Overview

Ref# T5631
Pricing Valid Until 31 Dec 2023

At a Glance

  • When

    Flexible dates as required

  • Package

    9 nights, 5 rounds

  • Accommodation

    3 nights at Hilton Lake Taupo

    3 nights at Mangapapa Hotel

    3 nights at Intercontinental Wellington

  • Golf

    5 games of golf (all including shared motorised carts) at:

    Wairakei International Golf Course

    The Kinloch Club

    Cape Kidnappers Golf Resort 

    Royal Wellington GC 

    Paraparaumu Beach GC

  • Drive

    Rental Car - NB We can also arrange for fully escorted or point to point transfers if that is preferred. This becomes more cost effective with more people on the trip. Enquire for more details.

  • Sights

    1.5-hour cruise on Lake Taupo with afternoon tea

    Gannet Safari tour in Napier

    All day tour of Napier and its wineries including lunch

  • Pricing

    from NZD$5,750pp (twin share) 

    from NZD$7,750pp (single occupancy)

    ** based on 2 golfers **


Itinerary Summary

Day Golf Accommodation
Day 1 Arrive Hilton Lake Taupo
Day 2 Wairakei International Golf Course Hilton Lake Taupo
Day 3 The Kinloch Club Hilton Lake Taupo
Day 4 Mangapapa
Day 5 Cape Kidnappers Golf Resort Mangapapa
Day 6 Mangapapa
Day 7 Intercontinental Wellington
Day 8 Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club Intercontinental Wellington
Day 9 Royal Wellington Golf Club Intercontinental Wellington
Day 10 Depart

Itinerary Day-by-Day

Day 1
Flights Arrive into Taupo
Fly into Taupo by own arrangements.
Car Hire Collect rental car from the airport on arrival
Notes Check in to your hotel
Accommodation
Hilton Lake Taupo   (Guest Room Plus with breakfast) 
Nestled amongst the epic scenery of Taupo on New Zealand?s North Island, Hilton Lake Taupo was originally built in 1889 as The Terraces Hotel. The beautifully updated Hilton Lake Taupo is a short drive to the charming Taupo town center, only 15 minutes away from Taupo (TUO) Airport.
Day 2
Notes Make your way to golf
Journey approx 10 minutes
Golf
Wairakei International Golf Course | 11:00 AM tee time TBC (18 holes with shared motorised cart) 
Wairakei is an international standard golf course located in the beautiful Lake Taupo region of New Zealand. The course sprawls over its expansive property using the natural contours to the fullest. Over 100 bunkers are carefully positioned to catch errant shots and cleverly placed water hazards provide both a visual beauty and challenge. Officially opened in 1970, the course lies on 450 acres of natural rolling countryside and was developed to meet the rigorous design standards required for world class championship competition.
Accommodation
Hilton Lake Taupo   
Day 3
Notes Make your way to golf
Journey approx 25 minutes
Golf
The Kinloch Club | 11:00 AM tee time TBC (18 holes with shared motorised cart) 
The Kinloch Golf Club has been designed by world renowned golfer and course designer, Jack Nicklaus and has been lauded for its quality design and testing challenge. Ideally situated in the central portion of the North Island, with spectacular views of Lake Taupo. At Kinloch, the land's characteristics feature fast-moving contours and knobs, and Nicklaus recreated that same look in the golf course. Many have described this links like layout as a course reminiscent of the coastal gems in Scotland.
Sightseeing After golf make your way to the jetty in Taupo for an early evening boat cruise. Includes afternoon tea.
Accommodation
Hilton Lake Taupo   
Day 4
Notes Depart Taupo for Hawks Bay
Allow 2 hours to travel to your accommodation where an early check in will be requested. You will then have a chance to have lunch on site or in one of the many local restaurants a short drive away.
Sightseeing After lunch, embark on a safari to visit the local Gannet Colony, nestled high among the cliffs of Cape Kidnappers.
Notes Check in to your hotel
Accommodation
Mangapapa   (Homestead Suite with breakfast) 
Luxury, seclusion, elegance and romance ? four words which describe this stunning boutique hotel. Surrounded by landscaped gardens and orchards, Mangapapa Hotel offers the finest luxury accommodation in its twelve magnificent suites. Together with the renowned restaurant, spa retreat, and facilities such as the pool and lawn tennis court, Mangapapa delivers Hawke?s Bay?s ultimate luxury experience.
Day 5
Notes Make your way to golf
Allow 30 minutes to get to the club.
Golf
Cape Kidnappers Golf Resort | 09:00 AM tee time TBC (All day golf and lunch at Cape Kidnappers) 
Cape Kidnappers is a Tom Doak designed golf course which is amongst the world's most spectacular courses. The clever use of the layout is best seen from the air where Doak has used the natural landscape to craft some magnificent, memorable, and challenging golf holes. However, the Cape Kidnappers experience starts from the moment you drive in the entrance gate. What follows is a 10-kilometer drive (yes that is correct) leading you up to the shearing shed designed clubhouse. The long drive helps to build the anticipation of the day ahead as one passes through a pine plantation, a working cattle farm where sheep abound, across streams and along roads cut out from sheer faced cliffs.
Accommodation
Mangapapa   
Day 6
Transfers Take a private guided tour of the local area. Take in the art deco town of Napier, visit local wineries and breweries as you desire and enjoy a delicious lunch along the way. Enjoy the fine views atop Te Mata Peak.
Accommodation
Mangapapa   
Day 7
Notes Make your way to Wellington
Allow around 5 hours to make your way to Wellington. There are numerous places to stop along the way for refreshments. One suggestion would be to make your way to Paraparaumu where you can enjoy some great food options alongside the coast.
Accommodation
Intercontinental Wellington   (Deluxe Harbour View with breakfast) 
InterContinental Wellington, located adjacent to the New Zealand capital's harbour waterfront, is within close walking distance to popular attractions, and five kilometres from the airport. The hotel is totally non smoking and recently completed a major refurbishment, delivering a new Club InterContinental Lounge, newly defined Deluxe and Club InterContinental guest rooms, a redesigned lobby and dining options. Wireless internet access is available for purchase throughout the hotel
Day 8
Notes Make your way to golf
Allow 50 minutes to get to the club.
Golf
Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club | 09:30 AM tee time TBC (18 holes with shared motorised cart) 
Paraparaumu Golf Club, situated on the Kapiti Coast, a very pleasant fifty minute drive north of the capital city, Wellington, Paraparaumu Beach enjoys a long held reputation as the premier links course in New Zealand. Paraparaumu Beach has hosted the New Zealand Open championship on twelve occasions as well as numerous prestigious professional and amateur tournaments. The course was designed in 1949 by former Australian Open champion Alex Russell, the highly acclaimed course architect in partnership with Dr Alistair McKenzie, the world-renowned course architect. The course has been widely acclaimed over the years.
Accommodation
Intercontinental Wellington   
Day 9
Notes Make your way to golf
Allow 30 minutes to get to the club.
Golf
Royal Wellington Golf Club | 09:30 AM tee time TBC (18 holes with shared motorised cart) 
Royal Wellington Golf Club, A newly redesigned (2013), Turner MacPherson championship course in a stunning parkland setting, arguably one of the finest club courses and club house in New Zealand. The Heretaunga course is, arguably, New Zealand's finest private members parkland course and certainly one of its most beautiful. Sited on an ancient river bed it weaves its way over crumpled ground through cultivated parkland hosting thousands of mature native and exotic trees.
Accommodation
Intercontinental Wellington   
Day 10
Notes Check out of your hotel
Car Hire Return your rental at the airport for your onward journey from Wellington.
Notes Fly back to home
Take your flight home by your own arrangements.

