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New Zealand is a golfer’s dream destination, with a stunning array of VIP courses and luxury golf lodges set in remote, spectacular surrounds. From the most exclusive courses to the most indulgent accommodation, we introduce the best of the NZ luxury golf scene.
What defines the most exclusive golf courses in New Zealand?
Six New Zealand courses meet these criteria. The top NZ luxury golf courses include:
Many other New Zealand courses come highly recommended, but these six courses are where you can expect to have the most exclusive golf experience.
Sprawling along a remote stretch of breathtaking coastline, Kauri Cliffs rewards golfers with magnificent views from every hole. Challenging and exhilarating, the course plays along the tops of cliffs and over bush-clad ravines, with views out to the Cavalli Islands.
The lush subtropical vegetation and warm weather make this an alluring golf destination year-round, and the property offers more than just golf for those who stay at the on-site lodge.
A lavish clubhouse and a warm welcome for all visitors complete the luxury NZ golf experience.
Spacious. Sophisticated. Elegant.
Recognized as the number one resort in New Zealand and Australia by Travel + Leisure, Rosewood Kauri Cliffs offers suites and villas that spare no expense in creating a thoroughly indulgent experience.
Relax and take in sweeping views from every room, and enjoy a wide range of exclusive guest offerings, from a spa sanctuary nested beside native forest to a private pink-sand beach.
Furthermore, delight in a range of gourmet dining included in your stay, from a pre-dinner aperitif and chef’s dinner to a substantial breakfast.
Recently opened to international acclaim, the two courses at Te Arai Links undulate through a stretch of idyllic duneland. Conceived as a counterpart to the nearby private, members-only Tara Iti, ranked among the world’s top 10 courses, Te Arai Links boats superb course design and a relaxed yet exclusive atmosphere.
Private and remote, Te Arai Links welcomes guests with a designer clubhouse and world-class practice facilities that include the world’s largest putting green. You will also find a range of dining options on-site, from relaxed cafes to more formal restaurants.
From luxury hotel-style rooms to magnificent cottages and villas, the accommodation at Te Arai Links emphasizes natural materials and grounded elegance. Embrace the serenity and idyllic ocean views from the spacious rooms.
Considered the most challenging golf course in New Zealand, Kinloch undulates across volcanic terrain stretching toward the shores of Lake Taupo. Secluded and steeped in luxury, Kinloch Club offers an outstanding day of golf year-round.
The premier clubhouse includes a café serving hearty and delicious meals through the day, as well as a wide range of luxury facilities for golfers.
Perched on a ridge overlooking the golf course, the Kinloch Manor & Villas complete the luxury NZ experience. Designed with a hint of medieval flair, the opulent rooms offer sweeping views out to the sparkling waters of Lake Taupo. During your stay, indulge in gourmet breakfast, pre-dinner drinks and canapes, and a four-course degustation dinner nightly. Guests also enjoy priority tee times, a concierge service, and a range of private facilities.
Stretching across a sprawling wildlife sanctuary and working farm in Hawke’s Bay, Cape Kidnappers Golf Course is one of the most vaunted luxury golf destinations in New Zealand. The course plays right up to the edges of a series of towering oceanside cliffs. In the words of the course designer Tom Doak, “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.”
From its remote, arresting scenery to its proximity to the renowned Hawke’s Bay wine region, Cape Kidnappers offers luxury and pure indulgence from start to finish. The elegantly styled clubhouse surrounds golfers in comfort and style, the dining room showcases delightful regional cuisine, the hospitality is top-notch, and the course itself is both challenging and unlike any other.
Dramatic exposed wooden beams and stone exteriors define Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, a luxury lodge nestled in the heart of the sprawling private Cape Kidnappers property. Styled as an elegant country retreat, the spacious suites and villas of the luxury lodge blend plush, elegant interiors with awe-inspiring coastal views.
Guests enjoy a full breakfast, pre-dinner aperitifs, and a gourmet dinner. In addition, take advantage of exclusive guest offerings such as a private wine cellar, private beaches, and walking trails.
Unlike the above luxury golf destinations, Jack’s Point does not offer exclusive on-site accommodation. However, this is the most renowned of the Queenstown golf courses, with numerous luxury lodges in the surrounding region that allow for a first-class golf experience regardless.
Cradled between the Remarkables mountain range and the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Jack’s Point commands magnificent views in every direction. Challenging and strategically demanding, the design incorporates natural features for an impeccably manicured course with an organic feel. The luxury clubhouse offers meals featuring local, seasonal produce and a pro shop.
