Cape Kidnappers Golf: Playing at the Edge of the Earth
By Steve McKean, Co-Owner of Luxury Adventures
Cape Kidnappers golf is about much more than the photographs. The cliffs are spectacular, but the course gives you plenty to think about before you reach its famous coastal holes.
During our visit, we played Tom Doak’s layout and stayed in a Grand Ridge suite at the lodge. Together, they made for a memorable few days in Hawke’s Bay.
There were challenging approaches, far-reaching ocean views and some excellent meals. However, the experience started well before we reached the first tee.
Arriving at Cape Kidnappers
The drive through the property is part of the appeal.
After passing through the entrance gates, the road winds uphill through working farmland. Sheep, cattle and exposed rock faces give you a sense of the landscape before the coastline appears.
As we climbed, the views opened up. By the time we reached the lodge, the ocean and surrounding countryside had already made an impression.
Today, the lodge operates as Rosewood Cape Kidnappers. It shares a 6,000-acre working sheep and beef farm with the golf course, giving the estate a rural character beyond its coastal setting.
Tom Doak’s Cape Kidnappers Golf Course
Completed in 2004, Cape Kidnappers is an 18-hole, par-71 course designed by Tom Doak.
Its defining features are the ridges and deep ravines that run towards the Pacific. In places, the fairways sit around 140 metres above sea level.
This is not traditional links terrain. Instead, Doak used the headland’s contours to create seaside golf across a dramatic landscape.
The course moves through farmland before reaching the exposed holes seen in so many photographs. Yet the inland sections deserve your attention, too.
During our round, I enjoyed how the layout kept changing. Wide-looking landing areas did not always mean simple shots, while slopes and bunkers influenced the best route to the green.
More Than a Scenic Round
It would be easy for the views to overshadow the golf. At Cape Kidnappers, they do not.
The fairway contours make positioning important. Meanwhile, the greens ask you to think about where your approach will finish, rather than simply whether it will reach the putting surface.
Wind adds another challenge. A shot that looks straightforward can need a different club or a more controlled flight when conditions change.
We also found the course guide useful. It helped explain lines and landing areas that were not always clear from the tee.
Practice Facilities and the Clubhouse
Allow time to warm up before your round.
Cape Kidnappers has a driving range and putting green, alongside short-game practice areas. During our visit, the range offered useful targets for working through different clubs.
The clubhouse is also worth enjoying rather than rushing through. Its traditional feel provides a contrast to the open landscape outside.
You can browse the pro shop, have lunch or settle in for a post-round drink. The wrap-around terrace overlooks the fairways and Pacific Ocean.
For practical arrangements, explore our Cape Kidnappers golf listing.
My Standout Holes at Cape Kidnappers
These were among the holes that stayed with me after our round. Distances depend on your chosen tees, so check the current scorecard before playing.
The Fourth: A Par Five That Rewards Position
The fourth begins with a blind tee shot towards a generous-looking fairway.
That gives you some reassurance, but the next decision is less straightforward. A ravine down the right becomes more relevant as you approach the green.
Cutting the corner brings the ravine and bunkers into play. It is an early example of how the course asks you to balance ambition with sensible positioning.
The Fifth: A Demanding Approach
The fifth starts with a tee shot over a bush-filled gully.
There is room on the fairway, but the approach needs care. A bunker divides the fairway farther ahead, while more bunkers guard the green.
I liked how the hole changed from an inviting drive to a more precise second shot.
The Sixth: Commit to Your Club
The sixth is a par three played across a deep ravine.
The green is large, although the surrounding trouble makes it feel less welcoming from the tee. Wind judgement and club selection matter here.
It is a hole where you want a clear target and a committed swing.
The Twelfth: Golf Towards the Horizon
The twelfth delivers one of the round’s most memorable coastal views.
The tee shot is partly blind, with a marker helping to show the line. From there, the approach plays towards a green with the ocean beyond.
Judging the distance takes concentration, especially when the wind is moving.
Once you reach the green, take a moment to look around. This was one of the places where I appreciated just how unusual the setting is.
The Fifteenth: Pirate’s Plank
The fifteenth is the hole many golfers picture when they think of Cape Kidnappers.
Known as Pirate’s Plank, this par five follows a narrow ridge towards the ocean. The drops beside it give each shot an added sense of consequence.
It may look like a straight route, but the second and third shots deserve as much attention as the drive.
For me, it captures the course’s appeal: striking scenery combined with golf that demands your full attention.
The Eighteenth: A Fun Finish
The final par four brings a different challenge.
The fairway changes direction on its way towards a large punchbowl green. There are options for using the contours, although getting onto the putting surface is not the end of the task.
Leave yourself a long putt and you will still have plenty of reading to do.
It is an enjoyable finish to a varied round.
Our Stay at Rosewood Cape Kidnappers
Staying on the property gave us time to enjoy more than the course.
Our Grand Ridge suite was a highlight. The space, comfort and outlook made it an inviting place to return to after golf.
