NEW ZEALAND

TRAVEL SPECIAL

NEW ZEALANDS

TOP 40
GOLF COURSES

39

40

GREENACRES GOLF CLUB

Located on the outskirts of Nelson,

Greenacres Golf Club is actually on Best
Island and sneaks into our inaugural Top
40 list. The course borders the tidal inlet
with water coming into play on several
holes. Built on a solid sand base, the inland
holes are tree-lined where the coastal holes
enjoy water views and a true links feel. The
area is famous for its wineries, orchards,
beaches, art galleries and beautiful river
valleys so take the time to enjoy the
localsites.

QUEENSTOWN
39 GOLF
CLUB

If you want to play golf in one of the most

scenic places in the world then this golf
course needs to be on your bucket list.
Queenstown is a members course that is

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KEY RED = NORTH ISLAND BLUE = SOUTH ISLAND

not long or that challenging but theres

something about playing it that takes your
breath away. A parkland-style course where
the local schist rock comes into play if
youre wayward, this is yet another course
where you will use your camera more than
your putter.

38 CROMWELL GOLF CLUB

New Zealands most inland golf

course plays like a genuine links-style
layout. Cromwell is carved out of sand
dunes, marram grass and mature trees,
with undulating greens that can be
extremely testing. Being in the heart
of some of the best wine country New
Zealand has to offer, it can be a little dry
so expect hard and fast fairways. This is a
course suited to all levels of golfers with
some nice views and it is worth playing,
even if its an excuse to try out one of the
many nearby wineries.

37 INVERCARGILL
GOLF CLUB

Situated only a few minutes from the

centre of Invercargill, the Otatara course
is a picturesque 18-hole, tree-lined layout
that annually hosts one of NZ Golfs
leading amateur events. Built on links land
more than 100 years ago, the course has
undulating, manicured fairways, brutal
rough and well-bunkered, quality sandbased greens. Like a lot of courses in the
lower half of this list, Invercargill is not long
but it certainly demands accuracy off the tee.

36 CHISHOLM LINKS

Built from the sand dunes this

course runs along a beach and naturally
being so close to the sea you get a true
links-golf experience. Despite the elements,
Chisholm Park is not a particularly difficult
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27

golf course to play and all levels of

golfers will find it both challenging
and enjoyable to play with its
amazing views. The par-4 ninth
hole is rated as one of the best holes
in New Zealand, while the cliff-top
ocean views rival the best golf vistas
anywhere in the world.

35 NELSON GOLF CLUB

Located near Nelson Airport,

this links-style course is a great
little test for golfers. Nelson enjoys
sweeping views across the Tasman
Bay so visitors are warned to expect
stiff coastal breezes. While not a
long course, Nelsons strategically
placed bunkers, mounding and rough
makes the 18-hole experience quite
challenging so managing your play
is important, as it was when the
club hosted the 2014 NZ Amateur
Championship.

34 RUSSLEY GOLF CLUB

Sitting alongside Christchurch

Airport, the Russley Golf Club is a flat,
tree-lined layout that is not overly
long in distance, however a strategic
approach and clever club selection is
crucial. Many top professionals have
walked Russleys fairways as it has
hosted numerous top championships
including multiple NZ Opens.
Consistently well manicured,
Russleys large putting surfaces run
fast and true.
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33

FORMOSA GOLF RESORT

The Formosa Golf Resort's course

is surrounded by lush farmland and has
stunning views over the Hauraki Gulf with
panoramic views of Waiheke Island and
Rangitoto from its clifftop and coastal
fairways. Sixteen of the course's holes have
northerly views of the Hauraki Gulf and its
many islands. The 11th through to the 16th
hole run along a clifftop overlooking the
shoreline. Designed by NZ golfing legend,
Sir Bob Charles, the course hosted the 1998
New Zealand Open. Youll find this gem
located just over 30-minutes from both
downtown Auckland and the airport.

32 WANGANUI GOLF CLUB

One of the top provincial courses

in the country, Wanganui Golf Club has
hosted many international and national
events including seven NZ Opens. The
course is a well-manicured, sand-based
gem built over undulating terrain that
tests every aspect of your game. The club
recently removed its pine trees and as a
result it now plays like more of a links-style
course and can be extremely challenging
depending on the wind.

