Stepping into Melbourne, I was full of enthusiasm and curiosity about golf, which set off a wonderful journey of exploring the city’s golf world.
Melbourne’s golf driving ranges
Melbourne has an excellent public golf driving range, formerly known as Albert Park Driving Range. The driving range is open all year round and welcomes people of all ages and levels. As soon as you enter the driving range, you can feel the vibrant atmosphere of golf and enter a vibrant green world.
A variety of fee packages
Albert Park Driving Range offers a variety of fee packages to suit different needs:
- 50-ball package: 16 USD and 14 USD.
- 100-ball package: 23 USD and 21 USD.
- Short game area: 5 USD unlimited.
- Club rental: $10 (driver), $5 (irons).
- Special packages: The Beer’N’Bash package includes 100 balls and a premium beer for $28; with club rental, it’s $35.
When I first went, I hesitated for a moment in the face of so many options, and finally decided to buy the $14 50-ball package to get the experience started.
At the driving range, you can arrange your practice time according to your schedule and energy level. A practice session can last as little as 10 minutes or as long as you like. I observed that for amateurs like me, a practice session of about 30 minutes is sufficient. My first 30-minute practice session was very enjoyable, even though I was not very skilled.
The Royal Melbourne Golf Club also has a driving range, which is open seven days a week from 7am to 5pm. It is available to members and guests as long as they pay the green fee for the day. Tokens for 40 practice balls can be purchased at the pro shop on the day.
New developments at Topgolf
Talking to the locals, I learned that the highly anticipated Topgolf may be coming to Melbourne soon. McDermott mentioned that Topgolf plans to build its first facility here.
This is incredibly exciting news, as not only will it create thousands of jobs once the project is complete, but it is also expected to contribute around $246 million to Victoria’s economy each year, which will be a huge boost to the region. I can already imagine how Topgolf will invigorate golf in Melbourne.
Royal Melbourne Golf Club
The Royal Melbourne Golf Club is a private members club with strict rules. However, international and interstate visitors who are members of the club can inquire about visitor tee times on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays (subject to availability and excluding public holidays).
I visited the entrance to the club and the friendly security guard explained the rules to me, giving me a preliminary understanding of this mysterious club.
Golfing experience for beginners
As a beginner golfer, I was initially worried about whether I would be comfortable at the driving range. However, on arrival I found that the driving range is a golfer’s paradise, where both beginners and experts can have fun. Here, everyone is free to swing and hit the ball with all their strength, sometimes even forgetting the swing technique and workout structure.
I remember the nervousness and excitement of my first swing at the driving range. An amiable gentleman taught me the basic grip method and helped me gradually relax.
Life in Melbourne offers many transport options. Public transport is well developed, and renting or carpooling is easy, so driving is often unnecessary.
However, if you do choose to drive, you must obey the rules of the road, carry a valid driver’s license or permit, and ensure that your vehicle is registered and insured. Once, I was planning to drive further afield and considered renting a car. The car rental owner explained these precautions to me in detail, and in the end I chose the convenient and environmentally friendly public transport.
The charm of golf in Melbourne
Melbourne is known as a mecca for golf lovers, thanks in large part to the famous Sandbelt region. There are many stunning golf courses here, which perfectly showcase the glory of the golden age of golf architecture.
When chatting with a senior golf enthusiast, he highly praised these courses and said that playing on them is like experiencing the purest charm of golf, with every swing being like a conversation with history. This made me especially eager to experience these courses for myself.
Golf and health
Many people want to know whether golf helps you lose weight. The average golfer burns around 200 calories per hour at the driving range. Assuming 100 swings per hour, each swing burns around 2 calories. However, it is important to note that just swinging is not enough. During my practice session, I discussed this with a fit golfer, who suggested doing some cardio to get better results.
The value of the driving range
For anyone looking to improve their golf game, consistent practice at the driving range is essential. Regular practice can strengthen muscle memory, improve swing technique and enhance performance on the course. However, it is also important to practice in moderation to avoid fatigue and injury. I met a regular at the driving range who advised me to pace my practice sessions in terms of both duration and intensity if I wanted to enjoy golf for the long term.
Golf gloves are essential for many golfers at the driving range. They help you grip the club better, improve shot consistency and prevent blisters. Gloves are even more useful if you plan to hit a lot of balls. I saw a lady who always wore gloves, so I followed her advice and bought a pair. Sure enough, I was able to grip the club more steadily.
Driving range etiquette
To maintain a good environment at the driving range, there are a few etiquette rules:
- Respect others: avoid unnecessary disturbances such as speaking loudly or using the phone for a long time. Once, a man was talking loudly on the phone, and the instructor immediately reminded him.
- Keep the pace: don’t spend too much time between shots; move quickly when it’s your turn to keep the practice flowing. Once, I slowed down and the instructor guided me to focus more.
- Keep the noise down: avoid making loud noises or playing music that disturbs others. A golfer once played loud music, and the instructor stopped him immediately.
- Be polite: if others are waiting, politely let them practice. This rule is usually well observed at the driving range.
- Safety first: Always pay attention to the positions of other golfers to ensure a safe angle of attack and avoid hitting the ball and injuring others. This is the key to safety at the driving range.
- Distinguish between warm-up and practice: Pay attention to the method and rhythm of warm-up to avoid seriously disturbing people who are practicing seriously. Coaches often remind everyone to distinguish between warm-up and formal practice.
The world’s top golf courses and fees
Pine Valley is known for its outstanding design and challenging terrain, and is ranked number one in the world. The course is ingeniously designed with daunting hazard areas and meticulously crafted greens. The layout’s unique combination of turf islands and sandy landscapes is a major factor in its high ranking.
Many professionals and seasoned amateurs agree that even Pine Valley’s “worst” three holes are better than the worst three holes on other courses in similar rankings, which speaks volumes for its consistent excellence.
Among the top ten golf courses in the world, Cypress Point Club, St. Andrews Golf Club (Old Course) and Royal County Down Golf Club are often mentioned, each with its own unique characteristics that attract golf lovers from all over the world. Reading about these courses online, I felt as if I were there, eager to play on these legendary greens.
Royal Melbourne Golf Club Fees
As a top-tier club, Royal Melbourne Golf Club has high fees. International visitors pay A$850 for 18 holes, while interstate visitors pay A$550.
Caddie fees are A$170 (mandatory for overseas visitors). After consulting with the club’s customer service, I was a little surprised by these fees, but considering the club’s high-end positioning and high-quality services, these prices are understandable.