Golf Courses in New Zealand

« **on:** March 17, 2011, 02:59:28 PM »

Gentlemen:

In planning a golf trip next March to New Zealand from Southern California I would appreciate any suggestions of which courses we should consider. We'll probably have 8 days, excluding travel days, for golf. Maybe list courses as: Must play; Should play; Consider; Don't bother??? or something like that?

All suggestions are very much appreciated!!!

« **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2011, 03:01:59 PM »

I want to be the first to say....

PARAPARAUMU!!!

I've never been there, but it looks very cool. Leo Barber might have a thing or two to say about it.

« **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2011, 03:39:55 PM »

Bruce:

New Zealand doesn't really lay out all that great for a one-week golf trip ... the best courses are spaced pretty far apart around the country, and few of them are in the South Island, which is the most beautiful part of the country.

It is generally accepted that the top five courses in the country today would include Kauri Cliffs, Paraparaumu, Kinloch, and Cape Kidnappers, with some stronger argument about what's the fifth. Those four are all on the North Island, though it would be a +/- ten hour drive from Kauri Cliffs to Paraparaumu. All of them are worth playing more than once, but if you want 3-4 other courses in the same vicinity, you could try Kaitaia up in the far north, Titirangi near Auckland, Wairakei down near Kinloch, and maybe Rotorua for another old-time venue. If you go to the South Island, the only course I've seen that I would recommend is the very quirky Arrowtown course, on the outskirts of Queenstown, which has been written up here.

« **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2011, 05:54:02 PM »

Bruce,

Just returned from there. Sent you a PM.

« **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2011, 06:03:00 PM »

Cape Kidnappers is a world class resort.The lodge and food are second to none.

Anthony

« **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2011, 06:58:57 PM »

Queenstown is one of the most beautiful smalll cities in the world. It is worth seeing - and Arrowtown is just out of town.It is quirky and great fun. While you are there you may as well play Jack's Point as well.

Kidnappers is the best course in NZ then Paraparaumu. They are the two you must see. Paraparaumu was in poor condition for years but they say it is much improved.

« **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:26:26 PM »

Bruce - excellent that you're coming down. Everyone is spot on with Pram, Kidnappers, Kauri & Kinloch.

The South Island is absolutely stunning and the drive from CHCH to Queenstown is awesome. Queenstown is really good fun and a couple of the courses are worth a hit at as Mike and Tom mentioned. PM closer to the time and we'll help out further.

« **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2011, 08:08:05 PM »

Bruce,

I echo what Tom said, whilst there's plenty of great courses to play in New Zealand, everything is so spread out you're either going to be dropping a lot of money on flights and cabs or spending a lot of time behind the wheel of a rental. I'd go with the rental option myself, the drives are stunning and even if you did fly from place to place, you're still going to have to rent a car to get from the likes of Arrowtown to Jacks Point.

If you're coming over to New Zealand, it'd be a shame not to get to the South Island, I loved Queenstown when I was there, really cool town in a truely beautiful location with loads to keep you busy.

The only courses I'd add to the list that haven't already been mentioned are The Hills and Jacks Point, both about a half hour drive outside Queenstown. Try getting out to one of the farm tracks while you're over here as well, hundreds of sheep grazing fairways and tees, and electric fences around the greens makes for great fun and at $5-10 for 9 holes they're great value. Wairunga just shaded Te Pahoe as my favourite, both are only about 40 minutes away from Cape Kidnappers and I think Te Pahoe is on the way to Taupo if you decide to make the drive from Cape to Kinloch and Wairakei.

« **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2011, 08:28:59 PM »

I am not a reference when it comes to NZ since I have never been there, but lately, I have been really interested by Titirangi, which appears to be quite good.

I am surprised it does not get mentioned on here very often. An old Mackenzie layout which seems to sit on pretty good land....

Has anyone on here been there recently?

YP

« **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2011, 08:32:35 PM »

Tom and Mike have got it right.

Titirangi is in excellent condition and is always a delight to play.

