Welcome to the captivating realm of Southland, where the splendour of New Zealand’s southernmost region meets the artistry of golf. Prepare to be impressed as you delve into the premier golf courses that grace this picturesque landscape. Join me on a captivating journey through Southland’s lush fairways, where golfing prowess intertwines with breathtaking panoramas, offering an experience that is more than a rural backwater, with warm-hearted locals and a cheese roll, the golf in this part of Aotearoa is remarkable.
The 24 courses available are made up of six 18 holes courses and seventeen 9-hole affairs, plus a 6-hole cracker on Stewart Island.
THIS IS A BLUE COD SANDWICH – Worth the visit to the south even if the golf courses are closed!
Invercargill Golf Club (Otara Links): A true links 5 minutes from Invercargill. The course was established in 1897, it has history! It lies as an exquisite masterpiece, near the “Fastest Indian” famous beach, Otari. With its meticulously crafted 18-hole championship layout, this sanctuary of golf beckons players of all calibers. The course weaves through undulating terrain, challenging golfers to navigate strategically placed bunkers and conquer lightning-fast greens., the Invercargill Golf Club is the epitome of golfing excellence. The best in the South.
Queens Park Golf Club: Step into a realm of tranquility at the Queens Park Golf Club, situated amidst the idyllic beauty of Invercargill’s beloved Queens Park. This jewel of a 18-hole course effortlessly blends nature’s splendor with golfing finesse. Meandering fairways, artfully framed by majestic trees, guide players through a serene parkland setting. As you traverse this harmonious landscape, you’ll revel in the allure of the well-manicured greens, offering an oasis of relaxation and a delightful escape from the everyday hustle.
TE ANAU Lakeside magic
Te Anau Golf Club: Embark on a spellbinding journey further south into the awe-inspiring Fiordland region, where the Te Anau Golf Club beckons amidst breathtaking natural wonders. This 18-hole marvel presents an extraordinary golfing experience, harmonizing with the magnificent backdrop of snow-capped peaks and the shimmering Lake Te Anau. Here, golf transcends the ordinary, becoming an immersive journey through nature’s grandeur. Indulge your senses, challenge your skills, and revel in the fusion of golf and the ethereal landscapes that define Te Anau Golf Club.
Nine Holes of Abundance
If you are looking for the shorter version of the game, Southland’s 9-hole courses paint a vibrant mosaic of golfing treasures, each offering its own unique charm and unforgettable experiences. So many to choose from so your golfing dreams will flourish in the South. Prepare to be captivated by the vivid colors, warm hospitality, and natural wonders that await you in this golfing paradise. Let your golfing adventure in Southland begin!
Tokanui Golf Club: Tucked away in the tranquil countryside, the Tokanui Golf Club presents a rustic haven for golf enthusiasts. This hidden gem showcases a delightful 9-hole layout that winds its way through rolling farmland. With its wide fairways and subtle contours, the course invites players to immerse themselves in the simplicity and serenity of rural Southland. As you navigate the course, enjoy the scenic vistas and embrace the warm hospitality of the Tokanui Golf Club community. There is never a dull moment when you play Tokanui, the Southernmost mainland course in Aotearoa.
Tokanui
Kingston Golf Club: Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, the Kingston Golf Club is a charming retreat that captures the essence of its picturesque surroundings. This rustic 9-hole course boasts breathtaking views of the lake and a majestic mountain range. Golfers will appreciate the course’s natural contours, which harmoniously blend with the rugged landscapes. As you revel in the tranquility and marvel at the captivating vistas, the Kingston Golf Club offers a captivating escape from the ordinary.
KINGSTON
Bluff Golf Club: Situated in the southernmost town of Bluff, the Bluff Golf Club showcases a unique golfing experience that combines coastal beauty with rugged charm. This scenic 9-hole course meanders along the stunning coastline, providing panoramic views of the Mokomoko inlet. and the famous Bluff Hill. As the fresh sea breeze invigorates your game, the course’s undulating fairways and well-maintained greens offer a delightful challenge. After your round, savor the local hospitality and perhaps indulge in Bluff’s renowned seafood delicacies. Fowlers Wild Bluff Oyster shop.
BLUFF
These rustic 9-hole courses in Tokanui, Kingston, and Bluff embody the essence of Southland’s unspoiled landscapes, inviting golfers to embrace the beauty of nature while enjoying the game. Whether you seek a peaceful escape, captivating vistas, or a touch of coastal allure, these courses promise a golfing experience that is truly unique to Southland.
If you are looking for a quick nine holes, (or a slow nine) we have many choices across the country. I found nine samples in different locations across New Zealand.
What is the ideal number of holes for a golf course? Is 18 holes really the golden number? The traditionalists need to listen for a minute before starting a march and camping at the gates of parliament in protest. Park your purist thoughts on the well-known 18 holes that have been the bread and butter of the game long established by the Royal and Ancient.
Following the rule changes in 2019, we all quickly got over the iny or outy debate over whether a flag should be in, out, or held. Is this the next big hurdle to questioning the fabric of our game? Why is the perfect number of holes 18?
Playing a full 18 holes, including getting to and from the course, plus the after-match beers and sausage rolls will take up a full day. It isn’t for everyone. If you want to open your club to a range of players, this thought might be holding you back.
There is nothing better than a respectable 9 holes. It is short enough to get done before breakfast in the summer, and you can squeeze it in between finishing work and getting home for a late dinner. Some say that 12 holes are perfect, enough time to recover from a bad start and long enough to put the pressure on the second half if you get off to a flyer.
Don’t get me wrong, 18 holes are the real challenge to level the playing field for all of us inconsistent hackers out there. A full range of opportunities to be the hero or the villain over 18 holes certainly sorts the wheat from the chaff.
On this trip, I discovered Mangakino Golf Club and their 4-hole bash, a late evening event that is great for extended families to give our game a go. A progressive club with a mission to attract new players to the game.
The selection of 9-hole golf courses in our country is impressive. The latest leg of my journey to play every course in the land allowed me to tick off nine of the 9-hole courses.
One Quarter of the way through!
On this trip, I made it over the threshold of one-quarter through the country of golf courses. Golf course 96 was a memorable milestone at Mossburn Golf Club and I had a wee lie down on the soft greens to celebrate.
the softest grass in the land.
The First of the nine courses is the Southern cracker at Bluff. The course is 15 minutes out of Invercargill, in an area called Greenhills. The course is a sloping affair overlooking the Mokomoko inlet. On approaching the clubrooms down the driveway, you get a good sneak peek at the sweeping layout.
It is cash only with no room for online payment, I was skint for cash and left a note worth $10 that I’d promise to pay somehow. I “Set Sail” down the aptly named first with the course to myself except the company of a mower man.
The course is a simple layout up and down the slope. The open nature of the terrain was good for confidence off the tee, with only a smattering of flax bushes in your way most of the time. The greens were on the rural small side, so a difficult proposition to get on.
The mower man was following me around the greens– I was getting trimmed and non-trimmed variations on the soft flat surfaces. It would be tremendous if on the PGA tour they stuck a greenkeeper on the course to work around the pros during a tournament. The Bluff man wasn’t worried about me hitting the greens as he moved about his work grabbing the flag as he buzzed past the hole.
The hole names were cool, Kaitoa, Tarewa (up to a hanging green) , Moki Moki( a skint or lizard.) Maranui ( Long sands ) and finishing on the 9th with Anchorage ( which marries nicely with Set Sail at the 1st) and they didn’t mess with new names if you repeated the nine to make up 18 holes. I have never seen the point in that.
The nine holes measure 2,545 metres, it is a short course but the hill and the wind make for a challenging journey.
Dunedin – a city of golfing heaven and tradition
Dunedin has many golf courses in and around the city. The oldest club in the land, Otago Golf Club set a foundation for golf in the Scottish-branded Southern City. They say the Scots came 12,000 miles and landed in the Bay of Islands. They found it a wee bit too hot. So, they marched south until they found a climate more like home, stopping when they could go no further and get no colder.