31 WAIPU

Waipu Golf Club is an easy two-hour

drive via SH1 on the east coast, north of
Auckland. The course is an all-weather,
sand-based links set on the edge of
beautiful Bream Bay with spectacular
ocean views from every hole. Its greens

have been likened to the famed sandbelt

surfaces around Melbourne.

HARBOUR
30 GULF
GOLF CLUB

The Robert Trent Jones Jr-designed Gulf

Harbour is located on the Whangaparaoa
Peninsula less than an hours drive from
Aucklands CBD or a short ferry ride across
the harbour. The front nine plays inland
around the houses with some nice views
where upon reaching the 12th tee you are
afforded spectacular views back towards
the city skyline. Gulf Harbour boasts some
spectacular finishing holes that will have
you reaching for your camera. Ocean views
and rolling terrain combine to make it one
of the most exciting golfing experiences in
Auckland.

29 HASTINGS GOLF CLUB

The Hastings Golf Club is one

of New Zealands more established
courses and widely regarded as the bestconditioned club course in Hawkes Bay.
Featuring mature native trees that line its
and gentle, the course is very walkable with
a great mix of long and short holes.

thehills.co.nz
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND

PLYMOUTH
28 NEW
GOLF CLUB

Known by the locals as Ngamotu, New

Plymouth was designed so that both nines
sweep out from the clubhouse in two giant
KEY RED = NORTH ISLAND BLUE = SOUTH ISLAND

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SS GOLFING IN SUNNY HAW

CE WORLD CLA
KES BAY
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loops. Ngamotu's four par-3 holes range
widely in length, but they all point in different
directions on the compass. The course is a
regular favourite on the Charles Tour pro
circuit and is a great test of golf where the
better putters usually reap the rewards. With
the course built over a coastal slope, there are
expansive views from the iconic Mt Taranaki
out across the Tasman Sea.

27 TERRACE DOWNS

This championship resort course

is located approximately one hour from
Christchurch and is nestled in the foothills
of the Southern Alps and across the valley
from the Mount Hutt Ski Field. The course
has an enjoyable layout with breathtaking
views, especially from the 10th tee and
16th green as you absorb the local Rakaia
Gorge and mountain vistas. Most golfers
will find it very playable with its mixture
of parkland and links styles integrated into
the natural environment.

26 OTAGO GOLF CLUB

The Otago Golf Club is New

Zealands oldest club and sits on a great
site overlooking the city and harbour. Built
on a rolling hillside, the course is always
well manicured and weaves nicely across
the land with some great native foliage. As
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the Otago Golf Club is steeped in history,

you will want to take your time to check
out the golfing memorabilia around the
clubhouse.

OMAHA BEACH
25GOLF
CLUB

23

MANGAWHAI GOLF CLUB

Located only five minutes from

New Zealands new No.1 course Tara Iti
and little more than a one-hour drive from
Auckland, Mangawhai is an enjoyable golf
course that will test every club in your bag.
There is a great mix of holes here that will
test both your long and short game and
its sandy base ensures great all-weather
playing conditions.

The southernmost 18-hole course in

New Zealand, this layout is a true links, full
of humpy fairways, native grasses, greens
tucked into tussock and shrub-covered
dunes, with a myriad of playing options. It
will challenge even the most experienced
golfer if played from the championship
tees. The course is known for its windy
conditions with stunning views of Stewart
Island towering over Foveaux Strait.

24

21

Neighbouring Christchurch Airport,

the Woodlands Course at Harewood
Golf Club is unlike some of the other
traditional courses around the region.
Redesigned in 2012 by the design team
of Turner MacPherson, the course has 18
new greens and tee boxes. Despite being
a flat, medium-length parkland course,
challenging greens are what its all about
here and require a sharp short game if you
are to play to your handicap.

(06) 879 7206 info@hastingsgolfclub.co.nz

www.hastingsgolfclub.co.nz

Omaha Beach
Golf Club NZ

22 ORETI SANDS

Less than an hour from Auckland, Omaha

Beach is a links-style resort course crafted
by its designers to make the most of its
stunning seaside location. Bordered by the
sea on one side and a natural estuary on
the other, this layout offers some unique
and pleasant surprises as you travel around
it. The native trees, boardwalks and a flow
of challenging holes make this an enjoyable
day out for anyone.

