Club Spotlight The Coast Golf Club, Little Bay, Sydney, Australia

The Coast Golf Club: Sydney's Spectacular Oceanfront Challenge

As a golf professional, there are very few courses that combine breathtaking scenery with genuine golfing substance quite like The Coast Golf Club. Perched dramatically on the sandstone cliffs of Little Bay in Sydney's eastern suburbs, this remarkable links-style course delivers uninterrupted views across the Pacific Ocean while demanding thoughtful, disciplined golf. It is one of Australia's finest public-access golfing experiences and a course that rewards strategy as much as execution.

The Coast is an 18-hole, par-70 championship layout measuring just over 6,000 metres from the back tees. While it is not especially long by modern standards, the ever-present sea breeze, rugged coastal terrain and undulating fairways ensure it plays much tougher than the scorecard suggests. Several holes sit directly alongside towering cliffs, creating unforgettable views as well as requiring complete commitment to every shot.

My advice from the first tee is to accept whatever wind the Pacific Ocean provides. Trying to overpower this course is rarely successful. Instead, focus on controlling your ball flight, selecting the correct club and allowing for the prevailing breeze. A well-struck six iron is often a better choice than forcing a seven iron that struggles against the wind.

The course continually asks intelligent questions. Doglegs, elevated tees, deep bunkers and naturally contoured greens encourage careful positioning rather than aggressive play. Many approach shots become considerably easier if the drive has found the correct side of the fairway, making course management one of the biggest factors in producing a good score.

Let the Wind Become Your Playing Partner

What makes The Coast so memorable is the variety of conditions you can experience during a single round. One hole may play downwind towards the ocean, while the next demands a controlled shot directly into a stiff sea breeze. Rather than fighting the wind, I recommend embracing it. Playing lower trajectories, choosing conservative targets and allowing the breeze to move the ball naturally usually produces better results than aiming directly at every flag.

The greens are consistently well presented and feature subtle movement that rewards confident putting. Distance control is particularly important because many approaches arrive from uneven lies or with the assistance—or resistance—of the coastal wind. Leaving the ball beneath the hole whenever possible provides a much more straightforward putting opportunity.

Beyond the golf itself, the setting is simply magnificent. Native coastal vegetation, dramatic sandstone cliffs and panoramic ocean views accompany every hole, creating one of those rare courses where the scenery rivals the quality of the golf. Even experienced golfers often pause to admire the landscape before concentrating on the next shot.

The Coast Golf Club is one of Australia's true hidden gems. It combines spectacular ocean scenery with strategic architecture that rewards patience, precision and intelligent decision-making. Whether you're visiting Sydney or fortunate enough to play it regularly, every round offers a memorable test that is shaped as much by the elements as by the layout itself.

After your round, take a moment to rate the condition of the tees, fairways and greens on Rate My Round. Your feedback helps golfers around the world discover current playing conditions and builds a trusted, real-time picture of one of Australia's finest coastal golf courses.

Rate your round Explore more golf clubs

Played The Coast Golf Club recently? Join Rate My Round and help golfers discover the latest course conditions across Australia and around the world.

The Coast

Course performance