New Zealand Golf and Golf Courses

New Zealand has many magnificently designed, world renowned golf courses. Many of our golf courses are set against breathtaking panoramas of snow-capped mountains, lakes, forests and seascapes. The views might be priceless, but the green fees are very affordable even at New Zealand's top championship courses.

You can hire golf equipment easily and if you'd like to make more of your time at a resort golf course a range of luxurious, secluded acccommodation is available at Kauri Cliffs, Clearwater, Terrace Downs, Millbrook and Gulf Harbour.

New Zealand offers more than 400 crowd-free golf courses where you can play year-round. That's more golf courses per capita than any other country!

Tourism Activities: Golf, Golf Courses and Golf Cross | Golf Tours

Send a golf related E-Postcard to your friends.

Some of New Zealand's Top Golf Courses

Internationally-acclaimed private and public golf courses with views of snow-capped mountains, sandy beaches, rolling hills, lakes or sea. New Zealand offers a variety of stunning courses where the glorious pleasure of a round of golf is intensified by some of the most magnificent scenery in the world. Moreover, New Zealand offers some of the least expensive golfing in the world. Novices and golf fanatics alike are always welcome to play.

Kauri Cliffs Golf Course

The only level of difficulty you need to consider as a beginner or a pro is in choosing where to play. Want cliffs that shatter into the ocean combined with a championship course? Seek out Kauri Cliffs designed and built by David Harman of Golf Course Consultants, Florida. Stay at Kauri Cliff's resort-style "The Lodge" and you'll enjoy the spectacular 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean, Cape Brett and the Cavalli Islands. Kauri Cliffs is currently the 49th ranked golf course out of top 100 courses in the world.

Cape Kidnappers Golf Course

Or consider brand new Cape Kidnappers, designed by Tom Doak, (designer of Pacific Dunes, Oregon, USA). Describing playing here Brian Hewitt said in Golfweek, February 2004, "At times you feel like you are inside the womb of golf...other times you'll feel like a missed shot will send your ball off the end of the world."

You'll find this stunning seaside course in the far east of the North Island. "Can golf's eager, affluent and growing wave of travel adventurers be far behind now that there is a new jewel in the Kiwi tiara that already includes Kauri Cliffs, Wairakei, Paraparaumu, Terrace Downs, Clearwater and Gulf Harbour?" said Brian.

Gulf Harbour Golf Course

Gulf Harbour Golf Course sits majestically on a peninsula jutting into the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland. The 1998 World Cup Golf event was held here, the only course set within a new seaside community, complete with a 1000 berth Marina.

Formosa Golf Course

Just 45 minutes from central Auckland, on the beautiful Pohutakawa Coast lies the Formosa Auckland Country Club. This stunning international standard course is listed in "The Finest Golf Clubs of the World". Designed by New Zealand golfing legend Sir Bob Charles, it was modelled on the Augusta National Golf Course. The Club also boasts an under cover driving range and golf school, hotel (with fifty luxurious villas) and sport and health centre.

Millbrook Golf Course

Contrast this with the Millbrook Resort course near Queenstown in the South Island. Nestled within a spectacular alpine amphitheatre and challenging for both higher and lower handicap golfers, it is one of the most impressive international golf arenas in the world.

Terrace Downs Golf Course

Breathe the clear mountain air as you play at Terrace Downs High Country Resort set at 450 meter altitude on the edge of the Rakaia Gorge. Terrace Downs is near Christchurch with views of the snow-dusted Southern Alps and golden-tussocked foothills. Wide fairways and eight lakes contribute to the magic of playing 'The Taniwha' (Māori for a supernatural being).

Clearwater Golf Course

If you want to play where many champions have putted, nearby Clearwater will more than meet your brief. Clearwater is the permanent home of the New Zealand PGA Championship and is awarded the highest rating in the country by the New Zealand Golf Association. Clearwater Resort's course ranks as the toughest in New Zealand, but its five different tee positions suit players of all abilities. Designed by John Darby in consultation with Sir Bob Charles, the course meanders around a succession of spring fed lakes and trout-filled streams, with uninterrupted view of the Southern Alps.