Gladfield Golf Club didn’t appear to be up for that. A walk-up and play public golf course 15 minutes from central Dunedin. The main sign on the way in claims a $15 green fee will get you on this nice wee course, the discounted rate of $10 is offered where you pay. This is good psychology, to underpromise and overdeliver. With an extra fiver in my pocket, the spirits were lifted on the first tee.
There is a wide and downhill drive to start you off and give you a warm feeling of achievement. I followed a nice drive with a sweet gap wedge leaving a birdie chance first up. Four putts later I headed to the second tee.
A four-ball of local fellas were still fluffing around on the 2nd tee, the last combatant topped his tee shot a good 10 feet. “You can play through chief” was the friendly advice from the fellas. Feeling gallus I jabbed a thank you and commented that it would give them time to practice! “We saw your putting…” they retorted, and I felt better now being part of the local banter. My tee shot off the 2nd was a ripper, and the fellas acknowledged the effort for me. But this hole is a monster. A sharp sharp dog leg to the right and then up and up a hill. There is a dangerous drop-off if you miss your second to the right, it makes you aim well left to leave an approach that gets a view of the green. This is a cool hole.
The course is not a bland old public golf serving, it has some chops. There were two par 3’s back-to-back, the 4th and 5th are attractive and challenging. The 6TH has a hedge along the right-hand boundary of the fairway, 2 men ahead were in the hedge, they saw me and waved me through. I got up close to them and passed the time of day. There was a hole in the hedge, and you could see golfers on the other side. “What is in there? “I asked the men.
“That’s JJ”s another 9-hole golf course.”
This is the first time I’ve seen two 9-hole courses side by side. Was it a messy breakup of golf lovers? Was it bravado from competing neighbours to see who could make the best 9? Who knew? The only other side-by-side courses that I know to date are Gulf Harbour and Whangaparaoa which are next to each other on one fairway.
Gladfield Golf Club is a great place for a quick hit when you need to stretch your legs before getting into the city of Dunedin. Don’t pass it by.
The next day, I got a very early start, waking up to the waves on St. Clair Beach. I wasn’t sleeping on the beach, I was in an apartment overlooking the famous surf paradise.
On the easternmost part of Dunedin out past Portobello, is the Otago Peninsula. If you trek over the hill on a winding road, you’ll discover this hard-to-find 9-hole golf course. Otakou Golf Club is 3,085 metres of links golf that you will enjoy at every turn. A remote wee place where you will need $15 of honest money to cover the cost of the round.
When you drive into a car park of an unknown golf course in a quiet, out-of-the-way location, you don’t know what to expect. It is a common thought of mine, “I don’t know what to expect from this course today”. Which is a little dumb, a bit like walking into a random restaurant you’ve never been to before. You don’t know what to expect, it will have food and some beverages, but the rest of the experience will be a mystery until you try it. Otakou Golf Club will have 9 holes on the menu, but I do hope it isn’t all vegan.
The course has a linksy feel, humps and hollows, with contoured links-like greens. The greens were excellent, firm, good rolling and better than you’d expect. There were a few too many pine trees on the course to make it feel like a true links. (whatever that really means) The course has a sandy bottom and is well laid out, with no hills to speak of.
Scrubby sandy rough is an indication that the course keeps at one with nature. The approach to the greens allows for the traditional bump and run that makes it feel just right.
This could be the best Nine holes in Otago and is pushing for a spot on the best of New Zealand List.
A mix of long par 4’s gettable par 5’s and attractive par 3’s. The 8th is 286 metres long from a blind tee shot giving the course authenticity in the links world. Risk and reward is a huge part of the links experience. And followed by the last at only 226 metres so reachable, with a road so close to the fairway to make you think twice.
THE LAST
If you are looking for a nine-hole menu of taste sensations then I’d suggest you add Otakou Golf Club to your hit list when in Otago.
The course is an up-and-down affair, 9 holes that offer many challenges. Treelined fairways, nice bunkering and a view of the Kaikorai Estuary are pleasant.
It is only 10 minutes from downtown Dunedin to visit this little parkland beauty that claims to be the premier 9 holer in Dunedin. I did pull up to the car park, unsure what to expect, which by now was to be expected.
The first is an awesome way to start. A short par 4, with a steep hill down to the fairway that was nice and wide. Golf will be easy today.
The last is your opposite, a long tough uphill challenge and a very tricky way to finish. Get your punches in early when stroke hole 1 is your last.
The course is in good condition, the greens are somewhat better than most at the nine-hole level. I met a cross-section of locals as I sprinted around, I nearly felled a young couple from the first tee as they appeared from nowhere, hidden at the bottom of the steep slope. My drive whistled over their heads, not a good look. They let me play through. I met a lovely local couple who were having a leisurely game. I stopped for a natter with them and also 2 slow-moving gents from across town who were enjoying the peaceful facilities. Dunedin is a very friendly place with amazing local people, this is aligned with the world of golf.
The 8th is a good hole, a semi-driveable short par 4, with many hillocks and humps to negotiate, some local knowledge on where to land would have been a help. The nice wee green is protected by a bunker.
8th
This course is tidy, not remarkable but worthy of your attention. For a well-utilised 9-hole golf course it is in better condition than most and has the variety across the nine holes to make a play for the best in New Zealand List.
In the hills of South Otago, the little town of Clinton has a golf hub worth a visit. The course is 9 holes, formed back in 1937. The town is called the five-horse town as it celebrates its local Clydesdales. Located in the centre of the town are sculptures created to celebrate the long agricultural history. A few years ago there were 3 horses, but with inflation and progression, they are now 5.
There are under 300 people in Clinton, so it is magnificent that it can maintain a golf course that is a fair challenge and very tidy.
For the $15 green fee, you will get a curious wee course. The fairways are wide in places but there are enough trees to keep you focused. The downhill first is called “Popotunoa”, named after the hill reserve in the distance.
The greens are soft and typical for a rural course. Flat, small and approachable. The rolling course is an easy walk, in pleasant surroundings.
“Little Moe” the 6th is 118 metres over a gully with the road terribly close behind the green. A great wee hole you should play once in your golfing life.
Little Mo
The day I pulled over was a roaster in the south, I stopped to gather plenty of liquid for me and my company. By the 5th we’d drank everything and were sweating our way around this great nine-holer. We were the only players, probably because you should never play golf at the height of the heat like us dehydrated losers.
Halfway between Dunedin and Balclutha in the Otago countryside is a nine-hole golf course that will surprise you. Toko Golf Club isn’t pretending to be anything other than a place for the local community to meet and walk with golf clubs. I may have had no expectations in the car park when I arrived, “I don’t know what to expect from this course today”. By the time 9 holes were done and I was back in the car park I was expecting to come back and play again. I had found a course that ticks a lot of boxes.
The mainly flat easy walking course is in good condition, including various pretty gardens. There is a creek that weaves through the course and plays a part in four of the holes. There is limited bunkering, only in play on 3 holes. This is a normal country course set-up, keep the maintenance low and use the resource well.
It is a great course to play on wide enough fairways and short enough rough not to lose your ball, on the first there was a two-armed man raking the bunker, a friendly fella enjoying the rake, the sand and the scorching heat.
The dog leg 4th is a nice hole as is the par 3 5th. On the 6th make sure you take your tee shot up the 7th after your approach to the 6th green to save time. And don’t tell the rules committee. Toko doesn’t seem to need many rules.
Country courses with limited membership hinge on a few good ladies and gentlemen. It was 29 degrees when I got out of the car. There were 3 guys sitting in the shade of the clubrooms. “whoosh it’s hot today fellas.” I said. “Come back when it heats up.” I was told by the good southern men in the shade. The online payment wasn’t working I left another promissory note that I’d pay somehow.
“Are you a good golfer” I was asked by one of the men. Be careful, this is a question you can’t answer. It is relative to nothing, good v’s the effort you have put into the game over the years, or good just today, or good is better than the average. “I’ll let you know when we finish.” I’ll walk with you said the ex-shearer Melvin who took up golf later in life.
