Golf

Melbourne has the largest number of championship golf courses in Australia.

Albert Park Golf Course. Four kilometers (2½ miles) south of the city, Albert Park Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-72 course beside Albert Park Lake, where the Formula 1 Grand Prix is held in March. Clubs, buggies, and carts can be hired at the course. Golf lessons for everyone from beginners to advanced players, starting at A$65 for a half-hour lesson for a single player. Queens Rd., Albert Park, Melbourne, Victoria, 3206. 03/9510–5588; www.albertparkgolf.com.au. Weekdays: 18 holes A$34, 9 holes A$25; weekends: 18 holes A$39, 9 holes A$25.

Brighton Public Golf Course. The 18-hole, par-67 Brighton Public Golf Course has lovely scenery, with trees and wetlands, but is quite busy on weekends and midweek mornings. The first nine holes are considered more challenging than the last nine. Club rental is available for A$20, and carts are available for A$40. The course allows unlimited playing after 4 pm in winter and after 5:30 pm in summer in its Twilight Golf Specials (A$15). 230 Dendy St., Brighton, Melbourne, Victoria, 3186. 03/9592–1388; www.brightongolfcourse.com.au. 18 holes A$31, 9 holes A$22.

Sandringham Golf Links. Five minutes from the beach, Sandringham Golf Course is one of the better public courses, and one of several in Melbourne's renowned (coastal) Sand Belt. Located opposite the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Sandringham is an 18-hole, par-72 course. The course contains a picnic area with a coin-operated barbecue for players to use before or after their round. A licensed café also operates on-site. Cheltenham Rd., Sandringham, Melbourne, Victoria, 3191. 03/9598–3590; www.sandringhamgolfcourse.com.au. 18 holes A$34, 9 holes A$22.

Yarra Bend Golf Course. Despite being just 4 km (2½ miles) northeast from the city, this challenging course seems a world away, due to long length and surrounding parkland. Ten thousand bats have also made it their home on the back 9. A newly built golf range is ideal to practice your game before the round. The course even has a 36-hole adventure mini golf course (A$25), suitable for children and adults. Yarra Bend Rd., Fairfield, Melbourne, Victoria, 3078. 03/9481–3729; www.yarrabendgolf.com. Weekdays: 18 holes A$32, 9 holes A$25; weekends: 18 and 9 holes, A$38.