perth's bigger parkland clubs, a breezy, sandy, traditional round a stone's throw from one of Australia's great beaches.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; visitors play through a member, a reciprocal club or an approved golf tour |
| Green fee | Guest and visitor rates arranged through the club; no public walk up fee (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Arrange in advance; weekdays are easiest for visitor and reciprocal play |
| On the day | Walking suits the firm sandy ground; carts available; a neat golf dress standard applies |
| Getting there | Swanbourne in Perth's western suburbs, about 15 minutes from the city and close to Cottesloe Beach |
| Best months | September to November and March to May for mild, drier conditions |
Access arrangements verified June 2026; Cottesloe is private and policies change, so always confirm directly with the club or your trip planner before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
The western suburbs around Cottesloe and Swanbourne are among Perth's most desirable, with the famous Cottesloe Beach, cafes and the Indian Ocean sunsets all close at hand. A base here is relaxed and coastal while keeping central Perth and Fremantle within easy reach.
Because the club is private, most visitors play Cottesloe as part of a wider Perth itinerary arranged in advance, pairing it with Lake Karrinyup, Joondalup and the Swan Valley. The coastal setting makes it a memorable stop on any western golf trip.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Cottesloe Golf Club.
Build a Perth golf trip
We arrange access at Cottesloe where the club allows, pair it with the best of Perth and book the lodging around your group. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Cottesloe Golf Club questions
When was Cottesloe Golf Club founded?
Cottesloe was founded in 1908 and moved to its present Swanbourne site in 1931, where the original course was carved from the coastal scrub by volunteers.
Who designed the Cottesloe course?
The original Swanbourne layout was fashioned by club professional David Anderson, reshaped by Thomson, Wolveridge and Perrott in the early 1980s, and improved by Graham Marsh in 2008 and 2024.
What is the par and length of Cottesloe?
Cottesloe is a par 72 of about 6,065 yards, played on firm, sandy coastal ground with a genuine links flavor.
Can visitors play Cottesloe Golf Club?
Cottesloe is a private members club. Visitors generally play through a member, a reciprocal club or an approved golf tour. Contact the club in advance to arrange access.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. History, designers, par and yardage verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.