New Zealand Golf Courses

New Zealand has an incredible selection of golf courses, from the far north to the far south. You can enjoy golf courses perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, in the middle of a geothermal area, and nestled in a valley surrounded by towering snow-covered mountains.

New Zealand truly is a remarkable country in which to play golf.

BAY OF ISLANDS

KAURI CLIFFS: Designed by David Harman this world class course also offers unparalleled spectacular ocean views. Situated high above the ocean, 15 of the holes look out on the Pacific. Immaculately presented, it is a fantastic experience to play and the memories will last forever. Rated number 5 worldwide by David Seanor of Golfweek.

CARRINGTON GOLF COURSE: Located near beautiful Doubtless Bay in the "far north" it is home also to Karikari Estate, New Zealand's northernmost winery and vineyard. An upmarket lodge and villa accommodation complex with either golf course, vineyard or ocean views is a feature.

This tournament standard layout was inaugurated in December 2003 and designed by American Matt Dye. The unique feature of the Carrington Golf Course is that, although it is ocean side, it looks and plays like an inland course. Complete with rolling hills, vales and natural water hazards, it stresses the natural contours of its location on the gently sloping lower levels of a hill-side adjacent to the Pacific Ocean.

KERIKERI G.C.: Rated as one of the finest courses in the North, it is a challenging layout that is always in top condition. Situated in New Zealand's citrus growing capital, this private club is fun to play and the native bush surrounding the course abounds with birdlife.

AUCKLAND

TITIRANGI G.C.: New Zealand's only Dr. Alister MacKenzie designed course, it was for many years the home of the Air New Zealand Shell Open. Al Geiberger described Titirangi as 'the longest short course' he had ever played. Typically Mackenzie, it has very subtle greens, great bunkering and is exciting to play.

GULF HARBOUR C.C.: Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, Gulf Harbour was the host of the 1998 World Cup of Golf. Situated on a peninsula with 360°panoramic views of the Hauraki Gulf, home of the America's Cup in both 2000 and 2003. The course has a great variety of holes, superb bunkering and enough challenges for even the best golfers. A choice of several tees makes it playable for every level of golfer.

FORMOSA C.C.: Designed by Sir Bob Charles and overlooking the clear blue waters of the Tamaki Strait, Formosa hosted the 1998 N.Z. Open. A great test of golf with the signature Par 3 11th, which has the ocean as a backdrop behind the green, being spectacular.

MURIWAI G.C.: A typical 'links' course reminiscent of the famous Scottish courses. Situated on one of Auckland's beautiful West Coast beaches it has spectacular views of the Tasman Sea. Rated by many as Auckland's best course.

HAMILTON

HAMILTON G.C.(ST. ANDREWS): Almost as illustrious in New Zealand as its famous namesake in Scotland, it ranks in the top 10. Located along side the Waikato River in the heart of Hamilton, it is on sandy terrain. Its excellent design and testing holes provide a good challenge for all golfers.

TAUPO

WAIRAKEI INTERNATIONAL G.C.: The best inland course in the country, it has been rated by Golf Digest in the top 100 in the world. A Commander John Harris design, it provides everything one could wish for in a golf course. The signature hole is the 615 yard Par 5 14th aptly named 'the Rogue' - a very demanding hole!

TAUPO G.C.(CENTENNIAL): Another excellent course in this area it is one of two played by members of the Taupo Golf Club. A mature course, fully irrigated, it requires accurate tee shots to the fairways and the large contoured greens require pinpoint approaches.

ROTORUA

ROTORUA G.C.(ARIKIKAPAKAPA): Built in the thermal area, this well groomed course requires accuracy in all facets. Some of the many thermal vents around the course are active - but "Whaka" (as it is more commonly known) hosts thousands of overseas visitors each year.

BAY OF PLENTY

MT. MAUNGANUI G.C.: This 'links' course rated in New Zealand's top 10 was for many years, home of the New Zealand P.G.A. Championship. Adjacent to New Zealand's best surfing beach it is a very popular course with touring pro's as it is a fair test of all facets of your game.

THE LAKES RESORT(PAUANUI): New Zealand's newest championship golf course, opened in 2004, designed by Canadian Syd Puddicombe. It is over 7000yds from the back tees with water and lakes coming into play on 11 holes. Set in an amphitheater of mountains and forest it meanders through coastal wetlands and is a very fair but testing layout.

