Long Reef Golf Club: Green Fees, Dress Code & Guide

If you’ve ever teed off with the ocean on one side and Sydney’s Northern Beaches stretching out behind you, you already know why Long Reef Golf Club pulls players back year after year. Founded in 1921 and designed by Peter Thomson, this beachfront links course sits about 20 kilometres from the Sydney CBD in Collaroy — close enough for a spontaneous round after work, striking enough that even locals stop to admire the views between shots.

Location: Collaroy, NSW, Australia · Address: Anzac Avenue, Collaroy, NSW 2097 · Contact: +61 2 9971 8113 · Founded: 1921 · Course Style: Links style beachfront

Key facts about Long Reef Golf Club at a glance.

How much are the green fees at Long Reef Golf Club?

Green fees at Long Reef Golf Club are structured around a weekday and weekend split, with a small bump on Fridays. According to Ausgolf (golf course directory with verified club listings), Monday through Thursday costs AUD $82 per round. Fridays run AUD $87, while weekend and public holiday play is AUD $93. These rates position Long Reef in the mid-to-upper range for Sydney metropolitan courses — competitive for a beachfront links experience but not the cheapest option if budget is the primary driver.

Peak vs off-peak rates

The standard rate schedule above represents peak playable hours. Twilight golf rates are available for players looking to squeeze in nine holes or a shorter round later in the afternoon, though the club’s booking system does not publicly display the specific twilight discount amount. Players interested in twilight play should contact the club directly at +61 2 9971 8113 to confirm current pricing before booking.

• Monday–Thursday: AUD $82
• Friday: AUD $87
• Weekends and public holidays: AUD $93
• Twilight rates: Available — contact club for pricing

What this means: factor in at least an extra $30–$60 in equipment and cart rentals on top of the green fee itself.

Booking options

All tee times at Long Reef Golf Club are booked online through the club’s booking system, with availability opening 28 days in advance (Long Reef Golf Club Booking System). This advance window is standard for Sydney metro courses and means spontaneous visitors should plan ahead, particularly on weekends. The club also runs targeted discounts during course maintenance periods — for example, reduced green fees were offered from 20–26 August 2025 during scheduled green renovations.

Gear rentals add to the total cost. A basic club set rents for $30, while the premium option runs $60. Golf cart hire is available at $55 per round, and a buggy can be added for just $5 — a modest fee that makes transport easier for players with mobility considerations or those who simply want to cover more ground between shots.

Is Long Reef good for beginners?

Beginners will find Long Reef both approachable and occasionally challenging, depending on their current skill level. The course offers multiple tee options, which is a genuine advantage: newer players can work from forward tees to shorten the layout, while more experienced golfers can test themselves from the tips. According to GolfPass (NBC Sports-owned golf media platform with course ratings), the par-71 layout rewards strategic play over brute power — a quality that tends to suit beginners who are still developing course management skills.

Course difficulty

The links-style design means wind plays a significant role. On calm days, the course is manageable for a mid-handicapper; on gusty afternoons, even experienced players find themselves re-evaluating club selection. For beginners, this unpredictability can be frustrating but also educational — learning to account for wind is a fundamental skill that many dedicated range sessions simply cannot teach.

Fairway grass is Kikuyu, and greens are Poa annua — a combination that produces true, consistent putting surfaces when maintained well, according to Ausgolf. The course was designed by Peter Thomson, a five-time Open champion whose layouts are known for rewarding thoughtful shot-making over raw distance. For beginners who are still refining contact, this design philosophy means the course generally rewards good decisions even when execution is imperfect.

Beginner tips

• Play from forward tees on your first visit — the course plays significantly shorter and reduces penalty shots from water and sand.
• Check the wind forecast before heading out. A links course in strong crosswinds will challenge even par rounds from players who aren’t prepared.
• Consider a twilight rate if you want a lower-pressure round — the course is less crowded late in the day, and the lighting creates a different feel entirely.
• Rent clubs on-site ($30 basic set) rather than buying a budget set you haven’t tested — comfort and control matter more than brand at this stage.

Is Long Reef Golf Club public?

Yes, Long Reef Golf Club is fully public. The club welcomes visitors and social players seven days a week, without requiring membership or a guest pass from an existing member. According to the Long Reef Golf Club Official website, public and social players have the same access window as members — booking opens to everyone simultaneously 28 days before the desired tee time.

Access policies

The club does not differentiate between member and public tee times in its online booking system. All players — whether members or visiting green fee players — must book through the club’s online portal. Walk-on availability is not guaranteed, especially on weekends, and the club’s staff have indicated that booked tee times take priority over any walk-in requests.

