Taralga Sands Golf Club, located in the Upper Lachlan Shire Council in Australia, is a unique sports club that offers golfing enthusiasts a one-of-a-kind experience on sand greens. Established in 1985, the club was initially formed by a dedicated group of individuals who secured the use of Crown land to create a 9-hole golf course. Due to the prohibitive cost of creating regular greens, the decision was made to build sand greens instead.
In its early days, the club faced challenges with limited equipment for maintenance, often having to rely on second-hand gang mowers that required constant repairs and were towed behind utes. The course was unfortunately forced to close after the insurance premiums skyrocketed following the September 2001 “911” attacks. However, in February 2006, the Lands Department indicated that they would resume the land on which the golf course was situated.
In response to this, a public meeting was held, and it was unanimously decided to resurrect the golf course, recognising its significance as an asset for Taralga. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of a solid core of volunteers, along with grants from Veolia and the windfarm, substantial improvements have been made to the course. The club now boasts a clubhouse, BBQ area, machinery shed, raised tees, fabulous signage, and a brand-new entrance and driveway.
Playing on sand greens at Taralga Sands Golf Club offers a unique and unforgettable experience for golfers. Each hole features a novel flag stick consisting of a metal cross with a removable metal flag and a spoon. When players reach the “green,” they remove the flag and use the steel cross to rake a smooth surface between their ball and the hole. The spoon is then used to clean out the hole.
Unlike some sand green courses that limit players to one rake, at Taralga Sands Golf Club, players can rake until they are happy with the surface.
The course itself offers breathtaking views, making it a joy to walk the 9 holes. Visitors can play as many holes as they can fit in before dark for the affordable price of $10. There is an honesty box available for fee payments, and scorecards can be found in a metal box next to the clubhouse. For those looking to become members, a yearly fee of $65 grants access to this wonderful country course, where there is no need to book and players can enjoy a relaxed pace.
Membership renewals are payable by July 31st, 2023.
The Taralga Sands Golf Club also offers a Country Membership category for individuals who live further than 100 kilometres from the Taralga Golf Course. For an annual fee of $140, country members can maintain an official handicap through Golf link. To join, individuals can download a copy of the membership form from the club's website.
Taralga Sands Golf Club prides itself on its welcoming and friendly atmosphere, providing golf enthusiasts with a unique and enjoyable golfing experience in the beautiful Upper Lachlan Shire Council.