Ultimate New Zealand Golf Travel Guide
New Zealand has become the epitome of destination golf travel. With Cape Kidnappers, the golf course was so wild and enticing, the ends justified the means. Since it's unveiling, Tom Doak has added Tara Iti and Te Arai North. Coore & Crenshaw have added Te Arai South. A forgotten Alister MacKenzie has been polished in Auckland at Titirangi by Clyde Johnson. Hidden gems, like Waverley and Wairakei, have made Paraparaumu Beach a less arduous journey with delightful stops to be made there and back to and from Auckland.
If you're planning a trip to New Zealand, what are the must sees? What can be left for a follow-up trip or missed all together without regret?
The Tom Thumb green at Waverley. It's not just the destination golf that's worth coming for in New Zealand. Photo J Miners
The North Island - Golf Heaven
If you're contemplating a trip to New Zealand it's probably because you have seen photos of Tara Iti, Te Arai or Cape Kidnappers, If so, the answer is easy, North Island.
On the North Island, you have the main international airport along with all the World Top 100 golf courses. Tara Iti, Cape Kidnappers and Paraparaumu along with the newly unveiled Te Arai North and South. North of Te Arai is Kauri Cliffs, the former Kiwi poster child for destination golf before Cape Kidnappers. The same company owns both Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers.
Cape Kidnappers near Napier, North Island, New Zealand. Photo G Lisbon
In Auckland, there is Dr Alister MacKenzie's Titirangi and the newly polished Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club. Near Lake Taupo you'll find Jack Nicklaus' Kinloch Club and Waireki.
Another must-see golf course is Waverley. Built on black sand, the links is perhaps the best 18-hole, 6000-yard golf course on the planet. Tom Doak's team, in particular Brian Schnieder, put Waverley not the map in the early 2000's. For a golf course that has been established for 100 years, it shows undiscovered gems are waiting to be discovered still today.
Top Tier North Island Itinerary
If you had one week in New Zealand and were willing to fly internally between plays, you would play Tara Iti, Te Arai North, Te Arai South, Cape Kidnappers and Paraparumu Beach. All five can make legitimate claims to the World Top 100 Rankings.
The big three (Tara Iti, Te Arai North, Te Arai South) are also the newest and are an hour and a half north of Auckland. Bolt on Alister MacKenzie's Titirangi, and you've probably seen the best golf in the country and a sensational, rare MacKenzie parkland with a cracking set of greens reminiscent of Pasatiempo. You don't need internal flights, helicopters or a lot of travel to do it. The lodging at Te Arai is world-class, as is the food and amenities. If accompanied by a partner who doesn't golf, a few days in Auckland and at the resort is very well spent.
North Island If You Are Willing to Travel
If you have time to see golf further afield, it will mean a road trip of 6-8 hours or a flight. Kiwis are quite used to flying short-haul internally as most of the multi-lane roads turn into dual carriageways a few miles outside the major urban centres. The drives are scenic but it's driving - not cruise control road-tripping across a multi-lane freeway in the rurals of America's midwest. If you are happy to drive or fly, Cape Kidnappers and Paraparaumu Beach are within reach. You can drive and play one about one golf course a day...
Ultimate North Island Itinerary
Day 1 - Land in Auckland and blow the cobwebs out with Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club. A modern Nicklaus layout will provide a good opportunity to get over jet lag and sort out the kinks before you get to the bucket list stuff. If you miss it or don't have your best, it'll be fine... it is the starter before the main course.
Days 2-4 - Te Arai South, Te Arai North and Tara Iti. Start your trip here or come here after a day in Auckland. It is perhaps the world's best stay-and-play resort for the quality of golf and overall experience. It's still new whilst the courses are complete, construction is underway on some magnificent properties around the site.
Te Arai South Photo G Lisbon
Day 5 - Titirangi - One of Dr Alister MacKenzie's best parkland designs. The set of greens needs to be seen to be believed. The other option is Kauri Cliffs - it's roughly 3 hours north of Auckland and about the same from Te Arai. It is a trek to get there and about 3 hours back to Auckland but to see the once darling of New Zealand golf some feel it's worth it. If you plan to play Cape Kidnappers later, it may be worth checking it out as there are sometimes offers on playing both...
