The Coast

Does playing a golf course with near perfect views make up for average maintenance? It's a question Bogey Golfer ponders while reviewing Sydney’s eastern suburbs cliff hanger, The Coast Golf Club, at Little Bay. 

Course Architect – Assisted by Jim Ferrier

Length – 5,116m / Par 70

Signature Hole – Par 3, 4th and/or Par 4, 14th

Course Highlight – The spectacular views of the Sydney coastline from the cliffs. True Links style golf course. 

Bordered by Randwick Golf Course to the south, and St Michaels Golf Course to the north, The Coast clings to the cliffs high above the Pacific Ocean at Little Bay, just south of Maroubra, in Sydney’s east. Following the road down to Little Bay, The Coast appears almost from nowhere, the green of the fairways, back dropped by the blue of the ocean. Almost immediately, the uninitiated realise that wind is going to play a big factor in the upcoming round. Some holes are lengthened by up to 4 clubs if the wind is blowing, and most days, it usually is. The course pro insists that keeping it low is essential, but that's easier said than done. You don’t have to play for long before you reach for your camera phone to take a few pictures on the Par 3, 4th. Its arguably one of the more picturesque holes the average golfer will play in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Hitting across a chasm on the cliffs to a green that is manufactured onto the other edge, it’s easy to forget about the ball, lift your head, and ultimately 'do a Michael Corleone' and feed one to the fishes. This hole is matched only by the Par 4, 14th. One of the few holes Bogey Golfer has retreated to play again and again. It contains cliff chasm’s, rocky outcrops, a challenging green. Standing on the tee, one feels it’s on the brink of collapsing into the sea. Pure perfection! At this stage you are probably thinking, “Get There”, but wait, not so quick. Two holes specifically leave one scratching the head in confusion. The first being the Par 4, 7th which Bogey played using two well hit 3 irons. The lack of a landing area for a drive or fairway wood however, can be confusing. Coupled with overly aggressive defensive features, and architecture that doesn't really match the rest of the course...it leaves much to be desired. It’s a love it or leave it type hole! But what really gets Bogey angry is the Par 4, 11th. When Bogey first played The Coast, he hit a 8 iron followed by a 3 wood into this elevated green. They have tried to re-work this hole, however, it remains a work in progress. The Coast is typical of a Sydney Eastern suburbs layout, lots of space, few trees, and some great views. It’s also often run with a revenue over quality mentality, with the course well and truly over booked every weekend. Sunday’s round taking 4 ½ hours to complete nine holes, completely unacceptable. The Coast is the Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde of Sydney courses. Play it for its beauty, but be wary of the ugliness, which threatens to destroy your enjoyment with one foul swoop.

Bogey’s Ratings 

Greens – 6/10 – Always decently prepared and in good condition. Fast and true but lack imagination. 

Fairways – 6/10 – Decent but not great. Dries out and becomes patchy in the winter. 

Bunkers – 5/10 – Not used enough but the ones that do exist are OK. 

Customer Service – 7/10 – Good service and the staff of the pro shop seem happy to assist. Small, under stocked pro shop but good facilities including putting green and a designated chipping area. 

Value – 7/10 – Doesn't break the bank and probably worth a hit regardless given its setting. 

Overall Rating - 6.2/10 flags