Golf Courses

Cape Kidnappers Golf Resort

448 Clifton Road
Te Awanga, Hawke's Bay, NZNORTH, 000
New Zealand

Region: Hawke's Bay

Cape Kidnappers Golf Resort

Cape Kidnappers is a Tom Doak designed golf course which is amongst the world's most spectacular courses. The clever use of the layout is best seen from the air where Doak has used the natural landscape to craft some magnificent, memorable, and challenging golf holes. However, the Cape Kidnappers experience starts from the moment you drive in the entrance gate. What follows is a 10-kilometer drive (yes that is correct) leading you up to the shearing shed designed clubhouse. The long drive helps to build the anticipation of the day ahead as one passes through a pine plantation, a working cattle farm where sheep abound, across streams and along roads cut out from sheer faced cliffs.

Cape Kidnappers is a Tom Doak designed golf course which is amongst the world's most spectacular courses. The clever use of the layout is best seen from the air where Doak has used God created "fingers" of land to craft some memorable (and challenging) golf holes.

However the Cape Kidnappers experience starts from the moment you drive in the entrance gate. What follows is a 10 kilometre drive (yes that is correct) leading you up to the shearing shed designed clubhouse. The long drive helps to build the anticipation of the day ahead as one passes through a pine plantation, a working cattle farm where sheep abound, across streams and along roads cut out from sheer faced cliffs.

Once you do arrive and mange to collect your thoughts you are faced with a golf course combining a series of clever, inland holes and the memorable cliff top holes. One such clifftop hole is the 15th hole, known as the Pirates Plank. From the tee shot to the green the fairway becomes progressively narrower until you reach the green where it is barely 20 metres across. And on one side lies a sheer faced cliff plunging downward into the Pacific Ocean.

Wind is an everpresent factor at Cape Kidnappers and is enjoyed not by golfer but by the very populous gannet bird colony which seem to float and "windsurf" above the clifftop holes for what seems to be an eternity.

Meticulous attention to detail in the golf course conditioning and five star service in the clubhouse ensure a golfing experience of a lifetime.

And what better way to end a piece on "Kidnappers" than to refer to some comments from the designer Tom Doak - "Our goal in designing golf courses is to create interesting holes you wouldn't find anywhere else. That wasn't hard to do at Cape Kidnappers, because the site is not like anywhere else in golf. If it were any bigger or any more dramatic, it would probably be cordoned off as a national park. It's an overwhelming experience to stand up on the cliffs, 140 meters above sea level, and look out across the waves far below in Hawke's Bay.

Cape Kidnappers is not true links terrain, with the wrinkles of sand dunes; instead the land tilts toward the sea as a series of ridges jutting out toward the edge of the cliffs. Yet, the play is seaside golf at its finest. The surface is firm and fast, the conditions can be windy, and the player who can control his trajectory will be master of the course. You'll hit shots over the tops of the tea trees, and play along the edges of deep ravines. If you stray on your approaches, you'll actually hope to get caught up in bunkers hanging off the green's edge, some of them deeper than you've ever seen before".

