Kinloch Club Golf: My Round on Jack Nicklaus’s Taupō Course
By Steve McKean, Co-Owner of Luxury Adventures
Kinloch is a course that makes you think. Not just on the tee, but on your approach, around the green and over almost every putt.
During our round, I quickly realised that hitting the ball well was only part of the challenge. Choosing the right line and leaving a sensible next shot mattered just as much.
Set above Lake Taupō, The Kinloch Club is New Zealand’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Its rolling fairways, rugged bunkers and changing elevations make it a memorable stop on a New Zealand golf holiday.
Add a stay at Kinloch Manor & Villas, and there is plenty to enjoy once the clubs are put away.
A Links-Inspired Course Above Lake Taupō
Kinloch takes inspiration from the great links courses of the British Isles. However, this is an inland course overlooking a freshwater lake, rather than a traditional seaside links.
That distinction does nothing to lessen its appeal.
The layout moves through rolling countryside, with uneven fairways, deep bunkers and thick rough shaping your decisions. Lake Taupō comes into view as you work your way around the course.
There is plenty of variety, too. Some holes invite an attacking shot. Others reward restraint, particularly when the wind picks up.
For me, that constant need to assess the options was a large part of the enjoyment.
What It Was Like Playing Kinloch
The course plays up and down through the landscape, and no two holes felt the same.
A missed drive could leave us in thick rough or a bunker. Yet there were chances to recover, provided we chose a realistic shot rather than trying something heroic.
My strongest recommendation is to use the course yardage book. We found it useful, especially when the best landing area was not obvious from the tee.
It also pays to choose tees that suit your game. Kinloch offers enough challenge without making every carry longer than it needs to be.
Position Matters More Than Power
Driver is not always the best choice here. I learned that on the first hole.
Several fairways change shape beyond the obvious landing area. As a result, a shorter club can leave a clearer approach than a longer shot played on the wrong line.
The same thinking applies around the greens. Before aiming at the flag, consider where a miss will leave you.
Give the Greens Your Attention
Kinloch’s greens add another layer to the round.
Slopes and changes in level mean that reaching the putting surface does not finish the job. Your approach position can make the difference between a realistic birdie chance and a demanding two-putt.
There is plenty to keep you occupied, even on holes where the tee shot feels straightforward.
My Most Memorable Holes at Kinloch
These were the holes that stood out during our round. Distances vary by tee, so use the scorecard and course guide for your chosen set.
The First: No Gentle Introduction
The opening par four got my attention straight away.
I hit driver and found a bunker after sending the ball too straight. A fade would have helped, although choosing a shorter club might have been the better decision.
The approach leads to a slightly elevated green guarded by bunkers at the front.
It was an early reminder that Kinloch rewards planning from the first shot.
The Third: A Par Three with Consequences
From the elevated tee, the third can look manageable. The green appears wide, but the water in front makes the shot more demanding.
Add a breeze and club selection becomes important.
I watched my playing partner, who plays off two, put two balls in the water. One-nil to Kinloch.
It is a good example of why the centre of the green can be a much better target than the flag.
The Sixth: Read the Yardage Book
The sixth is a par four where a little course knowledge helps.
The tee shot is blind, and the fairway turns left before running downhill towards the green. Simply hitting driver straight ahead is not necessarily the answer.
A well-placed iron or hybrid can make more sense. From there, the approach still needs care, with elevation and bunkers affecting the shot.
This was one of the holes where we appreciated having the yardage book.
The Twelfth: Lake Views and a Tempting Second Shot
The twelfth is a par five with a memorable outlook towards Lake Taupō.
The fairway opens up from the tee, while the slope towards the green makes reaching in two feel tempting.
However, the contours still influence the best route. The club’s own guidance recommends favouring the left half of the fairway, which slopes from left to right.
It is a hole where the view gives you a reason to pause before considering your next shot.
The Sixteenth: A Demanding Par Five
In my opinion, the sixteenth was one of the toughest holes on the course.
It asks for a strong drive, followed by another accurate shot to set up the approach. Trying to reach in two is a serious commitment, rather than an automatic decision after a decent tee shot.
Even when laying up, you need to choose your position carefully.
The large, contoured green and surrounding trouble keep you working until the ball is in the hole.
The Seventeenth: Do Not Leave It Short
The seventeenth combines an elevated tee, a view of Lake Taupō and a demanding carry towards the green.
Wind can make club selection difficult. The official course guide warns against finishing short or left, and I can confirm that recovering from below the green is no easy task.
Get the tee shot right, though, and it is a satisfying way to head towards the finish.
The Eighteenth: Water Beside the Finish
The closing par five keeps the pressure on.
