Best Golf Courses for Kids in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs
A parent's guide to real, public-access golf courses for junior golfers around Bondi, Little Bay, Moore Park and Daceyville - including junior rates, coaching programs and what to book ahead.
Sydney's Eastern Suburbs aren't known as a golfing hotbed - most of the area's famous clubs (The Australian, The Lakes, NSW Golf Club) are private and members-only, with no path in for a family wanting a casual round. But there's a genuine cluster of public-access courses tucked between the cliffs, bays and parklands from Bondi down to Little Bay, several with real junior coaching programs behind them. Here's what's actually open to the public, and what to book ahead of time.
Moore Park Golf Club - Moore Park
Moore Park Golf Club sits right on the edge of Centennial Parklands and runs one of the most established junior programs in the area: age-graded kids' lessons from as young as 3-6, school holiday camps, and a dedicated enclosed junior teaching area beside the driving range staffed by PGA-accredited coaches.
One important thing to know before you book: Moore Park is mid-redevelopment. The course was full 18 holes until 30 June 2026, and from 1 July 2026 it's running an interim 10-hole layout while construction continues on a new 12-hole, par-45 public course due to open around 2027. The driving range and junior coaching keep running throughout - just don't expect the old 18 holes if you visit this year.
St Michael's Golf Club - Little Bay
St Michael's Golf Club is a coastal championship course open to the public, ranked among Australia's best, with cliff-top views over the Pacific and a dedicated Junior Golf program alongside a published Child Safety policy.
The Coast Golf Club - Little Bay
The Coast Golf Club shares Little Bay with St Michael's but is a different club entirely - built on the site of the historic Prince Henry Hospital golf course, in continuous use since 1922. It's a members' club that opens its 18-hole oceanfront links to public bookings outside competition times, up to 7 days ahead.
For junior golf specifically, this is the strongest program of the group: age-grouped MyGolf classes for 5-10, 9-12 and 13-17 year-olds run by a PGA professional, plus a structured "Level 7" junior progression pathway, and junior membership that qualifies for the NSW Active Kids Rebate.
Bondi Golf & Diggers Club - North Bondi
Bondi Golf & Diggers Club is the most scenic entry on this list - a compact 9-hole course perched on the cliffs above North Bondi with ocean views the whole way round.
It's genuinely walk-up public: no tee time is needed outside weekend competition hours, and there's a junior membership category for kids who want a home course near the beach. It's a shorter, more forgiving layout than a full 18-hole championship course - a good option for a first proper round rather than a serious lesson venue.
Eastlake Golf Club - Daceyville
Eastlake Golf Club is about 15 minutes from the CBD and is the best-value full 18-hole option here, with a flat junior green fee of $30 for players 17 and under (ID required). Weekend junior play is limited to afternoon hours, so plan around that if you're heading out on a Saturday or Sunday.
Other courses in the area, with a caveat
Randwick Golf Club (Malabar) and Woollahra Golf Club (Rose Bay) both technically allow public play, but each comes with a catch worth knowing before you drive out. Randwick's public play is restricted to Mondays, Fridays, and weekday afternoons, and we couldn't find any junior program running there. Woollahra is a genuine 9-hole public-access course and does mention junior coaching, but we couldn't confirm program specifics from public sources - worth a call to the club directly if you're specifically chasing junior lessons rather than a casual round.
Is there a short course or driving range for very young beginners?
Beyond Moore Park's own driving range and junior teaching area, there's no separate pitch-and-putt or par-3 facility inside Centennial Parklands for absolute beginners. Moore Park's enclosed junior area is the area's best option for a child's very first swings.
Which of these courses is easiest for a first-ever round?
Bondi Golf & Diggers Club's 9 holes are the shortest, most forgiving layout on this list, and the walk-up public play means there's no need to navigate a tee-time booking system for a first go. For structured coaching before that first round, The Coast Golf Club's age-grouped MyGolf classes are the most established program in the area.