Mount Barker is growing faster than just about anywhere in South Australia. Around 45,000 people now call the district home, with the population projected to reach roughly 65,000 by 2046. If you’re one of the recent arrivals, whether you’ve landed in Aston Hills, Newenham, Springlake or one of the town’s older streets, welcome. Somewhere between the removalist truck and your first trip to the shops, you’ve probably spotted the golf course on Bald Hills Road.
Here’s what’s actually down there: 18 holes of gum-lined golf, a licensed clubhouse serving lunch six days a week, a PGA professional who teaches complete beginners, and a membership with no joining fee. Whether you’ve played for years or never picked up a club, Aston Hills Golf Club is your new local. This guide covers how to make the most of it.
Which Came First: the Golf Club or the Suburb?
If the name has you confused, you’re not alone: Aston Hills is both a land development on the edge of town and the golf club beside it. The golf came first, by about 138 years. Golfers have been playing at Mount Barker since 1879, when the first rounds were hit on John Dunn’s property, The Laurels. The club was officially recognised as the Mount Barker District Golf Club in 1906, merged with Hahndorf in 2007 to become the Mt Barker-Hahndorf Golf Club, and in 2017 entered a partnership with the neighbouring Aston Hills development and took on its current name. You can read the full story, honour boards and all, on our history page.
So while the neighbouring development gave the club its modern name, the fairways were here before Federation. The town has been growing around them ever since.
Bought in the Aston Hills Estate? Check Your Perks
The 2017 partnership was never just a naming deal. Over the years, Lanser has offered golf club perks to Aston Hills buyers, including complimentary 12-month memberships with blocks purchased through Lanser Realty and free social membership for residents. Offers change between stages and releases, so if you’ve recently bought or built in the estate, it’s worth a quick call to the club on (08) 8391 0547 to ask what applies to you. Worst case, you’ve found out what a round costs. Best case, you’re already a member and didn’t know it.
Never Swung a Club? Start Here
Plenty of people arrive in a new town and decide it’s the moment to finally try golf. The club makes that easy. Golf lessons with PGA Professional Ben Traeger start from $50, and you don’t need your own clubs or any experience to book one. If you’re wondering what a first lesson actually involves, we’ve written an honest beginner’s guide to golf lessons that answers the awkward questions.
For women who want to learn in a relaxed group, the Women’s Get Into Golf Program runs with PGA Associate Acacia Curtis. Kids are looked after too: junior programs run through Golf Australia’s MyGolf clinics, and a full junior membership costs just $150 a year. There are also practice facilities on site, so you can hit balls before you ever face an actual fairway.
The Clubhouse Is Your New Local (No Golf Required)
You don’t need to play golf, or know anyone who does, to use the clubhouse. It’s fully licensed, open to the public, and looks out over the course with 180-degree views. Lunch is served Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30am to 3pm, Friday night dinners run from 5pm to 8pm, and the bar is open seven days from 10am to 6pm. Drop in early and there’s coffee and counter food, including pies and sandwiches.
If you want the full picture of the menu and the room, our guide to dining at the Aston Hills clubhouse covers it in detail. The venue also hosts functions and events, which is handy knowledge when a birthday or a work do rolls around and you’d rather not drive down the freeway for it.
Play a Round Before You Commit to Anything
The course is a par 70, 18 holes lined with gum trees, with ponds and creeks placed exactly where you’d rather they weren’t. Green fees are $65 for 18 holes and $40 for 9, with junior rates at $20 and $15. You can book a tee time online through the club’s booking system, and carts and clubs are available for hire.
First time playing here? Our visitor’s guide to playing Aston Hills walks through booking, dress code, cart hire and what to expect, and the course page gives you a feel for what you’re in for.
If Golf Sticks: Joining Aston Hills
Here’s the maths that surprises most new players. A 7-Day membership costs $2,050 a year, so if you play once a week you’re at about $39 a round, compared with $65 as a casual visitor. There’s no joining fee at Aston Hills, and most categories include a $100 house credit to spend at the clubhouse.
There are six membership categories, from the $150 junior membership up to full 7-Day play, including a flexible Lifestyle option for people who only get out now and then. Every membership comes with an official Golf Australia handicap and reciprocal playing rights at more than 30 clubs around the country, so your membership travels when you do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aston Hills Golf Club open to the public?
Yes. Anyone can book a round, take a lesson, or have lunch at the clubhouse. Membership is optional and there’s no requirement to be signed in by a member.
Do I need to live in Aston Hills or Mount Barker to join?
No. Membership is open to everyone, and members come from across the Adelaide Hills and beyond. Living a few streets away is simply a very good excuse to play more often.
Do I need my own golf clubs to get started?
No. Clubs can be provided for lessons, and club and cart hire are available for casual rounds. Once you’re hooked, the pro shop can sort you out with properly fitted gear.
Where exactly is the club?
At 435 Bald Hills Road, Mount Barker, a few minutes’ drive from the town centre and right alongside the Aston Hills community. The drive from Adelaide’s CBD is around 35 minutes.
However you use it, the club on Bald Hills Road is one of the better perks of your new postcode. Drop in for lunch, book a round online, or call (08) 8391 0547 to ask about lessons and membership. Welcome to the neighbourhood.
