The Festival State of South Australia occupies the southern central part of the country, much of which is arid, desert scrubland. The majority of the state’s one and a half million people live in or close to Adelaide, the capital. Like most Australians, they love their sport, though Australian Rules football and cricket come way ahead of golf in the popularity stakes.

The South Australian Golf Association – now rebranded as Golf SA – celebrated its centenary in 2004 and it currently governs amateur members in around one hundred and sixty clubs that are grouped into nine districts within the state. Golf SA also organises annual competitions for every category of golfer; male, female, junior and vets.

The course at Royal Adelaide is by far the finest 18-hole layout in the state. Indeed, this venerable old Alister MacKenzie track – which hosted the Australian Open nine times between 1910 and 1998 – makes regular appearances in the World Top 100 rankings. Other noteworthy courses in South Australia include a couple of Cargie Rymill designs at Kooyonga and Glenelg plus a pair of Vern Morcom courses at Grange (West) and Grange (East).

Our South Australia Best In State Rankings were last updated in March 2021. Click the link to read the story.