7 Amazing Golf Courses in NZ

New Zealand is an underrated golf destination to many visitors, however the diverse landscapes of this country are home to some of the world’s most unique, challenging and picturesque fairways.

Many of New Zealand’s top golf courses are paired with exclusive onsite resorts with excellent facilities for accommodation, outdoor pursuits and dining. The climate is ideal for a round of golf across many seasons, and New Zealand claims a spot on global golfing news with a long heritage that name-drops Sir Bob Charles ONZ KNZM CBE, Greg Turner, Michael Campbell, Phil Tataurangi, Michael Hendry, Steve Williams MNZM (Adam Scott and Tiger Woods ex-caddy) and Lydia Ko.

Golfers of all abilities can delight in premier golf courses situated in beautiful settings including gently rolling pastureland, cliff-top greens spreading along rugged coastline, lowland plateaus overlooked by snow-capped mountain ranges, or fairways nestled between native forest and thermal springs.

Golfing packages are a niche market which Black Label love to arrange because the stunning locations of our golf courses and world-class facilities really give our clients that ‘wow’ factor that keeps them coming back.

Black Label has curated a list of 7 Amazing Golf Courses in New Zealand for you to visit to fine tune your swing :

1. Millbrook Resort, Arrowtown

Set on 500 acres of lush green fairways, rolling hills and gentle streams and overlooked by the aptly named Remarkables Mountains, Millbrook Resort opened in 1993.

Situated just 15 minutes from Queenstown Airport, 30 minutes from Queenstown and a few minutes from Arrowtown, it has become one of the leaders in the luxury resort industry receiving a number of awards and accolades, positioning it as one of the leading accommodation, golf, spa, dining, property and resort venues in the world.

Some of Millbrook’s awards include:

Voted Oceania’s Best Golf Resort at the Inaugural World Golf Awards 2014
Voted No 1 Hotel in New Zealand in the ‘Top Hotel category’ in TripAdvisors’ Traveller’s Choice Awards in 2013, 2014 and 2015
Awarded Qualmark Enviro Gold status with Qualmark New Zealand 2014

The Resort offers something for everyone, whether you want a romantic weekend away, a family escape or a golfing weekend with friends you can enjoy 4 onsite restaurants, a 27-hole championship golf course, award winning day spa, health and fitness centre and various conference venues.

The golf course is a stunning place to enjoy 27 holes with the Arrow Nine, the Remarkables Nine and the Coronet Nine, each offering a different playing experience.

Black Label can facilitate additional sightseeing in the surrounding area including vibrant Queenstown and quaint Arrowtown. Arrowtown is a hop, skip and a jump away and a pleasant town to discover with award winning restaurants, cafes, museum and galleries located within a tight precinct of historic buildings and quaint streets. It was also one of the filming locations for the Lord of the Rings movies.

Recently, Andi Bozhiqi, Executive Chef at Millbrook Resort for the past five years, has been selected as one of the 2016 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ambassadors. This annual award is given to recognise the skill, expertise and talent of a select group of outstanding chefs, who consistently deliver world-class New Zealand beef and lamb dishes to their guests.

Get in touch with Black Label today as we have ‘Stay and Play’ packages that combine a stay at Millbrook with green fees, use of the Health & Fitness Centre, complimentary shuttle service, complimentary Wifi and buffet breakfast daily.

2. Kinloch Golf Club, Taupo

Ranked as New Zealand’s number one golf course in 2014 by a select team of New Zealand Golf Professionals, the Kinloch Golf Club is also rated 76th of the top 100 golf courses outside of America by Golf Digest Magazine.

As the only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course to be built in New Zealand, Kinloch has amazing panoramic views of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest fresh-water lake, and the natural beauty of rugged rural farmland.

The par 72 eighteen-hole championship golf course is open for play 7 days a week and measures:

6734 metres (7363 yards) from the Tournament tees.
5960 metres (6519 yards) from the White tees.
4640 metres (5072 yards) from the Red tees.