« **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2011, 08:43:13 PM »

Yannick:

Titirangi has been throughly re-worked in the past few years, with a local architect trying to make it more like what MacKenzie would have done if he'd stuck around [and had a D-6 at his disposal !]. I have not been back there to see it again, though most people came back favorably impressed when they played the MacKenzie Cup there.

Joe B:

Good man for mentioning Wairunga. I never got to play it when I was down there, because I was always too busy up on top of Cape Kidnappers, but my crew used to go and play there occasionally and they all loved the place. I keep meaning to get there, but it seems like I'm never in N.Z. for more than two days anymore.

« **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2011, 09:35:52 PM »

I was at Titirangi about three weeks ago, in fact I was playing it when the earthquake struck in Christchurch. It is on very good land and I thought that the par 3 holes were particularly good (or at least looked good, see below). I would point everyone to Matthew Mollica's excellent review of the course in the IMO section:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/titirangi-golf-club/

There were two minor issues when I was there 1) the course was in nowhere near as good of condition as the pictures in Matthew's review shows. I was supposed to pay $130NZ to play but they only charged me $90NZ because of the course conditions. The greens were fine but they were losing the grass on many of the fairways. I asked about this but the person I spoke with didn't have an answer for why the conditions had slipped. 2) My playing partners and I were the first group off behind a ladies competition and for some reason most of the greens had extreme front pin positions to the point that many of them were just a few paces on the green. I don't know why they did this as front pins are not necessarily any easier than normal pins and are often a lot harder. It affected the playability of the par 3s because every one of them had an extreme front pin, which was redundant and made each par 3 play shorter and less interesting. Most of the other holes had front pins as well.

Here are a couple comparisons between 2009 and 2011 that show that the new bunkers are starting to lose their definition.

#4 from Mollica's IMO 2009

#4 from February 22, 2011

#14 from Mollica's IMO 2011

#14 from February 22, 2011

« **Reply #12 on:** March 17, 2011, 09:42:27 PM »

Quote from: David Kelly on March 17, 2011, 09:35:52 PM

2) My playing partners and I were the first group off behind a ladies competition and for some reason most of the greens had extreme front pin positions to the point that many of them were just a few paces on the green. I don't know why they did this as front pins are not necessarily any easier than normal pins and are often a lot harder. It affected the playability of the par 3s because every one of them had an extreme front pin, which was redundant and made each par 3 play shorter and less interesting. Most of the other holes had front pins as well.

Let me guess: the superintendent has issues with the turf, so he wants to keep play on the front of the green to reduce traffic in the middle of the green. What day is better to do this than a ladies competition?

« **Reply #13 on:** March 18, 2011, 04:19:47 AM »

Bill,
Does that mean that distaff were biased?

Cheers Colin

« **Reply #14 on:** March 18, 2011, 05:32:54 AM »

You guys who know NZ well: if playing the best golf courses is the goal, wouldn't Bruce be better off putting most of his time in at CK, with maybe one or two side trips? I get the sense that CK stands head and shoulders above the rest, yes?

« **Reply #15 on:** March 18, 2011, 12:25:25 PM »

Quote from: Jim Nugent on March 18, 2011, 05:32:54 AM

You guys who know NZ well: if playing the best golf courses is the goal, wouldn't Bruce be better off putting most of his time in at CK, with maybe one or two side trips? I get the sense that CK stands head and shoulders above the rest, yes?

Cape Kidnappers is great, however it is also more than $300US for 18 holes.

« **Reply #16 on:** March 18, 2011, 12:51:09 PM »

I just can't see going to NZ for a purely golf-focused holiday. Too much travel between courses and far, far too many other wonderful things to see and so. When I go back, I'll certainly take the clubs, but I would need several days in Fiordland, maybe Stewart Island this time (golf at Oreti Sands while in far south?), we didn't get to Bay of Islands last time, etc, etc. The most amazing place I have ever visited.

