NZ (North Island) - Auckland, Taupo, Wellington | 8 nights, 6 games

Offers a straight away downhill par 4 with a generous landing area. A drive just short of the right hand side fairway bunker offers the best angle into the green. Careful club selection for your second will stop the ball on a narrow green sloping from front to back.

With an undulating fairway and a hazard up the entire left hand side, there is a premium on an accurate tee shot aimed down the right hand side. From here you with have a medium iron into an elevated green guarded by front left bunkering.

The first of our par threes is a downhill shot to a green protected by swales and run off areas both front right and long left.? Any shot left short of the green but online has a good chance of running aboard favouring the left hand side.

This par five offers a decision off the tee, try and carry the large fairway bunker on the left hand side and play your second from the upper level, or play safe to right but be left with a blind second shot. There are fairway bunkers positioned up the right hand side to catch second and third shots drifting right. The large green is guarded by a front bunker and a large run off at the back of the green.

A straight away hole with two left hand side fairway bunkers and a bank on the right hand side. A tee shot positioned short of the bunkers on the left, leaves a mid-iron to the green. The green has a false front and swale that needs to be carried with the second shot.

From tee there are fairway bunkers either side of the fairway, a straight tee shot will kick forward over the brow of the hill, leaving two options. Either a mid-iron layup down the left hand side to open up the green or have a go in two but a bunker 50 metres out from the green and two swales and run off areas will leave challenging shots if out of position.

Dogleg left, club selection is important off this tee, tee shots must favour the left side and get as close to the end of the fairway as possible.? There are two large green side traps that need to be carried to reach a back pin position.

Water must be carried to land a ball on this green. There is a bunker positioned front middle which needs to be avoided. Behind the greens falls away to a hazard. The green has two levels split either side of the bunker.

This hole is a dogleg right, with fairway bunkering on the corner of the dogleg and a lake on the left hand side. The second shot is a mid-iron to an elevated green with a false front and three different levels.?

The ideal line off the tee is at the power pole behind the green, best to err to the left side as the rough is very heavy to the right. Second shot needs precise distance control to keep the ball on the correct side of the ridge that runs through the green

This par 3 plays downhill so club selection is vital. A hazard borders the hole to the left so favouring the right side is always safest. The green has a ridge running through the middle,?being on the right side of it will lead to an easier putt.

Proving to be the most difficult hole on the course demands an accurate tee shot to the left of the large pine tree that sits on the right side of the fairway. After the tee shot leaves an approach from 150-200m to the green. The green has a ridge running across the middle and a bunker short left.

Accuracy is key here on all three shots, a hazard up the entire left side of the hole means centre right on the tee shot is recommended. The second shot demands even more focus as the out of bounds right comes into play. Once in position it leaves a short iron to a table top green. The green has gentle slopes so rewards any ball on the green in regulation.

This tee shot requires the ball to be moved right to left. Good tee shots will benefit from additional 40 metres of run. The second shot requires careful thought as to where you are going to lay up. Hazards on both sides mean an accurate shot is required. The third shot can be anything from 5 iron through to sand wedge, the longer the third the more the trees guarding the green come into play. A fairly level green with a ridge running across the green makes for a good birdie opportunity.

Accuracy rather than length is vital; a well-positioned tee shot will leave an approach of 100 metres to a green with two swales. The green is difficult to putt on so staying below the hole will give you the best opportunity to make a birdie.

The tee shot is semi blind so the line is the centre of the clubhouse in the distance. A hazard left and long rough on the right means an accurate tee shot is required. The green is offset to the right so distance control is vital for the approach shot. The green falls off to the left so the right side is a little easier to play from.

A downhill par 3 that plays one club shorter than the distance suggests. The only miss to avoid is long which falls away to a water hazard. The green is mostly flat with subtle slopes.

A large lake in front of the tee needs to be avoided. The fairway is very generous with fairway bunkers used to aim at. The green is elevated and has two distinct levels. If you can get the ball on the right level a birdie is on offer.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.