The Royal Sydney Golf Club — Attraction in Sydney

This is a members only old world golf club housed in a grand old building including a massive modern extension. I was invited by a friend for lunch. It was as if I'd stepped back in time...to the 1950s. It is an extraordinary place with one of the best private collections of contemporary Australian art I have ever seen. Very polished dining experience. The place is spotless and gleaming. Its not a place I'm busting to be a member of nor do I think Im the kind of person they are looking for. I dont play golf. I'm not rich and I'm not old school on anything. Heck, I didnt even know these kinds of places exsisted anymore. I pulled out my phone to take photos of a gigantic floral arrangement in the entry and a security guard quickly stopped me. An historic and fascinating anachronism of a place. I just wish everybody could have a chance to see it. I did call to see if they were open to the public. No. They are a private members only club. As a non member you can only get inside the place as the guest of another member. They dont have open days either. Wouldn't it be lovely if they threw their doors open to the general masses once in a while so their extraordinary art collection could be seen by all? I know a lot of private collections and places of historic interest do that . Perhaps a...

Upon pulling in the driveway one would be in ora of the old world beautiful looking establishment. Enjoy this as its short lived by the overwhelming sence of pretentiousness & disappointment to follow. Attending the Pro shop one should feel welcomed, yet I found myself almost raising my hand to ask a superior for a briefing followed by a check back in later as we are busy.

Then there's the golf.

The 1st hole, RSGC's best hole by far (much like the drive in) visuals perfectly, yet it's a real false sense of what's to follow. By the 3rd hole I found myself asking how on earth this place holds the Aus Open championship $, a parklands layout seriously lacking character, bordering 'Lifeless'

Is it the members overwhelming pride that deprives this course of the much needed re-design / Revamp it's crying out for??

I get private clubs hold a stigma of prestige & exclusiveness, yet the stigma & downright overblown reputation RSGC upholds is next level obviously for reasons other then it's golf course. If it's a quality layout in a relaxed environment you're after, I would recommend passing on the Royal Sydney...

Very disappointed with our recent experience here. We were guests of my elderly parents who have been members for more than 40 years. They asked us for dinner. We have an 18 month old. Rules apparently are he’s not allowed at the club as a guest other than in the gym! He can’t walk yet so no use for the gym. There was hardly anyone there but my wife and child were evicted. And this from a club with endless entitlements and concessions. Tax. Land. Privelege. But not if you have a child who needs...