Course Information

Par: 72
ACR: 76
Length (m): 6525
Architect: Tom Doak
Design Year: 2004

Playing Tips

1
Par 4, Length 402m

A difficult opening hole is a prelude of things to come. The right half of the fairway offers a better angle into the green, but don't try to cut the corner of the dogleg where a deep gully lies in wait. Short hitters must beware the gully on their second shots, but once over it, there is plenty of room to the right of the flag.

2
Par 5, Length 494m

You must avoid two sets of fairway bunkers here, or you won't reach this green in regulation. Play the drive safely to the left, and lay up short of the cross bunkers if you're not sure you can carry them with your second shot. The green is open on the left, but it tilts sharply to the right so it's difficult to get down in two from the left edge.

3
Par 3, Length 187m

The green is partially hidden by the front bunkers, but it's one of the largest on the course. Aim fifteen feet to the right of the hole to take the left side out of play. Pay extra attention in reading this green as there are a lot of small breaks.

4
Par 5, Length 497m

A solid tee shot just inside the fairway bunker sets you up for a big decision with the second. The safe play is to lay up just short of the deep fairway bunker, but better players will be tempted to aim out to the left of the green and fade the ball home. The green has a high tier in the back, play your approach long and left to give yourself the easiest two-putt.

5
Par 4, Length 384m

A huge fairway is divided by two deep fairway bunkers. Most players are better off aiming down the right side, but long hitters might choose to go left so they don't run out of room. Going for a flag on the left side of this green requires a great deal of nerve.

6
Par 3, Length 206m

An epic par-3 across a deep gully. Miss to the left and you can kiss your ball goodbye, but the green does bank sharply from right to left to steer balls back toward the hole -- if you can reach the green, that is!

7
Par 4, Length 414m

An important tee shot, because a strong drive will carry the crest of the fairway and leave a considerably shorter approach; aim to the right center of this fairway. The downhill second shot is one of the most exhilirating on the course, but the green is a narrow target from the top of the hill.

8
Par 3, Length 166m

This short hole plays over a gully filled with ti trees. It's all carry to the green, and uphill to boot, so take an extra club (or even two). There is some hidden fairway to the right of the green, which is the only safe place to miss.

9
Par 4, Length 369m

Always take the high road here; from the forward tees it's better to hit a 3-wood or iron to keep your ball in view. Take dead aim for the center of the green on your approach; there is a bit of fairway short and right, but the contours of the green make it very difficult to save par from there.

10
Par 4, Length 430m

Another critical tee shot, which should favor the right half of the fairway. The second shot sets up for a running approach which will feed to the hole from right to left, but you have to get the weight just right, as bunkers lurk short left and over the back.

11
Par 3, Length 205m

A difficult par-3 which plays longer than it looks. The green is sharply tilted from back to front, so the front hole locations are the toughest -- it's a much wider target in the back.

12
Par 4, Length 421m

This is the most wide-open driving hole on the course, and a great place to let it rip, because you want the shortest second shot you can get. The green is set at the end of a narrow ridge, profiled against Hawke's Bay. Play for the front right quadrant to keep the left side out of play.

13
Par 3, Length 119m

The shortest hole on the course, but big numbers lurk all around this green, which is easy to reach but hard to stay on. Always play for the back right quadrant, since seemingly good shots can run off the front left of the green into the bunkers below.

14
Par 4, Length 318m

The shortest par-4 on the course is quite possibly the hardest of them all. The green is dominated by a deep pot bunker at the left front and a steep drop at the back, so the safest play is to the far left. Be especially careful around this green, as the pot bunker has a gravitational pull far greater than its size.

15
Par 5, Length 594m

The key to a long par five is staying in the short grass, especially when there is a 140-metre cliff on the left and a 20-metre drop on the right. Don't even go look over the left edge of the fairway if you are afraid of heights. Four short and straight shots will win the hole more often than not.

16
Par 5, Length 457m

The tee, guarded by seagulls, is the only place on the course with a view to Black Reef. If you're not a candidate to reach this green in two, it's better to lay back to the widest part of the fairway from the tee, then stay right with your second for the best view of the green.

17
Par 4, Length 423m

No laying back here: you'll need to hit your two best shots to get home in regulation on this uphill par four. Those uncertain of carrying the greenside bunkers can play safely to the right; if you drive in the rough it might be better to play straight ahead on the second and then pitch your third over the bunkers.

18
Par 4, Length 439m

A counter-intuitive finishing hole, with its green offset to the right of the fairway. The punchbowl green setting will lure many players into aiming left for safety and hoping for a lucky bounce down onto the green. Be careful on this green, as putts from behind the hole can easily get away from you.

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The Kinloch Club

Kinloch Road
Taupo, NZNORTH, 0000
New Zealand

Region: Taupo

The Kinloch Club

The Kinloch Golf Club has been designed by world renowned golfer and course designer, Jack Nicklaus and has been lauded for its quality design and testing challenge. Ideally situated in the central portion of the North Island, with spectacular views of Lake Taupo. At Kinloch, the land's characteristics feature fast-moving contours and knobs, and Nicklaus recreated that same look in the golf course. Many have described this links like layout as a course reminiscent of the coastal gems in Scotland.

