Golf Australia Magazine has unveiled its hotly anticipated top 100 courses list for 2026, with 12 WA layouts making the cut.
Despite limited movement across the rankings, WA’s representation was boosted by the re-entry of Mount Lawley Golf Club and The Links Kennedy Bay after major redevelopments.
After a triumphant reopening in early 2025, the renovated Mount Lawley layout earned plaudits from players, spectators and commentators alike when it hosted the 101st WA Open in October.
Marc Leishman was amongst the big names to praise the course’s Sandbelt-style setup and it subsequently soared into the upper echelons of Golf Australia Magazine’s latest ratings, claiming 30th position.
Similarly, Links Kennedy Bay reopened as an 18-hole course in November after five years of redevelopment work and made a quick impression on judges to be ranked as Australia’s 38th best course.
Predictably, Lake Karrinyup Country Club retains its place as WA’s highest-ranked course in 22nd position — albeit a spot lower than its position in the 2024 rankings.
It’s inherent quality continues to shine, however, with judge Kevin Nolan noting: “Lake Karrinyup gently lures you into your round before tightening the screws. Views of the lake accompany almost every shot and the finish up to the old clubhouse is as punishing as it is charismatic.”
The fourth WA course to achieve a top-50 placement was Joondalup Country Club’s Quarry/Dune Course, while its Quarry/Lake layout also made the top 100.
Links Kennedy Bay is ranked within Australia’s top 40 courses after major renovations
The WA clubs to make the top 100 are listed below, with their 2024 rankings shown in brackets.
97. Royal Fremantle Golf Club (93rd)
91. Sun City Country Club (86th)
89. Joondalup Country Club Quarry/Lake Course (84th)
73. The Western Australian Golf Club (79th)
70. Kalgoorlie Golf Course (65th)
68. Cottesloe Golf Club (75th)
62. The Cut (58th)
58. Meadow Springs Golf & Country Club (54th)
46. Joondalup Country Club Quarry/Dune Course (39th)
38. The Links Kennedy Bay (Re-Entry)
30. Mount Lawley Golf Club (Re-Entry)
22. Lake Karrinyup Country Club (21st)
The coveted number one spot once again went to Royal Melbourne’s West Course, with the top 10 dominated by classic links courses in Victoria and Tasmania.
View the full top 100 ranking here.
Keep up with the latest WA golf news news via the GolfWA news section and our Facebook and Insta accounts. You can also subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter here.