One nuance: while the course is public, the clubhouse dress standards apply equally to members, guests, and visitors. According to the club’s dress regulations page, all patrons — including green fee players — must meet the same smart casual minimum standard in the clubhouse. This applies whether you’re stopping for a post-round drink or using the café before your tee time.

Membership details

The research notes do not include current membership pricing or waiting list information for Long Reef Golf Club. Players interested in membership should contact the club directly at +61 2 9971 8113 or visit the clubhouse to inquire about availability and joining fees. Membership typically provides benefits such as discounted green fees, priority booking windows, and access to member-only events — but these details vary and change annually.

The implication: casual visitors and members compete for the same tee slots, so regular players may eventually find membership worthwhile for the priority booking advantage alone.

What is the Long Reef Golf Club dress code?

Long Reef Golf Club enforces a dress code that applies to both the course and the clubhouse, with distinct rules for each setting. The minimum standard for all patrons — members, guests, and public green fee players alike — is smart casual attire. According to the Long Reef Golf Club Official dress regulations, this means no torn, dirty, or untidy clothing, regardless of where on the property you are.

On-course rules

On the fairways and tees, the focus is on collared upper-body wear and appropriate bottoms. For men, this means collared shirts or polo shirts paired with tailored trousers, neat plain denim jeans, or shorts (including cargo-style). Football colours or club jersey-style tops are not permitted. For women, collared blouses or shirts must be worn with tailored shorts, slacks, skirts, or three-quarter length slacks. Tights-style pants, two-way stretch pants, sun tops, and singlet tops are specifically prohibited for women.

Golf shoes are recommended on the course. Soft-spiked golf shoes are acceptable, and wholly enclosed shoes without spikes also meet the requirement. Clean sneakers are permitted for public and social players who don’t own golf-specific footwear — a practical concession that doesn’t compromise the overall standard.

Clubhouse attire

The clubhouse dress code mirrors the on-course standard with a few additions. Swimwear and beachwear are strictly prohibited. Bare feet are not permitted anywhere inside the clubhouse. Footwear exceptions inside the clubhouse include soft-spiked golf shoes, wholly enclosed shoes, sandals, and loafer or deck-style shoes — the latter two can be worn without socks. Leather or rubber thongs (flip-flops) are permitted in the clubhouse and on the outside terrace but not at special functions.

The pattern: the club draws the line at beachwear because the setting itself — overlooking Fisherman’s Beach — makes it tempting for visitors to come straight from the sand. Management treats this as a non-negotiable, so arriving in swimwear means being turned away.

What is the Long Reef Golf Club scorecard?

Long Reef Golf Club features an 18-hole, par-71 championship layout with multiple tee options. According to GolfPass, the course was designed by Peter Thomson and offers yardage that challenges experienced players while remaining playable for those using forward tees. The Kikuyu fairways and Poa annua greens provide a classic Australian links aesthetic and playing surface.

Par and yardages

The exact yardage from each tee box is not publicly available in a single consolidated scorecard from the sources reviewed. What is confirmed: the course plays to a par of 71 from regulation tees, with multiple tee placements that modify the overall length for different skill levels. The club’s own booking system and the GolfNow course listing both reference multiple tee options, indicating a course that can stretch beyond 6,000 metres for players seeking a full challenge.

Hole highlights

The defining feature of Long Reef’s layout is its relationship with the ocean and the Northern Beaches landscape. The clubhouse overlooks Fisherman’s Beach, and several holes run parallel to or angle toward the coastline. Wind direction varies hole to hole, making club selection less predictable than on an inland course. Water is present on at least one hole, and the sand dunes that characterise the links layout create natural undulation that affects both tee shots and approach play.

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Frequently asked questions

The course is a links-style championship course set on the beachfront at Collaroy. The clubhouse overlooks Fisherman’s Beach. Long Reef has Kikuyu fairways and Poa annua greens, providing a classic Australian links playing surface that rewards strategy over power.

— Ausgolf (golf course directory with verified club listings)

The par-71 layout rewards thoughtful shot-making over raw distance, a quality that makes the course approachable for improving players while still challenging low-handicappers who play from the back tees.

— GolfPass (NBC Sports golf media platform)

For Sydney-based players and visitors to the Northern Beaches, Long Reef Golf Club presents a straightforward value proposition: a publicly accessible championship links designed by a five-time Open winner, with ocean views, solid playing surfaces, and a manageable weekday green fee of AUD $82. The dress code is strict but reasonable, the clubhouse amenities cover the essentials, and the 28-day booking window means a little planning goes a long way. The trade-off is real — expect wind, factor in equipment rental costs if you’re travelling light, and don’t arrive from the beach still wearing your swimmers. Get those three things right, and Long Reef delivers exactly what its century-long reputation promises.