Best Golf Courses for Kids in Newcastle
Six real public courses across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Maitland, compared for junior programs and pricing.
NSW's second-largest urban area has a genuinely strong spread of public golf courses across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Maitland, several with decades of junior-development history.
Merewether Golf Club - Adamstown
Merewether Golf Club is an 18-hole course in Adamstown open to visitors seven days a week with no membership required, with clear posted green-fee pricing for 9 or 18 holes.
Runs a structured junior pathway from beginner "Come & Try" clinics through MyGolf Rookie (6-9) and Cadet (10-16) programs to an advanced Academy squad.
Waratah Golf Club - Argenton
Waratah Golf Club is an 18-hole course at Argenton on the shores of Lake Macquarie, with separate online booking for members and the public confirming genuine pay-and-play access.
Runs a structured junior program covering all ages up to 17.
Belmont Golf & Bowls - Marks Point
Belmont Golf & Bowls is an 18-hole championship links course at Marks Point on Lake Macquarie, with public tee bookings and a driving range separate from its members' program.
Its pro shop (Lake Mac Golf) runs popular term-time junior group coaching for ages 6-12 plus development squads for more competitive young golfers - classes fill quickly, so early enquiry is advised.
Horizons Golf Resort - Salamander Bay
Horizons Golf Resort is an 18-hole championship course ranked among Australia's Top 100, that welcomes visitors and members alike seven days a week.
Runs junior golf clinics during school term and is a registered NSW Active Kids voucher provider.
Nelson Bay Golf Club - Nelson Bay
Nelson Bay Golf Club is a 27-hole course bordering Tomaree National Park, open to visitors via online booking as well as members.
Lists a Junior & Cadets program and golf lessons on its site - confirm current junior session details directly with the pro shop.
Easts Leisure & Golf - East Maitland
Easts Leisure & Golf (historically Maitland Golf Club) is an 18-hole course dating to 1899 that opens to public play on Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday.
Runs a Junior Development Program most Fridays combining coaching clinics with 9-hole competitions for junior golfers of all levels.
Which has the most established junior program?
Merewether Golf Club's pathway - Come & Try clinics through MyGolf Rookie and Cadet to an advanced Academy squad - is the most structured junior progression of the group.
At a glance
The 6 venues covered in this guide, side by side. "Junior program on file" means our directory holds specific evidence of a junior program, clinic or membership pathway at that club - not simply that children are permitted to play.
| Course | Holes | Type | Public access | Junior program on file |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merewether Golf Club (Adamstown) | 18 | Full-length course | Public | Yes |
| Waratah Golf Club (Argenton) | 18 | Full-length course | Public | Yes |
| Belmont Golf & Bowls (Marks Point) | 18 | Full-length course | Public | Yes |
| Horizons Golf Resort (Salamander Bay) | 18 | Full-length course | Public | Yes |
| Nelson Bay Golf Club (Nelson Bay) | 27 | Full-length course | Public | Yes |
| Easts Leisure & Golf (East Maitland) | 18 | Full-length course | Public | Yes |
Compiled from our course directory records for the venues listed in this guide. Clubs change their junior offerings and access rules between seasons - confirm current details with the club before travelling.
How to read this
Public access is the column most worth checking first. "Public" means anyone can book a tee time. "Limited / conditional" means visitor access exists but comes with conditions - a member introduction, restricted days, or a booking window. "Private members' club" means casual visitor play generally is not available, and a junior would usually need a member connection or a place in a club program.
Every venue in this guide is a full-length course. For a child who has never played a full round, consider starting on the practice facilities or asking the club whether juniors can play a shortened loop, since a full 18 is a long walk for a beginner.
Before you book
6 of these 6 venues have a junior program, clinic or junior membership pathway recorded in our directory: Merewether Golf Club, Waratah Golf Club, Belmont Golf & Bowls, Horizons Golf Resort, Nelson Bay Golf Club, Easts Leisure & Golf. Those are the ones most likely to have coaching, junior competition or a structured pathway rather than only green-fee access.
All the venues listed here are recorded as public access, so a parent can normally book without a member connection. Tee-time availability still varies, especially on weekend mornings.
Two questions are worth asking on the phone that club websites rarely answer clearly: whether juniors pay a discounted green fee when playing with a paying adult, and whether the club hires out junior clubs. Both make a first visit considerably cheaper, and both are common even at clubs that don't advertise them.