Golfing in City of Newcastle
Newcastle keeps its golf entirely public, with three courses spread across Awabakal and Worimi country. Merewether, founded in 1933, is one of the region's older clubs: a compact par-71 parkland of eucalyptus-lined fairways where the memorable moments come at the bunker-ringed par-3 12th, home to the smallest green on the course, and the uphill par-5 5th, which usually plays long into the prevailing north-easterly. Shortland Waters became a member-owned club only in 1999 despite a much longer history, and a major redevelopment has given its par-71 layout eight newly designed holes, six of them links-style, along with a driving range and modern clubhouse. Beresfield is the casual option, a no-fuss par-40 nine-holer that has recently reopened and pairs its parkland golf with mini golf and disc golf.