The NSW Government has confirmed the future of Moore Park Golf Course, unveiling a final plan that will cut the layout to 12 holes as part of a broader parkland redevelopment.
It has been a significant day for Australian golf. First came the confirmation that both the men’s and women’s Australian Open will move to Adelaide from 2028, a landmark shift for the national championship calendar.
Then came another long‑anticipated announcement, this time closer to home for Sydney golfers: the NSW Government has unveiled the final plan for Moore Park South, confirming the future shape of one of Australia’s most heavily used public golf facilities.
View the final Moore Park South Establishment Plan
After years of consultation, debate and no shortage of controversy, the government has landed on a compromise that will see Moore Park Golf Course reduced from 18 holes to a 12‑hole public layout, alongside a major new inner‑city park development.
From 18 Holes to 12, Not Nine
For golfers, the headline is this: Moore Park will remain a meaningful golf facility.
The final plan confirms a par‑45, 12‑hole course, rather than the nine‑hole layout proposed in earlier drafts. That increase follows sustained feedback from golfers, Golf NSW and national bodies who argued that a nine‑hole offering would not meet demand at one of the busiest public courses in the country.
The redesigned course will be developed with the involvement of an internationally recognised golf course architect and will make use of existing fairways where possible. Importantly, golf will continue throughout the transition period, with an interim nine‑hole configuration remaining available until the new 12‑hole course opens, currently expected in 2027.
The existing operator’s licence expires in mid‑2026, with construction scheduled to begin from July.
A $50 Million Parkland Transformation
The golf changes are part of a broader $50 million redevelopment of Moore Park South, creating a new 20‑hectare public park aimed at servicing one of Australia’s fastest‑growing and most densely populated urban regions. [nsw.gov.au], [9news.com.au]
According to the final establishment plan, the new park will include:
- A full‑size community sports field
- Walking, running and cycling paths
- Multi‑purpose sports courts and outdoor fitness areas
- Off‑leash dog facilities
- Picnic spaces, lighting, toilets and food kiosks
The government says the land within five kilometres of Moore Park South is expected to serve close to 790,000 residents by 2041, framing the redevelopment as essential urban infrastructure rather than a simple sporting reconfiguration.
Practice Golf Gets a Major Boost
While the reduction in holes will be keenly felt by regular players, the final plan includes substantial practice‑facility upgrades that may soften the blow.
Moore Park will feature:
- An expanded driving range with up to 90 bays
- Putting and chipping greens
- An 18‑hole mini‑golf course, aimed at families and casual users
For many inner‑city golfers, particularly beginners and time‑poor players, the enhanced practice offering could turn Moore Park into a more flexible, high‑capacity training venue than it has ever been.
For Sydney golfers, Moore Park’s future may now be settled. It won’t be the 18‑hole test many grew up with, but nor will it disappear.
The challenge now will be ensuring that the new 12‑hole layout is engaging, accessible and priced in a way that retains Moore Park’s status as one of the country’s most important entry points into the game.
Construction is due to run through to 2028.