Golf
New Zealand is home to a stunning array of golf courses set in incredible locations. With dramatic scenery, greenery, long stretches of coast and soaring mountains, New Zealand is a natural playground. Accessibility really sets New Zealand apart from other countries, with a new golf course to try around every corner. Travel from alpine areas to idyllic beachside locations within a few hours. It’s no wonder that golf is the sport with the highest participation from New Zealanders, for both men and women.
“New Zealand is simply an amazing golf destination. It has some of the best golf courses I have ever played. It should be a must-visit place for golfers from all over the world. You won’t be disappointed.”
– Lydia Ko
We have some fantastic local courses within range of our Lodge and Queenstown, as well as beautiful courses on the North Island. Queenstown is the airport you will arrive to for your trip with Exclusive Adventures, and if you’re an avid golfer, it makes great sense to play some of New Zealand’s best golf courses that are located there. We can arrange full golf days before or after your hunt, or half a golf day during your time at our Lodge.
If you want to travel more of our country outside of Queenstown, Wanaka, and our Lodge’s surrounding area, we can help customize an itinerary where you can play other world-class golf courses, combined with some of the best luxury lodges. Contact us to plan more of your South Island or North Island New Zealand golf adventure in combination with your hunting or fishing vacation!
Scroll down to view some of NZ’s premier courses that are a must on our list!
Jack’s Point
Queenstown, South Island
The 18 hole par 72 championship course, with five tee positions, weaves through native tussock grasslands to the edge of Lake Wakatipu. The course is ranked number one in the South Island.
The HIlls
Arrowtown (near Queenstown, South Island)
The Hills is a private members club, however limited opportunities still exist for visitors to experience the course. The Hills was designed by Darby Partners and opened in 2007 to host the New Zealand Open. This championship layout provides a serious challenge for accomplished golf players while thoughtful and considerate design means that the golf course is equally enjoyable for golfers of all abilities. Set over 500 acres of land across a glacial valley, The Hills is home to an incredible array of flora including native brown top grasses and wild native mountain tussocks. Sculptures crafted by New Zealand artists compliment the natural beauty of the course’s lakes, waterways and wetland areas. Winter snow and frost conditions provide the ideal climate for the finest grasses suited to the modern day game of golf. The course is the current home of the New Zealand Open.
Tara Ita
Mangawhai (pronounced Mang-ga-fai), North Island
As Golf Digest's Ron Whitten wrote: "This may be New Zealand's answer to Pebble Beach's Carmel Bay. The greatest meeting of land and sea is clearly up for debate."
Kauri Cliffs
Northland
Kauri Cliffs is a par 72 championship golf course with ocean views from 15 holes. Ranked in the world top 100. PGA Tour star Brandt Snedeker called it "Pebble Beach on steroids".
Cape Kidnappers
Te Awanga, North Island
Cape Kidnappers features eighteen holes of golf designed by world renowned golf architect Tom Doak. Completed in 2004, this spectacular New Zealand golf course has been hailed as one of the great modern marvels in golf.
Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary
Taupo, North Island
Imagine the experience of playing golf on a world class championship course, immersed in the natural beauty of a wildlife sanctuary. The predator-free sanctuary offers a safe haven to fallow deer and many birdlife including endangered kiwi & takahē.