If you’re new to golf, we understand that it can be quite daunting to walk onto a golf course and have everyone assume you know what you’re doing! We’ve created this guide specifically to help you get started and improve your skills. If you have any questions, our team in the Pro Shop are a mixture of recreational golfers and qualified PGA Golf Teaching Professionals and are on hand to help explain the game, the equipment and to get you started.
If you’ve never played before, we really recommend one of our Beginner Clinics. This will teach you all the basics you need to start practicing on your own, you’ll meet new people who are also learning and form friendships who may just become your new golfing buddies!
There’s more information on our private lessons here or our group programs and clinics here.
If you already know your driver from your wedge, but it’s been a while, a private lesson is the way to go to make sure you’re practicing the correct technique while minimising the risk of injury.
Once you’ve got the basics, go practice! As with any sporting technique, you use it or lose it! Centenary Park Golf Course has some great practice facilities; here’s how they work:
Driving Range: Open every day, all you need to do is pop into the Pro Shop, purchase a bucket of balls (from $6) and grab any available bay on the range. Bookings are not required. Clubs are also available to hire. Just let our staff know that you’re new to the sport and they can explain the different types of clubs available for your practice.
Putting & Chipping Greens: These two greens sit either side of the Pro Shop. If you have your own golf balls, they are free to use whenever the venue is open, and no bookings are required. Putting & chipping are crucial elements of the golf game and are just as important to practice as the long shots. It’s kind of like skipping leg day in the gym if you don’t regularly practice these skills. If you don’t yet have a few golf balls to practice with, we can help you with that. We sell a whole range of balls, from entry level right up to professional tour level balls. Just give us a nudge and tell us you’re learning, and we’ll point you in the right direction.
There’s no such thing as “I’m not good enough yet” – just get out there and have a go, there’s no pressure at Centenary Park! If you’re nervous, try our Twilight Golf times after 2pm where for just $19.50 you can play as many holes as you like before we close. So, play two holes, play 5, play 9, it’s up to you. Don’t worry about the rules – throw your ball out of the bunker if you like! Just get a feel for the course, have a laugh and enjoy being out there!
Keep learning and ask questions: Once you’ve had a bit of practice and you’ve introduced your ball to the trees (we all hit trees, don’t worry), it’s a good idea to get another lesson or two. Or three. You’ll undoubtedly have forgotten some aspects of technique which will really help your game, and if you keep reminding yourself of these and expanding your skills, you’ll save yourself a lot of frustration and will see your game improve dramatically.
Lessons can be short and sharp or last a couple of hours; in a group or on your own – it’s really up to you, your time constraints and budget.
Ask questions of our team: That’s what we are here for! We just want to see you enjoying your time on course, so if we can help, we most definitely will!
Do I need to book? For lessons and to play a round of golf, yes, bookings are highly recommended. We do accept walk-ins but we can get pretty busy, so always best to book to guarantee yourself a game. You can book online here: Lessons | Golf or give us a call on 03 9789 1480.
Bookings are not required for our practice facilities (driving range, putting & chipping greens).
Do I need to be a member? Nope! Centenary Park Golf Course is a public golf course so absolutely anyone can play, 7 days a week. If you’re big enough to hold a golf club, come on down and have a hit!
What equipment do I need? To play golf, you’ll need a few clubs to get you started, some golf balls, and a glove (ideally) so that you don’t get blisters on your hands. You can hire Clubs (either just a couple or a whole set) from our Pro Shop and purchase balls and gloves from us too. So that we can keep everyone moving swiftly around the course, we do require that each player has a set of clubs when playing on course. If you’re not too sure what you need, just ask our team – we are always happy to help new golfers.
What should I wear? Some golf courses do have dress codes, but Centenary Park is very relaxed. Anything you can walk around and move in freely is perfect. Sports/leisure wear is ideal. We do ask that you have enclosed shoes and at least a t-shirt (no singlets). The rest is up to you! In summer, we recommend you be sun smart with long sleeves and a hat.
Where do I go when I arrive? We have ample free parking at Centenary Park so just park in the car park and head down the path towards the greens. You’ll see the grey Pro Golf Shop building on the right hand side down the path and should be your first stop. This is where you’ll pay for your bucket of balls, lesson or round of golf and it’s where you’ll find our team to ask any questions. From there, we’ll let you know how to get your hire balls, find your coach or get to your first tee.
What amenities are at Centenary Park? As well as our stunning 18-hole golf course, practice facilities and Driving Range, we have Mens/Ladies/Universal Access toilets and a fully licensed cafe/bar with alfresco and indoor dining areas, and a deck off the Pro Shop overlooking the greens – a great spot to sit back and relax and catch up with friends after your game. There are also toilets out on the golf course – one on each 9-hole course.