“Is there a tap somewhere ?” “yes over by the gate, the water is funny but the prisoners drink it.” (the is Otago Correctional Facility is nearby) I filled the water bottle, the liquid was brown like dirt, I packed it in my bag anyway.
The Greens are country-soft but well looked after and true. There was a choice the club made a few years back. They had a chance to acquire the farmland next door and turn the excellent current nine into a full eighteen. A wise old member warned the committee that they could expand to a full 18 but most likely the quality would drop, they had no time or money to maintain additional holes. So, the decision to keep 9 and make it a top-quality course was the right one.
I enjoyed the company of Melvin on one of the better country nines. I was nearly out of golf balls going up the last couple of holes. I am not sure how this happened, there were spares in the car, but I didn’t check my ammunition levels before getting out on the course. You hear that occasionally in the professional world where the caddy only packs a dozen balls and the pro sprays a few around and hands out a couple to the local kids on his way around. The caddy notices on the 16th or somewhere that he is on his last ball, lose it and that is disqualification! The caddy is best to keep that a secret from his employer.
You know that a tube of toothpaste is always near full, right up to the moment when it is near empty. It’s like golf balls, you have a bag full of them and then hold on, why is there only an old Titleist with JC written on it and a pinky orange slightly rubber number that just appeared in your bag? Where did the rest end up? There are many things in life that fit this irritating order of the universe. Petrol gauges show full and then the panic of the red light appears as you pull out of a country golf course with no idea where the closest garage will be. And of course, the charge on your phone fits this model, plenty of charge right up til the screen dims and you’re on less than 10% .
I emptied the muddy water from my bottle on the ground in the car park, I was stunningly thirsty, but there was no chance of me drinking it.
Deer capital and soft greens
The town of Mossburn is known as the deer capital of New Zealand. The 9-hole golf course is not dear, $10 and you are away. A flat course with wide fairways underneath the attractive Takitimu Mountains.
The course is the rural variety, small green that was so so soft, if I had brought the rolly puppy dog from the toilet tissue ad he would have loved lying on the grass, I gave it a go on the 4th. It took a good few minutes to get up, very enjoyable.
The first is stroke hole 1, which we don’t like that much as a starter. A long tree-lined hole with long fairway grass adds extra degrees of difficulty.
There was no one around except a wee dog and some sheep penned between 2 fairways. Surprisingly it was humid for a trip around a Southland course, there were large sprinklers firing out protection to the greens. These weren’t going away quickly so there was the need to dodge the sprinkler to and fro as I putted.
The course boasts many majestic Douglas fir trees. The layout is not remarkable, but it is an attractive place to play.
Halfway around I met a nice fella who was wondering which fairway was needing cut the most. I pointed him to the first.
Mossburn Golf Club does mess with different names for the second of the same nine, but I must say in their defence, just like Tuatapere Golf Club they have significantly different tee boxes. The ninth particularly goes from par 3 to par 4. So I’ll let them off this decision.
These types of golf courses are all over Southland, very local affairs, looked after by the community. Not the most trodden of golf courses but well-loved for their contribution to local life. I was honoured to be here on my quarter point on the journey to play all 392 in the land.
The last two of my nine nines are in the North Island. Mangakino Golf Club, north of Taupo, is mainly flat easy walking golf. A pretty little place to view from up at the club rooms looking down across the layout. In the heart of the dam country, there is a hydroelectric power station at Lake Maraetai.
I arrived at the car park late in the day just before 7 pm. Enough light to see me around before heading to my accommodation for the night in Taupo. To my surprise, there were many cars and some activity in the clubrooms.
It was probably twilight and it was probably finishing up, so I headed inside the clubrooms to pay my fees. I was warmly greeted by a lady asking if I was here for the 4-hole frenzy. I wasn’t really, I told her. I might play the whole 9 if that’s okay.
She took $10 from me and told me to hurry up and join the family on the 1st tee. I missed them as they took off as a family 4 ball. It seemed the community were being encouraged to get into golf. Nice one I thought.
I walked up and joined the family and played alongside them at the first. They were lovely people getting introduced to our lovely game. They released me on the 2nd to march on to get around before dark. The course was in country nick and very pleasant.
The front and back nine differ by 180 metres – the front has 2 par 3’s the back has 3 of them but one less par 5. This would make for a thoughtful second run at the nine-holer.
There is a nice lake -Maraetai – flanking the course and the undulation down the far end of the course makes it a worthy experience. The 5th/14th is a 243-metre par 4 or 133-metre par 3. This is the hole of the course for sure just for that variation but a very intrusive pond at the front of the green makes it a challenge from either tee.
I also love that the 7th is stroke hole 1 on the front as a 376-metre par 4 and stroke hole 18 on the back as a par 5 404 metres only.
The last is a nice wee par 3 under the club rooms, when I got there the family were just finishing their 4 holes, I put my tee shot 2 feet from the pin. I looked a shoo-in for the closest to the pin prize. Except, the guy who won it took away the marker after he hit his shot! That is one way to guarantee the prize.
There were pizzas in boxes being passed around the club rooms and I joined in with a lite beer and talked with the crowd. A friendly bunch who had forgotten all about covid and were enjoying their community place. The guy running the show told me he was trying to get the club back on its feet. Make it more of a focal point for the local community and those with a bach to get involved with the locals. He was certainly going to give it a nudge and spruce the place up a bit.
Very good luck to him and the community there, golf will keep us all in high spirits, even in a pandemic.
To conclude the Nine o’ Nine, I took on my first Taranaki golf course. This region looks like a very interesting challenge with its 19 courses offering a range of experiences. Urenui Golf Club is north of New Plymouth by 30 kilometres.
The course is short and flat, ideal for holidaymakers who are attracted to the swimming spots and caravan park that borders the course. An unusual $12 green fee is required in cash, if you have only folding money this leaves an honest man’s choice, pay $15 and contribute more or put in a tenner and feel like a bandit stealing the club of $2. You decide where you sit. I found a two-dollar coin in the car and saved myself from the dilemma.
Who doesn’t love a Pouhutaka tree-lined fairway? This course has much to offer aesthetically. Views out over the Tasman and Caravans banking around one green to vindicate its name, the 5th, “Caravans”
The tee boxes with the ocean in your backdrop are excellent. Add in a couple of tempting dog legs and it makes for an entertaining golf course.
I enjoyed this course, it is well suited to the jandel-wearing golfer as well as me in my proper shoes. I met a one-armed man in the bunker raking to his heart’s content. I later found out he is a local legend who looks after the course. The Taranaki golf course kept in shape by a one-armed greenkeeper | Stuff.co.nz
The course was in fine condition and what I would say was an interesting find on the coast of Taranaki. This region might surprise a few with what golf it offers. I’ll be back to find out.
At the time of writing, there are 392 courses in New Zealand. Nine-hole golf courses are the backbone of small-town New Zealand golf. The quality of these courses is variable, but always the golf courses are there because of the hard work of local people. Building a golf course for your community is no mean feat and maintaining it takes dedication.
I have loved discovering these amazing places and will continue my journey to play every one of them. Go well, fellow golfers.
Houhora Golf Club is the most northerly golf course in the country. The golf course is on state highway 1 halfway between Kaitaia and Cape Reinga. I had an early start, to beat the traffic for the drive to the Cape, a once-in-a-lifetime place to visit. On the return from the most Northerly point in New Zealand, it was only right to pull over and complete the list of “most northerly things to do in New Zealand.”
Luckily, I was in the Jeep, the drive up to the clubrooms from the road is steep. The crew in the car were worrying about a hilly outing. There were a few cars around and many carts, fuelling the worry warts of the steep terrain ahead. The Wednesday haggle was finishing up and the clubrooms were open for business and full of lively types.
