Cape Kidnappers advice

[Matthew Mollica]

Any pearls of wisdom from those who have made the trek to Kidnappers would be appreciated.
My wife's a Kiwi, and I've played there a bit, but not yet seen CK. I plan to go this May.

How far is the course from both Hastings and Napier (via car)?

What feedback could you give about staying and dining at the clubhouse?

Will I need to take 4 sleeves of balls?

Thanks in advance.

Matthew

[Jeremy Rivando]

If memory serves me correctly I think it's about 30 minutes from Napier and maybe 20 from Hastings.

The lodge appears to be quite nice, although it was not yet built when I visited 4 years ago.  The club website has great pictures and information re: dining and guest quarters.

I tend to be a bit wayward with my tee shots and I figure I lost around 5 balls when I played.  There are a number of areas where the ball is simply gone, if you're familiar with the site you'll understand.

A great course and a wonderful and memorable round of golf, that I guarantee.

[Michael Robin]

Matthew -

30 minutes from Napier and 20 minutes from Hastings to the front gate, then it's about a beautiful 15 minute drive thru the property dodging cattle and winding roads to the clubhouse. I would also consider The Farm at Cape Kidnappers as a must as the place to stay. Given what the Robertson's did with the lodge at Kauri Cliffs, this is supposed to be up a notch from that, and Kauri was one of my favorite hotel experiences in the world.

[Tom_Doak]

Sadly, I have not been back to Cape Kidnappers since December 2004, so I have not seen The Farm.  However, I don't see how it could possibly be "a notch up" from The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, which is the nicest accommodation I've ever stayed in.  There aren't any more notches above that, just the heavens above.

Matthew:

How many balls you might need depends on how aggressively you play the course.  Unless the wind is over 25 MPH, though, two sleeves should be plenty.

[Mike_Clayton]

Matt,

We rented a house on the beach about 5 minutes from the front gate and about 20 from the clubhouse. Its the best entrance road in golf.

You will need 3 balls at most - you can lose a few at 15 if its windy.

[James Bennett]

Mike (and Matt)

does it help to play a low ball at Cape Kidnappers?  Do you have any key swing thoughts for a chap who hits the ball disproportionally higher to his natural elevation?  What are the chances of a calm day at Cape Kidnappers?

 

James B

[Mike_Clayton]

James,

With the new ball and clubs the emphasis of playing low into the wind is not what it was when we were kids.

It was calmish the two days I was there - but not calm.

[Tom_Doak]

There were a lot of calm days when we were building Cape Kidnappers -- a lot of them.  I can't figure out if that was just a really weird year, or whether the reports of wind conditions there are exaggerated because of the cliffs and the increased chances for a ball gone over the edge.

[Terry Thornton]

Any pearls of wisdom

What feedback could you give about staying and dining at the clubhouse?


Matthew

pre-order a cot and a high chair!!!

Good to see fatherhood hasn't curtailed the traveller

[ed_getka]

Any pearls of wisdom

What feedback could you give about staying and dining at the clubhouse?


Matthew

pre-order a cot and a high chair!!!

Good to see fatherhood hasn't curtailed the traveller

Fatherhood!!!! You've been holding out on us young man. Congratulations.

The lodging wasn't in place when I was there last year so I cannot comment on that. I would give yourself some time to warm up on the range and enjoy the view out towards the sea. Jeremy is a consummate golf professional  you will enjoy chatting with. Give yourself at least 40 minutes to get up to CK from Napier, because you don't want to have to rush up that winding road. The setting of the lodge is quite spectacular from what I saw of it when I was there. It is up on a higher part of land and must have unbelievable views of the course and sea.

The course will be virtually empty so enjoy having a great golf course to yourself. Ash Towe and Scott Coan are both on North Island so if you want some company you might want to get in touch with those guys. Is CK the only course you plan on playing there?
   Having seen you play at Barnbougle in a gale, I think you'll find CK in normal weather to be child's play. I don't expect you would lose more than 3 or 4 balls a round.
    Have a great time and I would love to hear a report of what you thought about the course.

[Ash Towe]

Hi Matthew,
I do not know anything about the accomodation-unfortunately.

Here is a good way to do it,-base yourself in Taupo.  Play at Kinloch and Wairakei and leave a day open.  Listen to the weather forecast and when it is the calmest thats when you go to CK.  It is 1.5 hours drive from Taupo.

I have played in calm and high winds, the difference is amazing.  Playing from the back tees makes a big difference.

It is one of the great experiences in golf.