Strategic, tranquil, and historical, the Avondale Golf Club has hidden away amongst the North Shore suburbs. Despite Pymble and its nearby suburbs being amongst the most densely populated in Sydney, there's an unspoiled atmosphere to this recently resurgent club. Finding itself as a top 100 Oceanian course and in the top 15 of New South Wales, Avondale mixes its enviable elements well.

At just under 6000 meters, the course is relatively short for an 18 hole course. The design is fantastic, borrowing from its landscape well with plenty of climbs, elevated greens and tees, doglegs, and difficult, exceptionally maintained bunkers. Secluded and quiet, it's in true parkland style, set amongst hills and with bountiful trees. An array of fauna interrupt fairways and overhang on greens. The fairways - which have gone from blue couch to the popular Santa Ana in recent years - are nice with several valleys and subtle hills. The greens are A1 and A4 bentgrass in a good mixture of shape, size, and run.

One notable element is Avondale's increasing difficulty hole-by-hole, culminating with one of Sydney's best finishing holes. The 18th requires a strong start from the tee box, either playing a long drive to sight the two-tiered green or sticking to the right. The par 3s here are a well-regarded signature of the course.

The Avondale Golf Club's original clubhouse was built-in 1927, still stands. Since then it's had modern but respectable additions and alterations. Those wishing to play Avondale require an invite from a member, reciprocal rights, or to play it as a corporate day.

Course Architects:

Eric Apperley (1927), Ross Watson, and Craig Parry (early 2010s)