Ever hit a tee shot where you can’t even see the green because it’s 60 metres below you? At Northbridge Golf Club, that’s just part of the fun. This Sydney north shore gem packs more thrills (and more par-3s) into 18 holes than some resort courses manage in 36, and it does it all with a cheeky grin and stellar harbour views.
Perched on a sandstone escarpment only 15 minutes from the CBD, Northbridge Golf Club is the closest 18-hole track to downtown Sydney – and it’s anything but a stuffy private club. We’re talking a par-64 layout where accuracy beats power, the public are as welcome as the members, and every wayward shot into the bush is (almost) worth it for the scenery and the banter afterwards.
How do you get to Northbridge Golf Club from Sydney?
Set your GPS for Sailors Bay Road in Northbridge, just over the Harbour Bridge and a short hop from North Sydney. In about 7 kilometres from the CBD, you’ll be pulling into the club’s car park – no epic road trip required. Prefer public transport? Too easy: a local bus (try the 202 or 203) stops practically out front, so you can sling your clubs on board and be at the first tee in under 20 minutes from the city. However you get there, you’re in for a round with a view.
Once on site, you’ll find parking by the clubhouse, and the pro shop is just a wedge away from the car park. Grab a scorecard, take in the panoramic lookouts over Middle Harbour, and get ready to test your swing (and your nerve) on some of Sydney’s most unique golf holes.
Northbridge Golf Course: Layout and Vibe
Don’t be fooled by the short scorecard here (just over 4,200 metres from the back tees) — Northbridge’s course may be compact, but it’s as spicy and quirky as they come. With nine par 3s on the card (you read that right), you’ll be pulling out your short irons all day and honing your target golf skills in the process. The par 4s that do exist are mostly on the shorter side too, some even tempting you to drive the green if you’re feeling bold. But “short” doesn’t mean “easy” – the fairways are often narrow, the greens have sneaky slopes, and the whole course clings to the side of a hill above Middle Harbour. Lose focus for a second and your ball might find bushland, sandstone rock, or the drink.
Highlights include:
- Hole 5 (Par 3, ~180m) – The signature “cliff hole.” You tee off from way up high, firing over a gorge to a tiny green far below. It’s equal parts breathtaking and nerve-wracking. Take one less club than you think, trust that little white aiming marker behind the green, and don’t look down until after you’ve swung.
- Hole 7 (Par 4, 245m) – A temptingly short downhill two-shotter. Big hitters can try to reach the green, but stray left and you’re reloading out-of-bounds, stray right and you’re in the trees. Sometimes laying up and wedging on (boring as it is) makes the smarter play.
- Hole 10 (Par 4, 343m) – A scenic dogleg right that screams “iron off the tee.” Resist the driver, find the fairway bend, and your ball will catch a slope and trundle down to set up a short approach. Ignore that advice and cut the corner, and you’ll either be OB or lost in the scrub. Your call!
- Hole 11 (Par 3, 230m) – The hardest hole and a brute of a par 3. It’s massively downhill from the tips and guarded by a dam on the left. For many weekend warriors it’s a driver off the tee just to have a chance at putting. Walk away with a par here and you’ve earned bragging rights.
What does it cost to play at Northbridge Golf Club?
Sydney golf isn’t known for bargain prices, but Northbridge offers a pretty decent deal considering the location and views. Standard green fees as of now are about $49 on weekdays and $64 on weekends for 18 holes. If you’re pressed for time (or just want a quick hit-out), 9 holes will set you back roughly $35 midweek or $39 on weekends. Late in the day, you can snag twilight golf (after 2pm, or 4pm in daylight savings) for around $35–$39, and sometimes that even lets you squeeze in as many holes as daylight allows.
Keep an eye out for weekday specials, too. The club often runs deals on Mondays and Tuesdays or “all-you-can-play” twilight rates, so you can enjoy those extra loops of the course without emptying your wallet.
Note: Northbridge is a pay-to-play public course (no expensive membership required), but it can get busy, so booking your tee time in advance is a smart move.
Facilities and Clubhouse
Northbridge may have old-school origins (the club dates back to the 1930s), but its facilities cater nicely to the modern golfer. The clubhouse sits perched above the course, offering a casual, welcoming spot to tally up scores and take in the water views. The Harbourview Dining restaurant is a local favourite – you can grab everything from a post-round schnitty or burger to a surprisingly gourmet meal, all while gazing out over Middle Harbour. Don’t be shocked if you find non-golfers hanging out here too; the food and vistas have a reputation of their own.