HAREWOOD GOLF CLUB

Hastings Golf Club is ranked amongst the top 10 club courses

in New Zealand offering the best club experience in Hawkes Bay.
With impeccable championship course conditions, set amid
picturesque surroundings, we look forward to seeing you here soon.

MOUNT MAUNGANUI
GOLF CLUB

The Mount Maunganui Golf Club is a

traditional tree-lined layout with one of
the best beaches in New Zealand just a
seven iron away. The championship
course has a strong reputation for its great
putting surfaces. Less than five minutes
away from the Tauranga cruise ship port
and Tauranga airport, The Mount is very
popular with all levels of golfers.
KEY RED = NORTH ISLAND BLUE = SOUTH ISLAND

Quote promo code

HAPPY GOLF to receive 20%
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Home of New Zealands longest running Pro Am. The Omaha course, built on sand dunes, is considered by many as
a must play treasure. Arguably the number one stop on the NZ PGA circuit. Phil Leishman 2013. Some say its the
quality of the course, some say its the relaxing setting, we say come and find out for yourself.
Located within an easy 45min drive from Auckland City, Omaha Beach is the perfect day trip and weekend
destination. In between rounds enjoy the areas wineries, farmers market, wild life sanctuaries and much more.

Call 09 4227551 or go to www.omahagolf.co.nz to find out more about golf at Omaha Beach.

12

Titirangi is the only golf course

in New Zealand designed by Dr Alister
MacKenzie and is just 30 minutes from
Aucklands Sky Tower. MacKenzies genius
designs are renowned for their sensitivity
to the nature of the original site and riskreward holes and Titirangi is no different.
The way the golf course weaves through
neighbouring bush testifies to MacKenzies
philosophy and from here he went on to
design some of the worlds greatest courses
including Augusta National, Cypress Point
and Royal Melbourne. Titirangis par-70
course features elevated tees and greens,
challenging bunkers and slick greens with
pronounced undulations.

11 CARRINGTON
17

20 WHITFORD PARK

Whitford Park is situated in rural

country surrounds close to Auckland. A par-71
championship layout set amongst 254 acres
of beautiful indigenous trees and streams, the
greens here are consistently among the best
on offer in New Zealand, while the Couch
grass fairways provide a delightful playing
surface throughout the year.

19 MANAWATU GOLF CLUB

The Manawatu Golf Club is

situated in the Palmerston North suburb
of Hokowhitu, bordering the banks
of the Manawatu River and the city's
CentennialLagoon.
The course is regarded as Manawatu's
premier 18-hole layout, and provides a
challenging yet fair test for golfers of all
abilities. Beautifully manicured, tree-lined
fairways, fast rolling greens and more than
50 white-sand bunkers highlight a most
enjoyable playing experience.

AUCKLAND
18 ROYAL
GOLF CLUB

The Royal Auckland Golf Club is a private

club located just 10 minutes from the
airport. A traditional tree-lined parkland
layout, Royal Auckland is set for an
extensive renovation as the course mergers
with neighbouring The Grange in a bid
to become one of the top club layouts in
thecountry.

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17 CLEARWATER

This resort course is located

approximately 10 minutes from the airport
and has enjoyed great success hosting the
NZPGA Championship and more recently
the ISPS Handa NZ Womens Open won
by Lydia Ko. Combining elements of great
Scottish links courses with parkland golf,
more reminiscent of Florida, Clearwater is
playable year-round and meanders around
a succession of spring-fed lakes and troutfilled streams, with uninterrupted views of
the spectacular Southern Alps.

16 MURIWAI

Situated on New Zealands wild and

wonderful West Coast around 40 minutes
from Auckland, Muriwai Golf Links
provides a great links golfing experience.
The black-sand based layout allows
all-weather golf and the championship
layout provides a thrill and challenge
for all golfers. The course is easy walking
on tightly-mown Kikuyu fairways. It has
lots of well-designed greens with smart
bunkering and the challenging Bentcross/
Poa greens roll beautifully despite the
many testing contours.

