Things To Do · Golf
Golf Near Broadbeach
The Gold Coast has some of Australia’s best golf courses within 30 minutes of Broadbeach. Here’s the local guide to where to play.
The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s premier golf destinations — more championship courses within an hour’s drive than almost anywhere else in the country. From Broadbeach, you’re within easy reach of several world-class layouts, including Royal Pines (home of the Australian PGA Championship) and Sanctuary Cove.
Whether you want a quick 9 holes at a local course or a full day at a resort layout, here’s where Broadbeach-based golfers should be heading.
Golf Near Broadbeach
- Closest course: Surfers Paradise Golf Club — 8 min drive (7.5 km)
- Best resort golf: Royal Pines Resort — 25 min drive, home of Australian PGA
- Best value: Emerald Lakes Golf Club — 20 min drive, good course, affordable
- Best experience: Sanctuary Cove — 45 min north, two championship courses
- Nearest driving range: Strike Golf — indoor simulator near Surfers Paradise
| Course | Distance | Greens Fees From | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surfers Paradise Golf Club | 8 min / 7.5 km | $45–70 | 18-hole parkland |
| Emerald Lakes Golf Club | 20 min / 14 km | $50–80 | 18-hole, championship |
| Royal Pines Resort | 25 min / 20 km | $80–120 | Championship, resort |
| Sanctuary Cove (2 courses) | 45 min / 45 km | $100–180 | World-class resort |
| Lakelands Golf Club | 30 min / 24 km | $50–80 | 18-hole lakeside |
Closest Golf to Broadbeach
Surfers Paradise Golf Club (8 min drive): The most convenient option for golfers staying in Broadbeach. A well-maintained 18-hole parkland course with a friendly atmosphere and reasonable greens fees. Suitable for all handicap levels. Carts available. Green fees from ~$50.
How to get there from Broadbeach:
Best Golf Courses Within 30 Minutes
Royal Pines Resort (25 min): One of Queensland’s premier resort courses. This is where the Australian PGA Championship has historically been held. Challenging layout, immaculate conditions, and resort facilities. Green fees from $80. A tee time here is genuinely memorable.
Emerald Lakes Golf Club (20 min): A popular choice for mid-handicap golfers — a good test of golf without the premium pricing of Royal Pines. Set around a series of lakes, visually impressive. Green fees from ~$55 including cart.
Lakelands Golf Club (30 min): Well-regarded 18-hole course in Merrimac, popular with Gold Coast locals. Fair layout, good facilities, and one of the better-value options in the area.
Tips for Golf Near Broadbeach
Popular courses (Royal Pines, Emerald Lakes) fill up on weekends. Book your tee time online the day before — many courses offer discounted rates for early booking or twilight golf.
None of the golf courses are accessible by tram. Uber from Broadbeach to Surfers Paradise Golf Club costs ~$15–20. For Royal Pines or Emerald Lakes, a hire car or Uber is the only option ($30–40 one way).
Queensland summer heat (December–February) can be intense by 10am. Early tee times (6:30–8am) keep you in cooler conditions. Courses are also quieter and dew on the fairways is picturesque.
If you’re flying without clubs, most Gold Coast courses have club hire available for $30–50. Call ahead to confirm availability — it’s worth asking when you book your tee time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Surfers Paradise Golf Club is the closest (8 min / 7.5 km drive). Emerald Lakes Golf Club (20 min) and Royal Pines Resort (25 min) are the most popular for visitors. The Gold Coast has more than a dozen courses within a 45-minute drive of Broadbeach.
Royal Pines Resort (25 min drive) is the premium option — a championship course with resort facilities, home of the Australian PGA Championship. Green fees from $80. For value, Emerald Lakes Golf Club (20 min, from $55) is the most popular choice. Surfers Paradise Golf Club is the most convenient at 8 minutes drive.
Royal Pines Resort is approximately 20 km from Broadbeach — about 25 minutes drive via the Pacific Motorway (M1) heading west. No tram or bus access; you’ll need a car or Uber (approximately $35–45 each way).
Stay in Broadbeach, Play the Gold Coast’s Best Courses
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Written and maintained by a Broadbeach local. I update this guide regularly to keep it accurate.