Cape Kidnappers

446 Clifton Rd,

Te Awanga, Hawke's Bay

  • Office

    +64 (0)6 875 1900
  • Pro shop

    +64 (0)6 873 1018
  • Fax

    +64 (0)6 875 1901
  • Golf pro

    Eric Smith (Head Golf Professional)

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Seaside links-style. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb (most players use a golf cart).

  • Surroundings:

    Coastal cliffs and rural countryside.

  • Designer:

    Tom Doak

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Metres
6533
5708
4739
Par
71
71
71
SSS or slope
76.0
70.4
70.4

Location

Latitude:

-39.654184

Longitude:

177.042607

How to get there:

17 km E of Hastings / 20 km SE of Napier.

From Hastings: follow signs for Napier (Hwy 2), which bring you onto the Karamu Rd North, direction Clive. After approx 4 km turn right into Pilcher Rd direction Cape Kidnappers-Haumoana. Follow signs for Cape Kidnappers-Te Awanga-Clifton for approx 10 km. 1 km after leaving Te Awanga turn right into Cape Kidnappers entrance.
From the north: approx 9 km south of Napier (just after the village of Clive) turn left off Hwy 2 into Mill Rd, direction Cape Kidnappers-Te Awanga. Follow signs for Cape Kidnappers-Te Awanga-Clifton for approx 10 km. 1 km after leaving Te Awanga turn right into Cape Kidnappers entrance.

Cape Kidnappers

5-PLUS: In the world’s elite - has few peers; one of our top-rated 5s!

Est. 2004

Cape Kidnappers: Not only does New Zealand have a reputation for spectacular scenery, it has also secured a name as a haven for outdoor adventure seekers. For golfers wanting to combine the best of New Zealand's scenery, plenty of excitement and world-class facilities, Cape Kidnappers delivers big-time. Here on cliffs towering 500 feet above Hawke's Bay, you'll find a world-renowned golf course, providing an unforgettable golfing experience.

Laid out high above the Pacific Ocean on fingers of land that point eastward into the sea, this open, links-style layout is riven with gullies and ravines. Its not unusual to find a deep gully making an appearance in front of the green you're playing to. Although several wooden bridges help you across the ravines, the terrain remains quite undulating and presents a stiff walk. For those who forego the relative comfort of a golf buggy, taking a caddie is well worth considering, not least on your first outing.

From the immaculate tee-boxes, wide fairways and lightning fast greens you'll enjoy stunning views onto Hawke's Bay, the blue Pacific and the rustic-looking luxury accommodations of the Farm at Cape Kidnappers. Even if you end up in the plentiful and stylish bunkering, you can still enjoy the fabulous views!

Should the wind be blowing (it often does) your course management and shot-making will be more thoroughly tested than on those blissfully calm days. From the back tees, there are many long carries to the relative safety of the fairways, so give some thought to which tees best suit your game.

Cape Kidnappers may be counted as one of the most expensive green fees in New Zealand, but most players don't leave here counting the dollars they've spent, but rather the golfing thrills they've enjoyed.

Stay&Play at Cape Kidnappers: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.

List of courses: NZ - North Island

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance.

Green fees

Overseas visitor fee, 18-holes in high season (Oct thru' May): NZ$739; Aus golfer NZ$565; NZ golfer NZ$391.

Contact club for full details, discounts, Stay&Play rates, etc. [Last updated: 2024].

Other information

Non-metal spike facility. Walking permitted. Golf carts available for hire. Caddies and forecaddies available.

Practice facilities

Excellent

Did you know?

The clifftop lands of Cape Kidnappers are of special significance to the local Maori population. It was here that many Maori Pas (fortified encampments) were located. Cape Kidnappers takes its name from events that took place in 1770, when Captain Cook's expedition tried to abduct Maoris into slavery from this area.

Cape Kidnappers golf course and estate shares the same owner (Julian Robertson) as its sister course in New Zealand - Kauri Cliffs.

Published ranking

New Zealand's 6th best course (Australian Golf Digest, 2023/24).
World's 55th best course (GOLF Magazine, 2023/24) and 51st best public access course (Golf World, 2023).

Where2Stay

  • Rosewood Cape Kidnappers5-star

    446 Clifton Rd, Te Awanga, Hawke's Bay.

    +64 (0)6 875 1900

    Visit website

    Located on New Zealand's North Island and set atop 6,000 rolling acres of stunning Hawke’s Bay pasture land, the world-renowned Farm at Cape Kidnappers offers wonderfully appointed accommodations and spectacular 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. The cluster of luxury lodge buildings is suggestive of a working farm.

    With a blend of river stone and weathered wood, the buildings combine rustic and textured materials with comfortable modern furnishings. Cape Kidnappers and the surrounding area has a rich history, beginning with its colonial discovery by Captain James Cook in 1769.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Cape Kidnappers

    • Golf within 10 km:

      No

    • Golf within 30 km:

      No

  • Portmans Motor Lodge3-star

    401 Railway Road, Hastings

    +64 (0)6 878 8332

    Visit website
    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 10 km:

      No

    • Golf within 30 km:

      Cape Kidnappers

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