Kingston Heath Golf Club
- Location
- Cheltenham, Melbourne, Victoria
- Address
- Kingston Road, Cheltenham VIC 3192
- Course
- 27 holes
- Visitors
- Members & guests only
- Phone
- +61 3 8558 2700
About the course
Kingston Heath Golf Club began in Elsternwick, about 10 km south-east of Melbourne, where informal play started on nine holes in November 1909 and the course was officially opened on 30 April 1910. With its lease under threat, the club bought 127 acres at Cheltenham in 1923. Dan Soutar, a Scot from Carnoustie, designed the new course, which Royal Melbourne greenkeeper Mick Morcom built with his son Vernon. It opened on 4 April 1925 without bunkers, and at 6812 yards was then the longest course in the country.
Alister MacKenzie inspected the course in October 1926. His main change was moving the 15th green up onto the ridge, creating the par 3 that is now the signature hole, and his bunkering plan was built by Vern Morcom, who expanded it to more than 130 bunkers by 1945. Superintendent Graeme Grant later rebuilt greens, changed grasses and removed hundreds of trees. The flat 50-hectare site has sandy loam that keeps the surfaces firm and fast, and native heath and scrub take the place of rough. Featured holes include the 271-metre par-4 3rd, the 171-metre par-3 5th played across the wind, and the 515-metre par-5 14th.
The club has hosted nine men's Australian Opens, three women's Opens, the Australian Masters in 2009 and 2012, and the 2016 World Cup of Golf, and will host the 2028 Presidents Cup.
Kingston Heath is a private members' club. International and interstate visitors who belong to a recognised club can play at set times, subject to availability, with membership identification or a letter of introduction: Monday and Friday mornings and afternoons, Tuesday when available and Thursday afternoons in daylight saving, but never on weekends. Requests go through the online visitor enquiry form.
The Furrows, a nine-hole short course by OCM with holes of about 50 to 140 metres, opened in April 2023, and visitors can ask to play it.
Green fees
Visitors must belong to a recognised club; caddie $220, buggy $20, cart $60 (medical only)
Planning your round
- How to book a tee time in Australia
- Green fees in Australia: what a round of golf costs
- Do you need a handicap to play golf in Australia?
Nearby golf courses
- Commonwealth Golf Club (3 km)
- Yarra Yarra Golf Club (3 km)
- Cheltenham Golf Club (4 km)
- Spring Valley Golf Club (4 km)
- The Victoria Golf Club (4 km)
- Huntingdale Golf Club (4 km)