Rural Golf at its best

Manor Park

Manor Park

And after golf... Learn more about New Zealand history and culture at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum and view The Beehive, New Zealand’s iconic parliament building, before taking a stroll and a coffee in Cuba St.
Lambton Quay shops are full of designer clothes and from Wellington’s CBD jump on board the cable car to Kelburn for a view of Wellington city. Alternatively climb Mount Victoria and watch the boats come into Wellington Harbour.
New Zealand’s capital is a very compact city, bound on one side by water and the other by hills, it’s possible to walk the entire central city area and still be fit for a round of golf at a high quality Wellington area golf course.  If you have access to a car Wellington has some nice small towns along the Kapiti Coast including quaint examples Paekakariki and Otaki, or climb the Rimutaka  Hill to the Wairapapa and experience Rural at its best!

MANOR PARK GOLF SANCTUARY
Manor Park Golf Sanctuary, “a sanctuary for all golfers” as it is now promoted, is somewhat unique as it is a golf and birdlife park and the Club holds an internationally recognised sanctuary environmental certification from Audubon International, New York. It has an 18-hole championship par 71 golf course set in beautiful native bush and wetlands with gently rolling fairways bordered by the Hutt River on the eastern side and the Haywards Stream to the west and is home to 20 different species of bird.
The Club’s Play & Stay package is with partner CQ Hotels (www.hotelwellington.co.nz) inWellington City, 25 minutes by car or via commutertrain to Manor Park station at the gates to the course .
www.manorparkgolf.co.nz


Silverstream Golf Park
Silverstream Golf Park features a long established driving range and 9-hole golf course, and is located off Fergusson Drive from State Highway 2.
The driving range is amongst the biggest in the lower North Island with 20 covered bays and a hitting area of up to nearly 300m. The 9-hole course is flat and easy-walking. It is ideal for those learning the game or those who do not have the time for 18 holes.
The course is affiliated to New Zealand Golf which means you can become a member and gain a handicap and therefore also receive reduced greens fees at other courses around the country. If you do not wish to become a member you can purchase concession cards which will give you a reduced rate.
www.silverstreamgolfpark.co.nz


Levin Golf Course
Levin Golf Course is located just 10 minutes’ drive from the Levin township, between Lake Horowhenua and Hokio Beach. Nestled in  a unique micro-climate in terms of weather patterns where often the weather variables are different from the prevailing conditions in surrounding areas.
Levin takes pride in providing a quality course set amongst rolling sand hills with easy walking, tree-lined fairways. The design of the course follows the natural contours of the land. From the many vantage points you will admire panoramic views of the Tararua mountain ranges and the Horowhenua countryside. The 18 hole, 6121 metre course combines a number of features that provide an interesting and challenging test for golfers of all ages and abilities.
www.levingolfclub.co.nz


Kapiti Golf Club
A short but challenging 9 Hole course located on the east side of State Highway 1 Paraparaumu.
Accuracy rather than power is the key here, and you will also have to deal with some extremely challenging greens.
First opened by the Gillman family in 1970, Kapiti Golf club was formed in 1971 and took over the course in 1974. The current course design dates from the building of the clubrooms in 2005.
We can also offer a practise fairway (Irons only), a putting green, and 2 newly installed driving nets.
Clubroom facilities include a fully licenced bar, changing rooms with showers, and a catered kitchen on club days.
www.sporty.co.nz/kgc


Karori Golf Club
The course is set in an idyllic country location surrounded by native bush clad hills where only sounds you hear are birds and farm animals.
The fairways are tree lined and there are two stony streams that meander across or beside all but four holes. The course rewards accuracy off the tee and several holes play to elevated greens making otherwise straightforward approaches more challenging. The greens are some of the best browntop putting surfaces around.
www.karorigolf.co.nz


Martinborough Golf Club
The Martinborough Golf Course is a full 18 hole, par 72 course, 5546 metres in length. It is flat to gently undulating with easy walking and plenty of attractive trees, inlcuding mature oaks lining several fairways.
A good number of greens on the course are quite small which makes for a challenge, but perhaps the most challenging holes are #3 and #12 with narrow fairways that run parallel to the road. Many a golf ball ends up in the neighbouring vineyards from a wayward swing.
The holes are interestingly named and represent the surrounding countryside, including Bull Hill (the highest point in the Haurangi Ranges), Tablelands, Hinakura, Tote (which refers back to the courses previous existence as a race track), Ruffan Glen and Martins (named for the Martin family who gifted land to the Borough).
The course record stands at an impressive 61, achieved in 2005 by Lance Phelps.
martinboroughgolfclub.co.nz