A short stroll from the lodge are luxury 2-bedroom, 2-bedroom plus den villas and 1-bedroom junior suites, which are ‘quiet’ in design and harmonise with the magnificent natural setting of this lakeside links course.

You have the option to enjoy gourmet dining in the main a la carte restaurant with beautiful views or indulge in a private dining experience from your luxury lodge suite. All of Kinloch’s world class cuisine, uses produce reared from the private owner’s estate, and adheres to the ‘Estate to Plate’ organic philosophy where possible, of course matched with the finest wines from New Zealand and around the world.

Black Label would love to host you at Kinloch Golf Club, or their sister lodge Treetops Lodge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCk9xgL_PWQ#action=share

3. Kauri Cliffs, Matauri Bay

Located on 6,000 acres near Matauri Bay, Kauri Cliffs is just a 45-minute flight from Auckland in one of the North Island’s most picturesque settings.

Part of the exclusive Relais & Châteaux collection of 500 of the finest hotels and gourmet restaurants in 56 countries, the property is part of a luxury trio in New Zealand that is rounded out by The Farm at Cape Kidnappers (Hawke’s Bay) and

Matakauri Lodge (Queenstown).

For golfers, Kauri Cliff’s par 72 championship golf course is a spectacular experience with fifteen holes having sea views of the Pacific Ocean; six of which are played alongside cliffs which plunge to the sea and stunning inland holes that wind through marsh, forest and farmland.

Kauri Cliffs is currently ranked number 39 in the world by Golf Digest Top 100 Greatest Golf Courses in the World. There is also a practice range, putting and chipping greens, and golf shop on site.

Accommodation-wise, you can choose to stay in one of 22 guest suites or a two Bedroom Owner’s Cottage. Every suite offers its own private porch, bedroom with sitting area and open fireplace, walk-in-wardrobe and ensuite. The cottages are nestled in a native forest overlooking the greens and the Pacific Ocean.

Regardless of your interest in golf, you have the option to enjoy three secluded beaches (where picnics and BBQs can be arranged), an infinity pool, a spa with sauna, Jacuzzi, indoor lap pool, two tennis courts, and a fully equipped gym.

Additional add-on activities Black Label can arrange include diving, fishing, mountain biking, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, gastronomy tours and bird watching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkBB6kpGEBs&feature=youtu.be

4. Jacks Point, Queenstown

Jack’s Point, just 15 minutes from Queenstown, is one of Black Label’s favourite golf courses for location – a spectacular 1200 hectare (3000 acre) settlement with outstanding lake panoramas across Lake Wakatipu and located beneath the Remarkables Mountains, it truly is an inspiring environment.

The par 72 eighteen-hole championship course offers golfers an exciting challenge with five tee positions to choose from, providing all abilities an unforgettable golf experience. The course measures 6388 metres (6986 yards) from the championship tees and is built on the most spectacular of Jack’s Point terrain, weaving through dramatic rock outcrops, steep bluffs, native tussock grasslands, and swathes of native bush to the edge of Lake Wakatipu.

The course is open for visitors from mid-August to mid-June, with closure over the winter months from mid-June to Mid-August for winter maintenance annually.

Optional to golf, there are over 35 kilometres of hiking and mountain biking trails, and Black Label is more than happy to arrange fly fishing lessons, helicopter flights, quad bikes, boat trips or horse riding.

Within a few hours’ drive from Queenstown, you can experience the dramatic alpine peaks of the Southern Alps, amazing wildlife of Milford and Doubtful Sounds, or the rugged West Coast coastline.

The Central Otago region, is home to some of New Zealand’s best wineries, which are renowned the world over for their award-winning Pinot Noir. Or speak to us about an itinerary that includes the visually stunning Glenorchy, beautiful Wanaka, historic Dunedin or Christchurch, New Zealand’s ‘Garden City’.