« **Reply #17 on:** March 18, 2011, 02:38:49 PM »

Yes, Adam, I would agree. I went to NZ in 2005 with my family and we were able to see many of the areas you mention. Some of the guys on this trip plan to have wives fly down at the end of the golf portion of the trip and stay for another week or so.

Thank you to all who have responded. I appreciate all of the great information. You guys are the greatest!

« **Reply #18 on:** March 18, 2011, 05:11:38 PM »

I did the NZ trip last month --- while Cape Kidnappers might be on your bucket list, the course that cannot be missed is Paraparaumu Beach --- honestly, I'm not very price sensitive when it comes to golf and didn't mind the expense at CP, but for the cost of one day at CP you'll get an annual membership at PBGC. PBGC is without doubt my favorite pure links course outside of GB&I. A fun layout that represents it's Alex Russell (of Royal Melbourne fame) pedigree very well.

By the way, Sun Air (www.sunair.co.nz) operates a number of flights that make getting around NZ easy --- for example their scheduled evening flight in a five-seater from Napier (near CP) to Paraparaumu Beach is only US$120. Great experience!

On my next NZ trip, I would split 6 rounds as follows:
Paraparaumu Beach (3)
Cape Kidnappers (1)
Royal Wellington (1)
Titirangi (1)

« **Reply #19 on:** March 18, 2011, 05:12:51 PM »

Quote from: David Kelly on March 18, 2011, 12:25:25 PM

Quote from: Jim Nugent on March 18, 2011, 05:32:54 AM
You guys who know NZ well: if playing the best golf courses is the goal, wouldn't Bruce be better off putting most of his time in at CK, with maybe one or two side trips? I get the sense that CK stands head and shoulders above the rest, yes?

Cape Kidnappers is great, however it is also more than $300US for 18 holes.

« **Reply #20 on:** March 18, 2011, 05:39:07 PM »

Last month at CP I paid international green fees of NZ$ 415,--- which is ca. US$ 300,--- plus caddie fee / tips

« **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2011, 08:47:42 PM »

Jim - Pram Beach is definitely on par with CK. It is a magic links.

Someone mentioned Oreti Sands. This should be the next Barnbougle Dunes. Just needs the right people to check out the land...

« **Reply #22 on:** March 23, 2011, 08:24:07 PM »

Bruce - Jack's Point in Queenstown is a must. The views are as good as Kidnappers and Kauri and the 15th hole is one of the most unique I have ever played. Although its a pain to fly down to the bottom of the South Island It is worth the trip. If you're not into $1,400 per night to stay at Kauri, I recommend a local B &B, the 88 Lodge near Keri Keri, great place. Also Paraparaumu is a fabulous course, I recommend it also.

Jack's Point par 3 seventh hole:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16461681@N04/5554067048/

« **Reply #23 on:** March 23, 2011, 10:24:20 PM »

I just returned from a trip to NZ. Paraparaumu, Cape Kidnappers, Wairakei and Titirangi are all fantastic to visit. CK is expensive, but how many times are you going to be in NZ? Did not visit Kauri Cliffs as it was the budget buster.

Flew into Wellington and rented a car from Omega. Great service. One-way rental from Wellington to Auckland was very reasonably priced. Don't forget the GSP unit as it's a must.

Parapram (as the locals call it) is a true links course and should not be missed.

Titirangi is a great classic course and if you call far enough ahead they will do their best to put you into a game with some members, which really enhances the experience.

Wairakei is a parkland course... soft and green... but, it offers some outstanding holes. I throughly enjoyed my day there and recommend it highly.

Cape Kidnappers is stunning. This is the one course you do not want to miss. Let me warn you, however, it is a VERY HARD course to play and walk. I caught it on a relative benign afternoon with only a one club wind to start and I found it to be one of the most difficult courses I had ever played. As the wind picked up late in the day I was subjected to a brutal beating. If you visit this course RIDE in a cart. You will thank me later.

« **Reply #24 on:** January 06, 2012, 03:53:41 AM »

Quick question -- Is anything in Auckland other than Titirangi worth playing?

Royal Auckland, perhaps?

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