Great Golf Destinations in Perth, Western Australia
By James Lush

Perth - capital city of Western Australia - is blessed with beautiful beaches, fabulous weather, friendly inhabitants and some "damn fine" golf courses! If you're looking for a great golfing holiday AND a beautiful place to visit, but you don't want to wander around in the mist and rain of Scotland, then you'd be hard pressed to do better than Perth.

Here's my recommendations for my 3 favourite golf courses, which also offer a fabulous range of luxury accommodation for your special golfing vacation.

1. Joondalup Resort Golf Course

A previous winner of the prestigious " Australia’s Number One Resort Course" award, the Joondalup Resort is widely regarded to be one of the best golf courses in the world. It was designed by the world-renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. with an eye towards providing golfers with a host of unique, unexpected and spectacular challenges.

For instance, the course's lush fairways traverse through the spectacular bush landscape. It's unexpected hazards also feature a 30-meter face of a limestone quarry as well as a gallery of lounging kangaroos.

The 27-hole course allows guests to test their skills on three separate 9-hole layouts, the Lakers, the Dunes and the Quarry. Each individual golf course features its own unique challenges, such as rolling links-style fairways and enormous limestone amphitheatres. There is also an impeccable practice range and putting greens that allow guests to hone their skills even when night falls.

About the venue: People in the know regard Joondalup Resort as Western Australia's leading golfing resort and one of the world's best golfing destinations. Boasting of luxurious accommodations and a magnificent setting, the Joondalup Resort is a short 20-minute drive from Perth and a three-minute stroll to pristine white beaches.

Venue awards: Joondalup Resort has received the following awards and distinctions: " Winner - Australia's # 1 Resort Course" from Golf Australia, 2003.

2. Burswood Park Public Golf Course

The Burswood Park Public Golf Course is located right next to idyllic Swan River and has the picturesque skyline of Perth as its amazing backdrop.

Avid golfers regard Burswood's facilities to be the best for players in all of Perth. They include outstanding locker rooms, floodlit day and night driving range and beautiful chipping and putting greens. There is also a well-stocked pro shop, licensed café, the Sprig Bar and Function Center as well as parking for over 200 cars. The unique day and night driving range and the putting and chipping greens have the added attraction of allowing guests to practice at times that are best suited to them.

There are six golf professionals on the facility who are happy to provide expert guidance to individuals and groups, through actual course experience or through video.

About the venue: The InterContinental Burswood Resort Perth has an excellent golf course and has so much more to offer, including exquisite accommodations, luxurious amenities and non-stop entertainment and exciting shows.

3. Vines Golf Course

The Vines Golf Course ranks as one of the best golf courses in Australia and has consistently garnered high ratings from the prestigious Golf Australia publication. It features 36 elegant holes spanning two impeccable golf courses, the Lakes and Ellenbrook.

The most notable thing about the Vines Golf Course is its layout and design, which has received rave reviews from some of the world's top golf professionals, including Gary Player, Greg Norman, Ernie Els, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples and Jose Mari Olazabal.

Ernie Els was quoted as saying, during a recent visit, "These greens are the best I've putted on for a very long time."

In addition, the Vines Golf Course features superb facilities for players, including an excellent practice range for putting, chipping and bunker shots as well as video analysis of your swing, which is available upon request.

About the venue: The Novotel Vines Resort Experience is located in the Swan Valley, the oldest wine growing region in Western Australia. It is close to over 60 wineries and a host of fine restaurants.

Venue awards: The Novotel Vines Resort has won the following awards and distinctions: " Top 25 Resort Courses - The Vines Lakes Course - #3" from Golf Australia Magazine.