New Zealand has NZ has one of the highest number of courses per capita in the world. With its temperate climate and outdoor sporting lifestyle, golf is played by all ages, all cultures and all socio-economic groups. Golf is the highest participation sport in NZ.

Golf Vacations in New Zealand offer affordable golf for the whole family, with stunning and diverse backdrops from surf beaches, to bubbly thermal mud and alpine vistas.

Golfing Statistics In New Zealand

482,000 adults over 18 years play golf each year in NZ
138,000 have an official handicap
Golf is the number one sport for men and the number two sport for women
385 golf courses in NZ
Over 7 million rounds of golf are played each year
Travel time between golf courses averages 45 minutes

Playing Casual Golf In New Zealand

Just about all golf courses welcome visitors.

Public Golf Courses - Green fees at public courses are very low on world standards, starting as low as NZ$10 [less than US$6]

Club Courses – Green Fees at International rated courses start at below NZ$100 [less than US$60].

Resort Courses – such as Millbrook near Queenstown cater for the top end of the market.

Average Green Fees - The national average for non-affiliated members is $24, while for affiliated members it is $18.

Northern Golf Courses

Kauri Cliffs

Kauri Cliffs, located in Northland, is one of the toughest golf courses anywhere. Combined with spectacular views of the Bay of Islands, Kauri Cliffs Golf Course combines luxury accommodation in idyllic surroundings.

Gulf Harbour

About 45 minutes north of Auckland, Gulf Harbour was the location of the 2006 NZ Open Golf Championship. It's stunning backdrop to the Waitemata Gulf typifies the beauty of many of New Zealands waterside golf courses.

Formosa

Just south of Auckland, Formosa is a relatively new Golf Club combining both resort style golf with professional events.

Other notable courses in the Auckland region include: Auckland, Titirangi, Remuera and The Grange. Wet weather will see you heading to the western coast links course at Muruwai. Muruwai beach is notorious for its violent surf and neighbouring beaches have commonly been used as backdrops to major films such as The Piano.

Central Golf Courses

Central North Island Golf takes a different feel with golf courses in tourist locations such as Rotorua bounding bubbling mudpools and hot thermal bores.

Rotorua Golf Club [Arikikapakapa]

Boiling thermal mud pools present an interesting course hazard, encouraging straight hitting. This is one ‘water’ trap you won’t be retrieving your golf ball from.

Mount Maunganui Golf Club

Mt Mauganui, referred to by locals as ‘The Mount’ is a popular beach resort, where golf courses are a few hundred meters from miles of broad sandy beaches and rolling surf. The Mount is about 50 minutes drive from Rotorua and makes a great day trip from the city.

Taupo

Heading South from Rotorua, right in the center of the North Island is stunning Lake Taupo. With mountains on its southern shores, and a quaint town of around 15,000 population at its northern end, Taupo also features geothermal activity bordering its golf courses, but fortunately not in the middle of the fairways.

Wairakei 9 Hole

The popular public 9 hole Wairakei is and ideal training ground for learning golf, as well as a moderate course for experienced golfers. At only $10 per round, it makes for a great daily escape from holiday crowds. The course is connected to the longstanding Bayview Wairakei Resort, about 7km North of Taupo township.

Wairakei International Course

Wairakei International Golf course is rated one of the best in New Zealand. Neigbouring the Wairakei 9 Hole Courrse, this course has a magesty of its own, and will challenge even the most experienced golfers with its deep bunkers and water hazards. A feature waterfall graces the hole, which could easily be deemed the signature hole of the course. The clubhouse is a favourite lunch or cocktail retreat following a demanding game. Golf carts are recommended, if not compulsory, and available at the pro shop.

Taupo Centennial Course

The very first time I picked up a golf club was on the course, with my parents. Bordering the northern side of the town, this course is challenging is many aspects and yet still has a sense of encouragement for new players. The common pine tree borders most fairways and hazards are not as intimidating as Wairakei International, apart from the first tee which cross a gully and appears to “magnetise” golf balls into its scrubby shoulders.

Hawkes Bay Golf Courses

Hawkes Bay on the mid eastern coast of the North Island offers good courses in both Napier and Hastings, and a recent addition at Cape Kidnappers is a must for visiting golfers. With many vineyards in the region, one could easily spend a week in this locale, far away from maddening bustle of larger cities.

Lower North Island Courses

Depending upon which side of the island you travel south, courses such as Ngamotu Golf Club in New Plymouth, Belmont in Wanganui and Manawatu Golf Club in Palmerston North provide international standard golfing. All have hosted the New Zealand Open.

Paraparaumu Golf Course

Paraparaumu, north of Wellington is a popular course that has hosted 10 New Zealand Open Championships, one of which included Tiger Woods. Rated as one of the top 100 courses in the world by Golf Digest.

South Island Golf Courses

The South Island offers golf courses in most towns, with both Christchurch and Queenstown boasting a range of options.

Christchurch & Russley Golf Clubs

These clubs host many major golfing events and warmly welcome visiting players. Other Christchurch courses include Terrace Downs and the new resort course of Clearwater, only minutes from Christchurch airport.

Queenstown

Queenstown is a rapidly growing alpine town in the center of the south island with its spectacular lake on one side, and mountain skiing on the other, it is a haven for adventure sports fans. Golfing, whilst not as adrenalin rushing, is well supported with spectacular views of the Mountain Range from the Queenstown Golf Club, and the sir Bob Charles’ designed resort Millbrook Golf Course.

Further south, central Otago golf course experiences await you in Cromwell, Wanaka and Alexandra.

Golf In New Zealand