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 for players of all levels.
There is a network of golf courses and golf resorts throughout New Zealand each of which gives a unique golfing challenge. New Zealand has the second highest number of courses per capita behind Scotland and most are in spectacular locations and all are very affordable on international standards.
Most courses are suitable for year round play. Spring to autumn is from October to May. Peak summer is January to March, with most New Zealanders taking their holiday in January.
As well as golf, New Zealand offers the most extraordinary range of outdoor adventures on land, water and in the air. The temperate climate and the diverse landscape have encouraged New Zealanders to develop a wide range of activities, from trout and sports fishing to jet-boating on rivers, hiking through pristine landscapes, hunting, sailing, surfing and relaxing in the sun with superb wines.
You can ski in the mountains in the winter and snorkel or scuba dive in marine reserves in the summer. You can hike the world famous Milford Track, quad-bike through unspoiled rainforest, cruise on a luxury yacht, explore Lord of the Rings territory, skydive or just enjoy the vast variety of scenic wonder. The wine and cuisine are superb.
Carrington Club
The Carrington Club is the northern most golf resort in New Zealand located on the
Karikari Peninsula in Northland.
The unique feature of the Carrington Club Golf Course is that, although it has an oceanside location, it looks and plays like an “inland golf” course, complete with rolling hills, vales, and natural water hazards. It is an oceanside, tournament-quality, 18-hole golf course, designed by Matt Dye. The Club also offers five star villa and hotel style accommodation and excellent leisure facilities including a winery.
Kauri Cliffs
Rated as one of the world’s top 100 golf courses, Kauri Cliffs is a magnificent golf
course set high on the cliff tops with panoramic sea vistas for 180 degrees.
This course is reminiscent of Pebble Beach. Fifteen holes view the Pacific Ocean, six of
which are played alongside cliffs which plunge to the sea. The beautiful inland holes
wind through marsh, forest and farmland.
Designed and built by David Harman of Golf Course Consultants, Orlando, Florida, the par 72 championship golf course offers four sets of tees to challenge every skill level. The course has it all - length, variety, and unique challenges. The lodge offers super luxurious accommodation reminiscent of a Cape Cod lodge and has wonderful leisure facilities including private white sand beaches.
Close by is the Bay of Islands, the birth place of the nation. The area is steeped in history from the indigenous Maori and early European settlers through to the modern day. Off-shore is superb fishing. You can fish one of the many reefs or sea fish for commercial species such as snapper or Kingfish, or you can try your hand at Deep Sea Game fishing.
Gulf Harbour Country Club
Gulf Harbour Country Club is another superb golf course set high on the cliffs of
Whangaparoa Peninsula in the Hauraki Gulf an hour north of Auckland. Designed by
Robert Trent Jones Jnr, it has spectacular finishing holes, ocean views and classic,
traditional values.
The venue for the 1998 World Cup of Golf and the 2005 NZ Open, an event on the Australasian and European Tours, Gulf Harbour has gained a reputation as being amongst the best resort courses in the country.
A true golfer’s course, it is demanding and satisfying to play, offering variety hole by hole. The greens run true but with undulations that make “being below the hole” an imperative. In Robert Trent’s words “This is one of the truly great sites I have had the chance to work on world-wide.” Rated #76 in the world. Sail the America’s Cup course, hike one of the volcanic cones and experience the cuisine, seafood and wines we are so proud of.
Wairakei International Golf Course
Wairakei International Golf Course, rated in the top twenty courses outside of the
United States, is just nine kilometers north of Lake Taupo in the Central Plateau region.
It is rated #54 in the world.
Set in 180 hectares of gently rolling countryside, it presents magnificent tree-lined fairways and large greens. First opened in 1970, the course was designed and built by Commander John Harris, a renowned British course architect, Michael Wolveridge, a US touring professional and Peter Thomson, a five times winner of the British Open. The aim was to build New Zealand’s first internationally acclaimed championship course, and one visit will convince you that this trio exceeded all expectations. The region is renowned for its thermal valleys and is a world renowned trout fishing mecca.
Cape Kidnappers
This is a spectacular course. Tom Doak is President of Renaissance Golf Design Inc,
based in Traverse City, Michigan, USA, and has built Golf Courses all over the United
States and now New Zealand. Rated # 47 in the world.
