New Zealand Golf

Hey everyone,

Id love to tee it up with some fellow WRXers down here in NZ if anyone ever comes down.

Check out these 3 courses....UNBELIEVABLE

www.kauricliffs.com

www.capekidnappers.com

www.wairakeigolfcourse.co.nz

Hey everyone,

 

Id love to tee it up with some fellow WRXers down here in NZ if anyone ever comes down.

Check out these 3 courses....UNBELIEVABLE

 

www.kauricliffs.com

www.capekidnappers.com

www.wairakeigolfcourse.co.nz

I just read another article about the top two.

Man... that truly looks like heaven. NZ wasn't always a potential vacation destination for me, but now I've seriously reconsidered.

Have you played them?

Those are a few of the big name courses. Paraparaumu Beach is well worth a visit as suggested (NZ Open where Tiger played). Also worth a look is Titirangi, an Alistair McKenzie design in Auckland city.

Terrace Downs, Millbrook, Clearwater, Golf Harbour, Lakes Resort, Carrington all pretty high end newer courses

In general those traveling will find golf cheap compared to the States or Europe (except the three listed in the original post). Plus there is no shortage of courses, with a population of only 4 million there is over 400 courses (about the same as South Africa). Some in rural areas are a bit of a throw back and midweek will have no permanent staff with only an honesty box to pay your $NZ10 green fee and surprisingly many of them will be decent 6000m+ layouts in reasonable to good condition.

Yep! Ive had the pleasure of playing all 3 of the ones i listed above. AMAZING. Ive played a couple of courses in Aussie aswell, and these rate very highly alongside those.

NZ is a must play for someone wanting cheap golf.

As stated above, there are heaps of layouts that are inexpensive and quite often quite and secluded from the hustle and bustle.

Yep! Ive had the pleasure of playing all 3 of the ones i listed above. AMAZING. Ive played a couple of courses in Aussie aswell, and these rate very highly alongside those.

NZ is a must play for someone wanting cheap golf.

As stated above, there are heaps of layouts that are inexpensive and quite often quite and secluded from the hustle and bustle.

If I ever win powerball (cross your fingers) I'm buying a place in NZ and playing Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers a ton there. I can't shake some of the amazing pictures that were taken there.

Here's to hoping! Cross your fingers :rolleyes:

Those are a few of the big name courses. Paraparaumu Beach is well worth a visit as suggested (NZ Open where Tiger played). Also worth a look is Titirangi, an Alistair McKenzie design in Auckland city.

 

Terrace Downs, Millbrook, Clearwater, Golf Harbour, Lakes Resort, Carrington all pretty high end newer courses

 

In general those traveling will find golf cheap compared to the States or Europe (except the three listed in the original post). Plus there is no shortage of courses, with a population of only 4 million there is over 400 courses (about the same as South Africa). Some in rural areas are a bit of a throw back and midweek will have no permanent staff with only an honesty box to pay your $NZ10 green fee and surprisingly many of them will be decent 6000m+ layouts in reasonable to good condition.

Nice thread teeituphigh, I played 9 holes at Paraparaumu Beach on Friday, my course has reciprocal rights so was free! finished my sales call and slipped out for a hit, this course is sweet.

The real gems of nz golf are the unheard of courses that will cost next to nothing, there are somewhere near 400 courses in NZ, many of them out of the main centers are near empty particularly during the week.

If you are planning a trip here let me know.

Found a pic or two. In order Cape Kidanppers, Millbrook, Formosa, Kauri Cliffs and Wairakei

WOW. You always hear how beautiful New Zealand is, (i.e. having so many epic movies filmed there). I'd rather go there than Ireland.

A few more for good measure- In order Kauri Cliffs, Wairakei. the Lakes- Paunui x 2 and Kauri Cliffs. A few of the lesser known Kiwi tracks

Shagshow, you think a Hobbit might have passed by here? Terrace Downs & Carrington

Wow.

Those are absolutely stunning courses. You guys are definitely spoiled with scenery.

If you think those courses are great, just wait... At the end of the month the NZ Open is being played. Its European Tour event. I went for a walk around the course "The Hills" last week. Now that is a mighty fine course. Pity's is private but it is an awesome looking course.

BTW I've played Millbrook. It's not that great. Pretty but thats about it

If you think those courses are great, just wait... At the end of the month the NZ Open is being played. Its European Tour event. I went for a walk around the course "The Hills" last week. Now that is a mighty fine course. Pity's is private but it is an awesome looking course.

 

BTW I've played Millbrook. It's not that great. Pretty but thats about it

Yeah agreed Dave, I played it as well. But in some ways the setting makes up for a few flaws. Some of the older courses in the region are as much fun to play (Kelvin Heights and Wanaka) even though they don't have the big name resort prestige (thankfully not the green fees either).

Many of the newer resort courses don't get good rankings other than for the scenary (Kauri Cliffs and Kidnappers excluded). A few of the Bob Charles designs in particular seem to get a bit of a bashing.

Travel golf = golf style

I would love to visit New Zealand some day. That Cape Kidnappers looks practically perfect.

