Whaleback breaks into Top 100
Posted on: 26 November
Whaleback Golf Course has been selected as one of Australia’s Top 100 Public Golf Facilities for 2026 in a recent survey conducted by Inside Golf Magazine.
Readers of the golfing magazine voted the 18-hole golf course and double-storey driving range in Parkwood into 88th spot in the final count, taking its place alongside some heavy-hitters in the Australian public golfing landscape that boasts almost 450 venues.
Tasmania’s Barnbougle took out the top two spots on the list, with the Barnbougle Dunes course taking the coveted top spot and the Barnbougle Lost Farm course snagging second position. Victoria’s St Andrews Breach rounded out the top three courses, which were voted for by over 3,000 golfers from across the country.
“We reasoned there’s no better source of insight than the golfers who walk the fairways every week,” explained Inside Golf publisher Sam Arthur. “Therefore, unlike other rankings, we put the power in the hands of those who matter most – our readers.”
Joondalup led the way for Western Australia, with its Quarry/Dune course ranking eighth, and the Quarry/Lake configuration coming in at 25th. Other top 30-ranked courses from WA include The Cut (20th), Kalgoorlie (21st) and Meadow Springs (24th).
Whaleback’s ranking of 88th saw it place 11th out of the ranked WA facilities, and the top fully public course in WA.
See the full list of Top 100 Australian Public Golfing Facilities here.
“Since the City took over operations of Whaleback, in December 2023, we have invested over $10 million into upgrading the golf course, driving range and food and beverage facilities to ensure it is a modern, welcoming golfing and lifestyle facility for everyone to enjoy,” explained City of Canning Mayor Patrick Hall.
“The new driving range netting, apart from being an impressive feat of engineering, has improved golfer safety and the current range upgrades will modernise the hitting bays and add unique entertainment bay options to the facility’s offering.
“We are also undergoing a radical overhaul of Whaleback’s food and beverage setup, transforming the venue into a space that is attractive to golfers and non-golfers alike.
“Being recognised as one of the top 100 public golf venues in Australia is a massive feather in our cap and evidence that we are on the right track. It is clear that our golfers value the wonderful offering that currently exists, as well the vision of what it will look like once the renovations are complete.
“We are already looking forward to seeing our ranking improve next year, once all of the Phase 1 upgrades have been completed.”
The Inside Golf Top 100 ranking focused on Australia’s nearly 450 public golf facilities – those courses that are open to all golfers, either as fully public, pay-to-play, or via limited guest access – and was judged against a carefully considered ranking criteria including Design & Layout, Conditioning, Setting & Ambience, Playability and Overall Experience.