$15 will give you the pleasure of this country golf course. I paid my money and asked the barman if he could lend me a pencil. He produced a box of blunt pencils and old pens, and as he rifled through the collection, he settled on a white pen, which he handed to me. Lo and behold it was one of mine! It was a logoed pen with Kingsgate on it, one of the hotels in our chain. The marketing manager will be delighted that our name has covered all parts of the country, is this the most “Northerly Kingsgate pen in the land?” I’ll add it to the list.
VIEW BACK up the 1st
The first tee at Houhora Golf Club is up a steep track, more hills; the worry warts were concerned. The main concern was that we hadn’t played in a long time, so golf fitness was sure to be questioned today. The top of the hill and view from the 1st tee was inspiring.
The course is in a rural setting and mainly flat once you get down into it, Phew. A collection of rusty old swings of the club from the elevated tee got us going just nicely. It was a warm day with a wee breeze to help lower the sweating.
The course is 5,622 metres long for 2 nines, a standard par 72. There were no hole names in sight today. There are good scoring opportunities on the first 3, including the short 1st, a nice 122 metre par 3, and a gettable par 5 3rd.
par 3 2nd
The fairways were in good condition as country golf goes, there was placing, but most of the time my ball sat up nicely in the fairway. There are a few strategic bunkers across the course which have an unmanicured rustic feel, and the greens were at the back end of their latest coring and were heavily sanded, but still firm and true. I can imagine they perform well year-round. The greens were not overly large which is very typical for a country nine. The course has many areas where little red stakes are visible. A few of these had water, the majority will have water when the rains come. These areas are intrusive and appear all over the course, avoiding them will help with your scoring for sure.
Beware the red stakes
The 5th is a par 5 with a well-thought-out design before the green, to give you a reason not to attempt getting on in 2. A pretty little pond and 2 bunkers with a narrowing fairway give you all the clues you need to play sensible.
From the tee on the 5th, you can see the whole course in the valley in front of you. This is the farthest point of the course away from the clubrooms and you can look across the course and see where you came from. This is not a reflective ancestral statement …unless you want it to be.
Golf fitness was now being questioned as the wind dropped, and temperatures started to rise. I struggled through the next couple of long holes, hoping the clubrooms were going to be open to lubricate the dehydrating body. I promised to return the pen to the man up there so I’m sure he wouldn’t go home. The pen was not on brand as it started to register double bogeys on the card. I must have a word with the marketing manager about the effectiveness of these pens. Time for a rebrand, I think.
Green Gold on the 7th
On the 7th I hit a perfect pull to land my ball on top of the neigbouring avocado orchard’s protective sun net. My second attempt landed next to a stanza of tall bamboo, it was old dry bamboo and very tall. It swayed in the light breeze, creaking and moaning at me as I hit a tired old pitching wedge toward the green. The bamboo reflected the need for more golf to push the needle of lifestyle balance back to the positive. I was creaking and moaning as I put the bag on my shoulders and walked away from the bamboo.
Big bamboo
Around the course, there is a great collection of trees, not just Bamboo you’ll also find palm trees, pine trees, and some local Kauri.
The last was the final test of fitness, the longest par 4 on the course that needs a strong approach shot up a steep hill to a green below the clubrooms.
Scoring will be forgotten today but not the location and the experience of ticking off the “most Northerly golf course in the land.”
Back down the last
Back in the clubrooms, the barman got his pen back, he had wisely spent the time sharpening pencils. I ordered libations as we needed a lift as we had tired badly coming up the last. A combination of not enough golf time, early rising, the heat, and some steep inclines.
Houhora Golf Club keeping up standards
The restless night, the night before, in the worst accommodation I’ve ever experienced didn’t help. And I have slept in many rough old places. I won’t name and shame but soft beds, no thrills, spiders, overpriced, noisy with a crack in the bedroom door that you can see through. Plus, a meal that was incredible. If you had offered me that meal as my death row final dinner, I would have gone to the Pearly gates starving.
Anyway, I was not starved of a great golf course today, happy to know I was in the clubrooms drinking “the most Northerly beer I’ve ever had”.
The “most Northerly on course toilet in New Zealand” was in good order. There was a male and female toilet, which is unusual. And clean, unlike last night’s accommodation offering.
Take a drive one day up ninety-mile beach and visit Cape Reinga. These are iconic landmarks in this little country that you should see once. Houhora Golf Club should be part of this memorable trip if you know what is good for you.
This is the black sand course, a true links masterpiece on Muriwai beach.
I hadn’t played a full round of golf since April at Jack’s Point. Today I jumped in the car and headed to Muriwai Golf Club. The car hadn’t moved far since the awesome news that Delta was in the community and we were living with the virus. We were not living with it, we were hiding from it in our apartment.
If any game on earth is the game of the pandemic, it is golf. There is no risk, none, that you will be grabbed by Johnny COVID when wandering the fairways of a golf club. It seemed okay for the public to exercise on a golf course with their dog, or partner, or bubble but don’t bring a wee ball or an iron stick with you, elst you’ll end up a statistic.
I have played Muriwai Golf Club before, in the rain, heavy rain at that. My return to the club was thrilling, there was not a puff of wind and the sun was very welcome on my face. The people here are friendly, nice beach town people.
1st Tee
I moved fast to the 1st tee to get a lick on, it was a late start but there would be plenty of light to see me around. The 1st is upon an elevated tee looking out across the course and the ocean, I was glad to be right here.
It is one of the easier par 4’s, 322 metres with a downhill tee shot. The par 4’s across the course are all longish, the shortest of the collection is 319 metres. I would pick, that with the wind blowing hard, the length of a par 4 would become irrelevant, taking the win downwind and taking your medicine into it.
As I got to my ball resting in the middle of the 1st fairway, not the rough, a bunker, or sand dune, I remembered what I love about Muriwai. The grass is awesome, it is Kikuyu. I am no student of grass, but this stuff is lovely. Tightly shorn Kikuyu fairways give you a perfect lie every time. I popped the ball on the green and walked up to the elevated surface.
The green looked amazing, so true, and right up my alleyway. I had a new putter in hand and in a positive frame of mind for my evening on these greens. There was nothing wrong with the previous putter, I just like this one more.
Will it change my fortunes?
I once went to dog training classes (with a dog, not on my own) the lovely trainer commented after the first session, “ the dog doesn’t need training the owners do.” Similar idea to the putter and its owner I think.
A solid par secured on the first, and off to the second, a par 5. The par 4’s being long and not easy scoring holes contrasts with the par 5’s. Four of them on the course, not all gettable in 2 but with good course management, these are your best opportunity to get a respectable round on the card. The sweeping dogleg 2nd heads back to the clubrooms and starts a run of holes where the ocean isn’t as evident. I claimed another par, thrilled with my opening after such a long layoff.
There are 4 par 3’s at Muriwai Golf Club, the 3rd is the longest at 175 metres, a fair clip indeed. The par 3’s are all unique and a good scoring chance if you’re on your game.
The course which was built in the late 1950’s – it has been a favourite of many over the years. A top 20 contender in New Zealand for sure amongst those who keep score. I rate it highly on my Top NZ Golf courses list. The location is serious links, the condition of the grass and the greens plus the magical black sand bunkers give it an edge. The black sand is very black when it is raining, it looks cool.
I was puzzling over what keeps Muriwai from challenging the top 10? Why is Paraparaumu Beach better? The difference is found on the stretch through the 2 long par 4’s of the 4th and 5th and onto the par 5 6th finishing with another long par 4 at the 7th . This stretch is nice but not exceptional, simple holes with none of the clever challenges of other top courses. It doesn’t mix it up enough to deliver a true golfing great. But I’m being a bit picky.
Or it could be the ridiculous Kikuyu grass.
In a past paragraph, I lorded the grass here as the reason you have to play. But a word of warning to those that are not students of grass like me. The rough has long Kikuyu grass, not the deep hard to find your ball rough. But the grass grows up from below itself, is that possible? What I mean is that your ball sits on top of the mess of kikuyu waiting to devour your clubhead.
