Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club (The Palms Course)

Overview: The Palms is an 18-hole, par-70 championship course at Sanctuary Cove on Queensland’s Gold Coast. The current course measures 5,904 metres from the championship tees and is framed by century-old cabbage palms, lakes and strategic bunkering. It is shorter than many modern resort layouts, but the design uses water and green contours to create decisions throughout the round. The course is part of a private golf and country club, so its destination appeal comes from the quality of the setting and the complete Sanctuary Cove experience.

History: The original Palms course was designed by Fred Bolton and entered play in 1988. Ross Watson then led a major reconstruction, which returned to play in 2011 and established the course’s current identity. The club’s enhancement plan continues to refine greens, bunkers and presentation while preserving the established layout. That history is why both names matter: Bolton belongs to the original course, Watson to the modern version golfers play today.

Did You Know? The 13th is the course’s talked-about water hole, with multiple tee positions and a championship carry to a green across the lake. The current official course page describes the Palms as a shorter par-70 layout, but the water around its one-shot holes keeps the round from feeling easy.