Like a bullet leaving a gun I was out of bed in a flash , fully prepared to take on one New Zealand’s top golf courses. This could be New Zealand’s best & Kauri Cliffs Golf Club sits comfortably in the world’s top 100 golf courses.

Much has been said about the location and the quality of this golf course. I had a mix of excitement and fear driving across from my hotel to the cliff top location on the North Eastern coast of New Zealand. It was a 40 minute drive of anticipation from Pahia.

Excited to be playing a true world class golf course. Fear that I may not have packed enough golf balls for the occasion! The drama builds as you find the remote winding dirt road towards the golf lodge. Through a working farm which surrounds the course you are in rural New Zealand.

Kauri Cliffs is an exclusive resort -the Billionaire owner of the course obviously loves the game and the beauty of this location. If you drove passed the course you may not notice it is a golf course. It has been crafted into the contours around it, like the big man himself put it there. Well done the the big man David Harman golf architect.

The people working here must love their life choices. You can feel the passion as you meet the Pro and the great staff in the lodge. The best piece of advice given “keep the cart out of the tussocks – you might disappear and be lost, it’s deeper than it looks”

My advice if you are going to Kauri cliffs, arrive early take advantage of the beautiful surroundings in the lodge and outside. The practice area is remarkable in itself. Oh and get a cart. I know the, “carry your bag king” would be disgusted but you will need all of your energy to take on Kauri Cliffs.

We had a windless day – this is critical to enjoying the 18 holes. A sea gale would make you wonder on each and every shot. Missing the fairway and most greens is not an option. Punishing rough and a course with with the word “cliffs” in the title should give you a clue.

Course handicap of 15 – 3 more than normal explains the difficulty factor. Hairy tee shots and precision required approaches shots are a norm at Kauri Cliffs. Pro Tip – stay on the fairway and hit the greens.

I was on fire off the tee, only lost 1 ball on my entire round! Success is measured in many different ways.

The first 4 holes head you down towards the ocean. The 3rd commentary suggests “do not miss the green long” they are not wrong. In fact most greens should not be missed or you will be in big trouble. The 4th is named Cambo, tipping a hat to Michael Campbell, an NZ golfing great.

A short par 3 5th is called Change, to do with the wind direction maybe, but also the course just got some teeth. The drive off of the 6th requires the ball to leave the middle of the club as you face a massive gully carry – with a lovely bridge…

The 7th ahh haa – the 7th ahhhhh – the 7th arggghhh – the 7th … wow … the beautiful beautiful 7th, put the ball on the green or say goodbye to the ball. A lovely view of the pink beach below, doesn’t help with the nerves of hitting this par 3 over a bottomless gully. The ocean is encroaching on this course from now on. Hold on for a bumpy ride!

I had a good look at birdie on 7 after a remarkable tee shot. The lip of the hole just missed my putt. Easy peasy par 3. I won’t forget my tee shot on here for a while.

We got to the turn and needed a sandwich, we ordered a BLT and they brought it out to us! What service, it probably took a shot off my score.

10 through to 13 are in a wetland situation, great but dangerous holes. When you finish with this part of the course and get to the 14th tee your journey has just begun. The run from here to 17 is spectacular. 4 holes of golf that should be on any bucket list. One of them is called Temptation. I’m not sure what the temptation is? Getting a drive in the fairway sets you up for a tempting shot into the ocean if you miss the green.

When you get onto the 18th you will be exhausted from concentration and the love of the game of golf at Kauri Cliffs.

It is not over, Tane Mahuta awaits you. If you know this giant god of the forest, the name is apt. A long carry is needed to get started and all your energy reserves are needed to get you up to the par 5 green 458 metres up hill.

There are no photos ( in my collection) that do this course any justice. You have to be here to fully understand the beauty of Kauri Cliffs Golf Club. A golfing great on the world stage. Straight to number one on my list of New Zealand’s top courses.