After your round, the bar is stocked with cold beers (yes, they have plenty of frothies on tap) and good coffee for the morning crews. On a sunny day, there’s no better place than the outdoor terrace, reliving your glory (or horror) shots on the 5th hole while watching others attempt the same.
In the pro shop, you’ll find all the essentials – balls, tees, and maybe that sleeve of Pro V1s you’ll wish you had before you dumped one in the dam on 11. The staff are super friendly and can hook you up with club hire if needed or arrange a lesson with the resident PGA pro if your swing needs a tune-up. Practice facilities are modest but get the job done: there’s a putting green to warm up on and a couple of hitting nets to loosen the shoulders (no full driving range, but with so many short holes, you won’t miss it too much). And for something completely different, Northbridge even offers FootGolf (yep, kicking a soccer ball into giant cups) every day after 3pm – perfect for families or a laugh with mates once you’ve stashed the clubs.
How to play Northbridge Golf Club with Future Golf
Northbridge is on the Future Golf roster, which means members of the Future Golf community can use one of their rounds or perks here. But like some other cheaper public tracks, it’s worth noting this isn’t the spot where you’ll get the absolute best bang for your buck with that membership. With standard green fees well under $70, you’re not saving a fortune by redeeming a Future Golf round at Northbridge – those are often better saved for the big-ticket courses that charge double or triple the price.
That said, there’s no denying the convenience. If you’re a Future Golf member in Sydney looking for a hassle-free round, Northbridge is a great option. You’ll get your official handicap round in, possibly join an outing or event if one’s scheduled here, and enjoy the camaraderie of the Future Golf crew on a laid-back course. Think of it as a low-pressure way to tick off a scenic Sydney course on your Future Golf “playlist.” Just don’t expect to use up all your free drink vouchers – the clubhouse prices won’t require a second mortgage anyway.
Who’s It For?
- Casual golfers & newbies: Short holes and a friendly atmosphere make Northbridge ideal for those still gaining confidence. It’s challenging but not demoralising, and the relaxed vibe means no one’s going to scold you for a duffed shot. And if you do manage to dribble one off the tee box instead of sending it skyward? Don’t stress — we’ve already written the soundtrack for that moment in our anthem Top It: “Fuck me, I’ve topped it again, my ball’s living on the ground…”
- Accuracy addicts: If you’re the type who loves plotting your way around and prides yourself on hitting fairways and greens, this course is your jam. Northbridge will reward your precision and punish wild drives, so it’s a great test for the strategically minded golfer.
- Time-poor players: Being so close to the city (and a sub-4.5km course), Northbridge is perfect for a pre-work morning round or an afternoon 9 when you can’t justify a full day road-trip. You can actually fit 18 holes in and still make it back in time for dinner.
- Scenery seekers: Let’s face it, not everyone plays golf just for the score. If you’re after a memorable Sydney golf experience with beautiful harbour backdrops, soaring gum trees, and maybe a cockatoo or two spectating your game, Northbridge delivers in spades.
- Social groups & families: The club’s welcoming nature (and things like FootGolf and junior clinics) make it great for group outings. Bring your mates, your partner, or the kids – it’s golf that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
And for the record – shooting an 80 at a par-64 course doesn’t exactly make you the next Greg Norman (He does design a nice course: Sanctuary Lakes). Nice try, champ.
Is Northbridge Golf Club worth playing?
Absolutely – especially if you love golf with a side of adventure. Northbridge is not about pristine championship fairways or knocking it 300 metres off every tee; it’s about shot-making, creative problem solving, and enjoying a truly unique setting. Where else can you play a round where nearly half the holes are par 3s, you’re constantly traversing up and down cliffs, and you get million-dollar Middle Harbour views without needing a private club membership?
Sure, it’s not Royal Sydney or New South Wales Golf Club in terms of prestige, and you might lose a ball or three on those quirky holes, but that’s part of the charm. For public and casual players, Northbridge hits a sweet spot: close to town, reasonably priced, scenic, and just plain fun. Come for the cliff-side thrills, stay for a beer on the deck afterwards, and leave with a story about “that crazy downhill par-3” you had to conquer.
So is it worth it? In our books, yes – Northbridge is a Sydney golf adventure every golfer should try at least once. Come for the views. Stay for the challenge. And if you somehow birdie the infamous 5th, we expect photographic evidence and a shout-out at the bar.
Until next time — grip it, sip it, and enjoy the drop!
