Looking for par-3 golf in Melbourne? Start with Pitch & Putt Waverley, or Oakleigh’s mostly-par-3 nine. Keep things close at Burnley and Royal Park, then head towards Geelong and the Bellarine for Balyang, 13th Beach and Barwon Heads. Seven ways to turn “we should play” into an actual plan.
We’re Par Three, the golf apparel brand born in Manly. We’ve taken our small-bag philosophy south: dedicated short courses, a couple of city nines and three out-of-town outings worth making room for. The formats are labelled, the official links are below, and your swing remains a private matter. Mostly.
Scroll to fly · tap a numbered pin to choose a stop
01 / 07Proper par 3
Mulgrave · South-east Melbourne
Less club. More confidence.
Pitch & Putt Waverley
Eighteen par-3 holes in Mulgrave, where the short game gets the whole stage. Pitch & Putt Waverley is a handy Melbourne option when you want real greens, a lighter bag and fewer opportunities to blame the driver.
The golf
18 par-3 holes
Your options
Nine or eighteen
Travel light
Club hire available
There are nine- and eighteen-hole options, plus club hire. Bring the friend who wants to try golf and the friend who already owns six wedges. One of them will explain the bounce angle. The other might win.
Before you head out
Bookings are essential on weekends and public holidays. Call (03) 9701 1188 and check current opening times before travelling. Wear flat-soled shoes suitable for the course.
Corner Wellington and Garnett Roads, Mulgrave VICOpen directions
Your short game called. It would like a little quality time.
A public nine alongside Scotchmans Creek, with seven par-3 holes and two par 4s. Oakleigh gives your short game plenty of attention, then lets a couple of longer holes enter the conversation. Nobody said this relationship would be simple.
The golf
7 par 3s + 2 par 4s
The welcome
Public nine-hole course
Warm up
Practice nets + putting green
The course welcomes different ages and abilities, with practice nets and a putting green for a little pre-round diplomacy. Choose it for an approachable nine that still gives you a reason to bring more than a wedge.
Before you head out
Book through the course and check availability before arriving. Council currently advises that the footbridge from the ninth to the clubhouse is closed; follow the signed alternative route. Confirm current access arrangements with the pro shop.
Five kilometres east of the CBD, Burnley offers a public nine between the city and the Yarra. It’s a full-swing nine-hole outing rather than a dedicated par-3 course. A very reasonable reason to turn a free afternoon into a golf afternoon.
The golf
9-hole public course
The location
5 km east of the CBD
The finish
Licensed kiosk
Equipment hire, practice nets, chipping and putting areas make it easy to build a small ritual around the round. Finish at the licensed kiosk and review the highlights. A short meeting, in some cases.
Before you head out
Reserve a tee time through Yarra Leisure. Opening hours vary seasonally; check the booking page rather than assuming late play is available. Equipment and buggy hire are offered; confirm what you need when booking.
A nine-hole public course in Parkville, just north of the city between Carlton and Brunswick. Royal Park welcomes casual golfers, so the royal bit needn’t go to your head. This is a conventional nine, not an all-par-3 layout.
The golf
9-hole public course
The neighbourhood
Parkville, inner north
Travel light
Club and buggy hire
Clubs and buggies are available for hire, and lessons are on offer if you’d like someone qualified to explain what happened. An easy choice for a Melbourne crew that wants a golf day without organising a road trip.
Before you head out
Book online; the course advertises bookings up to 28 days ahead. For eight or more players, contact the golf shop. Check seasonal hours, hire packages and tee-time availability directly.
Near the Barwon River and Balyang Sanctuary, this Geelong course fits eighteen par-3 holes into a very approachable outing. The council recommends a pitching wedge and putter. Your entire golf bag may find this personally upsetting.
The golf
18 par-3 holes
The setting
Beside Balyang Sanctuary
The kit
Wedge + putter, or hire
Short walks between holes and club hire suit families, first-timers and regular golfers giving their short game some attention. It’s a Geelong day trip from Melbourne, not a quick city detour. Leave room for the journey and a leisurely finish.
Before you head out
Check the council’s current fees and opening times before setting out. Bring your own clubs or enquire about hire. Allow for the drive to Newtown and check arrangements for larger groups.
A nine-hole Tony Cashmore design at 13th Beach, with tee options ranging from 105 to 188 metres. The Short Course welcomes the public, including new golfers and the friend who treats every wedge shot as a televised event.