The most exclusive of the Queenstown golf courses, The Hills surrounds golfers with sophistication and intrigue. From the architecturally designed clubhouse that blends in with the landscape to the large sculpture installations woven throughout the course, The Hills is a luxury golf destination like none other.
The clubhouse offers premium facilities and exclusive dining, along with a high performance golf academy.
The exclusive use luxury lodge at The Hills spares no expense in creating an exquisitely artistic and extravagant haven for golfers to unwind and indulge. Fully catered, the lodge encompasses a private grounds with facilities that include a swimming pool and sauna and a private Par 3 hole.
In addition to the golf courses and luxury stays incorporated in your golf tour, there are three other areas you can focus on for an unparalleled New Zealand experience:
For the most indulgent luxury golf escapes, we recommend travelling with a private chauffeur. First of all, this creates a seamless and hassle-free experience since you have your guide to look after every detail and ensure your needs are catered for. And second, your guide enhances your travel with insightful commentary and local knowledge.
At some golf courses, we can also arrange helicopter transfers for a peerless luxury experience.
From the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island, New Zealand offers a stunning array of sightseeing excursions and other activities that help visitors sample the best of the country.
Many of the luxury golf lodges curate a selection of exclusive tours solely for their guests, from private fishing excursions to wildlife sanctuary tours. You’ll also find spa treatments available at many of the lodges.
In addition, each region offers its own set of luxury experiences that unveil the hidden majesty of New Zealand. These include:
Our golf tours include a range of unforgettable NZ luxury experiences to enhance your golf tour. However, there are countless options to choose from, so it is easy to personalise your luxury tour based on your interests.
With a mild climate that ranges from subtropical to alpine, New Zealand abounds with local delicacies, from exquisite wines and artisan cheeses to fresh seafood.
Many of the luxury golf lodges include meals in your stay. Indulge in gourmet cuisine, with a focus on seasonal dishes and degustation meals that showcase the very best of New Zealand dining.
In addition to the meals included with your lodge stays, you may wish to partake in private wine tours through our diverse wine regions or else visit renowned eating establishments. If you travel with a private guide, they will help pinpoint the most rewarding luxury food destinations everywhere you go.
Absolutely. From the moment you begin planning, your experienced and friendly personal travel consultant works alongside you to create a bespoke golf experience that will exceed every expectation.
We offer a range of luxury NZ golf tour packages that serve as a starting point and illustrate how you may wish to structure your stay. However, we almost always customise these packages or else create fully unique golf tours to suit our clients’ preferences.
Many of the top NZ golf courses include on-site luxury lodges. These include:
– Rosewood Kauri Cliffs
– Kinloch Manor & Villas
– Rosewood Cape Kidnappers
In addition, a number of New Zealand’s most renowned luxury lodges sit within easy reach of one or more marquee golf courses. These include:
– Huka Lodge Taupo (near Kinloch and Wairakei)
– Rosewood Matakauri Queenstown (near Jack’s Point, The Hills and Millbrook)
– Azur Lodge Queenstown (near Jack’s Point, The Hills and Millbrook)
Yes, all luxury golf tours offer a wide range of options for non-golfing partners, both during rounds of golf and between golf destinations.
When you stay at luxury New Zealand golf lodges, explore the delightful selection of exclusive experiences off-course, from private beaches and walking trails to spa treatments. In addition, many top golf destinations are also scenic highlights of New Zealand.
Many golfers choose to bring their own premium golf equipment to New Zealand so they can play with the clubs they know best.
However, if you choose not to bring golf equipment, you will find an excellent range of premium gear to rent at each golf course.
Luxury NZ golf courses stand out in several ways:
– Premium clubhouse facilities which include excellent dining options
– Superb course design, typically by a world-renowned golf architect
– Visually stunning location, often in remote surrounds
– Impeccably maintained greens
– Higher cost, for a more exclusive and less crowded experience
Yes, we can arrange helicopter transfers between a number of luxury golf courses. These include:
– Kauri Cliffs
– Te Arai Links
– Kinloch
– Cape Kidnappers
The Queenstown golf courses are located close together, making air transfers unnecessary. However, in Queenstown you can enjoy a unique heli-golf experience called “Over the Top Golf,” where a helicopter whisks you up to a private Par 3 hole perched on the slopes of Cecil Peak. This is featured in a number of our Queenstown golf tours.
Rebecca Vickers is a New Zealand travel writer and former NZ travel consultant who has explored the country from top to bottom.
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