CHRISTCHURCH
15 GOLF
CLUB

A golf course with more than 140 years

of history, you will enjoy the classic feel
this layout possesses. Remodelled in
recent years by the great Peter Thomson,

Christchurch has a focus on precise driving

and challenging iron play. The fairways
are excellent to play off, with strategically
placed bunkers and waste areas. The
course is well manicured with greens our
judges enjoyed putting on. Christchurch is
a championship layout that is enjoyed by
the membership and has challenged the
top professionals in the many events it has
hosted over the years.

14

PEGASUS GOLF CLUB

HOW THE COURSES ARE RANKED

TITIRANGI GOLF CLUB

Five hours north of Auckland sits the

Carrington Golf Resort. Although it boasts
an ocean-side location, Carrington looks and
plays like an inland golf course, complete
with rolling hills, vales, and natural water
hazards. The unique 100-acre seaside layout
meanders around the central resort complex
and its oversized layout allows for extensive
natural conservation areas. At 6,417 metres,
this par-72 championship course can be brutal
at its worst, but its resort-style lends itself to
all levels of golfers. The course is surrounded
on two sides by Carrington Farms 300-head
Black Angus Stud and also sits next to the 101acre Karikari Estate Vineyard and Winery.

Our panellists play and score New Zealand courses on seven criteria:
1. SHOT VALUE
How well do the holes pose a variety of risks and rewards and equally test
length, accuracy and finesse?
2. RESISTANCE TO SCORING
How difficult, while still being fair, is the course for a scratch player from the
back tees?
3. DESIGN VARIETY
How varied are the holes in differing lengths, configurations, hazard
placements, green shapes and green contours?
4. MEMORABILITY
How well do the design features provide individuality to each hole yet a
collective continuity to the entire 18?
5. AESTHETICS
How well do the scenic values of the course add to the pleasure of a round?
6. CONDITIONING
How firm, fast and rolling were the fairways, and how firm yet receptive were
the greens on the day you played the course?
7. AMBIENCE
How well does the overall feel and atmosphere of the course reflect or uphold
the traditional values of the game?

10

ROYAL WELLINGTON

A recent renovation has transformed

Royal Wellington into New Zealands finest
private members parkland course. Built
on an ancient riverbed, it weaves its way
over crumpled ground through cultivated

parkland thats home to thousands of

mature native and exotic trees and birdlife.
With the addition of several creeks, a large
lake and undulating greens, the site of the
2017 Asia Pacific Amateur Championship
blends a walk in the park with a seriously
good golf course.

The Pegasus Golf and Sports Club

hosted the New Zealand Women's Open
in 2010, 11 and 12. The course itself boasts
a majestic layout with varying degrees of
difficulty aimed at providing an excellent
golfing experience. The front nine is quite
open while the back nine loops around the
property with water coming into play on
seven of the nine holes. Just 30 minutes north
of Christchurch, put Pegasus on your to-do list.

13 ARROWTOWN GOLF CLUB

Arrowtown is one of the most

popular club courses in the country. The
front nine is very tight, weaving through
the canyons and schist rock, making it a
lot of fun for golfers of all abilities. Game
management is a key and there can be
some extremely challenging shots if you
stray off line. The back nine is more open
and built over rolling terrain where you can
really take in the beautiful surrounding
mountains. Playing the course in March
or April is highly recommended as the
autumn foliage is simply breathtaking.
KEY RED = NORTH ISLAND BLUE = SOUTH ISLAND

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6
THE JUDGING PANEL
For their part, we thank the
following judges for the
2016 rankings:
Phil Aicken
Leo Barber
Barry Brown
Susan Farron
Simon Forshaw
Michael Goldstein
Doug Holloway
Denise Langdon
Murray Macklin
Dave Mangan
Nigel Merrett
Grant Moorhead
Craig Palmer
Alan Rose
Dominic Sainsbury
John Sanders
Duncan Simpson
Geoff Smart
John Spraggs
Fraser Wilkin
Evin Priest
Brad Clifton

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WAIRAKEI

The Wairakei Golf Course is located

only a couple of minutes from Taupo and is
New Zealands original resort golf course.
Built in 1970, more than 30,000 native and
exotic trees have recently been planted,
along with the introduction of 200 mixedcolour pheasants, Kiwis and a small herd of
deer. Golfers love the feeling at Wairakei of
owning the fairways; it is relaxing to play
and very playable for all levels of golfers
thanks to its large greens and very true roll.