The Kinloch Club has just been completed, opening for play in June 2007.

World renowned golfer and course designer, Jack Nicklaus has designed this 18 hole signature course and it is on track to be one of New Zealand's best. As the only Jack Nicklaus designed course in New Zealand, the design team have worked hard to enhance the natural environment and create a course that is both challenging and enjoyable for players of all levels.

Also located on the Kinloch Club property will be a residential community, a 9 hole par three golf course, modern clubhouse, gymnasium, tennis courts and other lifestyle facilities.

Course Information

Par: 72
ACR: 72
Length (m): 6734
Architect: Jack Nicklaus
Design Year: 2003-2007

Playing Tips

1
Par 4, Length 436m

Favour the left hand side of the fairway. Approach shot is to a slightly elevated green with bunkers guarding the front. Leaving yourself a shorter 2nd shot will allow the trajectory required to stop the ball on the putting surface.

2
Par 5, Length 493m

Longer hitters hoping to get home in two, drive down the right side for extra run. Conservative players favour the left hand side off the tee. The green has some serious undulations. If you go through the green you will be faced with a tricky chip.

3
Par 3, Length 170m

Consider the wind direction when selecting your club. There will be more bogeys than birdies on this hole so hitting the putting surface is your main priority.

4
Par 4, Length 454m

Higher handicappers aim at the right hand tree. Longer hitters it's a big hit to carry the left hand fairway traps. A long tee shot on this hole will often result in a downhill lie for your second shot making your approach more difficult to flight and control.

5
Par 4, Length 333m

Favour the right hand side of the fairway with your tee shot as this will offer you a better view of the green on your second shot.

6
Par 4, Length 352m

A well placed tee-shot is a must. Fairway banks from right to left. The long hitter can take dead aim at the green but this requires a very long carry over the three traps guarding the green. Par is a good score on this hole.

7
Par 3, Length 200m

This green is larger than it appears from the tee. However, it is well guarded with bunkers and subtle slopes. For those not pin-seeking, take dead aim at the centre of the green for a good result.

8
Par 5, Length 512m

A great par 5 with options on your second shot. It's possible to cut off some of the holes distance from the tee but be warned that the further left that you aim the greater carry you require.

9
Par 4, Length 416m

A tee-shot between the bunkers is a perfect result. The fairway narrows the further you drive. Second shot is to an elevated green. The major trouble by the green is for a shot lost to the right. Take one more club than you think if in any doubt as a shot finishing short will leave a tough up and down.

10
Par 4, Length 432m

Aim at the bunker off the tee. Longer hitters you can aim left of this however the further left you aim the greater the carry required to reach the fairway. This green is deeper front to back on the right side so take this into account when playing your approach.

11
Par 3, Length 190m

A well guarded green on this par 3. Take into account the wind direction when selecting your club. Anywhere on the putting surface is a well played shot.

12
Par 5, Length 517m

Favour the left half of the fairway as the fairway slopes from left to right. Aim at the left hand traps on your second shot to leave a view of the green for your approach. Longer hitters (trying to get home in two) may want to try shaping the ball left-to-right off of the left-hand fairway traps as there is a channel onto the green that will reward this shot if executed well.

13
Par 4, Length 393m

Aim up the left half of this hole. If you can squeeze a few extra yards off of the tee you will have a better view of the green for your second shot.

14
Par 4, Length 385m

If you do not reach the top of the rise you will be left with a blind second shot. Trust your yardage on your second shot as your eyes may fool you into thinking the distance is not as far as it seems.

15
Par 3, Length 224m

Take note of the wind direction which will often be into your face. You do not want to finish short or left of this green so bear this in mind when visualising your tee-shot and especially when selecting your club.

16
Par 5, Length 521m

The length of your tee-shot will determine how you play the rest of the hole. Aim left of the right hand fairway traps visible from the tee. For the longer hitters you may wish to have a crack over the valley in two but a second shot played to the fairway on the right will leave an inviting approach for your third shot.

17
Par 3, Length 183m

This par 3 will often play into the wind. It pays not to be short so it is worth taking one more club from the tee than you think. Anything short of or left of the green will make the task of making par more difficult.

18
Par 5, Length 523m

An accurate tee shot is required to help you finish in style. Aim between the left and right hand fairway traps. For the longer hitters if you feel there is enough gas left in the tank you can attempt to fly the left hand fairway trap. A second shot to the right offers a nice approach for your third - for those taking it on in two be aware that anything left short will be wet as the slopes at the front of the green will gather your ball for an early bath.

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Wairakei International Golf Course

State Highway One
Taupo, NZNORTH
New Zealand

Region: Taupo

Wairakei International Golf Course

Wairakei is an international standard golf course located in the beautiful Lake Taupo region of New Zealand. The course sprawls over its expansive property using the natural contours to the fullest. Over 100 bunkers are carefully positioned to catch errant shots and cleverly placed water hazards provide both a visual beauty and challenge. Officially opened in 1970, the course lies on 450 acres of natural rolling countryside and was developed to meet the rigorous design standards required for world class championship competition.

The Wairakei International Golf Course was built by the New Zealand government's Tourist Hotel Corporation, set midway between Auckland and Wellington, in the heart of the spectacular scenery of the Lake Taupo region. Built as a green fee facility, rather than a club facility, the course is open to all who spend their holidays in the neighbourhood of Lake Taupo.