I’d forgotten this and foolishly took a recovery club out on the 7th to recover from a poor tee shot. I swiped madly at the ball and watched as the ball popped upwards and backward – the grass sucked my club under and I was sucked in. I don’t recall hitting a shot backward before.
Writing the double bogey on the card on the side of the 7th green was disappointing. My assessment of the course at this point was nice but average. I had a sweat up and trudged up the wee hill to the 8th tee. Ahh now, this is class, playing straight back at the ocean a par 3 to rival the best that you’ll find. Links bunkering and a small sloping green to tangle with, this is links heaven.
8th Tee dreamy links stuff
At 143 metres the length means nothing when the wind blows, they talk about pitching wedge to driver is the range of club choices due to the wind. No wind today, I’ll take the win on that one. The 8th gets this course back on track, the 9th adds more to the story. Heading back to the clubrooms, the approach to the green needs your attention elevated with sloping drop-offs on each side. A Norfolk Pine behind the green frames the picture well.
I picked up more water at the shop, I was beginning to falter in the heat. My golf fitness was being put to the test as I moved swiftly to the back 9. I enjoyed the start of the second half, it felt more like it should. And then the 12th took my fancy, a par 5 that looked at one with nature and the god of links.
12th Hole of the day.
A dogleg to the left with a sweep of spindly trees and bunkers all the way up the fairway, making it a really good golf hole. 4 greenside pot bunkers were the icing on the cake. I secured a par making it 3 out of 3 pars on the long holes so far, my plan was working.
The greens today were in fantastic condition, not slick but so true that you had confidence in your stroke every time. The new putter was playing along nicely and was put to the ultimate test with a 7 foot birdie putt on the last of the par 5’s, the 14th . I popped it in, and walked off the green grinning at my one under across the four par 5’s.
This was not the same story on the par 3’s where I couldn’t equal the accuracy. Even the short 103 metre 17th couldn’t yield a par.
This is a cracking wee hole – uphill only a gap wedge in hand but a scary shot to the undulating green, the green is quite big but if you miss it like me, you’ll struggle.
I stood buggered on the 18th needing a par to go around bang on handicap, a fine feat given the layoff. But the 18th is 374 metres, beautiful to look at but a tough way to finish.
It took a whollop off the tee and a fully flighted 5 iron to the back tier of the green. This finishing hole is one of the best around, missing short or right is not an option on your approach. The gallery on the clubhouse balcony will be watching too.
The Kikuyu also means you don’t get the run up of Scottish links, normally a bump and run will get you up onto a green but the Kikuyu grabs the ball and gives you nothing if you are short. The trusty new putter got me home in par and everyone was happy.
I was impressed with Muriwai Golf Club, one of New Zealand’s finest places to play. A quick mention of the hole names, every hole has it’s own name. No Temptation or Devil’s anything in sight. “Long Tom Kirkup,” “Where’s Joe,” “Don’s Leg” and “Thar she blows!” have a personality not borrowed from someone else. Be your own golfer people, with your own name, good work Muriwai. I personally would put the 12th ahead of the 8th on my best holes of NZ list. But you should go and make up your own mind.
Let me take you on a journey around a world-class 18 holes. If you know Queenstown, you have already won a watch. A phrase used in Scotland to indicate you got lucky and received more than you were expecting.
Queenstown has a spectacular charm that is hard to ignore. Twenty minutes drive from the town, heading towards the Remarkable Mountains and you will meet with Jack’s Point Golf Club.
Driving into the car park, I was a little excited, trying to contain my enthusiasm, just in case, all the hype was misguided.
The backdrop of the Remarkables was not new to me, I lived a long time in Queenstown. The one thing with the Wakapitu basin is that it gets you every time, no matter how long you’ve looked at the spectacular surroundings.
Preamble over… let’s get to the course. The first is a relatively short par 4, the angled fairway is wide and inviting. The rough down the left-hand side not so much. The green is massive with bunkering protecting the front.
When you walk the holes at Jack’s Point Golf Club you don’t see the other holes. Each hole is its own experience with its own personality. This is a very unique feature and it allows you to immerse yourself in the moment.
The uphill par 4 2nd hole needs an accurate drive ( or else!) The approach up to the green is threatening with steep bunkers overtaking the landscape.
The bunkers also have some bedrock sticking out of them, so they may appear beautiful but don’t go in them. You get a good view of the Jack’s Point suburb from here.
Everything is in its infancy around here. The golf course was finished in 2008, the design by John Darby lends itself to you not knowing the age of the course. So much of the environment is laying weaved into the course it seems they are one. The vegetation and surrounds tell a tail, the design was sensitive – to tread lightly, not disturbing the land. Losing none of what mother nature built here.
I was in heaven playing the game I love – in this location – on this course. It didn’t matter how I scored today, I had Won my Watch. The 5th was a challenge, a 497 par 5. Shoot out over the wasteland tussocks if you dare. Avoid the rock if you can. Get up the hill and position yourself to hit your 3rd shot into the impossible green. Good luck.
Every minute I was on the course was a blessing. Nowhere more so than the 6th Tee. 282 metres downhill from the Blues. I would advise playing as far back that you dare off the tees. There are 5 to chose from, you miss some of the natural challenges if you go right up the front.
You need to go for the green on the 6th, if you miss the target you will roll the dice on what you are left with.
This would be anybody’s favourite place in the world. Looking over the Wakatipu taking on the 6th. Then the 7th arrives, a par 3 to be in awe of. The short infinity shot at the green is just brilliant.
The native matagouri bushes that are common to the area are most visible around this part of the course. These untouched bushes date back over 500 years. I was beginning to believe the stories, this isn’t a golf course carved out of the land, it is the land. Each hole has its own distinct and separate mana.
The 5th, 6th, and 7th are a stretch of genius. Does it get better than this? The 8th is a tough par 5 that keeps on giving. There is no better or worse here, it ALL works.
You move away from the lakeside and head back towards the Remarkables on the 9th. Not disappointed, the views were better or different.
There are 2 par 3’s early on the back 9, the 11th, and the 13th. If you thought the 7th was worthy of your attention, well these 2 will make you weep at their beauty. Just go here and play them, your life will be richer.
Over the Flock and the Wall
On the 15th I was cocooned in this golf course and now something new. A tee shot over a sheep-filled paddock, over the perfect stone wall to make the angled fairway. You will love this tee shot unless you end up in with the sheep. This is Mr Darby’s favourite hole around here.
My round was coming close to its conclusion. On the 16th I was aware we were heading home. But no time for complacency a downhill tee shot with a tussock-filled danger zone in the middle of the fairway.
There is a wee bonus par 3 after the 16th, not sure why, but it would rank as one of New Zealand’s best un-numbered golf holes.
And finally, on the 17th tee, you can see 2 holes at the same time, down the 17th a monster 536 metre par 5 and then back up the 18th to the clubhouse.
The 18th has the lake on your left, the walk up to the green is amazing. I felt magic having completed the 18 holes at Jack’s Point Golf Club. If you played here every week you would never get immune to the infectious beauty of the course. Its natural environment stunning backdrop and immaculate presentation will course through your veins. There is no vaccine to cure that. Number 1 golf course in New Zealand for me now.
The attractive rolling farmland that surrounds the Purangi Golf Club leads you to believe this country affair will be easily tamed.
The course is situated close to some of the great beaches on the Coromandel Peninsula. Hahei Beach is the gateway to Cathedral Cove. Cooks Beach is delightful and the legendary Hot Water Beach – it is legendary for people sitting in self-dug holes of hot water.
Catering to the locals and the holidaymakers this full-length nine-hole course is no pushover. 5,200 metres twice round, it is well worth feeding the honesty box with $20 for unlimited all-day golf.
In years gone by I believe livestock and fences were in place, I was expecting a rugged rural presentation. But wait, as I pulled up she was an attractive wee place and dressed to impress.
The greens were small – as expected in rural NZ – but very tidy, undulating and tricky to land on with your approach shots.