Been a few months, so thought i would chime in with a few comments :)

One of the pictures above is of Formosa...sad to say, but not worth it now. It is ahead of its time and a bit far out really for the population to take any notice of it. The course has become a sad sight to what it once was...but still, a tough track!!

Titirangi also ranks very highly. I have only played there recently, but it is VERY worthwhile. A Dr Alastair Mackenzie design with probably the best greens in the country- boy they are quick!

Heres a few pics of Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers. I am good friends with the Assistant Pro there, so anyone heading there, let me know and i will pass your name to him so he can show you some 'good ol kiwi hospitality' :)

Heading to NZ in may as part of my Honeymoon

Looking at trying to play over 14 days with some sightseeing in between (self drive)

Kauri Cliffs

Wairakei

Cape Kidnappers

Millbrook

Jacks Point

Clear Water

I just have a few questions

-Am I trying to cover to much playing North & South in one trip... Am I better stay just in the North at this time of year?

-Are there better course to look at like Kinlock etc don't have to be "resort courses"

Any ideas welcome

And yes the Mrs playes better then me... it was her idea.

Really depends on the sightseeing you want to do and any other activities.

In the North Island you have the following courses which are worth playing (starting at the top of the North Island):

Kauri Cliffs

Gulf Harbour

Titirangi

Muriwai

St Andrews (Hamilton)

Pauanui Lakes

Wairakei International

Kinloch

Cape Kidnappers

Bridge Pa

Paraparaumu Beach

In the South Island:

Clearwater

Millbrook

Terrace Downs

Jacks Point...........Those are resort style courses that i am aware of- i havent played down there much myself.

There are plenty of other courses around which are still good tracks, but just dont have the reputation overseas.

I would recommend staying in the North Island if you are golfing most days.

Any questions, just ask!

OK if you had 4 must plays on the North Island what would the be?

Kauri Cliffs, Kinloch, Cape Kidnappers, Wairakei........easy

I agree with teeituphigh all 4 courses a fantastic, throw that in with some quality (non resort) courses like St Andrews (Hamilton GC), Bridge Par (Hastings GC), Taupo GC Centential Course couple of games while in Auckland like Titirangi and Gulf Harbour and you have a good trip. Heres a tip if you drive up to Kauri Cliffs stop off at Mangawhai and or Waipu

OK so it is time to look at the trip in more detail.

Due to a over run on the wedding the budget has been cut so it will be north Island only this trip. As for course I was looking at

Kauri Cliffs

Kinloch

Cape Kidnappers

Wairakei

Maybe Gulf Harbour

Is it really worth joining a NZ club to avoid playing the high overseas rates on the courses?

Hi might be worth a look at Titirangi if your in/ passing thru Auckland, some bloke McKenzie designed it.

Not sure about the fees bit, havent been back in NZ for a few years. Certainly probably would have been worth a membership a few years back, some of the small rural courses would sign u up for under $NZ 200/yr, which would earn you heavy discount as affiliated member at Kauri, Kidnappers etc that charge like the proverbial wounded bull for visitors etc (in Kiwi terms anyway).

You might need some one to set it up for you ahead of time etc.

I remember a while ago Huntly Golf Course were doing a special on membership, but cannot remember the price. It would need to be about $300NZ for you to make it worth it i am guessing?

To be honest, your best bet is to email NZ Golf and ask for a cheap course to join. They may know of one.

Looking at the RRP of overseas rate for the 4 courses I noted are $960 for a affiliated member it drops to $620 (NZD). It is just a change since the max golf will cost in AU is about $160 overseas vistor or not,

As for cheap membership www.golfguide.co.nz/summer.htm

Out of interest teeituphigh will you be around in may and interested in a game?

Peter, I will be around no doubt. I cannot confirm as i have not got the tourney schedule yet.

It is a shame that its a tad expensive to play here but it is better for the US$ vs the NZ$ than it was. Sucks for me buying things from the US though!

Are you sure you could get onto a course rated the same for $160 AUS? Royal Melbourne is $360 AUS which is not even as good as Kinloch, Kidnappers or Kauri!

Teeituphigh. Don't forget to get Peter to throw an extra couple of clubs in his bag for you to pick up

Now there is thinking!!! The $30-$40US shipping hurts.....

I would but I'm based in Australia.

I know the following courses are not rated the same but are some of the better courses in AUS that I have played.

Kingston Heath $110

Barnbougle dunes $150 all day

Kennedy bay $50

Hope Island $110

Glades $69

I guess it was just a little shock to see overseas vistors hit so much extra. But hey I still going to pay the money so it works.

Peter, I think some of the courses do a cheaper price for our Aussies.....Im pretty sure Gulf Harbour do a NZ/AUS rate. Fire the courses you want to play an email would be my suggestion and ask. Also, check this website and you can become an affiliate http://www.golfguide.co.nz/summer.htm

I remember a while ago Huntly Golf Course were doing a special on membership, but cannot remember the price. It would need to be about $300NZ for you to make it worth it i am guessing?

To be honest, your best bet is to email NZ Golf and ask for a cheap course to join. They may know of one.

My brother is a member at Tapora Golf Club:

http://tgc.local.co.nz/

$120 NZD gets you a membership and discounted affilate green fees, he lives in Auckland has been a member for 2 years and doesnt even know where the golf club is let alone played there.