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. Judgement free.
If you’ve never played before, we 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!
You can find more info on our private lessons or our group programs and clinics.
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:
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.
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.
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 you can play as many (or as little) holes as you like before we close.
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!
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.
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!
It’s okay to not keep score.
It’s okay to play from the shortest tees or start at the 150 yard marker.
It’s okay to give yourself a better lie by rolling the ball around a little.
It’s okay to tee the ball up anywhere when you are first learning
It’s okay to only count swings when you make contact with the ball.
It’s okay to throw the ball out of a bunker after one try.
It’s okay to forget about a ball that may be lost or out of bounds. It’s okay to drop a ball where you think it might be…or where you wanted it to be.
It’s okay to play a scramble with your group…scrambles are very popular.
It’s okay to just chip and putt on a hole when you feel like it.
It’s okay to pick up in the middle of the hole and enjoy the outdoors and scenery.
It’s okay to skip a hole if you need to take a break
It’s okay to play less than 9 or 18-holes and call it a round of golf
It’s okay to move your ball away from trees, rocks or very hilly lies.
It’s okay to hit the same club for the entire round, while using a putter on the putting green.
It’s okay to play golf in your sneakers. Be comfortable!
It’s okay to get enthusiastic! (High fives, fist pumps and big smiles are encouraged)
It’s okay to talk on the golf course…enjoy a nice conversation or tell a few jokes
It’s okay to bring your kids to the course, whether they are 5 or 35.
It’s okay to PLAY GOLF JUST FOR FUN!
It’s okay to not keep score.
It’s okay to play from the shortest tees or start at the 150 yard marker.
It’s okay to give yourself a better lie by rolling the ball around a little.
It’s okay to tee the ball up anywhere when you are first learning
It’s okay to only count swings when you make contact with the ball.
It’s okay to throw the ball out of a bunker after one try.
It’s okay to forget about a ball that may be lost or out of bounds. It’s okay to drop a ball where you think it might be…or where you wanted it to be.
It’s okay to play a scramble with your group…scrambles are very popular.
It’s okay to just chip and putt on a hole when you feel like it.
It’s okay to pick up in the middle of the hole and enjoy the outdoors and scenery.
It’s okay to skip a hole if you need to take a break
It’s okay to play less than 9 or 18-holes and call it a round of golf
It’s okay to move your ball away from trees, rocks or very hilly lies.
It’s okay to hit the same club for the entire round, while using a putter on the putting green.
It’s okay to play golf in your sneakers. Be comfortable!
It’s okay to get enthusiastic! (High fives, fist pumps and big smiles are encouraged)
It’s okay to talk on the golf course…enjoy a nice conversation or tell a few jokes
It’s okay to bring your kids to the course, whether they are 5 or 35.
It’s okay to PLAY GOLF JUST FOR FUN!
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).
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!
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. 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.
You can hire Clubs (either just a couple or a whole set) from our Pro Shop and purchase balls and gloves from us too.
If you’re not too sure what you need, just ask our team – we are always happy to help new golfers.
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.
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 this 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.
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.
Copyright © 2025 Centenary Park Golf Course
Frankston City Council and Centenary Park Golf Course acknowledges and pays respect to the Bunurong People, the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters.
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