His minimalist design philosophy - characterized by the utilization of natural topographical features and restraint in earthmoving - was formed during his year abroad, when he visited 172 different courses and spent two months as a caddie at the Old Course in St. Andrews. Tom Doak says ~
“Our goal in designing golf courses is to create interesting holes you wouldn’t find anywhere else. That wasn’t hard to do at Cape Kidnappers, because the site is not like anywhere else in golf. If it were any bigger or any more dramatic, it would probably be cordoned off as a national park. It’s an overwhelming experience to stand up on the cliffs, 140 meters above sea level, and look out across the waves far below in Hawke’s Bay. For myself and my associates, it was a great adventure to track up the hill every day and build a golf course in such a remarkable setting. We hope you enjoy your time here as much as we have. New Zealand is a long way from home, but Cape Kidnappers is never far from our hearts.”
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers Luxury Lodge is an international award winning luxury Golf and Spa Resort located on the breathtaking coastline of Hawkes Bay. Set atop 6,000 rolling acres of pasture land, The Farm encompasses terrain which is reminiscent of Montana but plunges 800 feet into the sea. The cluster of lodge buildings is suggestive of a working farm.
This course is in an area renowned for its vineyards, winery restaurants and wonderful local produce.
Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club
Paraparaumu Beach Links is rated as the best course in the country and, because of its
qualities as a traditional links, ranks 60th in the world.
The well drained undulating fairways, fierce rough, fast greens and intimidating bunkers combine with the naturally windy coastal weather to create a truly challenging golfing experience.
Clearwater Resort
The par 72 championship course is home to the NZPGA Championship. Designed by
John Darby in consultation with New Zealand golfing legend, Sir Bob Charles, the
course combines elements of links golf inspired by the great Scottish courses with
parkland golf, more reminiscent of Florida.
There are four other tee positions to suit players of all abilities. Playable year-round, the
course meanders around a succession of spring fed lakes and trout filled streams, with
uninterrupted views of the spectacular Southern Alps.
Fabulous accommodation.
Terrace Downs
A stunning 18 hole golf course of international standard, rated among the top 3 in
New Zealand. A par 72 course, designed to inspire and delight golfers at all levels of
competency. The course is long (6,440m), features 11 lakes and 70 bunkers and offers a
choice of 4 tees on each hole. The views are awesome, challenging players to keep their
eyes on the ball.
Opportunities to enjoy jet boating, salmon and fly fishing, skiing, hot air ballooning, 4x4 trips in the mountains, hunting, horse riding and hiking.
Millbrook Resort
Millbrook Resort is a spectacular par 72 championship golf course, designed by
New Zealand’s renowned master golfer Sir Bob Charles. Set amidst a spectacular alpine
amphitheatre, strategic use of water and sand traps ensure exciting and demanding
golf.
Measuring 6,412 meters (7,013 yards) from the back tees the design emphasizes the natural features of the site and is challenging for both higher and lower handicap golfers. The course features impeccably groomed fairways and greens, demanding hazards and meandering water courses, surrounded by the alpine backdrop of the Remarkables Mountain Range.
Excellent accommodation and restaurants. Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand. As well as being the place the bungy was invented, you can experience the thrills of jet boating on rivers or parapenting off cliffs.
Nearby is the Dart River with beautiful bush, stunning mountain ‘Lord of the Rings’ scenery and jet boating. This is also the gateway to the fjords and Milford Sound.
The dining options are wonderful, complemented by award winning Central Otago wines.
Jacks Point
The course is bounded by the Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu.
It traverses through wetland to the lake edge encountering steep bluffs, indigenous vegetation and wildlife. It is designed to
work with nature, not against it.
Fairways are designed with minimal excavation and careful plantings to complement the natural environment, but also to give the golfer a fighting chance.
“Great service from Inzone Travel. The golf was great and the meals and venues were AAA+. I will contact Bridget for you to arrange a tour for my wife and myself.”
Hugh, Melbourne, Australia
“The courier package arrived to-day. Everything looks fantastic. Karen and I want to thank you for the terrific job you have done in organizing our upcoming trip to New Zealand. You have really made our planning so much fun and effortless. We are looking forward to enjoying everything that you have put together for us.
If you have a picture of Kauri Cliffs Golf Club in your picture file, could you please send me one if it's not too much trouble. I want to send my golf buddies the picture. It was an incredible place.
We returned home safely and can't stop raving about the wonderful experience and the great job you did. In summary, everything was outstanding and exceeded our expectations."
Barry and Karen