Officially opened in 1970, the course lies on 450 acres of natural rolling countryside and was developed to meet the rigorous design standards required for world class championship competition.

The end result is a course that sprawls over the property using the natural contours to the fullest. This coupled with the 6429 metres from the championship tees and 108 large well placed bunkers, has lead to worldwide acclaim. In January 1996 US Golf Digest rated Wairakei 17th best golf course outside of the USA. This plus featuring in publications like the World Atlas of Golf, enhance our growing reputation but really it is the natural beauty and sheer experience of the property that makes Wairakei a must for both serious and casual golfers. A don't miss experience.

Course Information

Par: 72
ACR: 72
Length (m): 6429
Architect: Commander John Harris, Peter Thomson and Michael Wolveridge
Design Year: 1970

Playing Tips

1
Par 5, Length 462m

The first and shortest of Wairakei's par 5's. A straight forwarded hole provided you avoid the 11 bunkers scattered up the fairway and around the green. Use the course guide to lay up short of the fairway bunkers close to the green or carry them if you dare. A two-tiered green places importance of distance control for your approach shot.

2
Par 3, Length 131m

The first of Wairakei's 4 very special par 3's. An intimidating tee shot from the blue tee of some 215m across a gully to a large moderately bunkered green. Check the flag location from the front tees, as the length of the green is deceiving. In all cases avoid the deep greenside bunker to the left.

3
Par 5, Length 493m

a. A par 5 which gets more demanding the closer you get to the green. A tee shot down the right hand side will generally kick back into the fairway. b. The second shot requires good placement to enable as easy shot as possible to the green. There is more room down the left side, take advantage of it to avoid the deep gully on the right. Ensure you are short or wide of the single bunker in the middle of the fairway. c. The first truly demanding approach shot. Both distance and direction are important. The green is protected by a gully on the right and large bunker to the left. The two-tier green makes for a difficult two putt if on the wrong level.

4
Par 4, Length 325m

a. A short par 4 that requires two well played shots. The tee is demanding, avoiding the large pine tree to the left is crucial. Driver is not always the club of choice as the two fairway bunkers to the right are reachable, either lay up short or shape the ball right to left. b. A difficult green to hit sitting diagonally to the fairway set in front of a spectacular old oak. Don't get carried away with the scenery a shot which is not accurate with both distance and direction will leave a different chip up to a flat green.

5
Par 3, Length 135m

A demanding par 3 from all tees choice of club is crucial to this very shallow green. If in doubt with club selection, take an extra one. Check wind direction by looking at the tree tops and flag as the tee can be deceptively calm. The problems don't stop there, the green slopes from back to front making a long two putt tricky.

6
Par 4, Length 401m

a. Yes the hole is as impressive as the view from the tee. The tee shot needs to be well struck with length more important than direction on this reasonably wide fairway. b. Your course guide and pin placement sheet will be of assistance to this elevated green. You will be well advised to avoid the deep bunker cut into the front of the green. The green itself is generous in size and flat, the hard part is getting there.

7
Par 4, Length 300m

a. A good tee shot sets up this hole well. A drive close to the right hand side of the first fairway bunker is ideal. Shape the tee shot left to right if you wish, avoid going left at all costs. b. Providing you've found the fairway your left with a straight forward shot to a large flat green. A hole most players feel they can get a shot back on, don't get lazy as the 2 bunkers will catch anything a little short.

8
Par 4, Length 323m

a. Arguably one of the most demanding holes on the course. Finding the fairway is essential for a good score on this hole. You can bite off as much as you dare down the right hand side although the risk does not always match the reward, any shot from the upper area of fairway leaves a short iron to the green. b, c & d. A second shot across water often makes for some interesting swings. The back portion of the green is a good target. A forward pin placement requires an accurate shot to avoid the water and two bunkers set into the side of the green. Regardless of your result, enjoy the scenery.

9
Par 4, Length 376m

a. A long par 4 well protected down the right with 6 fairway bunkers. A well struck tee shot shaped right to left down the fairway leaves you in good position for your second. b. Usually a longer iron is required for your second to another large green sloping slightly from back left to front right. Again two large greenside bunkers protect the green left and right with not a lot of room between them in front.

10
Par 3, Length 156m

The green is set into the side of a hill, getting wider further up the green. The hole generally plays longer than it looks as anything short will feed into one of three deep bunkers guarding the front of the green.

11
Par 4, Length 307m

a. The hole is broken into 2 segments by a small creek running across the fairway short of the green. A shot played to the same side of the fairway as the pin is on often leaves an easier second shot. b. A demanding shot is asked of the player here. The green is kidney shaped and very narrow in the middle. Distance control is essential with a deep bunker short and gully back of the green. Not a long shot but the more height the better.

12
Par 4, Length 261m

a. The second of 2 short par 4's in succession. Again requiring an accurate second shot. Not a lot to be gained with the tee shot, so long as it is not in the pond to the right of one of the 4 fairway traps you are in good position. b. Like the 11th green distance control is essential 2 bunkers cut into the hill protect the elevated green. Although the green is flat it is shallow and split into 2 sections left and right by a slope you should try to avoid.