5. Cape Kidnappers, Havelock North

Designed by legendary golf architect Tom Doak, Cape Kidnappers is currently ranked as the 33rd Best Golf Course in the World and number 6 outside of the United States.

The par 71 golf course measures 7,119 yards (6,510 meters) and will challenge golfers of all skill levels, with a magnificent setting perched on top of cliffs overlooking the entirety of Hawkes Bay.

The Hawkes Bay region is blessed with sunny weather throughout the summer, and the maritime climate is ideal for fruit growing with much of New Zealand’s produce exports originating there. It is also the second largest wine region in New Zealand with 72 wineries dotted across hillsides and river valleys.

Black Label can also arrange special golfing packages for cruise ship passengers including green fees and rental of equipment if needed.

6. The Hills, Arrowtown

Set in 500 acres of tranquil ambience, in a stunning glacial valley and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, The Hills delivers a world class golfing experience.

Highlights include the championship golf course, the finest hospitality, day spa, gym, and luxury accommodation at the Lodge at the Hills.

The beauty of the courses lakes, waterways and wetland areas are complimented by the most unique aspect of a golfing experience here – amongst the property you’ll be awed by a stunning array of sculptures made by local and international artists.

Earlier this year, The Hills was one of the hosts (the other being Millbrook Resort) of the BMW New Zealand Open, the biggest golfing event to be held in New Zealand for many years. The 2016 event will have co-naming sponsorship from BMW and ISPS Handa – to be known as the BMW ISPS Handa New Zealand Open – and will continue as a Tier One event on the PGA Tour of Australasia, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation which will see fifteen leading professional golfers from the Japan tour playing in the tournament.

For an exclusive experience, The Hills presents a luxury lodge available for up to 12 guests with extensive living areas, 6 large suites, art studio, music and media room, wine cellar dining room and a large, open plan kitchen and dining area.

Its private grounds feature a heated infinity pool, spa pool, sauna, grass tennis court, par 3 golf hole, numerous outside dining areas, fire pit and seating area, outside fireplace, petanque court and extensive landscaped gardens. The lodge hosts an extensive private collection of art, sculpture and artefacts curated by Sir Michael and Lady Christine Hill.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you desire tickets for the 2016 BMW ISPS Handa New Zealand Open, or a luxury golfing package that includes accommodation at the Lodge at The Hills.

7. Wairakei International Golf Course & Sanctuary, Taupo

Set over 450 acres within the Wairakei Geothermal Park just 10 kilometres north of the resort town of Taupo and Lake Taupo (New Zealand’s largest fresh-water lake), golfers playing here enjoy a magical Kiwi journey that combines recreation with restoration and conservation.

Voted one of the Top 100 courses outside the U.S., can you imagine the experience of playing golf on a world class championship course, immersed in the natural beauty of a wildlife sanctuary?

The championship golf course is like no other, fringing the edges of active geothermal fields and designed using the volcanic contours to sculpt fairways, elevate tees and greens and bury hazards within the natural landscape. Services and facilities include a hire shop, bar and café, practice areas and two NZPGA approved professionals are available for both private lessons and golf schools.

A dedicated restoration project has seen replanting within the course boundaries of 25,000 native trees and 5,000 exotics with a resurgence in insects and native birds. Wild life includes birds such as takahe, falcon, partridge, mixed colour pheasant, ducks and additionally a small herd of around 15 fallow deer and a stag are being reared on site, within a deer fenced area.

This area is part of the greater Central Volcanic Plateau and for good reason. Lake Taupo was formed by one of the biggest volcanic eruptions known to man, and to the south of the lake, Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe are still live volcanoes. Maori culture is alive and well in this region with the Pouwhenua pole carving in the entrance way to the course designed and built locally by members of the Iwi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHlz5ow8rZ8#action=share

If you would like to play golf at any of these fantastic golf courses in New Zealand, get in touch with Black Label today to discuss a bespoke Golfing Package. We can add on accommodation, transfers, sightseeing and gastronomic experiences at these locations and more to suit your interests and needs.