Bunkers influence the drive, while the lake becomes a concern as you move towards the green. A sensible lay-up can leave a more inviting third shot than an ambitious attempt to get home in two.
The hole sits below Kinloch Manor, adding a fitting backdrop to the finish.
It is a final reminder of what makes this course interesting: there is nearly always a decision to make.
Staying at Kinloch Manor & Villas
You do not need to leave the estate behind when your round ends.
Kinloch Manor & Villas overlooks the course and Lake Taupō. The main lodge takes inspiration from Scotland’s Kinloch Castle, interpreted through contemporary New Zealand architecture.
Architect Andrew Patterson designed the building, with interiors by Virginia Fisher.
Stone, fireplaces and generous windows give the shared spaces a distinctive character. Meanwhile, the outlook keeps the surrounding landscape in view.
Suites and Larger Residences
Accommodation includes Manor Suites and larger Manor Residences, with multi-bedroom options available.
The right choice depends on whether you are travelling as a couple, a family or a group of golfers.
Rather than choosing on bedroom count alone, it is worth discussing the layout and bedding arrangements. We can help match the accommodation to your travelling party.
Dining and Stay Inclusions
Kinloch’s dining follows an estate-to-plate approach, using seasonal, local and estate-sourced ingredients.
The lodge currently lists pre-dinner drinks and canapés, a four-course dinner and full breakfast among its standard stay inclusions.
Guests also receive priority golf access. However, priority access is not the same as included green fees. Golf inclusions depend on the package booked.
We can confirm the meals, golf and other inclusions before you commit.
What Can Non-Golfers Do at Kinloch?
Kinloch is not just a place to wait while someone else plays golf.
The property has an onsite spa, tennis courts and bikes. Beyond the estate, the Taupō region offers lake cruises, trout fishing, walking and geothermal attractions.
For a mixed-interest trip, you could combine a morning round with a shared afternoon experience. Alternatively, non-golfers can enjoy their own plans before everyone meets for dinner.
Guests can also explore experiences at sister property Treetops Lodge & Estate near Rotorua, with transfers arranged as needed.
Browse our New Zealand activities for more ideas.
Planning Your Kinloch Club Golf Holiday
My advice is to avoid treating Kinloch as a rushed round between destinations.
There is enough detail in the course to reward a return visit. A second round gives you the chance to use what you learned the first time, especially on the less obvious tee shots.
A few simple choices will help:
- Choose suitable tees. Give yourself a fair chance of enjoying the carries and approaches.
- Use the yardage book. It helped us understand the course.
- Plan golf and accommodation together. Coordinate tee times with transfers and other activities.
- Check package details. Confirm green fees, meals and any extras.
- Allow time beyond golf. Taupō deserves more than a passing visit.
- Our New Zealand sample itineraries offer a starting point for a tailored trip.
Kinloch Club Golf FAQs
Where is The Kinloch Club?
The Kinloch Club is in Kinloch, near Lake Taupō in New Zealand’s central North Island. It is around a 20-minute drive from Taupō, depending on your starting point.
Who designed The Kinloch Club?
Jack Nicklaus designed the 18-hole course. It is New Zealand’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.
Is Kinloch a traditional links course?
Kinloch is links-inspired rather than a traditional coastal links. It sits inland above Lake Taupō, with rolling terrain, rugged bunkering and a layout influenced by British Isles links golf.
Is Kinloch suitable for all golfers?
It is a demanding course, so tee selection and sensible course management matter. Ask the golf team which tees best suit your ability and carrying distance.
Can you play without staying at Kinloch Manor?
Yes. The club welcomes visiting golfers, subject to tee-time availability and booking conditions.
Is golf included when staying at Kinloch Manor & Villas?
Not with every booking. Dedicated Stay and Play packages are available, while other stays provide priority access rather than included green fees. Confirm the details of your chosen offer.
Is Kinloch suitable for non-golfers?
Yes. The lodge offers dining, a spa and other facilities, while the wider Taupō region has fishing, lake activities, walks and sightseeing.
How long should you stay?
Kinloch Manor recommends at least three nights to enjoy the golf, dining and surrounding activities. The best length depends on how many rounds you want to play and your wider itinerary.
Plan Your Kinloch Golf Holiday
What stayed with me after our round was how much Kinloch asked us to think.
The scenery was memorable, but so were the decisions: when to hit driver, where to lay up and which side of the green offered the better miss.
For golfers who enjoy that kind of challenge, it is well worth including in a New Zealand itinerary.
Luxury Adventures can arrange your Kinloch Club golf, lodge accommodation, transfers and experiences around Taupō.
If you would like to find out more please contact us on the details below.
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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