Blackheath Golf Course ☆ Follow

Blackheath Golf Club was established on 7 June 1922, with the full 18 holes opening for play in 1931. The course was designed by Prosper Ellis. The present layout features par 69, with the first 9 holes inside the second 9 holes, and was opened in April 1995 following a major re-alignment undertaken from 1993 to 1995 that included seven new greens, two new holes (2nd and 7th), and several holes lengthened with fairways re-aligned. The par-69 layout measures 5,350 metres.

The course is located alongside the world heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park, about 70 km west of Sydney. The parkland setting houses plenty of native fauna; and the beds of azaleas and rhododendrons are stunning in the warmer months. Blackheath is on an undulating footprint, and elevation changes make a few holes play longer than the scorecard says. The course is a terrific 'throwback' design that uses methods other than length to remain a tricky and enjoyable test, requiring accurate shot judgement as the small, firm greens are often unprotected by sand or water, or feature bunkers on just one side.

The 17th is Blackheath's signature hole, a 120-metre par 3 that requires a water carry all the way to the green. One popular Australian golf magazine calls Blackheath the 'Best Course in the mountains'.