Course Review: Lake Karrinyup Country Club, WA

August 26, 2008

Lewy’s Lake Claremont Golf Course review about the course he grew up with was scathing. He now takes a look at another course in Perth, Lake Karrinyup Country Club. It’s situated not far up the Mitchell freeway just north of Perth and he quite likes this one.

Lewy’s Ratings
Course difficulty: 8
Course rating: 9
Timeliness : 7
Value: 5
Amenities: 10
19th : 8
Food: 9
Overall: 8

Overview

Lake Karrinyup Country Club is one of the best courses in Perth. The course is immaculately kept and has some signature holes that are both challenging and picturesque.

LKCC is a championship course that has hosted the Johnny Walker Classic recently and also boasts a short 9 hole course and a very good driving range (off grass). The pro shop is small but has what you need, and the club house is spectacular. The Bistro dishes up some great food, but at restaurant prices rather than a pub price. There might be cheaper options, but these weren’t seen.

Lake Karrinyup Clubhouse

LKCC is a private club and as a consequence hard to get into to have a round. I was lucky enough to have a mate who is a member and wants me to join. But with a nomination fee of $7k and yearly subs of around $3.5k it is a tough ask, hence the low value rating. But it is more than just a golf course, there are tennis courts, conference rooms, lockers, etc etc. The full country club offerings are on display here and you really do feel special being there. I didn’t want to leave!

The course is long. I had a great driving day and often found myself 175m out into a par 4. Very few par 5s are reachable in 2 and a couple of the par 3s are 180m+. The greens were not lightening quick, but pin positions were generally unkind. It just shows what the pros are capable of. Apparently Retief Goosen went around in 26 under to win the Johnny Walker Classic.

8th hole

Fairways and bunkers were in top condition although there were 2 instances of a bunker in the middle of the fairway, which I think is against the nature of golf. Rough was tough but not a “hit a provisional” prospect.

In summary, if you can get in for a round, it is definitely worth it. Apparently guests are charged $2 to play, but I suspect a member only has a certain number of guest passes.

Highlights
The course in general. The 8th is a great little par 3 and the 2nd is a challenging par 5 that always has a Kangaroo or two to cheer you on.

Lowlights
Joining fees. Hard for the public to have a round.