On the ball

Mick Fanning is one of Australia's most successful surfers, having won three world championships during his 16-year career. He's also one of the stars of Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, having rung the bell there four times. Now, he's got a new sport, and in Victoria he can play golf near his favourite surf spots.

Tee off

You might think being a world champ in one sport means you'd be an allrounder, but Mick is still mastering the game. 'I got invited to play in the Presidents Cup Pro-Am and I had two months to learn,' he says.

When he's in Melbourne, he tries to get to Barwon Heads to play at 13th Beach Golf Links. It has two courses – a beach course and a creek course – and they rotate days, so that one is available for members and the other for guests. 'I played there with Owen Wright a while back and the bunkers are absolute monsters,' says Mick.

'One of the great things about 13th Beach though is that you can go and have a nice wine at Jack Rabbit Vineyard on the other side of the Bellarine Peninsula when you’ve finished your round.'

Beachside Bunkers

There are other options for taking a swing around Mick's old stomping ground of Bells Beach. 'The RACV Torquay Golf Club is really nice,' he says. 'It's a links course with big wide fairways and great views.

'Then there's Anglesea Golf Club at the start of the Great Ocean Road, which overlooks the ocean and has hundreds of kangaroos that like to hang out on the course.

'If you’re there on the weekend, you should head to Love House, the restaurant at Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club, for lunch. The food is great, and the deck looks right out over the beach.'

Find out more about golfing in Victoria.