Created with the international traveller in mind
Ohope International Golf Club
Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty
Five of the Finest without costing you a fortune
Given that I'm a Scotsman with a passion for links golf courses and who resents paying over $NZ 200.00 (Somewhere around $US 135.00) I've chosen five of the finest except for one that's a wee bit more than that.
The golf scene has changed since I first arrived here very many years ago and the new ones which are now internationally recognized are way above what I am accustomed to paying..
In my youth I played many of Scotland's finest and was accustomed to playing them at a reasonable cost. Suffice to say I played the Road Hole when it had the original coal sheds and you wouldn't believe me how little it cost (mind you it was winter rates).
This web site is built with the international traveller in mind who also wishes to see some sights and the Bay of Plenty has lots to offer and so I've started my Finest Five with Ohope which is near the tourist mecca of Mount Maunganui and the even closer-by the internationally famous White Island which is an active volcano.
The golf scene has changed since I first arrived here very many years ago and the new ones which are now internationally recognized are way above what I am accustomed to paying..
In my youth I played many of Scotland's finest and was accustomed to playing them at a reasonable cost. Suffice to say I played the Road Hole when it had the original coal sheds and you wouldn't believe me how little it cost (mind you it was winter rates).
This web site is built with the international traveller in mind who also wishes to see some sights and the Bay of Plenty has lots to offer and so I've started my Finest Five with Ohope which is near the tourist mecca of Mount Maunganui and the even closer-by the internationally famous White Island which is an active volcano.
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Muriwai Golf Links
Have you ever gone to a foreign country to play golf and when you got back a friend says something like, "What! You were up in the north of Scotland and you didn't play Cruden Bay?"
Be warned, should you have some time while in Auckland and you don't play Muriwai then you run the same kind of risk. And especially if you've never played a links-style golf course.
It's on record that, "The Muriwai clubhouse stands on the highest point of the course and boasts some of the most spectacular views of any clubhouse in New Zealand and it's the perfect place for post-round refreshments."
What wasn't said is that it's a good idea to go see the gannet colony before or after golf.
Be warned, should you have some time while in Auckland and you don't play Muriwai then you run the same kind of risk. And especially if you've never played a links-style golf course.
It's on record that, "The Muriwai clubhouse stands on the highest point of the course and boasts some of the most spectacular views of any clubhouse in New Zealand and it's the perfect place for post-round refreshments."
What wasn't said is that it's a good idea to go see the gannet colony before or after golf.
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Wairakei International Golf Course
Near Lake Taupo
Near Lake Taupo
"The nearest thing to Gleneagles, Scotland that you'll find in the Southern Hemisphere."
I've lost count of the times I've written that in my blog posts and now I must add, I recommend that you visit Golf Club Atlas and see their review and wonderful photographs which capture a feel for this very fine golf course.
Like Gleneagles it's the serenity that makes Wairakei something special and more so now that it is also a wild life sanctuary.
I've lost count of the times I've written that in my blog posts and now I must add, I recommend that you visit Golf Club Atlas and see their review and wonderful photographs which capture a feel for this very fine golf course.
Like Gleneagles it's the serenity that makes Wairakei something special and more so now that it is also a wild life sanctuary.
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South Island
DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS - North Island, South Island or a bit of both?
80% South Island 20% North Island says this sometimes skeptical Scot who lives in the North Island but loves the South Island in this land the Kiwis call 'Godzone'.
Arnold Palmer called New Zealand ‘a simpler place in time’ and the South Island is still such a place. As for the North Island, it's got Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers and New Zealand's best links-style course at Paraparaumu Beach so it isn't all bad news. Just too busy.
Click image to enlarge. Courtesy of West Coast Travel
80% South Island 20% North Island says this sometimes skeptical Scot who lives in the North Island but loves the South Island in this land the Kiwis call 'Godzone'.
Arnold Palmer called New Zealand ‘a simpler place in time’ and the South Island is still such a place. As for the North Island, it's got Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers and New Zealand's best links-style course at Paraparaumu Beach so it isn't all bad news. Just too busy.
Click image to enlarge. Courtesy of West Coast Travel
Before we start
Don't leave home without it. Some homework on the wonderful Bed & Breakfast places in New Zealand. The Brits brought the idea of B &B to the world but the Kiwis soon caught up with them. Something different from your standard hotel room, accommodation where you have your own room and served breakfast in the morning, share travel tips with other guests over your eggs, bacon and coffee and maybe even get some local knowledge regarding how to play the nearby golf courses. Image courtesy of Bed & Breakfast Association New Zealand
Don't leave home without it. Some homework on the wonderful Bed & Breakfast places in New Zealand. The Brits brought the idea of B &B to the world but the Kiwis soon caught up with them. Something different from your standard hotel room, accommodation where you have your own room and served breakfast in the morning, share travel tips with other guests over your eggs, bacon and coffee and maybe even get some local knowledge regarding how to play the nearby golf courses. Image courtesy of Bed & Breakfast Association New Zealand
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Before Queenstown become known as, “The Adventure Capital of the World,” there was Queenstown Golf Club better known as Kelvin Heights.
The Cut golf magazine informs us that, “Queenstown is flush with golf courses. If you’re seeking one that is affordable and one of the most scenic in New Zealand, you can’t do better than the Queenstown course at Kelvin Heights.” But alas there is no mention of neighbouring Arrowtown which was recently described by legendary golf architect Tom Doak as, “The North Berwick of New Zealand.” As for Queenstown Golf Club click on the video and you'll observe that it is located on a sunny Peninsula and surrounded on three sides by pristine alpine waters with the rugged Remarkables in the background. |
Let's cut to the chase: Jack's Point - The MUST play golf course in New Zealand
So why is it New Zealand's must play golf course? Well for starters in this Scotsman's never humble opinion it's the jewel in Queenstown's crown of golf courses. From the country course at Arrowtown to the exclusive Hills Course and on to the Queenstown Golf Club better known as Kelvin Heights.
The video shown below is the best that's available to display its magnificent scenery and challenging holes although I must write the course is usually much greener than portrayed on the video clip.
So why is it New Zealand's must play golf course? Well for starters in this Scotsman's never humble opinion it's the jewel in Queenstown's crown of golf courses. From the country course at Arrowtown to the exclusive Hills Course and on to the Queenstown Golf Club better known as Kelvin Heights.
The video shown below is the best that's available to display its magnificent scenery and challenging holes although I must write the course is usually much greener than portrayed on the video clip.
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And now a word from New Zealand’s recently resigned Prime Minister who’s now got more time to play golf and hopefully will be enticed to update the information on this 2010 YouTube clip. It's incredibly outdated in terms of 2018 but worth a visit since there's glimpses of some lesser known courses
John kicks in at 3.45 minutes and he's captured while speaking at the Millbrook Golf Club near Queenstown and the clip also contains shots of the nearby exclusive Hills Course and Jack’s Point. The video does not include Tara Iti which they are saying will surpass Kauri Cliffs in the world rankings and exclusivity. The kind of course and clubhouse even past Prime Ministers may find it hard to gain entry to and therefore I am unable to speak from personal experience. |
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To be continued - Meanwhile some illustrations which hopefully will be of interest to you