The first was a good opener, “MAUNGATAWHIRI” – there was a house on the edge of the fairway looking right at you. I’m sure the poor bugger who lived there has seen his share of golfers in his garden.
A simple little downhill par 4 at 274 metres -an easy way to get going for the day. I had a hard-fought and well earned triple bogey.
Purangi Golf Club is a very well presented golf course and the hole names were interesting enough.
The 2nd was called “Wrecker”, now we know this is a common name around the country for a golf hole. When it appears on the card as the second hole into your round, you have to worry.
There was a creek running through the course, it seemed to appear everywhere. The other natural hazards have to be managed carefully as you work your way around. Thankfully, some of the holes had good directional poles to keep you right. But some joker just put them in the middle of the fairway, which was accurate but may be a waste of a pole.
“The Gap” was truly that with trees offering you a space to find the green 155 Metres from the tee. The green wasn’t welcoming anything left and you are faced with a large drop off and a tricky chip.
The 4th was a long par 5 with the ever-present creek short of the green, guarding the silly 2nd shot aiming the green.
I was really enjoying this course, the surroundings, the difficult choices from tee boxes and tricky approaches all made for proper golf.
The 5th “Devil’s Point” was no Elbow. What the point was only the Devil will know. His plan for me was a double bogey. Scoring here is tough my friends. A nice looking hole only God could have made. I thought right them that there is no Devil just God when he is drunk. It made sense at the time.
“Pine Lake ” was my hole of the day. A par 4 at 327 metres. Firstly the lake of pines to be avoided from the tee were cool enough. A downhill shot at the green needed to avoid the creek ( of course) – an attractive part of the course too.
The 7th was a delightful par 3 ” The Dell” – I found a cool wee bunker next to the green.
Next, I had to mentally wrestle with “Temptation” – a shortish par 5 but needing a belter of a tee shot to an uphill fairway to have a chance to get up to the green in two.
There were Turkeys on the green. I was not surprised by anything that Purangi Golf Club had for me. I bagged a par and was happy with that. The course was teaching me a lesson for sure.
“Punchbowl ” is an uphill 159 Metres to finish you off. A delightful hole with a rustic bunker.
Well done to the team at Purangi Golf Club, you have a great golf course. I’ll be back when you fill in the creek.
The on-course toilet was presented well, so adding to the excellent day out.
There is a lot to like about Ohope Beach Golf Links. The Ohope beach is arguably the finest stretch of sand in New Zealand, with white sand and views out to the puffing White Island and Whale Island.
Our campervan trip around the rugged and remote Poverty Bay started in Mahia and took in some stunning New Zealand golf. Crossing over into Bay Of Plenty we stopped at the ocean side campground of Ohope Holiday Park.
Luckily for us, the golf course was right next door. The golf course is situated on a slim sliver of land flanked by water on both sides.
I knew little about the 18 holes I was about to encounter. Arriving into the pro shop and looking out over the course, it was a windless day, my attention was perked.
1st Tee
The first is a short but perfect links par 4. The natural undulations of the fairway framed the first drive and the elevated green gave the gift of a wonderful view over the ocean.
1st Green
Bring 2 pairs of Trousers in case you get a Hole in One.
I stood upon the 2nd Tee box with a 6 iron in my hand. Enough club to fly the 174 metres I had to the flag. I struck it perfectly, a tiny wee draw and right at it. And for the first time in my life, it went in, a HOLE IN ONE! You little beauty!
I shared the moment with my wife – which was very special that she was the one I was with. I now will never forget Ohope Beach Golf Links.
Calm down son there are 16 holes to play, it’s hard to concentrate when you are pumped up from the excitement of an Ace. The 3rd is the hardest hole on the course dunes all up the right. The green is elevated and missing it leaves a troublesome pitch.
I felt great on these links, I was planning to buy a home here and play every day. Getting a hole in one every week. I stood on the par 3 4th, looking around at the brilliant views. It was a downhill 198 metres. “I am good at these par 3’s” thinking I can put this in.
The 5 iron was a peach – right on target – I was willing it to go in. 20 feet short, nowhere near!
I birdied the par 5 5th with a bit of swagger. This part of the course heads along the Ohiwa Harbour. The 6th also follows the harbour, I began to notice the excellent bunkering the course had. My ball found the deep little pot bunker by the green. Of all the bunkers in all the world, it is quite cool being in a proper links bunker!
The next 3 holes to finish the front 9 are tree-lined and a little bit different from what came before and the back 9 to follow. I had great pride looking at my card for the 9. One over the par 36, it could have been better but I was not caring too much.
The front nine is actually 10, you can pay for 18 or 10 holes here. The 10th is a wicked dogleg with an internal Out of Bounds – like our game isn’t hard enough that you need one of those in your life.
I swept through the next few holes confident and loving the course to bits. The short 11th is 107 metres, a cracking wee target hole. Three bunkers and a two-tiered green make the target feel very small.
I parred 10, 11, and 12. If I could muster a birdie there is a chance I might come home level to the card. Wouldn’t that be something?
Stay in the Moment – Don’t get ahead of yourself.
The 13th was a par 3, I’m good at those and there are back-to-back par 5’s at the 14th and 15th. The chance was right there – 3 bogeys in a row followed – tempering the thought of greatness quickly.
The scoring aside, the last 3 holes are a special way to complete such a great golf course.
The 16th is the classic dogleg that asks you to take on the corner and make the green on the short par 4.
The 17th is the hole of the day for sure – a par 3 over a gully and an impressive dune. The Pacific Ocean and White Island are the backdrops, just spectacular! Onto the Best Holes in New Zealand you go.
18th
The 18th is no slouch, a great view from the tee is worth inhaling. Then smack your final drive as far as you can. The shot up to the clubhouse onto the raised and super tricky green is icing on the cake.
I came home smoking like White Island, equalling my best ever, just 5 over the card. I was very pleased with my work and will always have a place in my heart for Ohope Beach Golf Links. The course has recently rebranded the name, dropped the “International ” ( maybe COVID related?), and added “Beach Golf Links.” It seems a more fitting name, I’m happy with that.
I bought a wee memento from the shop. It will surely give me golfing luck as I take on the rest of the New Zealand golf courses. I’ve just tipped over 20% completed. 314 courses still to go! And some I’ll meet again, Ohope Beach Golf Links will be one of those for sure.
The town of Coromandel is a big focus for the latest COVID lockdown. The Coromandel Golf Club should be open as a welcome relief to the good people of this town. If there is a sport that should be exempt from restrictions we all know it should be golf.
This course is a wee bit special. All the holes are named after a gold mine according to the history lesson on the wall of the clubrooms. I wonder if “Try Again” the 10th was a failed 2nd attempt at a gold mine I’d like to think it is.
Just on the edge of town, the course is an unassuming affair. “Scotties” the opener is a simple straightforward par 4. Make the most of this as each hole has its own character – just like a gold mine – I’d imagine.
The 2nd, “Hauraki” takes you straight back to the clubrooms, good if you left your sandwich in the car. A gentle downhill par 4 with a couple of nice-looking bunkers at the green.
A nice run from here, down “Bunker Hill”, up “Union Beach” and a great drive off “Tokatea” – a par 5 which should be a scoring hole if you can keep your cool off the tee. This is a nice and challenging part of the course.
The 5th takes you back to the clubrooms, good if you left your drink in the car!
The 6th is the start of the best of the course, it is called “Success” without knowing the history the hole didn’t look like success. Uphill to an elevated green (again) short but shitty – we all know someone like that.
The par 5 7th and the brilliant downhill par 3 8th leave you enjoying every bit of this golf course. Ending on “Slaughterhouse” is much better than the old standard elsewhere called “Wrecker”.
I find this course very different across the 9 holes. The greens are in good nick, the hole names are some of the coolest around. I like the number of times you get back to the clubrooms. Good for never getting caught short, grabbing a chocolate bar, a cold beer, or fresh pencil.
