Golf Clubs is a Passions of Paradise site on Hastings Reef, and its particular value is shelter from strong westerly winds, which are unusual on the Cairns reefs but do occur, particularly in winter when a front passes or the trade winds break down. The operator describes it as a wrap-around reef with predominantly hard corals, with the reef close to where the boat moors, and suitable for snorkellers and divers. The name may come from the shape of coral formations or the reef outline; the operator does not say.

A reef that wraps around the mooring means there is coral on several sides of the boat, which keeps swims short for snorkellers and gives divers a continuous edge to follow in either direction. The hard-coral cover is the main feature, with branching, plate and massive colonies forming a solid, healthy reef. Expect the usual Hastings fish: damselfish and chromis over the branching coral, parrotfish grazing the reef edge, butterflyfish and angelfish in pairs, wrasse, coral trout and cod under ledges, and turtles.

Giant clams and anemonefish are common across Hastings Reef. Depths are modest and the site is easy, suiting newly certified divers and anyone doing a relaxed second dive. Because it is used only in particular winds, it is dived less often than the main Hastings moorings, which keeps it quiet.

Published detail is limited to the operator's short description, so depths here are estimates. Visibility is usually 12-20 m, and on the rare days when a westerly blows the site gives calm water when the rest of the reef is choppy.

Boat access only. Cairns day boats leave from the Reef Fleet Terminal (1 Spence Street) and the neighbouring Marlin Marina on the city waterfront, with check-in between about 7:00 and 8:00 am; most operators run transfers from city and northern-beaches accommodation, and there is paid parking near the terminal. The run of about 50 km out through Trinity Inlet and across the lagoon to Hastings Reef takes around 75 minutes on a fast catamaran and noticeably longer on slower dive boats or into a south-easterly chop.

Golf Clubs is a Passions of Paradise mooring used in strong westerly winds; Cairns Dive Adventures also lists it for Hastings. Enter from the stern steps; the reef is very close to the boat.

The prevailing south-east trade winds (typically 15-25 knots from April to September) are what limit Cairns outer-reef diving: above about 25 knots trips may be cancelled, and exposed eastern moorings are used only in light winds. Summer northerlies are gentler but make north-facing moorings choppy. Box jellyfish and Irukandji are present from about November to May (stinger suits on every dive), and the cyclone season runs November to April, when a system in the Coral Sea can close the reef for days.

Visibility drops after heavy rain and strong winds; spring is usually calmest and clearest. Hastings has moorings on all sides, so there is almost always a sheltered option. Golf Clubs is chosen for protection from strong westerly winds, which are uncommon but occur in winter and with passing weather systems.

Enter and follow the wrap-around reef with it on one side at 6-12 m, turning at half gas and returning shallower, or cross the reef flat at high tide. Safety stop on the reef edge close to the boat.

Passions of Paradise – day trips when westerly winds make it the sheltered choice; Hastings is also worked by Reef Experience, Divers Den, Tusa Reef Tours, Aqua Quest, Down Under Cruise & Dive and the Reef Encounter liveaboard; the mooring used on any day is chosen by the skipper according to wind, tide and other boats