Recently celebrating their 10th Anniversary, Noosa Springs Resort has undergone an amazing transformation from what was originally market gardens and animal grazing land. With a stunning clubhouse, world-class spa, award-winning restaurant, state-of-the-art fitness centre, heated pool, tennis courts, conference centre and amazing views throughout, the facility is now one of Australia’s premier 18-hole championship resort courses.  

David Newbery
Inside Golf
Handicap: 14

I’m confident it was the legendary Peter Thomson who suggested that a golf course should be judged on the number of golf balls you lose during a round.
Well, if that’s the case then I should give Noosa Springs an average mark, but I won’t and I’ll explain why.
I was invited to play in an ambrose event and I happily teamed up with three heavy hitters, which meant I could open my shoulders and go for everything knowing that if I hit a 200m approach shot into the water one of my playing partners would save the day.
For the record, I drowned four or five golf balls. Had I been playing a singles event, however, I would have been far more conservative in my approach and might have only lost one ball.
With that explanation out of the way, Noosa Springs Resort is everything I expected it to be. Once you arrive at the front gate and drive through a lengthy canopy of trees your stress levels immediately drop. Of course, the friendly staff makes the experience even more enjoyable.
The golf course is built on undulating topography and provides a variety of challenges for differing standards of play in pleasant surroundings. Each nine comprises the traditional mix of two par-5s, five par-4s and two par-3s with the alignment of the fairways taking into account the prevailing breezes and the sun.
During our visit, the fairways were in excellent conditions and the greens even better.
There are plenty of strategically placed bunkers off the tee that force you to think about club selection while the water hazards (there are many) add to the challenge. I found the water hazards aesthetically pleasing, and they need not be feared.
Once on the fairway, club selection becomes easy as the sprinkler heads and distance markers give accurate measurements to the green.
The 329m par-4 fifth hole is a real beauty. The hole is a slight dog-leg to the right with a lake all the way down the right-hand side while Lake Weyba flanks the left side of the fairway and extends beyond the green. It requires an aggressive tee shot and a challenging second shot. In addition, the par-3s are a delight and not overly long.
Noosa Springs has all the modern facilities including a floodlit driving range, chipping and putting green and a well-stocked pro shop.
The clubhouse facilities are magnificent and the ideal place to relax after a round.
Rating: 9/10

Mike Orloff
Handicap: 0
Golf pro-in-waiting

This was my first time to Noosa Springs and I wasn’t fully sure of what to expect. Many resort style courses can be plain and boring in design, and often they depend too much on the surrounding view to deliver an enjoyable golfing experience.

Upon arrival to the course we were informed that there had been a lot of rain over the past couple days so I was a little concerned about the potential playing condition of the course. After playing the first couple holes though, I was really surprised how well it had drained and how well the maintenance crew had gotten it prepped for play in such a short time period of time after the rains.

It’s definitely not your typical resort layout as I had imagined, but actually has some great character to each hole, many cut through some natural bush settings, along with some great subtle features that really made it a fun yet challenging layout. Playing surfaces were all well maintained, though the greens were a bit on the slow side, but that’s to be expected after the rain.

We met the most fantastic beverage cart attendant, “Jo”, who looked after us very well around the course and we saw her at least four times throughout the day (which is a benchmark, in my opinion, from a business/operational standpoint).

What a fantastic experience, I would definitely make sure to stay for a couple nights next time and to bring the partner to enjoy the very relaxed environment of the entire facility which includes a night lit range, great practice area along with the other service facilities that come along with a great resort destination.

Rating: 8/10

Bruce Young
Handicap: 9

It had been some time since I last played Noosa Springs, in fact, perhaps as long as six years. The first time I set eyes on the property, however, was back in 1994 when the project was still crystallising in the eyes of developer Alan Starkey. He engaged Queensland golf course construction company Grimsey Johnson to provide a Design and Construction package for the golf course and they in turn commissioned Gold Coast golf course designer, Graham Papworth, to provide the design.
15 years later the golf course gives the appearance it has been there much longer and it has established itself as one of the ‘must play’ courses on the Sunshine Coast.
From the moment you drive in, there is an air of absolute class about the facilities. The landscaping on the drive into and surrounding the clubhouse has been so well introduced and thought out that it is hard to believe that it has only been there ten years or so.
The clubhouse is one of the finest in Australia, overlooking the 1st and 10th tees and the 9th and 18th greens. Even if you’ve had a bad day on the golf course the magnificent balcony overlooking the course is one of the more relaxing and enjoyable I have experienced.
The golf course itself was damp after some heavy rain earlier in the week but it played well and was in great condition for Noosa Springs’ 10th anniversary. I think it has a nice mix of holes with a good balance of right-to-left and left-to-right holes, interesting elevation changes, strategic design and good quality green surfaces.
The very tasteful and upmarket real estate surrounding the golf course further enhances the visual appeal of the golf course. 
The night driving range caught my eye and would no doubt prove popular for members, day visitors and guests staying in the outstanding adjacent accommodation.
We had the good fortune to eat at the restaurant after a few drinks to ease the pain of a round of golf that had gotten away on us and we all agreed it was some of the nicest clubhouse food I have tasted anywhere.                  

Rating: 8/10

Sam Arthur
Inside Golf
Handicap: 9 and heading north big time

I love the place! Simple. It’s a perfect combination of golf and relaxation. When you mix a 3.5 to 4 star resort golf course with 5 star accommodation and 6 star spa facilities what more could you want. I mean, seriously, I should stop typing now.
Just driving in to Noosa Springs is amazing. The greenery and presentation is outstanding. You feel like taking holidays and staying for a week. The pro shop and clubhouse make you feel right at home. The atmosphere is wonderful. A great mix of colours, design and views across the course and to the million dollar homes. To top it off you’re minutes away from one of Queensland’s best holiday spots, Noosa and that famous north facing beach, Noosa Beach. The national park walk (just around the corner from Noosa beach) is an experience not to be missed.
When we do these course reviews we really take note how friendly the staff are. A big part of a day of golf is great service on and off the course. Mike, David and Bruce can tell you how friendly Jo was on the course – we had a ball with Jo, and I know anyone who visits the course will too!
The pro shop and bar staff was great. Very friendly and helpful. It’s that Queensland thing...everyone’s chilled out with nothing to worry about. Just what you need before you hit that first straight drive of the day.

Rating: 9/10

Course Notes

Par: 72
Designer: Graham Papworth
Length:  6189m
Green fees $120 including motorised cart
Current Winter Offer – Sunday Locals Special (Sunshine Coast locals only): $75 for 18 holes, including motorised cart

Address:
Links Drive
Noosa Heads, QLD 4567
Phone: (07) 5440 3333
Fax: (07) 5440 3300

Website: www.noosasprings.com.au

Getting There:
By car: Noosa Springs is 90 minutes north of Brisbane, on the Bruce Hwy. By air: catch daily flights to the Sunshine Coast Airport with Jetstar and Virgin Blue.