Royal Melbourne Golf Club — West Course
Alister MacKenzie’s Sandbelt masterpiece and Australia’s highest-ranked course — a private members’ club whose bold bunkering and lightning greens have thrice hosted the Presidents Cup.
Royal Melbourne Golf Club — West Course in photos
Can I play Royal Melbourne Golf Club — West Course?
Realistically, yes — but as a genuine private members’ club, not a pay-and-play course. Overseas visitors who are members of a recognised golf club can enquire about visitor tee times (generally Monday, Tuesday and Friday) and must present a current club membership card or a letter of introduction from their home club. The other common routes are being hosted by a member or booking through an organised golf tour or Sandbelt package that has arranged access.
How to book: Contact the club’s visitor office well in advance via royalmelbourne.com.au. You will need proof of membership of a recognised club, a letter of introduction, and to meet the handicap limits (men 36, women 45). Note that scheduled course works have at times restricted visitor access, so confirm availability directly before you travel.
About Royal Melbourne Golf Club — West Course
Routed by Alister MacKenzie and Alex Russell and completed in 1931, Royal Melbourne’s West Course is the crown jewel of Melbourne’s Sandbelt and consistently ranked among the best courses in the world. Firm, sandy turf, boldly sculpted bunkers and hugely contoured greens reward angles, imagination and the running shot. It is a private members’ club, but overseas golfers who belong to a recognised club can usually arrange a visit with a letter of introduction, and it has hosted the Presidents Cup in 1998, 2011 and 2019. For big tournaments the club fields the Composite Course, blending its finest holes from the West and East.
Signature hole
The par-4 6th — a sweeping dogleg played over a diagonal nest of sandy bunkers to an angled, firm green; a classic MacKenzie risk-and-reward two-shotter.
What makes it special
Alister MacKenzie design
The same architect behind Augusta National and Cypress Point laid out the West’s strategic angles and dramatic bunkering, completed in 1931.
Three-time Presidents Cup host
Royal Melbourne staged the Presidents Cup in 1998, 2011 and 2019, using the combined Composite Course.
The world’s greatest Sandbelt greens
Fast, firm and boldly contoured, the West’s greens and their flanking bunkers are studied by architects the world over.
Tournament pedigree
- 1998 Presidents Cup
- 2011 Presidents Cup
- 2019 Presidents Cup
- Australian Open (host on numerous occasions)
- 2013 World Cup of Golf (Composite Course)
Need to know
Best time to play
The Australian golf season peaks October to April; late spring and autumn (October–November, March–April) bring firm Sandbelt turf and mild weather. Summer can be hot and windy, and winter is cooler and wetter.
Dress code
Strict and traditional — a collared shirt, tailored trousers or shorts, and no denim on the course or in the clubhouse. Smart-casual attire is expected in the clubhouse; check the club’s current standards when booking.
Good to know
The West is walking golf on fast, tilting Sandbelt greens with cavernous, artfully shaped bunkers — a caddie is a real asset for reading the subtleties. It is a private club, so behave as a guest: arrive early, respect etiquette, and confirm dress and access rules in advance. For big events, holes from the West and East are combined into the celebrated Composite Course.
Upcoming golf tournaments
Prefer to watch the world’s best? Book tickets to an upcoming tournament, then add a hotel and flights.
Getting there
Nearest airports
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine, MEL) — about 40 km / 45 minutes by car. Moorabbin Airport is closer for private/light aircraft.
On arrival
From Melbourne Airport it is a 45-minute drive south-east to Black Rock on Port Phillip Bay; from the CBD allow around 30–40 minutes. A car or taxi/ride-share is the simplest option, and the course sits amid the famous Melbourne Sandbelt cluster.
Stay near the course
Many visitors base themselves in central Melbourne and drive out, or stay in the bayside suburbs near the Sandbelt such as Brighton, Sandringham or Mentone to be minutes from the first tee and neighbouring clubs.
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★★★★★ 5-starTap for live prices The Cullen Melbourne - Art Series
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★★★★★ 5-starTap for live prices Quest Moorabbin Apartment Hotel
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A taste of the luxury stays near Royal Melbourne Golf Club — West Course — tap any hotel to see live availability and prices for your dates, or search them all.
Plan your golf trip
Hotels near the course
Live-priced stays a short drive from the 1st tee.
Search hotelsFlights
Get to Black Rock — search fares to the nearest airport.
Find flightsTournament tickets
Rather watch the pros? Book golf tournament tickets.
See golf ticketsThings to do
Tours and experiences around Black Rock.
Explore Black RockFrequently asked questions
Can I play Royal Melbourne as a visitor?
It is a private members’ club, but overseas golfers can usually arrange to play. You must be a member of a recognised club and present a membership card or a letter of introduction, or be hosted by a member or come via an organised golf tour. Visitor times are typically Monday, Tuesday and Friday.
How much does it cost to play?
Overseas-visitor green fees for the West Course are around A$850 (about A$750 in the low season), plus roughly A$170 for a caddie. Confirm current rates and conditions with the club.
What do I need to arrange a round?
Proof of membership of a recognised golf club, a letter of introduction from your home club, and a handicap within the limits (men 36, women 45). Book well ahead through the club’s visitor office, as access can be limited during course works.
What is the Composite Course?
For major tournaments Royal Melbourne combines its best holes from the West and East courses into a single Composite Course, which is what the Presidents Cup is played over.
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Green fees, access rules and tee-time policies change frequently and vary by season. The figures here are indicative for trip planning — always confirm on the official site before booking.
Hero image: Hone Morihana, CC BY 2.0 — via Wikimedia Commons
Guide updated 2026-07-27.