The Lakes occupies a distinctive site in Eastlakes, a suburb approximately eight kilometers south of Sydney's central business district. Designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge and opened in 1928, the course was substantially redesigned by the same team in the 1960s, transforming it into a championship layout that has since hosted numerous significant Australian tournaments. The property sits on relatively flat terrain adjacent to Botany Bay, with the course characterized by water hazards, strategic bunkering, and mature tree-lined fairways that define playing corridors and demand accuracy from the tee. The routing incorporates several holes that play alongside or across water features, a signature element of von Hagge's design philosophy. The back nine is particularly noted for its risk-reward opportunities and finishing stretch, where water comes into play on multiple occasions. Prevailing winds from Botany Bay can significantly influence club selection and strategy, particularly on exposed holes where players must account for coastal conditions. The Lakes has served as a regular venue on the Australasian Tour and has hosted the Australian Open on multiple occasions, most notably in the 1980s and 2000s. The course has tested professional fields and contributed to Sydney's reputation as a significant golf destination in the Asia-Pacific region. The club maintains a traditional membership structure and operates as a private facility, though it opens its doors for tournament play and select visiting golfers. The layout remains largely faithful to the Devlin-von Hagge redesign, preserving the strategic challenges that have defined championship golf in Sydney for decades.

The Lakes occupies a distinctive site in Eastlakes, a suburb approximately eight kilometers south of Sydney's central business district. Designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge and opened in 1928, the course was substantially redesigned by the same team in the 1960s, transforming it into a championship layout that has since hosted numerous significant Australian tournaments. The property sits on relatively flat terrain adjacent to Botany Bay, with the course characterized by water hazards, strategic bunkering, and mature tree-lined fairways that define playing corridors and demand accuracy from the tee. The routing incorporates several holes that play alongside or across water features, a signature element of von Hagge's design philosophy. The back nine is particularly noted for its risk-reward opportunities and finishing stretch, where water comes into play on multiple occasions. Prevailing winds from Botany Bay can significantly influence club selection and strategy, particularly on exposed holes where players must account for coastal conditions. The Lakes has served as a regular venue on the Australasian Tour and has hosted the Australian Open on multiple occasions, most notably in the 1980s and 2000s. The course has tested professional fields and contributed to Sydney's reputation as a significant golf destination in the Asia-Pacific region. The club maintains a traditional membership structure and operates as a private facility, though it opens its doors for tournament play and select visiting golfers. The layout remains largely faithful to the Devlin-von Hagge redesign, preserving the strategic challenges that have defined championship golf in Sydney for decades.