The lodge combines country-house warmth with the surrounding farm setting. Timber, stone and generous windows connect the interiors with the landscape outside.
You can find more details in our Rosewood Cape Kidnappers accommodation listing.
Suites with Farm and Ocean Views
The current collection includes Grand Ridge Junior Suites and Hilltop Junior Suites.
Grand Ridge Junior Suites sit along a skyline ridge, overlooking the farm and Pacific Ocean. Hilltop Junior Suites are positioned above the main lodge, with views across the estate.
Larger options include the Hawke’s Bay Two Bedroom Suite and Hawke’s Bay Four Bedroom Villa.
The four-bedroom villa accommodates up to eight guests and includes a sheltered courtyard, jacuzzi and outdoor barbecue. It is worth considering for a family or group travelling together.
Dining at Cape Kidnappers
Dining was another memorable part of our stay.
The eggs Benedict stood out at breakfast. Later, the beef I had at dinner was exceptionally tender.
The Dining Room uses seasonal local produce, including vegetables, fruit and herbs from the property’s garden. Its menu changes daily, giving the kitchen room to work with what is available.
Private dining and gourmet picnic experiences are also offered.
Check Your Booking Inclusions
Meals and golf are not included in every accommodation offer.
Rosewood has dedicated packages for different interests. Its Stay and Play offer currently includes unlimited green fees each day, while the Gastronomy offer includes a wine-paired tasting dinner, pre-dinner aperitif and canapés, and full breakfast.
We can confirm the inclusions that apply to your chosen dates and package.
Beyond Golf in Hawke’s Bay
Cape Kidnappers also works well for travellers who do not play golf.
On the property, options include spa treatments, Can-Am tours and shepherding experiences. Guided Cape Sanctuary tours provide an opportunity to learn about the peninsula’s conservation work.
Seasonal gannet colony visits offer another way to explore the coast.
Beyond the estate, Hawke’s Bay has wineries, food experiences and Napier’s Art Deco architecture. These make it easy to balance golf with time exploring the region.
Browse our New Zealand activities for more ideas.
Planning Your Cape Kidnappers Golf Holiday
My advice is to give Cape Kidnappers enough time.
A round on its own is memorable. However, staying at the lodge lets you enjoy the setting, dining and other experiences without rushing away.
When planning, consider:
- Your tee selection. Choose a length that suits your ability and carrying distance.
- Time to practise. Use the range and putting green before heading out.
- Course guidance. Read the course guide or ask about caddie availability.
- Non-golf activities. Leave room for wine touring, the spa or an estate experience.
- Package inclusions. Confirm green fees, meals, equipment and transfers before booking.
Our New Zealand golf holidays and sample itineraries provide a starting point for a tailored journey.
Cape Kidnappers Golf FAQs
Where is Cape Kidnappers?
Cape Kidnappers is near Te Awanga in Hawke’s Bay, on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island.
Who designed Cape Kidnappers golf course?
Tom Doak designed the 18-hole, par-71 course, which was completed in 2004.
Is Cape Kidnappers a links course?
It is a clifftop seaside course rather than a traditional links. The layout follows ridges and valleys above the Pacific, with firm surfaces and wind influencing play.
Can you play without staying at the lodge?
Yes. Visitor green fees are available, subject to tee-time availability and booking conditions.
Is golf included in a Rosewood Cape Kidnappers stay?
Not automatically. Dedicated Stay and Play packages include golf, but other accommodation offers have different inclusions.
Can you arrange a caddie or hire clubs?
Yes. The golf operation offers caddie services, golf carts and rental clubs. Arrange these ahead of your round and confirm the additional charges.
Is Cape Kidnappers suitable for non-golfers?
Yes. Options include the spa, estate tours, conservation experiences and excursions around Hawke’s Bay.
What accommodation is available?
Rosewood Cape Kidnappers offers suites and villas, including Grand Ridge Junior Suites, Hilltop Junior Suites and larger accommodation for families or groups.
Plan Your Cape Kidnappers Stay
Cape Kidnappers gave us much more than a round with a view.
I enjoyed the variety of the golf, the comfort of our suite and the quality of the dining. Together, those details made the stay as memorable as the famous clifftop holes.
Luxury Adventures can bring together your golf, accommodation, transfers and Hawke’s Bay experiences as part of a wider New Zealand journey.
Enquire Now to Plan Your Cape Kidnappers Golf Holiday
Written by Steve McKean, Co-Owner of Luxury Adventures
Luxury Adventures has over 2 decades of crafting bespoke luxury travel experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Steve is passionate about showcasing the region’s most unforgettable places, from hidden alpine retreats, sunny paradises to world-class golf courses.
A keen golfer and travel lover, he blends insider knowledge with a deep respect for local culture and sustainability. When not curating extraordinary journeys, you’ll find him exploring off-the-beaten-path lodges or teeing off at sunrise.
For more information email us: info@luxuryadventures.co.nz or follow our adventures on Instagram here
Linkedin: Connect with Luxury Adventures Directors Steve McKean & Dee McKean
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