Tappy
AU
Robina · 18 holes · Par 72 · Public
Excellent layout and green complexes · Friendly pro shop staff
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 72
- Access
- Visitors welcome
- From (18 holes)
- $140
- Designer
- Jack Nicklaus
Overview
At a glance
Lakelands Golf Club is an 18-hole, par 72 course at Merrimac on the Gold Coast, designed by Jack Nicklaus as his first signature course in Australia. Visitors can book tee times online, with a shared cart included in the green fee. The club also has a driving range, restaurant and function facilities.
How it compares
Full-length 18 holes- A par-72 layout.
- Green fees from $140 for 18 holes, well above the typical $60 on the Gold Coast (9 of the 11 18-hole courses that publish visitor rates are cheaper).
- Rated 4.5 on Google, about the typical 4.4 for courses on the Gold Coast.
Lakelands is a Jack Nicklaus Signature course at Merrimac on the Gold Coast, played over 18 holes to a par of 72. The club lists course ratings of 74 from the black tees and 72 from the blue tees, and the course has appeared in Golf Digest Australia's top 100 list (56th). The 14th is the hole the club highlights as the signature.
Golfers often rank it among the best on the Gold Coast, and several compare it favourably with Hope Island and Sanctuary Cove. They talk about a thoughtful layout that is tough but fair, fast and firm greens, and trouble that punishes without feeling unfair. Conditioning gets consistent praise for fairways, rough and greens, though one reviewer found the greens slow after wet weather. Kangaroos on the course are a common mention. Most reviewers say it is not really a walking course.
The main complaint is pace. A few golfers report rounds around five hours on busy days and suggest tee times are packed in tightly. Comments on service are mixed, with some praising pro shop and clubhouse staff and others finding the bar and cafe staff less welcoming.
Visitors play at set rates that include a shared motorised cart, and the club says prepaying through its online booking login gives the best rates. Drink carts come around the course on some days. There is a driving range with baskets sold to the public, a pro shop, lessons, a restaurant and bar, and function rooms that host weddings and corporate days. A neat dress code applies, with a collared shirt and enclosed footwear required. It suits golfers wanting a premium round who don't mind paying for it.
Before you go
Booking
OnlineBy phone
Prepay online for the best rates; groups of 20 or more email corporate@lakelandsgolfclub.com.au.
Who can play
- Good to know
- Green fee includes a shared motorised cart.
Golf forecast
Loading the forecast…
Forecast by Open-Meteo.
Green fees
| Rate | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 18 holes, Mon-Thu | $140 | includes shared motorised cart; from 1 July 2024 |
| 18 holes, Fri-Sun | $150 | includes shared motorised cart |
| 18 holes, public holidays | $160 | includes shared motorised cart |
Visitor rates from the club (source) , checked 20 October 2026. Prices change, so confirm with the club when you book.
Practice and hire
Practice facilities
- Driving range
Range hours: Pro shop and range open 6 am Wednesday to Monday, 7 am Tuesday and public holidays
Range balls: 1 small basket (about 35-40 balls) $12 · 2 small baskets $19
Members pay $8 and $13 for the same baskets.
From the club's website, checked 20 October 2026. Confirm with the club before you go.
The course
| Tees | Length | Par | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | – | 72 | 74 | – |
| Blue | – | 72 | 72 | – |
Videos
Videos by their creators on YouTube, chosen because they show Lakelands Golf Club. Playing one loads YouTube.
Reviews
4.5
449 reviews
What golfers say
- Excellent course conditioning
- Challenging, well-designed layout
- Good clubhouse and food
- Wildlife and scenery
- Slow rounds on busy days
- Mixed bar and pro shop service
Our summary of recent Google reviews.
4 out of 5
“Very nice golf course. If you love golf this should be on the to play list. Only 4 stars the staff in the pro shop aren't very enthusiastic about being there.”
5 out of 5
“Lakelands Golf Course is easily one of the best courses on the Gold Coast — if not the best. While everyone always raves about Sanctuary Cove, Lakelands really stands out for its design. The layout is thoughtful, challenging, and…”
5 out of 5
“One of the best courses on the Gold Coast, greens perfect, Fairways perfect, rough perfect. Club house staff were amazing as well. Cannot rate this place high enough.”
Facilities
- Driving range
- Pro shop
- Cart hire
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Function rooms
- Golf lessons
Accessibility: wheelchair-accessible car park, wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Dress code: Neat dress required; collared shirt and enclosed footwear on the course; no denim or cargo pants
Location
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100 Lakelands Dr, Merrimac QLD 4226
Getting there
- From Surfers Paradise 15 min 10 km
- From Gold Coast Airport 26 min 26 km
- From Brisbane CBD 1 h 2 min 79 km
- From Brisbane Airport 1 h 8 min 88 km
Typical driving times without heavy traffic, from OpenStreetMap road data.
Nearby golf courses
- Palm Meadows Golf Course · Carrara · 1.4 km · 4.3
- Palmer Colonial Golf Course · Robina · 2.1 km · 3.6
- Surfers Paradise Golf Club · Clear Island Waters · 2.1 km · 4.4
- Emerald Lakes Golf Club · Carrara · 3.5 km · 4.4
Courses like Lakelands Golf Club
Similar in size, price, access and rating, a little further afield.
Parkwood · 18 holes · Par 71 · Public
Good for families (mini golf, simulators) · Good food and venue
Mount Warren Park · 18 holes · Par 72 · Public
Greens in good condition · Friendly pro shop staff
Lakelands Golf Club FAQs
Can visitors play at Lakelands Golf Club?
Yes. Visitors can book tee times through the club's online public booking page.
How much is a round at Lakelands?
The club lists $140 Monday to Thursday, $150 Friday to Sunday and $160 on public holidays, including a shared motorised cart (rates from 1 July 2024).
Who designed Lakelands Golf Club?
Jack Nicklaus designed it, and the club describes it as his first signature course in Australia.
What is the dress code at Lakelands?
A neat dress code applies, with a collared shirt and enclosed footwear required. Denim and cargo pants are not permitted.
Does Lakelands have a driving range?
Yes. Range balls are sold by the basket, and pre-paid range keys are available.
Details checked 20 October 2026 from the club's website, Google and OpenStreetMap. Something out of date? Tell the club, or let us know and we'll fix it.
Photos: Kaptain Kerr via Google Maps; 曾仁宏 via Google Maps; Jalil Ibrahim via Google Maps; ta neo via Google Maps; Travelingualizer via Google Maps; I&L Wilkie via Google Maps; Shaun C via Google Maps. Photos remain the property of their owners.