A homeowner struck a man in the face with a golf club after he caught two men trying to break into his house in southern NSW.

Police say the man, 21, confronted the pair at his home in Koorawatha after they smashed a window and attempted to get inside about 1am on Sunday.

He hit one of the alleged intruders, 42, with the golf club, inflicting serious facial injuries, before he restrained the man until police arrived. The second man fled the Bumbaldry Street house.

The injured man was taken to Cowra hospital in a serious but stable condition, before being airlifted to Liverpool Hospital. He remains in hospital on Sunday evening where he is undergoing treatment.

The second alleged intruder, aged 59, was arrested at a hotel in Koorawatha on Sunday morning about 10am.