Masterton Golf Club
The Masterton Golf Club, offering fantastic views of the Wairarapa Valley, is a must-do stop on your next golfing adventure. Enjoy a round of golf at the picturesque Masterton Golf Club, the Wairarapa’s premier golf course and the “spiritual home” to golfing legend Sir Bob Charles. • Stunning views of the district from virtually every hole • A fully stocked ProShop available with on-site professional golf services including coaching, club fitting and club repair • Café and bar facilities • 9 or 18 hole rounds with reasonable green fees • Flexible tee times • Clubs and carts available for hire • All visitors & new members welcome.
mastertongolfclub.co.nz


SHANDON GOLF CLUB
One of the finest golf courses in the region, Shandon is located on the banks of the Hutt River, 15 minutes north of Wellington city.
Founded in 1927, Shandon is noted for superb greens, treelined fairways and immaculate presentation.The course provides an excellent test for all golfers and has played host to several national tournaments.
The on site professional shop offers club and cart hire, lessons and a full range of clothing and equipment.
www.shandongolf.co.nz


BOULCOTT FARMGOLF CLUB
Set in park-like surrounds, this long Par 70 layout is a challenge for all golfers. The course is fully irrigated and intensively groomed with reasonably narrow, tree-lined fairways.
The greens are large, sand based and subtletly contoured. They run true and are generally fast. Most of the greens are guarded by sand bunkers, grass knolls and hollows which add to the challenge when your approach shots miss the target.
Both professional and leading amateur tournaments are held at the club frequently, and it is a measure of the course design that sub-par rounds are rare.
Access to both courses is from the Military Road Pro-shop.
www.boulcottsfarmhgc.co.nz


Miramar GOLF CLUB
Miramar Golf Club is located at Wellington Airport surrounds.
In 1993 Graham Marsh Golf Design were asked to prepare a Master plan of designing a new 18-hole course within the confines of the club’s new boundary. In 1994 work commenced on the new course with members continuing to play 18-holes. This was made possible by juggling the old course and the new holes as they came on stream. Twelve months later in August 1995 Miramar was set to start another chapter in its history.
As Graham Marsh (course architect) said, “Miramar will always be remembered by me as a golf course that was redesigned for all the right reasons-a membership that bonded together to protect their love of the game”.
www.miramargolfclub.co.nz


JUDGEFORD GOLF CLUB
Judgeford is located just 25 minutes drive from the CBD, between Paremata and the Hutt Valley, on State Highway 58. We are fortunate to enjoy a unique micro-climate in terms of weather patterns where often the weather variables are subtly different from the prevailing conditions in surrounding areas.
The course is set amongst rolling picturesque countryside with easy walking, tree-lined fairways. The design of the course follows natural contours and includes a meandering stream and a feature lake. The 18 hole, 5572 metre course combines a number of features that provide an interesting and challenging test for golfers of all ages and abilities.
Twelve holes are located on one side of State Highway 58, the first seven presenting more of a challenge with undulating slopes and elevated tees. A further six holes, located across the road (accessed by underground walkway) feature a flatter layout with some elevated tees.
Off course practice facilities include a four bay driving net area, practice green with bunker facility and a putting green.
www.judgefordgolf.co.nz


PARAPARAUMU BEACH GOLF CLUB
The host of 12 New Zealand Opens, Paraparaumu Beach Golf Course has long been regarded by many as the spiritual home of New Zealand Golf.
A regular inside the World Top 100 Golf Course lists and considered one of the best links courses in the Southern Hemisphere a pilgrimage to play is a must for all that love the game. Once you’ve experienced it, you’ll understand just why golf played at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Course is golf at its purest.
www.paraparaumubeachgolfclub.co.nz

CARTERTON GOLF CLUB
THE flat, easy to walk, 5612 metre Par 71 golf course presents the amateur and professional the best of Wairarapa golf in tranquil and picturesque surroundings, set against the foothills of the stunning Tararua Ranges
Established in 1911, the Carterton Golf Club, Wairarapa, New Zealand – offers 18 challenging holes.
A little over an hour drive north of Wellington or an hour and a half drive south from Palmerston North, Carterton Golf Club and New Zealand’s Wairarapa region with its world acclaimed vineyards, Lord of The Rings scenery, boutique villages and stylish accommodation, offer the best excuse to stay a while and play some golf. The Club is situated just North of Carterton Town Centre on Highway two to Masterton.
Green fee players and corporate guests are always welcome.
www.cartertongolfclub.co.nz

Sarah HeadComment