Christchurch Golf Club

45 Horseshoe Lake Rd,

Shirley, Christchurch, Cantebury 8061

  • Office

    +64 (0)3 385 9506
  • Pro shop

    +64 (0)3 385 2738
  • Fax

    +64 (0)3 385 4892
  • Golf pro

    Anthony Doyle (Head Professional)

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Gently undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.

  • Surroundings:

    Residential setting.

  • Designer:

    Present site established in 1900; course designer unknown. Recent improvements by Peter Thomson.

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Metres
6309
6031
4678
Par
72
72
74
SSS or slope
73.4
72.2
69.8

Location

Latitude:

-43.504036

Longitude:

172.667120

How to get there:

5 km NE of Christchurch centre

From the point where Highways 1 and 74 split to the north of Christchurch, follow Hwy 74 (Main North Road) direction City Centre. After 4 km turn left into Queen Elizabeth II Road direction Burwood / Lyttelton. After 4 km turn right at roundabout into Marshland Rd direction Shirley. After 2 km turn left at traffic lights into New Brighton Road. After 300 metres turn left into Horseshoe Lake Road. After 400 metres golf is on your left.

Christchurch Golf Club

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.

Est. 1873

Christchurch Golf Club: Commonly known as the Shirley Links, things have obviously changed here since the original construction in the 1920's, particularly with several trees having been planted over the years, which gives parts of the course a more parkland feel than was originally the case.

Notwithstanding the occasional tree-lined fairway, the course retains many of its links-like credentials, with copious bunkering, including many pot bunkers that guard both the fairways and greens. The opening stretch of four holes, and the equally impressive closing stretch of seven holes, is played over naturally undulating terrain, which allows for several elevated tee-boxes and a thoroughly absorbing layout where gently dog-legging holes are commonplace.

The middle section from the par-5 5th to the short par-3 11th is played on the other side of Lakes Terrace Road in a flatter, straighter and less interesting area. When your attention can be distracted, you'll glimpse the hills to the south of Christchurch, and no doubt consider a beverage or two in the excellent and very English looking clubhouse.

List of courses: NZ - South Island

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance.

Green fees

Contact club for green fee details.

Other information

Non-metal spikes preferred. Walking permitted at all times. Golf carts available for hire.

Practice facilities

Good

Did you know?

Christchurch GC was founded in 1873, making it the second oldest golf club in New Zealand. Its early play was at courses in Hagley Park and in the general area where the Russley Golf Club is now (close to the airport). However, in 1900 leases were taken out on three portions of land which form the core of the Shirley Links that the Club has used for 100 years.

Bob Charles became a junior member in 1956 and it was from here that he set out (rather successfully as it turned out) to seek his fortune as a professional golfer. Christchurch GC has hosted several New Zealand Open Championships, most recently in 1982 (see our Tournaments section >by Venue >Christchurch).

Published ranking

New Zealand's 16th best course (Australian Golf Digest, 2023/24).

Where2Stay

  • Peppers Clearwater Resort5-star

    Clearwater Ave, Harewood, Christchurch

    +64 (0)3 360 1009

    Visit website

    Peppers' elegant and modern lakeside units at the Clearwater Resort welcome privacy, relaxation, and refined entertaining. Guest rooms, suites, apartments and villas in a contemporary boathouse design offer offer marvellous lake and fairway views.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Clearwater

    • Golf within 10 km:

      Russley; Waitikiri; Christchurch

    • Golf within 30 km:

      No

  • Kingsgate Hotel - Autolodge Christchurch3-star

    72 Papanui Road, Christchurch

    +64 (0)3 355 6109

    Visit website
    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 10 km:

      Russley; Christchurch; Waitikiri; Clearwater Resort

    • Golf within 30 km:

      No

Find a course

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Tournaments

Ryder Cup: Rome plays host to the first ever Ryder Cup to be staged in Italy, with the USA defending golf’s greatest team trophy at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (Sept 29-Oct 1).

Solheim Cup: also in September, also in southern Europe, the 18th Solheim Cup will be contested at Finca Cortesin on the Costa del Sol, with Europe defending after their surprise win in Toledo, Inverness Club (Ohio) in 2021 (Sept 22-24). 

Who's Who

Céline Boutier: with many successes as both an amateur and professional golfer, Boutier added a major championship title to her impressive résumé at this year’s Evian Championship.

Alex Cejka: buffeted by rain and high winds, especially on the high-scoring final day, Čejka prevailed over Pádraig Harrington in a playoff at Royal Porthcawl, to scoop the Senior Open Championship title.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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