Arrowtown, Central Otago, on the South Island, is home to The Hills Golf Course and the New Zealand Golf Open.
The Remarkable Ranges, which flank one side of the glacial lake of Lake Wakatipu, on the shores of which Queenstown sits, provide the backdrop.
New Zealand’s 4.3 million people boast over 300 golf clubs, officially registered with Golf New Zealand. There are also a number of other golf courses that are either privately owned or attached to some of the quaint hotels.
One of these courses is located on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu, the largest mountain in the North Island and the most active mainland volcano in New Zealand.
Although occasionally covered in snow, the private nine-hole course connected to the Grand Chateau Bay-view Hotel is playable almost year-round.
Rarely visited by tourists due to its isolation from high-quality accommodation, Rangatira Golf Club is another excellent course in the Rangitiki district.
Overlooking the Rangitiki Gorge, the Rangatira course has beautiful views. The Rangitiki River over millions of years has carved the limestone Rangitiki Gorge.
The high level of quality that the course presents is due to the way in which it is attended by the staff on the green. Divided into 3 levels of six holes, each heading down the slope towards the Rangitiki River. After completing the 18th hole, ride a 4-person electric cable car to the parking lot and clubhouse.
Further north towards Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city with a population of about 1.5 million, is Lake Taupo.
At approximately 629 square kilometres, Lake Taupo is the largest lake in New Zealand.
2,000 years ago, this volcanic crater erupted for the last time. In the last 2000, it is believed to have been one of the largest eruptions in the world. The ancient Romans and Chinese have noted in their history yearbooks a darkening of the skies and a red glow at night in the southern skies.
Rated by the prestigious US Golf Digest as one of the top 100 courses in the world, Wairakei International Golf Course is just minutes from Taupo Township.
Beatified with many of New Zealand’s native trees and plants, it makes up for the lack of lake views. To support native tree and bird life, the course is fully enclosed by a predator exclusion fence.
The Bay of Islands, the starting point of New Zealand’s recent history, sits almost at the top of the North Island. Looking across the waters of Island Bay and Russell Township is the picturesque Waitangi Golf Course.
The front nine holes are played on undulating fairways and greens surrounded by native shrubbery. The last nine holes have impressive views. Sharing your golf game with native birds such as Tui, Fantails, Australasian Harrier Hawks, or a family of Canadian Quails, is not uncommon.
Not only do most clubs in New Zealand, offer golf club and cart or trolley hire and bar and restaurant services for post-game refreshments, but also a warm welcome.
If this has tempted you to travel to our beautiful country with a group of friends or other players, you will find several Coach Charter companies eager to transport you from course to course and help you plan your itinerary.