NAPIER/HASTINGS

HASTINGS G.C.(BRIDGE PA): Located in Hastings, this championship course has hosted many New Zealand events. A very interesting layout with a wide variety of excellent holes it is an equally pleasant experience for the high or low handicapper.

CAPE KIDNAPPERS: Designed by the famous Tom Doaks and opened in 2004 this wonderful course is seaside golf at its finest. Situated high above the Pacific Ocean on Cape Kidnappers it measures 7137 yards from the back tees, it offers stunning views and will quickly gain a position in the world's top 50 courses.

NEW PLYMOUTH

NEW PLYMOUTH G.C.(NGAMOTU): Located on the shores of the Tasman Sea. This is another very highly rated "links" course. Some superb ocean front holes add to the delight of playing this traditional testing layout. The sea breeze can make it quite tough.

PALMERSTON NORTH

MANAWATU G.C.(HOKOWHITU): Located in Palmerston North on the banks of the Manawatu River, this top 10 rated course is one of New Zealand's favorite championship layouts. An excellent design and a fine test, it's beautiful fauna adds to the scenic spectacle.

WELLINGTON

PARAPARAUMU BEACH G.C.: Rated in the World's Top 70 by Golf Magazine, this Alex Russell design is a superb links course. Home of the New Zealand Open Championship, it always produces an exciting finish. Watch for the difficult 17th hole, one of the best world wide.

ROYAL WELLINGTON G.C.(HERETAUNGA): Recently redesigned by Sir Bob Charles this excellent course - featuring a stream, excellent bunkering and greens - has hosted all of New Zealand's top Championships. A very private club it is, though, hospitable to visitors - ranked in New Zealand's top 10.

CHRISTCHURCH

RUSSLEY G.C.: In 1990 this wonderful course hosted the Ladies World Amateur Team Championship (Espirito Santo Trophy). A popular venue also for major New Zealand Championships. It is on flat terrain, has very interesting and testing holes and like all Christchurch courses, fast true greens.

CHRISTCHURCH G.C.(SHIRLEY): This is the 2nd oldest club in New Zealand and has stood the test of time exceptionally well. A links type course with immaculate greens it has in the old tradition a great mix of long holes and exciting, delicate short ones. (P. J. Boatwright of the U.S.G.A. stated in 1990 that both Russley and Shirley could worthily hold U.S. Open Championships).

CLEARWATER C.C.: Designed by Sir Bob Charles, this championship course has as the name suggests, wonderful clear water features on a number of holes. Superb greens and immaculate grooming make for a wonderful experience. The Clearwater Classic on the Nationwide Tour is played here annually.

TERRACE DOWNS HIGH COUNTRY RESORT: Designed by David Cox in consultation with Canadian design Company, Puddicombe, this mainly links style course with some parkland features, has eight lakes, 66 sand traps and numerous grass hazards. With its magnificent scenery and fantastic layout it is rated among the best in the country.

QUEENSTOWN

MILLBROOK C.C.: Designed by internationally renowned New Zealand professional golfer and former British Open winner, Sir Bob Charles. Millbrook's course is an exceptional golfing experience, set against a spectacular alpine backdrop and fashioned from the original terrain, this course provides exciting and demanding golf.

QUEENSTOWN G.C.(KELVIN HEIGHTS): Built on a wooded peninsula protruding into Lake Wakatipu, it is known as one of the world's most scenic courses. Both a photographer's and golfer's dream. It demands accurate driving and true iron shots. The hardest part however is to concentrate on golf rather than the mountain beauty.

DUNEDIN

OTAGO G.C.(BALMACEWAN): The oldest club in New Zealand (founded 1871) it has hosted many of New Zealand's major tournaments. An excellent test with its most famous hole 'the Glen' ruining many a good score. Well struck shots are required and deft putting in order to score well.

CHISHOLM PARK G.C.: This 'links' course in this traditional Scottish area is a gem to play. While not particularly long, the design of the holes through the sand dunes requires good shot making. The 9th tee perched on a bluff above the ocean provides a great thrill, as do the spectacular views.