13
Par 4, Length 356m

a. The 13th plays as one of the longest par 4's on the course. The fairway is generously wide however a tee shot down the right side provides the only direct line to the green. b. A difficult approach shot, the green is protected by a large pine tree short and left often requiring a shot to be played with right to left shape. The green is long and thin rolling off on both sides to deep greenside bunkers. Use the pin placement system to determine how far up the green the hole is. A truly challenging hole.

14
Par 5, Length 471m

a. The tee shot played down a narrow chute needs to be long and straight. Beware of the fairway bunkers left and right. b. The second shot again needs to be well struck, the decision to play left or right of the big pine should be determined by the hole location, so check your guide. c. You will have done well to be playing your 3rd from good position on the fairway but the challenge isn't over yet. The elevated split level kidney shaped green provides many problems to overcome. The left side of the green provides a larger landing area but you must be on the same level as the hole. Par on the hole is a good score in anyone's book.

15
Par 3, Length 136m

A dramatically different hole from all 3 tee locations and the last of the testing par 3's. Like most of the holes at Wairakei club selection is important, the green is large but the penalty for coming up short is heavy. The deepest part of the green is the middle and generally a good place to aim regardless of the pin position.

16
Par 4, Length 341m

a. A straight forward hole although you cannot see the landing area for your tee shot, a shot down the right hand side will generally feed back onto the fairway, however a shot pulled left leaves you struggling to find the green for 2. b. Again a large green which slopes a little right to left. The green is a lot larger than it apprears from ground level. Beware of the sucker pin back left.

17
Par 4, Length 345m

a. One of the most demanding tee shots from the blue tees, requiring a long well positioned ball. The tee shot is blind generally the right side of the fairway is preferred as it opens up the green. b. A shallow wide green can have several different pin positions. Anything left of the centre needs good distance control and the ball to stop quickly once on the green. A bail out option to the right side of the green is available however make sure the range finder on the putter is working if choosing this option.

18
Par 5, Length 482m

a. The final hole again has a well protected fairway with 3 bunkers waiting to catch a wayward drive. The length of the tee shot will determine the strategy for the rest of the hole. b. An attempt at the green can be make from a well struck drive however if you choose this option a large bunker stretches from the right side of the green out onto the right edge of the fairway so beware. A lay up over the second series of fairway bunkers leaves a short approach to the green. c. The forward half of the green slopes gradually down to the front edge while the back position is generally flat. Another large green so choose your final club wisely.

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Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club

376 Kapiti Road
Paraparaumu, NZNORTH
New Zealand

Region: Wellington

Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club

Paraparaumu Golf Club, situated on the Kapiti Coast, a very pleasant fifty minute drive north of the capital city, Wellington, Paraparaumu Beach enjoys a long held reputation as the premier links course in New Zealand. Paraparaumu Beach has hosted the New Zealand Open championship on twelve occasions as well as numerous prestigious professional and amateur tournaments. The course was designed in 1949 by former Australian Open champion Alex Russell, the highly acclaimed course architect in partnership with Dr Alistair McKenzie, the world-renowned course architect. The course has been widely acclaimed over the years.

Situated on the Kapiti Coast , a very pleasant fifty minute drive north of the capital city, Wellington , Paraparaumu Beach enjoys a long held reputation as the premier links course in New Zealand. Paraparaumu Beach has hosted the New Zealand Open championship on twelve occasions as well as numerous prestigious professional and amateur tournaments.

The course was designed in 1949 by former Australian Open champion Alex Russell, the highly acclaimed course architect in partnership with Dr Alistair McKenzie, the world renowned course architect. The course has been widely acclaimed over the years. The great Australian golfer, Peter Thomson - winner of the British Open on five occasions and nine times New Zealand Open champion when invited to write the foreword for the book written to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Paraparaumu Beach, had this to say about the course;

"I loved it instantly. We had nothing like it in Australia , which must have struck Alex Russell, who did the layout. Course designing approaches an art form, especially done in a perfect modelling medium like volcanic sand. Russell must have been ecstatic. What was left after his departure was a gem of enjoyment, a monument to the game and a gift to the future. When we all turn to dust, Paraparaumu the golf, should be still lying there as it was when the first golfers came by, with Kapiti an off-shore island standing guard to see that no one steals it away. And the winds will ever blow to test the golfers will and integrity. Paraparaumu will be famed for a century yet".

Course Information

Par: 72
ACR:
Length (m):
Architect:
Design Year:

Playing Tips

1
Par 4, Length 368m

Best driving line over end of the path. A good tee shot then opens up the green. A deep green so note the pin position and wind for club choice for the 2nd shot. Slopes left and right of green will punish an off-line shot; line up carefully. Safe play - keep right off the tee.

2
Par 3, Length 185m

A testing hole so early in the round. Very steep slopes left and right will punish the hooked or sliced shot and a bunker short left is severe. Check wind and pin position and, if anything, be long. Left centre green is the ideal line for safety. Safe play - play for the back of the green.

3
Par 4, Length 424m

Time to get the driver out and go for left centre fairway; slopes right may put you in the rough. A tight green with bunkers short and left. Long or right can be trouble with very steep slopes at green's edge. Safe play - front right of the green.

4
Par 4, Length 408m

Important to hit a solid tee shot here to be in range of the green; left centre fairway is the line. The oblique green is nearly four clubs deep so check pin position before club selection. Bunkers right of green catch a fade. Safe play - front left of green.

