[Grant Saunders]

Jacks Point is a new championship course in Queenstown NZ. It is designed by John Darby whose past work includes Clearwater (site on the NZPGA tournament) and The Hills (site of the NZ open).

The course is not yet open to public with only residents of Jacks Point able to play the course. I have heard of people negotiating their way on for a round at some fairly extraordinary (by NZ golf course standards) fees. I believe that ultimately it will be accessible to the public. I was lucky enough to be invited to play as the company I work for completed the finishing construction work of the course.

I found the course to be quite different to most NZ courses with the style of bunkering and grass species used to be more fitting with the natural surroundings than many recent courses built (Gulf Harbour, Formosa and to a degree Kauri Cliffs).  It really does blend well into its environment.

The hilly nature of the site rules out walking for all but the fittest of people with the opening stretch being particularly brutal.  It does however lend itself to some very interesting elevation changes within holes. In particular, I liked the downhill par 4 6th, the dropshot par 3 7th and the elevated second shot into the 15th hole. 

The non returning nines mean you spend the entire time out traversing around a stunning piece of property with the sense that you and your playing partners are the only ones out there. This is coupled with some of the most inspiring views and backdrops to be found in golf.

I did however find the constantly elevated putting surfaces (about 9-10 holes where you cant see the green surface from the 2nd shot) got a bit frustrating by the end of the day. I have no problem with, and do quite enjoy, hitting shots into elevated greens (like the shot into 15) but did feel that it was overdone. Also, 3 of the 4 par 5’s were uphill (5, 8 and 14) which made it tough in assessing how or where to play shots to. Even laying was a bit of a gamble without knowing what you were hitting towards.

Ultimately, I think this course is representative of a turning point in NZ golf course architecture.  This along with Cape Kidnappers and Kinloch (I haven’t visited it but the reports are favourable) are educating the public that a golf course should be harmonious with its surroundings and not a forced upon the land.

There are some fantastic holes here that really require the player to think their way around the course. It is very exposed to the strong winds that can come in off the lake and with the native grasses is really places a premium on accuracy. This course along with The Hills, the new work at Millbrook and other courses in the pipeline are establishing Queenstown as one of New Zealands best golfing destinations.
 



1st hole par 4 350


2nd hole par 4 360 metres


3rd hole par 3 170 metres


4th hole par 4 350 metres


5th hole par 5 490 metres


2nd shot 5th hole


6th hole par 4 285 metres


7th hole par 3110 metres


8th hole par 5 470 metres


2nd shot 8th hole


9th hole par 4 360 metres


10th hole par 4 340 metres


11th hole par 3 145 metres


12 th hole par 4 385 metres


13th hole par 3 165 metres


14th hole par 5 510 metres


15th hole par 4 350 metres


16th hole par 4 400metres


17th hole par 5 550 metres


18th hole par 4 390 metres


18th green

[Ash Towe]

Grant,
Thanks very much for the report and the stunning photos.

When you discussed the greens, did it lead you to think the routing could have been better?

Would the course be better with wider fairways, presuming that firm and fast conditions would be the norm?

Sounds like a terrific addition to NZ golf.  Queenstown already has so many great attractions for visitors.

[Richard Boult]

I checked out the Jacks Point website earlier after reading your "photos" thread. I forwarded the URL to my wife and told her this is where we're moving ... I met my wife on a trip to NZ in 1981.  We've been married 24 years now. Never been back to NZ.  I absolutely love the South Island. Very drawn to Mt. Cook and the "Southern Alps". Thanks for the course review!

[Grant Saunders]

Ash,

I think the issue of the elevated greens is partly a function of routing and partly trying to achieve length on some holes without moving much earth.

The opening stretch of 2,3,4 and 5 all play pretty much straight uphill so it is inevitable that the greens surface will be above the player. This could possibly have been countered by a hole or 2 playing across the gradient to break up the sequence.

On other holes like the 9th, 11th and 15th it appears the green sites are raised by utilising the existing landforms. I think this was done with the desire to limit the amount of earth being moved and still have the holes play to a desired length which is understanable. In my opinion though, the 8th and 12th greens needed not be pushed up and the holes probably suffer a bit as a result.

I think maybe one or two holes could benefit from slightly wider fairways with the 12th a good example. There is trouble all along the right of the fairway bunker yet there is not much support to hit left of it and keep from running through the fairway. The 16th is a hole that has been widened from its original shape and now posseses almost a slit fairway option (hard to see the right hand area in the photo).

Overall though I enjoyed the challenge off the tee and in playing it again I would leave the driver in the bag a bit more than I did.

[Lynn_Shackelford]

Grant, are you able to provide an update on the little golf course in Queenstown that borders the lake?  I played there about 17 years ago and found it to be a pleasant experience.  I also looked around and thought "what could be done" here.  Who owns it at present?
Great pictures, are those the Remarkables in the background?

[Ash Towe]

Grant,
Thanks very much for the explanation.  You can tell when you ask a pro!!

Lynn,
Without usurping Grant.  The course is the Queenstown Golf Club.
Sometimes known as Kelvin Heights.  I believe it has the traditional club
ownership scheme.  Grant may be able to confirm or otherwise explain.

[Matt_Cohn]

Aesthetically, considering the property and backdrop, it looks like an underachievement. Still better looking than 90% of the courses out there, though.

[Ash Towe]

I had the pleasure of playing this course last Tuesday.  It is not open for general play till the end of the year.
The setting is visually spectacular.  The people who run the development are very helpful and accomodating.  If you were in the area prior to the opening drop them an e mail.
Grant has written a compehensive and accurate analysis.  I have  question marks about a few holes.  However I would recommend anybody to play a round here.  If you missed Jacks Point out of a trip to this area you would missing out on a special place.

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