Definitely worthy of making the Top Nine Holes in New Zealand. A really good place to be, so get out and support our regional courses, when the lockdown levels drop.
If you meet a politician then have a word in their shell-like. Golf should be free to play at any level, if you can ride your bike for exercise then the pleasure of a round of golf will keep the morale of New Zealand up in these tough times.
Queenstown Lakes District is the backdrop for PARNZ to host the Mount Michael Central Otago Autumn Golf Classic – a golfing challenge over five exceptional courses. The clubs you play over this week are some of the best golf in the country. Arrowtown, Cromwell, Alexandra, Wanaka, and Queenstown are the five places you will visit. That is some notable collection of golf courses that will put a pep in the step of any golfer of Aotearoa. PARNZ has been bringing golfers to this region for many years and they run a perfectly well-oiled event. The local clubs come to the party with volunteers to help prepare their courses for the near 400 golfers. The field is split into 5 groups, I started day one of my epic escapade at Queenstown Golf Club. The alpine nature of the region starts most days with a crisp icy air which grows into warm dry conditions. The golfing beauty on display in the town of Queenstown is second to none. This town is world-renowned for adrenaline-fired adventure, spectacular mountains ranges, and photo-worthy lake views.
Queenstown Golf Club sits on a wee peninsular across Lake Wakatipu in full sight from downtown Queenstown. The location alone is worth the visit and puts the golf course on the must-play map. The course was in fantastic condition and the greens would prove to be the quickest of the week. The golf here is awesome, we started off the first tee with near frost on the surface of the fairways. The somber opening 3 holes lead you to where the main event starts – along the lakeside at the 4th.
This 448 metre par 5 tempts you to have a go at the green in two mighty shots. The lake runs the length of the hole on one side and a well-placed pond on the other just short of the green needs some thought. The locals know to keep your hot head in check as you eye a long but makable 2nd shot at the green and a dream of putting for eagle. I naively found the pond. There is much more temptation off the tee box on the 5th. This hole is legendary sitting next to Lake Wakatipu and asking questions of how much you will cut off the corner. A good blow will put you on the upslope of the sloping fairway. Play safe, and have a long approach from a difficult stance, and anything left will visit the stony beach or the icy lake.
The approach up to the elevated two-tiered green is tough but when you get there, forget your golf game. Stand in wonder at the amazing location of this golf course. This hole is definitely in the Best Golf Holes of New Zealand list.
The front nine is the star from an aesthetic perspective although the toughest of the nines. So, enjoy the views and hold onto your score. We played the front nine in fine still conditions albeit cold for April. The back nine starts with the 9th – the front finishes on the 8th (or at the clubhouse) there are 10 holes from here. The 9th is a simple short par 4 that will take your scorecard and drop it in the lake. The cute 10th is one of my favorites of the day. Only 110 metres down to the green, apparently stroke hole 18. It has a lovely pond and a backdrop of Walter peak over the lake to take your mind from the easy tee shot.
NUMBER 10
We had clear skies and still conditions, perfect for golf – not sure how I was struggling to get into double figures for Stableford points on each nine? The day changed at the 15th when the heavens opened and produced a mass outpouring to dampen our day. Keeping dry was nearly impossible in the extreme driving rain, as a good Scotsman it did not deter me. I made a tap in 2 on the 190-metre par 3 17th in the height of the conditions. Saving some of my scoring blushes. Or not really, at least I got a sleeve of balls to make me feel I had achieved something on the day. Queenstown Golf Club is unique due to the location, layout, and presentation of the course which makes it one of the best in New Zealand on anybody’s list, including mine. Top New Zealand Golf Courses.
Day 2 was a trip to Wanaka Golf Club for our group. Some say the 2nd string to Queenstown, but not so. The alpine location and Mount Aspiring National Park encasing the area are majestic.
We arrived at the big clubrooms to a warm welcome from the PARNZ team and the 2 log burners. The weather was foul carrying on from yesterday. But the good news was that there were reports of clearer skies in the next few hours. We huddled together waiting for the chance to get at the course. The greenkeepers were out working their magic to prepare it for the gathered crowd.
The mood lifted quickly as the announcement of a shotgun start was being organized and the course was good to go. Wanaka is a course of 2 halves, the front nine is a hill climb with the best of the vistas. This is some of the best golf in the region. Stunning views down the lake and the clouds parted in the sky revealing snowcapped mountains all around us. The 5th green and brilliance of the 7th from tee to green stand out as golfing heaven.
The course was in excellent condition and was a pleasure to play. The back nine is more a parkland feel and easier walking. The 18th is a classic finishing hole, sliding dog leg right needing a corner cutter to get a difficult approach shot into the undulating green. Wanaka Golf Club is in my Top New Zealand Golf Courses list for sure, but there was plenty more competition for spaces on this trip.
Marram Master puts the Cherry on top.
Boasting some of the best cherries in the land, the fruit bowl of Cromwell was day 3 for me. The course is right in the town and was right up my alley. The fairways were wide, rough was made up of sandy scrub and there were areas of a wild grass called Marram to avoid.
The greens played slow, but they needed to be to cope with the tricky undulations and complex choices they leave you.
Cromwell Golf Club dates way back to 1903 not the oldest of the week. This area of the country is one of the driest, so I was hoping that I could carry the bag today with no need for wet weather provisions. I was in luck and the field was in great spirits to see dry sunny conditions for the 18 holes ahead. Around 10 years ago the course design was extensively revamped. I’m not sure what changed but the work done has given the golfers of today an excellent golf course. I played my best golf of the week here even taking home some Mount Michael Pinot Noir for my efforts.
I love a par 5 starting hole, and “the Junction” at 504 metres, gives you that. Wide landing area off the tee and a chance at an opening par. Until you see the green and realize that putting maybe a challenge today. I got my par and 2 others to follow laying a platform for a steady and enjoyable round.
Is this the only golf course in the land with 2 holes of the same name? The 9th is a cracking driving hole – framed by a bunker and the Marram grass, it’s a challenge and the green looks attractive with another bunker and Marram grass all around. This is correctly called “Halfway House.” The 10th is also called “Halfway House” I can imagine the raging debate at the hole naming committee meeting, “when you come off the 9th green it is half way!!” “no, you imbecile the 10th Tee is the half way point!!” arguing into the night whisky bottle empty, the committee decided on compromise….maybe.
The finishing holes from the 14th all have a bit of road and OB – so they could wreck your momentum. Care is needed to tread the fairways in one piece. The last was my hole of the day, you need a precise drive over the ridge in the fairway which is probably out of reach. The opening between bunker and Marram grass is meagerly thin. The approach to the green looks friendly if you can see that far. The basin green looks amazing, framed by autumn colours and the undulations of the fairway. Easy to go wrong here before you get a beer in the clubrooms.
Alexandra Golf Club – Day 4. The longest trek from my home base of Queenstown is Alexandra Golf Club. Alexandra was the oldest club of the 5 for the week. Established club during the gold rush, in 1901.
The Alexandra Clock on the Hill is a feature of the town – sitting up on the barren hill telling time for the locals. The clock was born in 1968, just like me. You cross “Shaky Bridge” to start the hill climb to visit the old-timer, followed by a challenging uphill trek. I am sure there is an analogy to my golf game in there somewhere, but I will get on with the story.
Today I was dialed into the course, I enjoyed the drive across to Alexandra, passed the Clyde dam into a part of New Zealand famous for the Otago rail trail and spectacular countryside. The course has tight fairways and is mainly flat. The terrain is dessert-like, and it would be hard to imagine the work that has gone into the course over the years from its inception. The desert winds and sand blown across the land would have been a challenge. But what stands here is a well-kept course that is playable all year around.
The first is a straightforward par 4 “the Pioneer” nods to the regional history. It takes until the 8th “Muttontown” before you play 2 holes in a row of the same par. This keeps it interesting, and the theme continues into the back nine.
