The course
The Sands is an 18-hole links-style course at 2 Sands Boulevard, on the north side of Torquay. It was designed by Stuart Appleby, the Australian who won nine times on the PGA Tour, and Golf Australia magazine credits the design to Appleby and IMG (International Management Group). The course opened in 2004.
Visit Great Ocean Road and the resort's operator both list it as a par 72. The club's own course pages don't publish a total length, so if you like to know the yardage before you turn up, the course tour on the website is the place to look. It has a drone flyover for each hole, a plan of the layout, some tips on how to play it, and the par from both the men's and women's tees.
The club describes the course as built into the coastal sand dunes, with wetlands and native bushland around the fairways. It's a resort course, with the hotel and houses around it, so don't expect a wild, remote links. Expect a well-kept modern layout in town.
What it's like to play
The bunkers are the thing people talk about. In a 2022 feature, Golf Australia magazine said they matter not only for how many there are but for how their placement fools you on distance. It also noted that some have been filled in since 2004, and that you'll do well to get round without sand in your shoes. Take an extra ball or two.
Wind is the other factor. Torquay is a windy town, particularly in spring, and on an open links-style course that changes club choice from one day to the next.
You'll probably have company. The club says it's not uncommon to see kangaroos and local birdlife while you play. It's no Anglesea (that's further down the road), but it's a nice bonus if you're bringing someone from overseas.
Booking and green fees
Who can play
Anyone. The Sands has members, but its FAQ says tee times are available to the public, not just resort guests, and the golf page says green fee players are welcome. The booking page doesn't mention a handicap requirement for a social round.
How to book
Book online through the club's MiClub booking page (you'll need to sign up first), or call the pro shop on (03) 5264 3307 or email golf@thesandstorquay.com. You can also book through the resort's reception. For a group on a summer weekend, book well ahead.
What it costs
When we checked the public booking calendar in October 2026, 18 holes was $90 or $110 depending on the day, 9 holes was $60 and twilight was $50 or $60. Juniors were $50 to $60 for 18 holes and $30 to $40 for nine. Fees change, so check the booking page before you book.
Dress code
The booking page asks visitors to wear golf attire: a collared shirt or polo, tailored trousers, shorts or a skirt, and closed shoes. No denim.
Opening hours
The website lists the pro shop as open 7am to 7pm, and also gives golf opening hours of 7am to 5pm. It probably depends on the season, so call ahead if you're hoping for a late round.
Carts, practice and lessons
The Sands has motorised carts. Its Stay & Play package includes a shared cart, and Central Real Capital has said it plans to upgrade the existing fleet of carts. Cart and club hire prices aren't published on the website, so ask when you book.
For a warm-up there are range balls, a putting green and short-game practice areas. Coaching and clinics are run with Geelong Golf Academy, for beginners right through to experienced players, and there's a pro shop.
The clubhouse and resort
The restaurant is Sabbia, a modern Italian place that the resort says is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with views over the course and seating outside. There's a feed-me banquet (minimum numbers apply) as well as an à la carte menu. Reservations are recommended, so book a table at the same time as your tee time if you're planning lunch after.
The resort itself has 112 rooms and suites, a health club with a 25-metre indoor pool and a gym, and tennis courts. It's handy to know about if half your group isn't golfing, but you don't need to stay there to play.
Who runs it now
The Sands has changed hands a few times, and 2026 brought more changes. In February 2026 the senior lender, Central Real Capital, put the entity that owns the land into receivership. According to the Surf Coast Times and Central Real Capital's letter to residents, that receivership doesn't cover the trading business, which runs the resort under a lease and kept operating. From 1 July 2026 Trilogy Hotels was appointed to operate the resort, Hospitality Net reported.
Central Real Capital has also lodged planning applications that include new house lots around the edge of the course. None of this changed the basics when we checked in October 2026: the course was open and taking public bookings.
Getting there from Holyday House
It's about five minutes' drive from the house in north Torquay. Of all the courses in the region, this is the one you can play and still be home in time for a late lunch. There's off-street parking at the house for several cars, plus room for a trailer, which helps when a group arrives with four sets of clubs. If you need somewhere to keep the clubs between rounds, ask us.
The resort says Whites Beach is about a five-minute walk from The Sands, and it's our closest beach too. Our Whites Beach guide has the details. For a second round in town, RACV Torquay Golf Club is about ten minutes away at the other end of Torquay, and 13th Beach is east towards Barwon Heads.
The Sands Torquay FAQ
Can the public play The Sands?
Yes. The club says tee times are open to the public, not just resort guests. Book online through MiClub or call the pro shop on (03) 5264 3307.
How much is a round?
When we checked in October 2026, 18 holes was $90 or $110 depending on the day, and 9 holes was $60. Check the booking page before you book, as fees change.
Who designed it?
Stuart Appleby, with IMG according to Golf Australia magazine. It opened in 2004 and is listed as a par 72.
Is the course still open with the receivership?
Yes, when we checked in October 2026. The receivership covers the entity that owns the land, not the business that runs the resort, and Trilogy Hotels has operated the resort since 1 July 2026.
Is there somewhere to eat?
Sabbia, the resort's Italian restaurant, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and looks over the course. Reservations are recommended.
How far is it from Holyday House?
About five minutes' drive. It's the closest course to the house.
This is an independent guide; green fees, booking rules and visitor times change, so check with The Sands before you go. For the rest of the region's courses and drive times, see our Torquay golf guide. After the round, the Torquay restaurants guide and breweries guide cover dinner and a beer. And if you're putting a golf weekend together, check dates and send us an enquiry.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 15 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- GOLF — The Sands Torquay (official)
- Golf Course Overview — The Sands Torquay (official)
- FAQ — The Sands Torquay (official)
- Public booking calendar — The Sands Torquay / MiClub
- Must Play Golf Courses of the Great Ocean Road Region — Visit Great Ocean Road
- Holiday at home: The Great Ocean Road (2022) — Golf Australia magazine
- Long-term vision for The Sands revealed — Surf Coast Times
- Central Real Capital appoints Trilogy Hotels as Operator of The Sands Torquay Resort — Hospitality Net