8 MILLBROOK

Millbrook is an internationally
acclaimed golf resort and this is reflected
in the quality of the 27-hole course and
facilities on offer. Located just outside of
Arrowtown and a 20-minute drive from
Queenstown, the resort is set in a natural
alpine amphitheatre against the backdrop
of The Remarkables mountain range. The
Remarkable and Coronet nines make up
the championship 18-hole layout while
the Arrow nine is also an enjoyable test of
golf. The course weaves around the resort,
lakes and schist rock encompassing some
magnificent views. Millbrook will again
be on the world stage in 2017 after being
announced as the home of the NZ Open.

BEACH
7 PARAPARAUMU
GOLF CLUB

One of the great and often underrated

links courses of the Southern Hemisphere
Photograph by Gary Lisbon

is the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Course,

which has hosted 12 New Zealand Opens.
Located an hours drive north of Wellington
on the Kapiti Coast, where the climate
is golf-friendly, sits a challenging layout
that threads its way through magnificent
links land with a handful of holes that are
regarded as some of the finest in the country.
Paraparaumu is undulating which
makes bounce and roll a key character of
its identity. Some of the biggest names in
the sport have graced these fairways with
five-time British Open champion Peter
Thomson saying, "I loved it instantly. We
had nothing like it in Australia.

THE HILLS

Located in Arrowtown, only 20 minutes

from Queenstown, The Hills has been the
home of the past three New Zealand Opens
for good reason. The course was laid out
across a glacial valley and this is showcased
by the dramatic elevation changes and rocky
schist outcrops that are a feature of the area.
Elevated tees make for exciting shots but also
allow the golfer to take in the panoramic views
around them some of the most colourful
anywhere in the world. Incorporating clever
waste areas planted with native tussocks, the
greens here are relatively accommodating to
incoming shots. The Hills is a truly memorable
experience with its state-of-the-art clubhouse
even winning the Supreme Award for
Architecture. If youre lucky enough to get a
game, keep an eye out for the many artistic
sculptures that occupy the layout, including
The Wolves on the 18th.
KEY RED = NORTH ISLAND BLUE = SOUTH ISLAND

GOL F

CL UB

Walk in the footsteps of major champions Lydia Ko,

Jason Day and Bubba Watson.
Enjoy our award winning course and hospitality as a day
member or an overnight guest at Peppers Clearwater Resort
Just 12 minutes from Christchurch International Airport
with direct connections to Australia.
We can also arrange preferential bookings at other
local courses!
Overnight Packages including golf and share twin
resort accommodation from NZ$200 per person.
Free Airport transfers available.

Oceanias
Best Golf Course

Contact: Clearwater Member Services Team on +64 3 360 2146

or Australian toll free 1800 460 832 or email play@clearwatergolf.co.nz
july 2016 | australiangolfdigest.com.au
www.clearwatergolf.co.nz

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5 KINLOCH

Jack Nicklaus much-anticipated

signature Kinloch course opened in 2007
and has been a big hit with golfers ever
since. Located just 20 minutes from Taupo,
it is a very testing inland links course that
flows over rolling countryside with fescue
and heather grasses. To really enjoy this
championship course you must select the
right tees to play from and drive well. Having
a good short game will help you navigate
the sloping greens, too. The front nine offers
a good mix of short and long holes but its
standing on the par-4 10th where reality hits
you are presented with an amazing vista
overlooking the back nine and Lake Taupo.
The risk/reward nature of the golf course
and the character of the land left a huge
impression on our judges, a couple of whom
rate it New Zealands best.