The golf
9-hole Short Course
The distances
Tee options: 105–188 m
The extra
Weekend kiosk
This is the shorter outing at a much larger golf destination. Book the Short Course specifically, rather than the separate Beach or Creek courses. The on-course kiosk opens on weekends: a convenient place to discuss all that potential.
Before you head out
Use the dedicated Short Course booking option and confirm current fees and hire. The kiosk operates on weekends only. Map pin shows the golf property; follow the venue’s directions to the Short Course on arrival. Make the Bellarine travel part of the plan.
Here’s the useful distinction: Barwon Heads Golf Club has a par-3 course open to the public. You don’t need an invitation to the main course to enjoy this smaller outing. Book, pay before playing and give your wedges a coastal change of scenery.
The golf
Public par-3 course
Current note
Hole 2 closed
Book ahead
Register + pay before play
The usual nine-hole layout currently has hole 2 closed until further notice, so check the playing arrangement when booking. Public par-3 play doesn’t include clubhouse access. Save the debrief for somewhere in town, where the score can become more flattering with distance.
Before you head out
Check public tee times around club competitions. Wear neat casual clothing and closed shoes; alcohol is not permitted on this course. The first tee is reached from the west end of the lower car park, past the practice area. Confirm current routing with the golf shop.
A par-3 hole is designed to take three strokes: one to reach the green, then two putts. Reality occasionally submits a different proposal.
A par-3 course is made up of these shorter holes. It’s real golf: you’ll still chip, pitch, read a green and occasionally negotiate with a tree. Mini golf is putting-only play on purpose-built obstacles. Both count as a good time; they’re different outings.
For a first proper round, a short course can make the game feel more approachable. Let faster groups through, repair pitch marks and wait until the group ahead is safely clear before hitting. Looking after the course is always on brand.
The small-bag theory.
A putter and the right short clubs for the course.
A few balls. Then a few more, for optimism.
Water, sun protection and comfortable shoes.
A friend who remembers your good shots.
Check the course’s hire options and dress requirements before you go.
A printable nine-hole social scorecard, with room for four players and the shot everyone will hear about all week.
Par Three / Sunday scorecardGood company. Questionable arithmetic.
123456789
Best shot of the day: ____________________
Enjoy the walk.
Before someone asks in the group chat.
Where can I play par-3 golf in Melbourne?
Pitch & Putt Waverley in Mulgrave has eighteen par-3 holes. Oakleigh offers seven par 3s and two par 4s. If you’re travelling further, Balyang in Geelong and Barwon Heads have dedicated par-3 courses, while 13th Beach offers a nine-hole Short Course. Burnley and Royal Park are conventional public nines, rather than all-par-3 layouts.
Which outings are actually in Melbourne?
Waverley, Oakleigh, Burnley and Royal Park are the Melbourne stops. Balyang is in Geelong; 13th Beach and Barwon Heads are on the Bellarine. Treat those three as a day trip or a weekend away, with travel time included. The map shows the difference. Your calendar will appreciate the honesty.
Can anyone play the Barwon Heads par-3 course?
The par-3 course welcomes the public, subject to available times and club competitions. Book and pay before playing. Hole 2 is currently closed, so confirm the playing arrangement. Public par-3 access does not include the clubhouse or main course. A little preparation saves a very awkward entrance.
Do I need a full set of clubs?
For Balyang, the council recommends a pitching wedge and putter; hire is available. Waverley, Burnley and Royal Park also offer hire options. For the other courses, check with the venue. Longer holes may call for more clubs. Your bag should suit the round, not your entire golfing identity.
What should we budget for a round?
Fees vary with the course, day, age category and equipment hire. Follow each “Plan a round” link for current official rates. For the Bellarine stops, budget for the journey too. The post-round snack is between you and your conscience.
Is Par Three a booking site or a golf course?
Neither. We’re an independent golf apparel and accessories brand founded in Manly. These are editorial suggestions to help you plan a good day out, not first-hand course reviews. Book directly with the venue; inclusion does not imply a partnership. We supply the excuses. They supply the first tee.
The small print, in a normal-sized voice
Compiled by Par Three · Venues and visitor information checked 23 September 2026. Our picks are editorial suggestions, not first-hand course reviews. Conditions, fees and availability change; check with the venue before travelling.
