Ever played a hole where the fairway ripples down a hillside, framed by vineyards, with the Brokenback Range lurking in the background? At The Vintage Golf Club in the Hunter Valley, that’s just your warm-up swing. This Greg Norman–designed beauty blends resort polish with country charm, serving up a round that’s equal parts strategy, scenery, and “did I seriously just hit it in the dam again?” And if you’ve ever battled the wind at Sanctuary Lakes down in Victoria — another Norman special — you’ll recognise that same mischievous streak in the design here.
While Northbridge Golf Club throws you off cliffs and dares you to trust a 60-metre drop, and Bonnie Doon Golf Club dances between dunes and slick, sandbelt-style greens, The Vintage tries a different trick — it seduces you with sweeping views, gorgeous bunkering, and then casually places a lake exactly where your “safe lay-up” was meant to go. It’s resort golf with a playful snarl, wrapped in vineyards and supported by a luxurious hotel. And unlike Northbridge’s bite-sized par-64 rollercoaster or Bonnie Doon’s strategic sandbelt gauntlet, this is full-distance, championship-level stuff — but still friendly enough that mid-handicappers won’t leave in tears.
How do you get to The Vintage Golf Club from Sydney?
Set your GPS for Vintage Drive, Rothbury — right in the heart of the Hunter Valley. In around two hours from Sydney (about 160 km north), you’ll cruise past paddocks, wineries, and the odd kangaroo before arriving at the gates of Château Élan and The Vintage. It’s a proper day trip, but not a slog. Public transport? Realistically, no. You’ll want a car so you can hop between vineyards afterward. Parking is plentiful, the pro shop is adjacent to the clubhouse, and the whole arrival experience is pure resort smoothness. Grab your card, breathe in the country air, stare at the mountain backdrop for a second, and get ready for a big, bold Greg Norman day out.
The Vintage Golf Course: Layout and Vibe
If Northbridge is the fast, quirky rollercoaster you duck out for before dinner, The Vintage is the full-day adventure park. It’s a par 71 stretching over 6,240 metres from the back tees — long enough to test big hitters but thoughtfully designed so casual and mid-handicap golfers can still put together a number. Greg Norman and Bob Harrison shaped The Vintage around natural hills, creeks, vineyards and wetlands. You’re not just playing a golf course — you’re weaving through wine country, dipping into bushland pockets, and constantly adjusting to elevation changes that will toy with your club selection. Conditioning is top-tier: tight couch fairways, slick greens, bold bunkers, and genuinely pretty routing. It’s challenging, but not in a “hope you brought 24 balls” kind of way. The designers softened the layout over the years to keep it fair and playable for all levels, but it still packs enough sting to keep good players honest.
Highlights include:
Hole 1 – Par 4 (~331m)
A friendly-looking opener until you realise your tee shot needs to carry a 100-metre creek. Northbridge smacks you with a cliff; The Vintage smacks you with water straight away. Flush it and you’ll feel like a hero. Miss it and… well, the round hasn’t even started and you’re reaching for ball two.
Hole 7 – Par 5 (~507m)
One of the prettiest par-5s in the state. The hole climbs past Bimbadgen’s vines before plunging downhill into a green guarded by aggressive bunkering. Big hitters can try to reach in two, but a pull finds grapevines and a push finds sand. Sensible players will take three shots and enjoy the view.
Hole 8 – Par 3 (194m)
The signature. A long, demanding carry over water to an angled green that seems to glare back at you. Aim fat side, trust the yardage, don’t flirt with the lake. Walk off with par and pat yourself on the back.
Hole 17 – Par 3 (~180m)
The Vintage’s “Augusta moment.” A downhill tee shot to a green framed by a pond and eye-searing white bunkers. It’s stunning, it’s intimidating, and it’s one you’ll talk about long after.
And that’s without mentioning the monstrous uphill 9th, the lake-guarded 10th, or the sneaky scoring opportunities hiding among the short par-4s. The Vintage never feels repetitive. Every hole has its own identity and its own little test.
What does it cost to play The Vintage Golf Club?
Resort golf doesn’t come cheap, but The Vintage is solid value for the experience you’re getting. Expect to pay around $130 on weekdays and $160 on weekends for 18 holes (cart included). 9 holes sits around $85–$111 depending on day and time. Twilight deals pop up here and there, but the best value comes from stay-and-play packages at Château Élan where accommodation, golf, and a hot breakfast often bundle into a very tidy price. This is a course worth booking ahead — especially Fridays, weekends and event periods. It’s not the “sneak in for a quick nine before dinner” energy that Northbridge offers. It’s a day out, and it feels like one.
Facilities and Clubhouse
This is where The Vintage fully leans into the resort life. You get a proper driving range, a chipping area, a large putting green, GPS carts with coolers, and a pro shop carrying everything from top-end apparel to logo gear you’ll want to justify buying. The clubhouse houses Legends Grill, where the food is legitimately excellent and the wine list is exactly what you’d expect from the Hunter Valley. The bar pours cold frothies, local reds, and proper coffee for the early starters. The terrace overlooking the 18th is one of the most relaxing post-round spots in NSW. And then there’s Château Élan: spa, pool, tennis courts, gym, villas, hotel rooms, even a wedding chapel near the first tee. Northbridge has great views over Middle Harbour, but The Vintage gives you a full resort wrapped around your golf day.
How to play The Vintage Golf Club with Future Golf
The Vintage is a Prestige-tier Future Golf partner, meaning Addict members can redeem a round here as part of their included benefits. If you’ve got the tier — use it. The value per round is massive compared to redeeming somewhere cheaper. Future Golf also runs Hunter Valley trips and events where Members sweep in, play the course, hit the wineries, and roll straight into accommodation. Tee time availability for vouchers can be more restricted, so check the app or call the club. And yes, the terrace wine hits different when your round was courtesy of your membership.
Want to try it? Get up to 50% off Future Golf membership by using this link.
Who’s It For?
Casual golfers & mid-handicappers:
Friendly enough from the right tees that you’ll enjoy yourself even if you’re not stripe-city. If you can survive Northbridge’s cliffs and tight lines, you’ll find The Vintage generous and rewarding.
Shot-makers & strategists:
So many decisions. Lay-up or fly the water? Long iron or driver? Work it left-to-right off the tee or trust the middle? This is chess, not checkers.
Low-handicappers:
A proper test. Breaking par takes real skill.
Couples, groups & weekenders:
Come for the golf, stay for the spa, wineries, pool and hotel. It’s the perfect getaway round.
Scenery lovers:
Vineyards, lakes, mountains, golden-hour light — it’s one of Australia’s best-looking public-access courses.
Is The Vintage Golf Club worth playing?
Absolutely. It’s the kind of destination round that reminds you why golf is such a brilliant escape. You get resort comfort, tournament-level design, flawless conditioning, and some of the most memorable par-3s in NSW. You might lose a ball or five, and you might pay more than your local muni, but you’ll walk away buzzing. The Vintage is everything a Hunter Valley golf trip should be — relaxing, challenging, scenic, and just indulgent enough to feel special. If Northbridge is your fun, quirky city fling, The Vintage is your luxury weekend escape. And if you somehow birdie the 8th or 17th, take a photo, send it to your mates, and enjoy a glass of Hunter red. You’ve earned it.
Until next time — grip it, sip it, and enjoy the grapes.