5
Par 3, Length 148m

A classic par 3 requiring almost the perfect shot to one of the smaller greens. Very steep greenside slopes punish offline shots and hitting short will leave a difficult shot from the deep hollow front green. Line up carefully, swing smoothly and don't underclub. Safe play - play to the back of the green.

6
Par 4, Length 298m

A fairway wood here, except into the strongest of winds. A 'roller coaster' fairway where you may have a hanging lie. Allow for any uneven stance hitting your second. Bunkers left and right of this narrow green with a steep tier. Club to be on the same level as flag for easier putting. Safe play - right side of the fairway from the tee.

7
Par 5, Length 457m

A good line off the tee is down the right side with a draw to the centre of the fairway. Most days it is another wood and then a pitch into a smallish green. Bunkers short right and left may catch the off-line 2nd shot. Safe play - play short in two and try for an accurate pitch.

8
Par 4, Length 339m

A big dog-leg to the right and a short cut is not advised due to mounds and hollows right of fairway. The test here is the shot to the course's smallest green with bunkers left and right. You are shielded from the wind for 2nd shot; check tree tops for true wind. Safe play - stay on the front centre of the green, don't go through.

9
Par 4, Length 359m

Placement of the drive is vital here. The line is the bushy mound. An O.O.B. line runs all the way down the right rough. 2nd shot can be blind from a short drive and will usully stop quickly on this green. Check pin position; a 'four club' green in depth, water behind. Safe play - stay left from the tee. 3 wood or long iron.

10
Par 4, Length 284m

A short par 4 which can cause trouble. A fairway wood off the tee for a straight shot will avoid the water hazard left and tough rough right. Two bunkers, short and right, guard the green and a slope left will kick an off-line shot away. A straight short iron 2nd is needed. It is important to place the tee shot in the right place on this hole.

11
Par 4, Length 390m

O.O.B. all down the left with a lateral water hazard in driving range. Right centre fairway with a draw is ideal. The long 2nd shot will kick onto the green if hit right but can catch the front bunker if not hit well; better long that short into the green. A smart play here is to hit for the centre of the green.

12
Par 5, Length 498m

O.O.B. continues down the left here. Two good woods will leave a short iron pitch, depending on wind; downwind you can reach the green in two. A small bunker guards front left green and more slopes punish any ball hit right. Playing the second shot from the centre of the fairway can set up a chance of a birdie.

13
Par 4, Length 408m

A classic and very tough par 4. A good drive will reach the plateau, leaving the most challenging 2nd shot on the layout. Good club selection is rewarded as any shot hit short will roll well back and back of green is even worse. Check the wind before hitting. To make par on this hole emphasis has to be on an extremely well played second shot.

14
Par 3, Length 133m

Virtually all carry to a generously-sized green for a par 3. Don't overclub - O.O.B. very close to back of green. The tee is a little sheltered so assess the wind before club selection and allow for the fall to the green. The safe play on this hole is to play for the centre of the green and not always the pin.

15
Par 4, Length 340m

A very tight driving hole. The left edge of the ladies' tee off the blue tee and the left-hand stand of pines off the white tee gives the best line. 2nd shot allow for rise to green, guarded by bunker right. Tricky putting green, check line carefully. Being through the back of this green can result in an almost impossible chip or pitch shot especially if the pin is in the back part of the green.

16
Par 3, Length 126m

The very steep slopes back right and front call for accurate club selection and a straight shot. Have a practise swing or two and relax before this tee shot. Wind and pin position will affect your choice of club here. Missing this green left can present a problem. It is hard to stop the ball on the narrow green from the slope.

17
Par 4, Length 404m

You can shorten the hole by using the right fairway, but then have a much harder second shot unless you naturally fade the ball, avoiding the bunkers between you and the oblique green. Safety says use the left fairway - that calls for a long drive to be on in two. Green slopes away left, right and back. Depending on the wind direction a smart play on this hole can be to lay up short of the green with the second shot.

18
Par 5, Length 503m

Driving line is just left of flag poles. O.O.B. and lateral water hazard right. A pronounced slope along the fairway may kick your drive right. Bunkers left and right can catch the second shot; consider a lay-up, especially downwind. A slight slope front green pulls up a short shot in. Although this hole looks pretty straightforward it can wreck a good score. Plan how to play the hole before teeing off.

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Royal Wellington Golf Club

28 Golf Road
Heretaunga, Wellington, NZNORTH, 5018
New Zealand

Region: Wellington

Royal Wellington Golf Club

Royal Wellington Golf Club, A newly redesigned (2013), Turner MacPherson championship course in a stunning parkland setting, arguably one of the finest club courses and club house in New Zealand. The Heretaunga course is, arguably, New Zealand's finest private members parkland course and certainly one of its most beautiful. Sited on an ancient river bed it weaves its way over crumpled ground through cultivated parkland hosting thousands of mature native and exotic trees.

A newly designed (2013), Turner MacPherson championship course in a stunning parkland setting, arguably one of the finest club courses and club house in New Zealand. The Heretaunga course is, arguably, New Zealand's finest private members parkland course and certainly one of its most beautiful. Sited on an ancient river bed it weaves its way over crumpled ground through cultivated parkland hosting thousands of mature native and exotic trees. Birdlife is abundant. Water in the form of several creeks and a large lake are all in play and present a true challenge for the adventurers and the unwary. Undulating greens complexes provide further challenge. Heretaunga is a true test of golf and the most beautiful walk in the park.