The 10th through the 12th is a great challenge to start the second half. 10 dares you to hit too much club off the tee to beat the sharp dogleg and has a tricky approach to a 2-tier green. The drive on 11 has encroaching trees narrowing your view, with a straight drive you can attack the 3 leveled green. Watch out for cyclists taking on the rail trail behind the green.
The 12th “GoldPan” is short, but the 3 bunkers demand your attention. A candidate for the hole of the day. I would say so as I bagged the closest to the pin, only to find out it was the ladies closest to the pin! * missed the putt*
I was warming to the course and enjoying the Central Otago backdrop and the company. By the 16th Tee, I was only 8 over the card, by the 18th I had added another 6 shots to that following an out of bounds, a tangle with a bees nest, and the beautiful little lake in front of the last.
“Old Man” is the last, named after the rock on the hill – it is a fine finishing challenge, the new water feature elevates the hole. The large deck outside the clubrooms overlooking the green was full of happy PARNZ golfers. All enjoying a BBQ and a cheeky wee drink, it was a fine atmosphere and a great way to end the day at Alexandra.
Save the Best to Last
Arrowtown Golf Club was the Friday treat for us. There was a downpour in the early hours of the morning which delayed our start. But good news, the bacon butties were particularly delicious to fill in the time. The clubrooms were a buzz of excitement to get out onto this little beauty.
This was the first golf course I ever played in New Zealand some 25 years ago when it was barren and lacked fairway irrigation. I didn’t know at the time that this golf course was to grow into one of New Zealand’s best.
This was helped in 2001 when water was introduced to the fairways and the club jumped from a cool little course to a stand out in the country of Aotearoa. When I played here way back when it was more like crazy golf, fast and firm, and rocks to take your ball wherever the lord of crazy golf deemed would be a laugh.
Always wise to spend some time in a practice bunker to get your touch honed in, at Arrowtown the only bunker on the course is the practice bunker.
The opener at Arrowtown is a par 3 downhill with a full view of the green, a smart way to start the journey. You get into your work straight after this with a drive to a narrow fairway banked on both sides.
This par 5 is called “Johnny Walker”, you’ll need a stiff drink if you get off here in one piece. Stray away from the narrow fairway or be long at the green or left, equals trouble. The story of the course is right here.
The rocks come out to play after this and the true spirit of the course. The 3rd needs a precise tee shot and at 310 metres, “Punchbowl” is referring to the green, it is a wonder. I wonder if I can keep the ball on it. You need to avoid getting kicked off the green by rocks or slopes and then you must tackle the wicked sloping surface.
The tee shot at the 7th really temps you to beat the corner and avoid the massive grassy knoll, I really like this hole. Is it better than the par 3 6th called “Waterloo”? 133 metres across a donga to a difficult green.
Is the drive at the 9th to an angled fairway the best test? Or is it the drive at the 18th blind to the fairway but with a full view of the pond?
So many choices on this golf course to pick a favourite. The last “Lady Fayre” makes my Best Golf Holes of New Zealand list ahead of the many contenders. Named after a gold mine from centuries ago, knowing your skill level and good luck pay off on this nugget of a hole.
The front nine at Arrowtown takes you on a journey of thoughtfulness, frustration, skill, and all in the beautiful local hills. The most natural of golf courses in the land. Nine holes everyone should play in a golfing lifetime.
Across the road to the back nine is more open and less dramatic. The golf is good but she is no front nine. The last stands out as one of the best in the land and your round wrecker. I had already wrecked my round and belted a drive over the massive grassy hill wide and wonderful. The ball is probably still bouncing down the road.
Of the 5 courses played in the week hosted by Kim and Denise at PARNZ Arrowtown Golf Club is my favourite, but there is very little in it. I think the nostalgia of this being my first probably tipped the balance ahead of a very game Queenstown G.C.
Queenstown is a world-class golfing destination, PARNZ run a world-class challenge, so all in all this was a delightful week. A highly recommended way to fill your golfing calendar.
The beach side township of Mahia is remote, it is pretty, it has good surf, a quiet disposition, you expect little of it’s golf course.
I’m a sucker for a links course and Mahia Golf Club is exactly that in the most traditional way. A true links, rustic in the dunes and across the road from the beach. The course is a kilometre from the town – it sits intimidating in its own special part of the world. There were no other golfers, we had this beauty all to ourselves.
Mahia Golf Club has a rustic appearance there are reeds and tussock, and a bit of waste land. The beauty of this little Belter, is the contours that frame your way around. The course reveals itself over the journey through each hole.
This was the start of a tour to the East Cape, a golf trip that will unveil some notable golfing destinations of Aotearoa. We had been singing along to a Glaswegian crooner by the name of Gerry Cinnamon. How apt that he has a little song called “Belter.”
A Belter in normal Scottish language is a large forceful singer – But in Glasgow a Belter is something or someone that is amazing great fantastic. To quote Gerry ” she is a Belter, different from the rest…she always looks her best”
Well take it from me folks, Mahia Golf Course is a BELTER!
The first is the longest hole on the course, a big dog leg left. I already loved the location and the way the course settled into the natural landscape. Called “KAIWAITAU” after the block of land that the club leased.
The second is a wee 133 metre down hill par 3. A wonderfully framed links par 3 – I’m thinking this could be the hole of the day. Classic golf right here. Named after the sensational landmark mountain in the area, “MOUMOUKAI“
The 3rd is a dog left of 370 meters but the dogleg is a little irrelevant cos you can cut the corner with ease so drive straight and land a good approach to conquer “Bluebay.” Taking a moment to look back at the beach and the township I was falling for this golf course.
“Devils Elbow” appears at number 4 – but not really the massive risk or reward of other D.E. versions. Fire up at the corner and flop a sand wedge into the tricky green.
A 404 metre par four the 5th is tough. A self titled hole shows that that hole naming committee obviously thought this hole sums up the course.
There are many impressive self titled golf holes, none more so than “TITIRANGI.” There are many great self titled albums, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, Beyonce, The Smiths to mention a few. A certain self assurance is required to announce to the world this is me, this will define me.
“Mahia” does this for the unpretentious links. A long and accurate drive is required back towards the clubhouse. The green is perfectly framed by the hollows and looks like a green that came straight out of the the golfing god’s official design manual.
The 6th tee box is located under the shadow of the club rooms, a full 190 metres – is no joke of a par 3.
Bunkers are not needed, the hollows and undulations are a challenge enough around these links. The greens are nice, softer than I thought and true rolling. The cut was a little long but as summer comes towards its end I was impressed that they were in good condition. The best 9 hole greens I’ve experienced to date.
The fairways were rustic but that is part of the charm of this golf course. The lie you get is a links lie – up or down or in a wee hollow or in a sandy patch…marvelous.
A busty Finish
“The Cleavage” is the last hole of the magical nine. It will probably go the way of Dr. Seuss, as controversy and hidden meanings are raked out of the past and buried out of reach from our children. But lets hope that life does not go this way here on the 9th at Mahia Golf Course.
The green is framed perfectly by 2 mounds – is there another name for a golf hole that is more appropriate?
I took out the big stick and squarely landed in the middle of the cleavage, not so PC but I was proud of myself! We laughed at the quality of this finishing hole.
On the final green pouring over my 3rd birdie putt in a row, and the 3rd one that didn’t quite drop, I was not disappointed. It was a superb finish to a great day in this remote area of New Zealand. As the sun began to set I was in wee bit of golfing heaven.
There were many cars in the car park when we got back in, maybe some golf function. No, a local disaster planning meeting. The recent Tsunami threat to the shores of New Zealand was centered right here.
We were camping this night on the ocean – it comes with risks. If mother nature pours in tonight and takes me in my sleep, at least I got to play at Mahia Golf Club. It might serve me right for taking on the Devils elbow….
There is one thing that Mahia Town is known for, it is the home of the launch facility of Rocket Lab. Where New Zealand sends their rocket ships into space. The golf course has just rocketed to the top of the list of top 10 NZ nine hole courses.
The journey to play every golf course in New Zealand
