Golf is a passion for the Kiwis. With 400 courses across both North and South islands, New Zealand has more golf courses per capita than anywhere else in the world.

American hedge fund giant Julian Robertson put NZ golf on international radar by developing Kauri Cliffs near Auckland in 2000 and Cape Kidnappers designed by Tom Doak in 2004.

These two top-100 course complement classics like Alister MacKenzie’s Titirangi Golf Club in Auckland, Wairakei International Golf Course at Taupo or Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club which is close to Wellington. Jack Nicklaus added The Kinloch Club near Wairakei in 2007.

Doak has designed many of the world’s most famous golf courses, including Pebble Beach Golf Links and Cypress Point. When it was announced that he would design a course in Mangawhai (100 kilometers north of Auckland), fans couldn’t wait to see what this visionary could do with such an oceanfront property.

The Tara-iti Golf Club opened in 2014 and eager golfers couldn’t wait to get their first look at the waves crashing on shore!

Queenstown offers some of the best courses in New Zealand, with three tied to John Darby. Queenstown Golf Club, also known as Kelvin Heights, and Jack’s Point are both scenic by Lake Wakatipu’s Remarkables Mountain backdrop; they have each hosted several major golf events including the NZ Open 2008 at Jack’s Point which was designed by Mr. Darby himself!

The Hills is a private club that also gives public play – it started as Sir Michael Hill’s par-3 playground before being completed in 2007 for hosting NZPGA Championships and other tournaments alike while catering its members’ needs too!