4 KAURI CLIFFS

Everything about Kauri Cliffs 30

minutes north of Kerikeri is simply
outstanding. The course is rated in the
worlds Top 100 and deservedly so. With
only a maximum of 24 golfers gracing its
fairways on any given day its easy to believe
youre the only person enjoying the privilege.
The opening three holes warm you up nicely
before the real challenge begins. The back
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Queenstown is New Zealands #1 golf destination

and home of the NZ open and Jacks Point Challenge

nine showcases four inland holes that wind

through marsh, forest and farmland before
you hit the homeward stretch across the
top of the bay and back up to the clubhouse.
The 17th, a par-4 dogleg-left, is regarded as
one of the best holes in New Zealand. And
the view from the clubhouse balcony is
arguably the most majestic in world golf.

3CAPE KIDNAPPERS

Cape Kidnappers is perched high

above the cliffs at the southern tip of the
Hawkes Bay, looking out across the Pacific
Ocean. Like Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers

is spread out over 6,000 acres of rolling

farmland and native bush and has drawn
international fanfare since it opened in
2004. Designed by Tom Doak, it also ranks
in the worlds Top 100 golf courses and is
an absolute showstopper to play. The layout
itself is a stern challenge and flows nicely,
leaving you in awe of the surroundings
while offering two distinct nines. The
closing nine is a big hit with visitors and
plays along a ridge and valley out towards
Cape Kidnappers. The par-5 15th is the
hero, rated by Aussie star Adam Scott as his
favourite hole anywhere in the world. In
truth, its one of 18 holes that will have you
coming back for more, too.
KEY RED = NORTH ISLAND BLUE = SOUTH ISLAND

All visitors welcome

Email: golf@jackspoint.com

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2 JACKS POINT

Jacks Point is located on the

eastern side of Lake Wakitapu, a
20-minute drive from Queenstown and
just five minutes from Queenstown
airport. The golf course is located
between the lake and The Remarkables
mountain range, so everywhere you
look youll see amazing scenery. The
course, laid out on land that needed
minimal modifications, boasts
dramatic rocky outcrops, tussock areas,
wetlands and native vegetation that
blend effortlessly throughout all 18
holes. The heritage stone walls herald
back to the last century when the
land was a majestic high country farm.
Breathtaking tee shots and challenging
approaches are the norm here and the
stretch of holes along the lake (5-8)
provide stunning photo opportunities.
Still a favourite with our judges and
unlucky not to take top spot this year.
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54

Photograph by Joann Dost

TARA ITI

Think of the great courses around the world and what makes them
special. This course will tick all those boxes and more! Located just
over an hour north of Auckland on the east coast, this ultra-private
layout opened its full 18 holes in October 2015 and for most golfing
purists it went straight to No.1 in New Zealand. Designed by Tom
Doak, the visionary behind Cape Kidnappers, Tara Iti was built on
what had been a pine-covered Sahara by the sea. After removing acres
of trees Doaks team spent more than two years gently contouring
the sandy soil, forming hummocks, punchbowls and sand dunes that
look like they were formed by wind and vegetated by nature. With
fescue fairways, no rough but waste areas, and the fact that there are
no formed bunkers on the entire course, it can be a challenge to play.
With no golf carts or cart paths every golfer must take a caddie. Listen
to everything they says and youll see why this could be the best new
course to open on the planet this decade.

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OTHER COURSES

YOU MUST PLAY

POVERTY BAY GOLF CLUB

The links-style Poverty Bay Golf Golf

Course, Gisborne, is highly regarded by
golfers throughout New Zealand and has
hosted many top amateur competitions
over its 123 years. The course features
undulating fairways and large, cleverly
bunkered greens that are a pleasurable
challenge for golfers of all levels. The
course drains well through its sandy soils,
making it very playable all year.

WANAKA GOLF COURSE

The most striking aspect of this course is

the scenery. From its position high on the
hill, the views across the town and lake to
the majesty of the Mount Aspiring National
Park are some of the best on any golf
course anywhere in the world. But thats
not to downplay the course itself. The two
nines are very different; the front is full of
undulations with greens artfully perched
and nestled amongst the rolling terrain.
The back is flatter and considerably longer,
falling under the shadow of Mount Iron.

THE LAKES RESORT

Located on the Coromandel Peninsula,

the Lakes Resort Golf Course is nestled in
a unique valley setting and meanders its
way through picturesque natural native
wetlands and lakes. This unique course
blends wonderfully with the surrounding
ecology providing a truly remarkable
golfing experience. The resort design
allows golfers of all abilities to enjoy it but
there are some challenging water hazards.

