Sanctuary Cove The Palms
The shorter, cleverer sister course at Sanctuary Cove rewards the thinking player. Rebuilt by Ross Watson and reopened in 2011, The Palms is a strategic par 70 threaded among century old cabbage palms, where precise bunkering and water hazards matter far more than raw length, a stylish resort round that complements the muscle of The Pines next door.
Photo: Kaptain Kerr via Google.
The verdict
If The Pines is the heavyweight at Sanctuary Cove, The Palms is the boxer who wins on points. It opened alongside its bigger sister in 1988, originally laid out by Fred Bolton, but the course you play today is essentially the work of Ross Watson, whose major reconstruction reopened in 2011. Watson reshaped it into a strategic par 70 of around 5,904 metres, a course that proves length is not the only way to defend par.
The defenses here are position and precision. Watson set clever, well placed bunkering and a string of water features through a property dotted with century old cabbage palms, so the golfer is constantly asked to choose a line, flirt with a hazard or play safe and accept a longer approach. It is shorter and more forgiving off the tee than The Pines, which makes it the more enjoyable round for many visitors, but it still demands thought and a tidy short game to score. As part of a stay at Sanctuary Cove, it is the perfect foil to the championship test next door.
Sanctuary Cove The Palms at a glance
- Reopened
- 2011
- Designer
- Ross Watson
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 70
- Length
- About 5,904 m
- Access
- Members and resort
Design history, par and length verified June 2026 from Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club, the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort and leading course databases. The Palms was originally designed by Fred Bolton and opened in 1988, then reconstructed by Ross Watson and reopened in 2011 as a par 70 of about 5,904 metres. It is a members club with access for resort guests; any green fee is seasonal and indicative for 2026, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Palms is a study in strategy over strength. Watson's redesign places the emphasis on choosing the right line rather than simply bombing the drive, with fairway bunkering set exactly where it makes the golfer think and water features that guard the more aggressive routes. Off the tee it is more generous than The Pines, but the reward for accuracy is a shorter, cleaner shot into greens that are well defended and subtly contoured.
Bunkering is the signature. The reconstruction added crisp, well shaped traps that frame the holes and dictate the angles of approach, so the second shot is where the round is really played. The greens ask for control of distance and a deft touch around the surrounds, and the par 3s, several played to water, are memorable. Through it all the avenue of mature cabbage palms gives the course its character and its name, a distinctly subtropical setting.
The conditioning is to the high resort standard you expect at Sanctuary Cove, lush and well presented year round. For the visiting golfer The Palms is the round that flatters and challenges in equal measure, less daunting than its sister but no pushover, and the ideal complement to The Pines on a two course stay at one of the Gold Coast's best golf addresses.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A members club where play is available to guests of the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort and through stay and play packages; there is no general public green fee |
| How to play | Book as an in house resort guest, through a stay and play package, or as the guest of a member; the golf concierge can arrange tee times |
| Green fee | Resort guest and package rates apply and are seasonal; any 2026 figure is indicative, so confirm the current rate and any package when you book |
| On the day | A cart friendly par 70 that rewards strategy over length; smart golf attire and soft spikes expected, and a sharp short game the key to scoring |
| Getting there | Sanctuary Cove on the northern Gold Coast, around 45 minutes south of Brisbane and 30 minutes north of Surfers Paradise |
| Best months | April to October is the prime window, warm and dry; summer is hot and humid with afternoon storms common |
Access details verified June 2026 against Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club and the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort; access centres on resort guests and members and rates are seasonal, so always confirm the current policy and price directly before booking. See our Australia green fees guide for the wider picture.
Where to stay nearby
As with The Pines, the natural base is the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort within the gated village, which gives in house guests the most dependable access to both courses and makes a two course stay and play simple. The marina, restaurants and spa are on your doorstep, and the Gold Coast beaches are a short drive away.
For a wider golf trip, The Palms is part of the strong northern Gold Coast cluster, pairing with The Pines, Links Hope Island next door and the Greg Norman course at Brookwater toward Brisbane. A few days based around Hope Island and Sanctuary Cove can comfortably take in several of southeast Queensland's best layouts.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts around Sanctuary Cove and the northern Gold Coast.
Build a Gold Coast golf trip
We arrange stay and play at Sanctuary Cove, pair The Palms with The Pines, Links Hope Island and Brookwater, and sort the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Sanctuary Cove The Palms questions
Who designed The Palms at Sanctuary Cove?
The Palms was originally designed by Fred Bolton and opened in 1988, then comprehensively reconstructed by Ross Watson and reopened in 2011. The course you play today is essentially Watson's design, a strategic par 70 of about 5,904 metres.
What is the par and length of The Palms?
The Palms plays as a par 70 of about 5,904 metres. It is the shorter of the two Sanctuary Cove courses, defended by clever bunkering and water rather than length, which makes it a strategic and enjoyable resort round.
Can visitors play The Palms?
The Palms is a members club, but play is available to guests of the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort and through stay and play packages. There is no general public green fee, so the simplest route is to stay at the resort or arrange access as a member's guest, and confirm the current policy before booking.
How does The Palms compare to The Pines?
The Palms is the shorter, more strategic par 70 redesigned by Ross Watson, while The Pines is the longer, tougher Arnold Palmer signature par 72. Many visitors play both as a two course stay at Sanctuary Cove, with The Palms the more forgiving and The Pines the sterner test.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Design history, par, length and access policy verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.