Moore Park Golf Course Gets 12-Hole Compromise in Sydney

A City Course Finds Its Middle Ground

I've walked Moore Park's fairways twice in my travels through Sydney, and both times I was struck by the same thought: how remarkable it is that such a substantial golf course exists mere minutes from the heart of one of the world's great cities. The traffic hum from nearby Anzac Parade, the distant glint of the Sydney skyline through the Moreton Bay figs—it's urban golf at its most characterful.

Now, after what can only be described as a fierce public battle over the course's future, the NSW government has announced a compromise that preserves more golf than initially proposed while still delivering the parkland expansion that inner-city residents have demanded.

From Nine to Twelve: The Numbers That Matter

The Minns government's final plan calls for a 12-hole golf course on the 45-hectare site—up from the nine holes that had been proposed under the original scheme. That original plan would have halved the existing 18-hole layout, triggering a backlash that drew voices from local golfers and, notably, actor and avid golfer Mark Wahlberg.

"This plan delivers quality open space which will act as a backyard for thousands of people in one of Australia's most densely populated communities," Planning Minister Paul Scully said in announcing the revised approach. The government projects that nearly 790,000 people will live within five kilometers of the new park within five years.

The 12-hole course will be a 45-par layout—compact, yes, but meaningful. For context, that's roughly equivalent to playing two-thirds of a traditional course, and it allows for a genuine golfing experience rather than the abbreviated affair a nine-hole routing might offer.

What Golfers Can Expect During Transition

The government has pledged that a minimum of nine holes will remain playable until the full 12-hole course opens in 2027, with the broader park accessible to the public from July of this year. For those of us who've played Moore Park in its 18-hole form, there will inevitably be some mourning—certain holes, certain views, certain sequences will disappear. But the commitment to keeping the gates open throughout construction suggests the government understands that abrupt closure would have been its own form of loss.

More Than Just Holes: The Supporting Cast

Beyond the 12-hole course itself, the plan includes amenities that should serve both serious golfers and casual visitors. An expanded driving range with up to 90 bays will replace the existing facility, alongside dedicated putting and chipping greens. There's even an 18-hole mini-golf course in the works—which, depending on your disposition, either represents thoughtful programming or a gentle irony given the full-size course's reduction.

The 20-hectare park that will occupy the reclaimed land will feature pathways for running, walking, and cycling; a fenced off-leash dog area; community sports fields; multi-purpose courts; and outdoor fitness equipment. Food kiosks will dot the grounds. Greater Sydney Parklands CEO Joshua French described the vision as "a park that is welcoming, accessible and well-managed, with facilities that respond to community needs, now and into the future."

The Broader Question

What happens at Moore Park matters beyond Sydney. Cities around the world are grappling with the same tension: golf courses occupy substantial urban acreage, often in neighborhoods where open space is precious and housing pressures are intense. The question of whether golf deserves that footprint—and for whom—won't be settled here.

But the 12-hole compromise offers one model for coexistence. It's neither full preservation nor complete conversion, but something in between: a recognition that golf has a place in the urban fabric, even if that place must be negotiated rather than assumed.

Key Takeaways

The revised plan: A 12-hole, 45-par course will replace the existing 18 holes—a reduction of one-third rather than one-half.
Timeline: Nine holes remain playable until 2027; the full 12-hole layout opens that year, with park upgrades completed by 2028.
Additional facilities: Expanded 90-bay driving range, putting and chipping greens, and 18-hole mini-golf.
The new park: Twenty hectares of public green space serving nearly 790,000 residents within five kilometers.

For those who love Moore Park as it stands, this isn't victory. But it isn't defeat, either. It's adaptation—which may be the only viable path for urban golf courses in the decades ahead.