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What it calls "Australia's first genuine golf trail" has been launched in New South Wales by Troon Golf, the international development and management company.

It's based on the success of such ventures overseas, including the Robert Trent Jones Trail in the United States.

The NSW Troon Trail comprises four of the state's newest prestigious courses: The Vintage at Rothbury in the Hunter Valley, Twin Creeks at Luddenham in the Nepean Valley west of Sydney, Kooindah Waters at Wyong on the Central Coast and Pacific Dunes at Medowie in the Port Stephens area north of Newcastle.

The four-year-old Vintage was designed by Greg Norman, the recently-opened Twin Creeks by Graham Marsh, the new Kooindah Waters by Ross Watson and Craig Parry, and the 18-month-old Pacific Dunes by James Wilcher.

Troon suggests players complete the Trail in four days or it can be played in any time-frame that suits their schedule.

There are three different ways to do it: self-drive, escorted or as part of an organised group; the company can assist with driving tourists to the courses with the help of several appointed travel agents.

The Trail costs $400 playing each course with shared cart and range balls and a $50 gift pack.

All golfers who complete the Trail and send in their four scorecards to Troon Golf will be acknowledged as "Trail Blazers" on Troon's website.

Troon has appointed several travel agents and operators who can assist you with the "organised" or "escorted" options.

"With all four courses less than a two-hour drive from Sydney, it was a perfect location to start Troon Golf's first trail in Australia," said Nick Stewart, regional director of sales and marketing.

"New South Wales has lagged behind other states in the development of new golf courses, but the recent opening of these great new golfing facilities provides a real incentive for golfers from around Australia and internationally to come and play in NSW."AAP

More information Call Troon Golf on 00 617 3100-1818 or visit www.troongolf.com.au.

- AAP