The par 5, 4th, the signature hole - exemplifies the Turner MacPherson approach and sets up as follows. From the tee, the fairway splits in two, either side of a stream. Over the stream, and past a strategically placed bunker, the fairway cambers towards a lake and narrows dramatically as it gets closer to the green. The sloping, wide but narrow green sits behind the lake, nearly at right angles to the line of play, making hitting the green with a long approach a tricky proposition. This hole is probably the best example on the entire course for demonstrating how the new layout can be played by golfers of all levels. T

he club was founded in 1895 on a site on the Miramar peninsular, the then Wellington Golf Club moved to Heretaunga over 100 years ago. Situated on a parkland site adjacent to the Hutt River, the club has hosted seven NZ Open Championships since 1912 and in 2004 became the first golf club in the country to receive Royal status.

Course Information

Par: 72
ACR:
Length (m): 6601
Architect: Various
Design Year:

Playing Tips

1
Par 4, Length 346m

This medium length par 4 is the perfect starting hole for your round. Not too difficult but still requiring some strategic ball placement. The hole gently curves left to an elevated green. A tee shot down the right side of the fairway will set up an easy mid to short iron approach. If your tee shot strays down the left side then expect to be blocked out by some large trees protecting the corner.

2
Par 5, Length 524m

A strong drive which carries the diagonal rise to the center of the fairway is the preferred start. Left is to avoided as the stream is in play. A well thought through second , probably to the left of the well placed fairway bunker ,140 meters from the green ,offers the best sight of the target which has a step face that needs to be respected.

3
Par 3, Length 167m

A good par 3. If the pin is on the left a straight shot works..if the pin is on the right the options are threefold; straight at it and over the greenside bunker, stay left and be faced with a significant putt over the rise, or play right of the bunker and rely on an easy chip back up the green.

4
Par 5, Length 468m

A good par 3 ?if the pin is on the left a straight shot works..if the pin is on the right the options are threefold; straight at it and over the greenside bunker, stay left and be faced with a significant putt over the rise, or play right of the bunker and rely on an easy chip back up the green.

5
Par 4, Length 372m

A strong drive is required on the Number one stroke hole as close to the stream as you dare. That position (centre right of the fairway) offers the biggest target to this very demanding green with its pretty stream protecting the entrance. It is wise to be conservative on the approach to this green with its unforgiving sides.

6
Par 4, Length 362m

A drive to the centre rewards you. The trouble at greenside is all on the right hand side. The green is longer and more undulating than it looks.

7
Par 4, Length 335m

Drive to the left side of the fairway for the best result. The right side will likely leave you only a chip shot back to the fairway as the best option. Beware the false front on this green as it is a little more uphill than first thought.

8
Par 3, Length 153m

A very pretty par three with the stream dominating the right side and a bunker at the entrance protecting the left. The green has tends to fall left to right and a thumbprint on the right side exacerbates this effect.It plays to aim slightly left of most pin positions.

9
Par 4, Length 391m

A strong par four .Drive as close to the fairway bunker as you dare for the best approach. The green has an interesting valley running through it so aim to the right of the pin if it is located in the back quadrant.

10
Par 5, Length 460m

This hole is dominated by the burn which runs the length of the left side. The fairway narrows closer to the green. The green is well protected by bunkers and falls into a thumb print on the left. The green is bigger than it looks from the fairway

11
Par 3, Length 179m

A glorious and historic Heretaunga hole. All the trouble can be seen from the tee and there is usually a wind effect once the ball is above the tree line.

12
Par 4, Length 356m

Another of the historic holes. Drive as close to the left hand tree line as you dare and if you can drive around that corner you will be best placed as there is a significant bunker protecting the right side. Beware the little bunker at the back left and the top back position is small and and there is a gentle fall off at the back which needs respect.

13
Par 4, Length 371m

The best drive is just left of the fairway bunker. The green is deceptively long and has, arguably the prettiest backdrop on the course. There is a low tier in the front of this green which can make for a challenging putt if the pin is in any of the back positions.

14
Par 4, Length 299m

A classic short par four. Beware the waste land on the right as it creeps gently into what looks like a natural driving line .The green is full of interest and be careful if the pin is in the front. Downhill putts to front pin positions can be mighty tricky.

15
Par 4, Length 404m

A long strong four. A drive right over the center of the first set of bunkers provides the most options into this very large green which falls to the left.

16
Par 3, Length 179m

The bunkers left and the totara on the right guard this lovely par three. There is a steep incline on the green which needs to be factored in.

17
Par 4, Length 322m

Out of the tree chute comes this short par four. A centre to centre left shot provides the best options for an approach to a small kidney shaped green with some serious movement. Beware any pin position at the back as there is little room up there and a run off if you go too far.

18
Par 5, Length 464m

The home hole..A drive to the centre sets up a second to just right of the cleverly placed last fairway bunker and a lofted shot to the green. This is the largest green on the course and if the pin is in the back and your ball is in the front two putts can be a very satisfactory outcome.

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Matthew Ridge, Golf Travel Manager, GOLFSelect

Matthew Ridge Golf Travel Manager

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Richard Morgan Golf Travel Specialist

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Steven Lo Ricco Golf Travel Specialist

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