Wairakei Golf Course

Officially opened in 1970, Wairakei International Golf Course graces natural rolling countryside near Taupo in the central North Island. With 108 large well-placed bunkers, Wairakei is rated one of the top 25 courses outside the United States. Wairakei is considered New Zealand's finest inland course.

As you can see, New Zealand's golf courses are of world standard set in scenery that is nothing short of out of this world. Whether you're thinking of a New Zealand golfing holiday or just a quick round of golf during your vacation, New Zealand is simply paradise for a round of golf. It doesn't matter whether you're playing on a private, club or resort golf course in the North or South Island, east or west, the views might change but the drama of it will not.

Top Golf Tips for Golfers Visiting New Zealand

Bring clean shoes. Biosecurity standards are very strict, and if officials find it necessary to clean shoes, the solvents used can be harsh on weatherproof surfaces - if necessary, re-spike your shoes to remove all grass and seeds.
Soft spikes are preferred on most courses rather than metal. Some resort courses will offer services to re-spike shoes.
New Zealand is one of the few places left in the world where you can hire a caddy. Visitors often like to play with a local member and this can be arranged at most courses. It will be necessary to give a few days notice, but can be easily arranged through your tour operator.
Electric carts and trundlers are available for hire at most Golf courses, and carry bags are okay for all courses.
You can purchase most brands of equipment in New Zealand. Balls and gloves are available at most courses, prices may vary. It's advisable to bring at least an initial supply of golf balls.
Bring wet weather gear. New Zealand does not have a rainy season, as such, however the countryside is very green. Showers can be expected during any season, and it pays to be prepared.
Many city and country courses are membership based and welcome visitors. Tour operators can pre-book tee times with all courses.
Measurements are in metres, not yards, courses have distance markers to assist.
All courses undergo regular maintenance to keep courses in top condition. To optimise your experience, it pays to ask ahead about coring of greens etc.
Most courses have a good range of branded merchandise available and you can expect to be able to purchase a hat or shirt as a memento of your visit.

New Zealand's International Golfers

Well known for rugby greats, New Zealand also sports world-class golf professionals like Sir Bob Charles and more recent golfing heroes, Michael Campbell and Phil Tataurangi. So who are these men who have firmly ensconced New Zealand as a country of contenders on the international golf circuit?

Sir Bob Charles

First off the tee was Sir Bob Charles who won the first of his four New Zealand Open titles a half century ago. He has a total of 48 tournament wins since 1960 and was the first left hander to win the British Open, in 1963.

To his credit he also has five US PGA Titles, three NZ PGA Championships and nine other distinguished golfing accomplishments world-wide, including the World Matchplay Championship in 1969.

Sir Bob was always regarded as a putter extraordinaire and superbly deft around the greens. Knighted in 1999, he continued to play and since joining the US Seniors Tour circuit in 1986 he has won 23 title, and the Senior British Open in 1993.

He has even helped design several world-class courses in New Zealand, including Formosa Country Club in Auckland, Matarangi on the Coromandel Peninsula, Clearwater Resort near Christchurch, and Millbrook in Queenstown.

New Zealand's master of golf, Sir Bob holds the standard contemporary golfers strive towards today. Golfers like Michael Campbell who already has 12 Tournament wins under his belt.

Michael Campbell

Michael Campbell won the 105th US Open Championship in June 2005. Michael finished two strokes ahead of the field at even par on the extremely challenging Pinehurst course in North Carolina.

This is Michael's first major title and he is the first New Zealander to win a major championship since Sir Bob Charles won the British Open 42 years ago, in 1963. Michael's previous best major finish was a tie for third at the 1995 British Open after leading for the first three rounds.

Lydia Ko

Lydia Ko became the youngest player of either sex to be ranked No. 1 in professional golf. Prior to that, she had been the top-ranked woman amateur golfer in the world for 130 weeks, a truly amazing feat.

She now has recorded more than 10 professional wins in here career to date. Some of those include wins at the Canadian Women's Open, The Evian Championship, New Zealand Women's Open, and the Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship.

Clearly, New Zealanders are contributing to the stiff competition of the global golfing community.