Titirangi Golf Club by Alister MacKenzie. Photo J Miners
Day 6 - Waverley - The drive from Auckland to Waverely is about 6 hours. Leave early and play an afternoon round. Bring your camera and get some golden hour shots on some of the best golfing terrain in the country. Black sand links golf is ready to be found on your way to another World Top 100 - Paraparaumu Beach.
Waverley Golf Club Photo J Miners
Day 7 - Paraparaumu Beach is world-class - rough and ready golf on a rectangular piece of land, surrounded by houses and what appears to be in the valley between two mountain ranges. One of the mountains is actually Kapiti Island. If you want to see a bit of civilisation, Wellington is only a bit over an hour away to the South.
Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club Photo J Miners
Day 8 - If you still have a little gas in the tank, Cape Kidnappers can be visited on the way back home to Auckland. It is the one course you'd probably want to see on the east side of the North Island. If you have a chance to spend time there, the local region is renowned for its wine and culinary delights. My personal recommendation is Craggy Range.
Points to Note
If you played those courses, you'd pick off the cream of the crop in New Zealand. Played over 8-10 days you'd have enough time for wine tasting in Napier and a day or two rest in some exciting cities or country retreats.
Optional courses to add or swap out would be Kinloch Club and Waireki. Unless you added 4-6 more days and were willing to put a few miles on the clock, it's probably best to hit those mentioned... unless you flew internally or by helicopter... which is always an option.
New Zealand South Island Golf Courses
The South Island is less star-studded than the North Island. The really big names are all on the North but the South may just be the more beautiful of the two.
If you do fly south, Queenstown is the destination of choice. Outstandingly beautiful and very touristy, you'll find Millbrook, Jack's Point, The Hills and Arrowtown the cream of the crop here. Jack's Point steals the heart of many but it is Arrowtown that will appeal to the purist. Dubbed the South Island's Waverley, it is a thrill ride over some very enjoyable terrain.
If you play Waverley, you'll see more of the same great style of golf here. It's worth coming for if you're already on this side of the world and want to drink great Pinot Noirs from the Central Otago Valley... If you come to New Zealand to play golf, go to the North Island. If you come to New Zealand for food and wine and perhaps play some golf, Queenstown won't disappoint.
Getting to New Zealand
You're probably going to want to fly. If you're in the USA, you can find direct flights from the east and west coasts. Flights will take between 15 and 17 hours from LA or New York.
If you're in Europe, you'll have no choice but to transit through Asia. The major hubs are China, Hong Kong (China), Singapore, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Getting Around New Zealand
Once you're on the ground, you have a few options. First, hire a car and hit the road. The motorways are single-lane for the most part, and dual carriageways or divided highways are rare. Don't book too much and get in a rush - it'll ruin your holiday.
On the other hand, internal flights are very common. Most flights are an hour or two max, and regional airports are well connected internally. For example, there are daily flights from Auckland to Wellington, and from there, Paraparaumu Beach is within easy reach. From Wellington, you can access Napier easily and that opens up Cape Kidnappers. Most major centres will link back to Auckland and then you're ready for your homebound journey.
Common Misconceptions Debunked
Myth: New Zealand is remote and a bit dated.
Truth: New Zealand is a modern country. Despite being an island nation with a relatively small population, there is nothing someone who is used to all the creature comforts of the West will pine for here. The y may not have your regular international high-street brands, but a well-established independent business scene provides everything you could ask for.
Myth: New Zealand is full of things that will make you ill or kill you.
Truth: That may well be true in Australia, there aren't really any real issues from snakes, spiders or crocodiles in New Zealand.
Golf In New Zealand Summary
New Zealand is home to world-class golf. Tom Doak has made the most of some very unique land at Cape Kidnappers and perhaps the best modern links course at Tara Iti. Even if Tara Iti isn't for you to play, Te Arai South and North are also world-class. Add in Paraparaumu Beach and you have 5 legitimate World Top 100 courses which can all be accessed by pay and play green fees.
Tier Two is very good indeed. Alister MacKenzie's Titirangi and the cult classics Waverley and Arrowtown would be next up on my wish list. That's a top 8 that would rival the top 8 in most countries outside America, England, Scotland and Ireland.
Arrowtown GC Photo J Miners