WAITANGI GOLF CLUB

Located a short five-minute drive from

Paihia in the Bay of Islands, Waitangi Golf
Club provides an exciting, ever-changing
challenge to the golfer, but also offers the
most panoramic sea and island views.
Incredible views are complemented
by well-groomed greens and fairways
surrounded by areas of flowering native
trees, which provide sanctuary for many
varieties of native birds.

RANGATIRA GOLF CLUB

A unique country course that is

located just north of Hunterville on
State Highway One, halfway between
Wellington and Taupo. This course is on
three levels with outstanding views of
the Rangitikei River. Interestingly, there
are no bunkers here but the course is
still challenging, with the first six holes
at road level, the second six on a plateau
halfway down and the bottom six at river
level. On completing your round you
take the cable car ride back up to the
clubhouse. Now thats a truly memorable
country golf experience.

ST CLAIR GOLF CLUB

St Clair Golf Club in Dunedin is a

parkland golf course that sits 200 metres
above sea level overlooking the ocean,
beaches and South Dunedin. Large pine
trees grace the lush, green fairways that
give you defined golf holes. Back in the
1970s, St Clair hosted a series of golf
tournaments that featured some of the
games greats including Seve Ballesteros
and Johnny Miller.

TAUPO GOLF CLUB

(CENTENNIAL)

Most locals play at the Taupo Golf Club

located five minutes from town and
why not given its 36-hole set-up with
the Centennial and Tauhara courses.
Centennial is a parkland course featuring
more than 40 bunkers but as it sits on
volcano ground it plays hard and fast like
an inland links course with fescue rough.
It has some challenging holes but none
better than the long par-3 18th over a
gully to finish.
84

australiangolfdigest.com.au | july 2016

TE PUKE GOLF CLUB

The town of Te Puke is located just

15 minutes down the road from Mt
Maunganui and is known as the kiwifruit
capital of the world. The golf course itself
is located five minutes outside of town
just past Kiwi 360. Nearly all of the fruit
is grown in this part of the country. The
golf course is undulated but an easy walk
and boasts a unique quirk in that the first,
ninth, 10th and 18th holes are all par 5s.

ROTORUA GOLF CLUB

Rotorua is known for its boiling mud pools

and thermal activity and just five minutes
from the centre of town lays Rotorua Golf
Club. This is not only a great members golf
course but it also allows you to get close to
some of the thermal activity while you enjoy
your round. There are a number of bubbling
mud pools and steam vents to the left of the
ninth green and a strange sulphur mound
to the right of the green. Look out for
geothermal craters that make this one of the
most unique courses you will ever play.

Spectacular links style course

with ocean vistas from 18 holes

PLAY THE TOP 40 IN STYLE

Little things matter when it comes to

travelling, and dealing with a ground-based
tour agent means you get local information
first hand. Somebody on the other end of
the phone that you can trust to get things
done when youre trying to organise a party
of people and ensure you get to see the best
of what NZ has to offer, whether its golf
courses, restaurants or sightseeing.
Remarkable Golf Tours was established
in Queenstown in 2007 to provide a range
of golf services for visitors to New Zealand
and have arranged tours for thousands
of golfers from all corners of the globe.
Starting with one vehicle for running
daily transfers between local hotels and
golf courses, RGT have expanded their
vehicle fleet to cater to a range of group
sizes, from couples to large touring parties.
Regardless of party size, the service
remains focussed on the finer details of
planning that ensure a seamless golf trip.
However large or small your group
is, take the opportunity to contact
Remarkable Golf Tours to see what they
can offer you.
Web: remarkablegolftours.co.nz/
Phone (toll free): 1300 528 165

Only 20 minutes from Sydney CBD

Includes joining fee

and yearly subs until 31 March 2017

2016/17 Membership Special

Further incentives may apply for

couples and groups of four players
joining together on request.

or simply visit us for a social round

$80 for two players including a cart
Monday to Thursday
until 30 September 2016
The Coast Golf and Recreation Club Ltd
1 Coast Hospital Road, Little Bay NSW 2036
PH 02 9311 7422 FX 02 9311 4854

www.coastgolf.com.au