Binalong is a small village on the Burley Griffin Way in country New South Wales, and one of its quiet surprises is a golf course most travellers never expect to find. It is an 18 hole sand green layout, run by the local club, and each September it hosts the Men’s World Sand Greens Championship. If you are planning a round while staying in the district, here is what is worth knowing before you arrive.
Where the Binalong Golf Course Is
Binalong Golf Club is at 21A Glengarry Road, Binalong NSW 2584, on the edge of the village. Binalong sits on the Burley Griffin Way, about 25 minutes from Yass and a short detour off the Hume Highway, so the course makes an easy stop on a longer drive. The course is an 18 hole sand green layout, and it hosts the Men’s World Sand Greens Championship each September. You can ring the club on 02 6227 4241.
What Sand Green Golf Actually Means
Many golfers have never played on sand greens. Instead of grass, the putting surface is a smooth, compacted sand, which suits small country courses where grass greens are hard to keep up through dry summers. The surface is smoothed before you putt and the ball rolls differently from grass, so it is worth taking a few putts to get the feel of it. It is a traditional part of country golf, and a good reason to try something new.
The Course at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 21A Glengarry Road, Binalong NSW 2584 |
| Phone | 02 6227 4241 |
| Holes | 18 |
| Green type | Sand |
| Par | 70 |
| Length | 5,280 m from the blue tees, 4,954 m from the red tees |
| Social golf | Seven days a week |
| Competitions | Sundays |
Green Fees and Booking
Social golf is played seven days a week, with an honesty box for fees. The usual figure is about $10 a round, but fees can change, so confirm the current amount with the club before you play. Competitions are held on Sundays, so ring ahead if you want to play on a Sunday.
The World Sand Greens Championship at Binalong
Binalong hosts the Men’s World Sand Greens Championship each September, which puts the sand green format in front of a wider audience. The course has a long history. Nine holes were laid out in 1927 on the old racecourse, and it grew to 18 holes in the 1960s.
What to Bring and How to Play It
Sand greens call for a small adjustment rather than a different set of clubs. Smooth the surface after your group has finished putting, the way you would repair a pitch mark on a grass green. Because the surface is slower, many players find it pays to be firm and committed with short putts rather than tentative.
The usual country club courtesies apply. Check in with the club before you head out, keep pace with the group ahead, and leave the course as you found it. Beyond that, expect a relaxed round on a course that is not trying to be anything other than what it is.
Getting to Binalong
Binalong sits on the Burley Griffin Way, around 25 minutes from Yass and a short detour off the Hume Highway. That makes it an easy stop for anyone driving between Sydney and the Riverina, or for travellers who would rather break up a highway run with a round of golf than another service station coffee.
The village is compact and the course is close to town. On a first visit, allow a little extra time to find the entrance and sort out parking.
Where to Stay for a Golf Trip
We run Motel Royal Tara, a 20 room country motel at 27 Stephens Street, Binalong, established in 1986. We are a short drive from the course and set up for exactly this kind of trip. Every room is ground floor and non smoking, with a private parking space at the door, which suits trailers, utes and work vehicles as comfortably as a sedan with a golf bag in the boot.
Each room has an ensuite, reverse cycle air conditioning, an electric blanket, WiFi, a TV, a kitchenette, tea and coffee making facilities and an iron, with housekeeping. Room types are Family, with a queen and two singles sleeping four, plus Triple, Queen and Twin. Check in is from 1 pm and check out is 10 am. You can see the full range on our accommodation page. If you are coming from the Yass side, our page on accommodation near Yass explains the drive.
Eating After Your Round
Our restaurant is licensed and BYO, and the menu runs to steaks, burgers, pizza and Indian curries and biryanis. Dinner is served every day except Wednesday. A buffet breakfast runs from 7:30 to 9:30 am by booking, which is worth arranging the night before if you want an early start on the course. Full details are on our dining page.
Making More of the Trip
Golf is rarely the only reason people stop in Binalong. We host plenty of guests travelling for work on infrastructure projects in the area, and our corporate stays page sets out what we can arrange for crews and contractors who need straightforward rooms and easy parking. If you have a free afternoon, our things to do page covers the local options, and the facilities page explains what is available on site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Binalong golf course a sand green course?
Yes. The course at 21A Glengarry Road in Binalong is an 18 hole, par 70 sand green layout. The greens are sand rather than grass, which is why players smooth the surface before putting. It is an unusual format in Australia, and the reason the course attracts visiting golfers from well beyond the district.
How much does it cost to play at Binalong?
Social golf is played seven days a week with an honesty box, at about $10 a round. Small country clubs do adjust their rates, and online listings are not always current, so ring the club on 02 6227 4241 to confirm the price and whether a booking is needed on the day you plan to play.
How many holes does the Binalong golf course have?
The course has 18 holes and plays to par 70. It measures about 5,280 m from the blue tees and 4,954 m from the red tees.
Has Binalong hosted the World Sand Greens Championship?
Yes. Binalong hosts the Men’s World Sand Greens Championship each September. The championship draws wider attention to the sand green format and to the village. It is a reason curious golfers add Binalong to their list.
Where can I stay near the Binalong golf course?
Motel Royal Tara is at 27 Stephens Street, Binalong, a short drive from the course. We have 20 ground floor, non smoking rooms with private parking at the door, plus a licensed and BYO restaurant serving dinner every day except Wednesday. Call 02 6227 4310 or 0426 428 501 to check availability.
For best rates call or book us online from our website.
