Golf in New Zealand

This country profile highlights some of the key aspects of golfing in New Zealand.

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About the Country
It is amazing to think that until a thousand years ago, this stunningly beautiful country was uninhabited by humans. First to arrive were the Polynesian "Maoris" and then Europeans in the mid-1600's, first from the Netherlands, then in greater numbers from Britain and Ireland. With no wildlife dangerous to humans, and a lush, plentiful and dramatically scenic environment, many settlers came to regard their new home as a touch of paradise. Essentially split into two islands, the larger population of approximately three million are located on the North Island, with a mere one million people inhabiting the South Island (with its land mass not too different in size than England). It is not just the spectacular scenery, be it mountains, rivers, forests or the coastline, that attracts so many tourists and travellers to New Zealand. The country has gained something of a reputation for providing high-octane outdoor activities, such as bungy jumping, jet-boating, ballooning and skiing. And then of course their is rugby, with the New Zealand All Blacks, underpinning the country's claim to being the most successful rugby nation of all time.

About the Golf
New Zealand boasts more golf courses per capita than any other country in the world; as you drive around you'll notice in every town, small or large, a signpost or two indicating "Golf Club". In all but a few cases, green fees are modest and represent excellent value for overseas visitors. Members of NZ golf clubs pay even less - benefitting from their affiliated status. There are some interesting words in the NZ golfers' lexicon : trundlers are pull carts / trollies; carts are sit-in and drive buggies; sprigs are spikes. Generally golf in NZ is great value for money; however with many clubs operating on limited incomes they are forced to look for sensible economies - so, for example, on some courses bunkering will be limited. You may also find the golf club completely deserted (e.g. early morning, late afternoon) with a simple instruction asking you to deposit your green fee in the "honesty box". The introduction of newer resort courses such as Millbrook, Clearwater, Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, Wairakei, Terrace Downs and the like has had a very healthy effect on raising the "stock" of top quality golf courses in New Zealand - Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers are up there with the world's best.

Golf Good Points
Apart from the volume of courses, New Zealand is blessed with some of the most outstandingly scenic golf courses in the world, especially those on the coast - comparisons with Ireland can easily be made in this respect. Most clubs, concerned with maintaining the condition of their fairways, will supply and insist you carry a sand bucket to fill in your divots. If you buy a copy of the New Zealand Golf Guide (available in most Pro Shops) you'll be able to obtain discounts on Green Fees at many clubs in New Zealand.

Less Good Points
The accepted policy in New Zealand is to wait for a "go ahead" signal from green-keeping staff when they are in range of your intended shot - too often however, they forget or don't bother to signal, keeping you hanging around on the tee while they rake bunkers or cut fairways. At times the finer points of golf etiquette seem to be in very short supply, especially among weekend four-balls, e.g. not letting faster two-balls play through.

Golf - Booking
It is usually easy to get a game in New Zealand, often on a turn-up and pay-and-play basis. However it is usually worth phoning ahead to ensure tee-time availability, especially at busier clubs and resort locations. In a few cases an application in advance in writing may be needed.

Weather
Wherever you are, at whatever time of year, golf will be possible in New Zealand - courses do not have a "closed" season. In winter (June - September) heavy snowfalls are generally limited to the high country in the South Island. The more sub-tropical climate of the North Island usually means it enjoys slightly hotter and more humid summers (Oct - March) than the South Island. Wind and rain can occur throughout the year, with the west coast a bit wetter than the east.

Getting around
Noting some similarities with Ireland, New Zealand has a very good system of non-motorway standard roads which will get you from A to B, but generally at a rather leisurely pace. With a rigorously enforced maximum speed limit of 100 kph, this is not a country for would-be Michael Schumakers. Road maps of NZ often have a useful guide providing drive-times between the main towns.

Accomodation
Nowhere has a better array of good value hotels, motels and Bed & Breakfast accommodation than New Zealand. It is generally well advertised and documented in several books and guides. With so much choice, booking can often be left until the last minute, although during the peak Christmas / New Year holiday period more advanced planning may be needed. .

Currency
New Zealand dollar

Language
English and Maori.

Visit our New Zealand Golf Course Guide for ratings, reviews and contact information for New Zealand?s main golf courses.

Useful Links

Golf
NZ Golf Courses Guide to the top resort courses in NZ
The Best of Golf New Zealand Guide to the top resort courses in NZ

Accommodation
Accommodation NZ On-line accommodation finder service for New Zealand
AA Travel On-line accommodation finder and travel service provided by the AA in New Zealand.