It’s my birthday!! I celebrated with an early morning trip to one of New Zealand’s best golf courses.
Opened in 1997 it is but a baby in golf course terms. It feels a lot more grown up when you get out there.
It is a 45 minute drive north of Auckland into the North Harbour district out on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula.
Overlooking the Gulf of Hauraki and nestled amongst a beautiful suburb. The course overlooks the Pacific ocean- it is an
amazing part of the New Zealand landscape.

Even the entrance driveway tells you the course is set up be be something special. Not a pot hole on the tarmac and neither on the greens. Possibly the best greens I’ve putted on, so excuses are futile at this point.

The team in the pro shop were friendly and professional and wished us well for our walk free round. I had treated myself to a cart for the day.

My thoughts on carting on the golf course are well documented, but it was my birthday. …so I get to cheat on this day!

This proved to be a great decision, the course sweeps up and down
over and around the coastline. The distances between holes would certainly test your fitness levels. The front nine was amongst the estate of houses built around the course following it’s establishment. It had a funny feel – not resort like – more domestic.

It was a beautiful warm day with no wind to speak of. I would strongly advise to avoid playing here in a high wind situation, it would be long long day. The last 3 of the front nine are focused around a lake which makes for tricky but beautiful golf.

All of the holes have wonderful Maori names and they all made sense for once. When you head off into the back nine Gulf Harbour shows you why it is a top 10 golf course in New Zealand.

The challenge and the view are magical. Stand up on the 16th and tell me you don’t love Gulf Harbour. Smack the ball over the ocean, carry 200 metres and you will tame the beast. Ta Moko – your identity – or the Signature hole. Lydia Ko argrees check out her thoughts Lydia’s favourite fairway.

I had a course handicap of 14, ran out in 6 over the card. I was ready to blow out the candles on my birthday ( not sure what that means.) Four quick fire double bogies going into the back nine; blew out the candles for me. I finished 17 over the card by the end, I blame the cart. I had a great birthday at Gulf Harbour Country Club.

This golf course is world class and a perfect way to get one year older.