General Information
World class courses, frequently set against breathtaking panoramas of snow-capped mountains, lakes, forests and seascapes, make New Zealand one of the world’s most sought after golf locations. New Zealand offers more than 400 crowd-free golf courses where you can play year-round. That’s more golf courses per head of capita than any other country in on the planet! Read further information about Golf in New Zealand via our blog.
The likes of Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, Paraparaumu, Wairakei, Clearwater and the Queenstown world class courses are but a sample of the many exceptional golf courses on offer in New Zealand. You can play golf in both the North and South islands whilst staying in some of the most exclusive and luxurious lodges & hotels in New Zealand.
Some of New Zealand’s Best Golf Courses:
Tara Iti Golf Club: Located in Mangawhai, a 2 hour drive from Auckland. Tara Iti Golf Club is a private membership club. Guests of the cottages at Tara Iti are permitted to play the course, with prior permission from the board. Tara Iti is a walking only course, and accordingly, caddies are compulsory. The course was designed by Tom Doak the course has miles of beach frontage, every hole has a view of the ocean.
Jacks Point: With 360 degree mountain views, Jacks Point on lake Wakatipu is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful golf courses.
The Par 72 course designed by John Darby is only 15 minutes drive from Queenstown. Situated on a stunning nature reserve, this course is the number 1 ranked course in the South Island.
The Hills: One of New Zealand’s most exclusive golf courses, The Hills in Queenstown was designed by Darby Partners and hosted the New Zealand Open in 2007. On land which is over 500 acres, players will find amazing scenery that has been landscaped from native flora and fauna, with remarkable mountain views. With no two holes alike, and an assortment of tee positions, the Hills is a great course for every level of player. The Hills Golf Course is owned by prominent New Zealand business man Michael Hill.
Cape Kidnappers: Tom Doak is President of Renaissance Golf Design Inc, based in Traverse City, Michigan, USA and has built Golf Courses all over the United States and now New Zealand. Our goal in designing golf courses is to create interesting holes you wouldn’t find anywhere else. That wasn’t hard to do at Cape Kidnappers, because the site is not like anywhere else in golf. If it were any bigger or any more dramatic, it would probably be cordoned off as a national park. It’s an overwhelming experience to stand up on the cliffs, 140 meters above sea level, and look out across the waves far below in Hawke’s Bay.
Kauri Cliffs: Kauri Cliffs was designed and built by David Harman of Golf Course Consultants, Orlando, Florida. The par 72 championship golf course measures 7,119 yards/6,510 metres and offers five sets of tees to challenge every skill level. Fifteen holes view the Pacific Ocean, six of which are played alongside cliffs which plunge to the sea. The beautiful inland holes wind through marsh, forest and farmland. The golf complex includes a world-class practice range, putting and chipping greens, a well stocked golf shop, and ladies and mens locker rooms. Callaway ladies and mens rental clubs are available.
Millbrook Golf Resort: Designed by New Zealand’s distinguished golf professional Sir Bob Charles, near the alpine adventure resort of Queenstown. With The Remarkables mountain range surrounding it, Millbrook is a scenic wonder. Millbrook has 2 courses to choose from, The Remarkables and now The Coronet.
Kinloch Club: Overlooking Lake Taupo Kinloch golf Club caters for all players with 5 sets of tees at each hole. The course is 6734 metres and a par 72. Kinloch is the latest of Nicklaus exclusive signature clubs to be completed and the only one in Australasia. This course is open six days a week for players convenience.
Wairakei International Golf Course: Located in the heart of the North Island and set amongst the spectacular scenery of the Lake Taupo region, is the Wairakei International Golf Course. Designed by Commander John Harris, Michael Wolveridge and Peter Thomson with the aim of producing New Zealand’s first internationally recognised golf course, there is little doubt in any New Zealanders mind that this trio exceeded all expectations. The end result is a course that sprawls over 450 acres of natural countryside. This coupled with the 6444 metres from the championship tees and 108 large well placed bunkers has lead to worldwide acclaim. Wairakei International Golf Course – rated by the Prestigious US Golf Digest magazine to be in the top 100 courses in the world outside of the USA in 2005.
Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club: Situated on the Kapiti Coast, a very pleasant fifty minute drive north of the capital city, Wellington, Paraparaumu Beach enjoys a long held reputation as the premier links course in New Zealand. Paraparaumu Beach has hosted the New Zealand Open championship on twelve occasions as well as numerous prestigious professional and amateur tournaments. The course was designed in 1949 by former Australian Open champion Alex Russell, the highly acclaimed course architect in partnership with Dr Alistair McKenzie, the world renowned course architect. The course has been widely acclaimed over the years.
Clearwater: The par 72 championship course is home to the HSBC NZ PGA Championship. Designed by John Darby in consultation with New Zealand golfing legend, Sir Bob Charles, the course combines elements of links golf inspired by the great Scottish courses with parkland golf, more reminiscent of Florida. Playable year-round, the course meanders around a succession of spring fed lakes and trout filled streams, with uninterrupted views of the spectacular Southern Alps. There are five tee positions to suit players of all abilities.
Pegasus: Pegasus is situated within New Zealand’s Southern Alps in North Canterbury. The course covers 116 hectares and is a par 72. With four sets of tees at each hole the course offers a challenge for all level of player. With the bunkers, lakes and natural wetland the scenery makes for a great scenic playing ground.
Waitangi Golf Course: Overlooking the beautiful Bay of Islands. While enjoying a round of golf, players and spectators alike can enjoy the stunning views that surround this well groomed course. The course welcomes all players, from those wanting a challenging round to those after a relaxed game. The 11th is being made to be a par 5 with the green right on the water’s edge, include this challenge in your next New Zealand golf vacation.
Formosa Country Club: Located towards the East of Auckland facing the beautiful Waiheke island. Located towards the East of Auckland facing the beautiful Waiheke island. As the host of the 1998 New Zealand Open this 18 hole course has been developed at international PGA standard. Formosa is New Zealand’s longest course, covering 440 acres with views of Waiheke Island, Rangitoto & the Coromandel Peninsula. The course has a par of 72 and was designed by Bob Charles. Everyone can play this course with 4 tees per hole.
Mount Maunganui Links: Built on rolling sand dunes near one of the country’s best surfing beaches. In a beautiful location with stunning views this is a great course to play for any level of player.
Carrington Golf Course: The tournament standard 18 hole Carrington Golf Course was designed by American golf course designer Matt Dye. With ocean views on one side and vineyards to the other, Carrington’s par 72 course is one to definitely include in your next luxury New Zealand Golf vacation. Carrington Resort offers great variety on its course, with one of the longest par 5\’s in New Zealand and one of the shortest par 3’s.
Lakes Resort: The Lakes Resort Golf Course offers 18 holes of world class golf. The course is set in a valley with wetlands and lakes making for a great setting for a round of golf. The Lakes have hosted many events including the Australia vs. New Zealand match for the Nagle Charles Challenge Trophy.
We can tailor a range of high quality golf packages, encompassing the very best golf courses in New Zealand. Offering anything from self drive itineraries, chauffeur driven, helicopter transfers or private jet options – the choice is yours. Simply contact us with your New Zealand golf vacation requirements.
