Shelly Beach

Laid out within a sandy site atop the coastal cliffs that lie midway between Sydney and Newcastle, the course at Shelley Beach Golf Club is an Al Howard design from 1957 which used to be known as Tuggerah Lakes.

Today, the layout measures just over 6,000 metres in length from the back tees, playing to a par of 71 (35 out then 36 in), with holes arranged as two returning nines. Starting and finishing with a par five, the course occupies a rather constricted property that extends to less than 90 acres so it’s a minor miracle an 18-hole course was ever established at this location.

Highlight holes include the uphill par four 2nd (rated stroke index 1); par fours at the 5th and 6th (running along the edge of the cliffs); back-to-back par threes around the turn at the 9th and 10th; the short par four 16th (with a pond to the right and bunker to the left of the fairway); and the long, slightly right doglegging 18th which plays uphill to the home green.