Following on from our recent post looking at the top 5 golf courses in Auckland we move on to Wellington and take a look at some of the best golf courses to play down in the lower North Island. Golfing breaks are extremely popular in New Zealand whether you are a local or an international visitor and there is definitely no shortage of quality golf courses to play. Whilst some of the big hitters in New Zealand like Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers and Kinloch attract a lot of international traffic, you will find a high quality golf course in almost every city in New Zealand and Wellington is no different. The city boasts New Zealand’s number 3 and number 8 ranked courses according to the top 100 golf courses website and with three other courses of note, a weekend away golfing in Wellington should be enough to satisfy golfers of all levels.
We take a look at our favourite five golf courses in Wellington.
Paraparaumu Beach
Paraparaumu is one of New Zealand’s best golf courses and just a short 45 minute drive from Wellington CBD
Regarded by many as one of the greatest links courses in the southern hemisphere, Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club is a world renowned layout on the undulating dune land of the Kapiti Coast. Located just 45 minutes’ drive from New Zealand’s Capital City, Wellington, the course has hosted the New Zealand Open 12 times, a record unsurpassed by any other course. In 2002 it hosted the world’s number 1 golfer, Tiger Woods.
Paraparaumu is a traditional links course, and features a layout that will challenge the very best golfer, whilst allowing newcomers to the game plenty of scope for enjoyment. The greens are firm and true, the fairways provide welcome respite from the natural dunes, and every shot demands thought and careful execution.
Ranked as New Zealand’s number three course, Paraparaumu is worth the trip to Wellington.
Find out more: http://www.paraparaumubeachgolfclub.co.nz/
Royal Wellington
Royal Wellington Golf Club is a private members club which welcomes visitors
Royal Wellington Golf Course makes the claim to be the home of New Zealand’s best private members’ parkland course. Situated alongside the Hutt River near Silverstream, the course offers an enjoyable and stimulating golfing challenge in a beautiful setting. Although Royal Wellington Golf Club is a private members’ club, visitors are welcome to play the course. The course is generally busy on weekends, so weekdays may be a better option.
Royal Wellington consists of two courses; the 18 hole championship Heretaunga Course and the nine-hole Terrace Course. The former is the recently opened (2014) redesign by Greg Turner and Scott Macpherson. The latter is composed mainly of holes that were part of the former championship course but not used for the redevelopment. Both courses provide a great challenge for all golfers and as the number eight ranked course in New Zealand, it makes for a perfect weekend getaway combined with a trip to Paraparaumu.
Find out more: http://www.royalwellington.com/
Manor Park Golf Sanctuary
Manor Park Golf Sanctuary offers a unique experience for golfers
Manor Park Golf Sanctuary is one of New Zealand’s unique golf courses alongside Wairakei in Taupo in that it is recognised as a wildlife sanctuary as well as being an outstanding golf course making it an awesome place to play golf the next time you’re in Wellington.
Manor Park Golf Sanctuary is widely regarded by the local community as a golfer’s club as it has a long, narrow and demanding par 71 course bordered by the Hutt River along one side and a stream along the other. It typically produces straight-hitting quality golfers including Michael Campbell, Lynnette Brooky, Gareth Paddison and Julianne Alvarez all of whom have made their mark on the international stage.
The Club has a rich history and in 2013 celebrated its’ centenary with 500 current and past members participating in four days of events and social activities.
Find out more: http://www.manorparkgolf.co.nz/
Boulcott’s Farm Heritage Golf Club
Boulcott’s Farm Heritage Golf Club is one of Wellington’s best
Boulcott’s Farm Heritage Golf Club, nestled at the end of Military Road in the suburb of Boulcott in Lower Hutt is highly regarded as a Championship layout which provides a true test to golfers of all level. Also noted for its standard of Clubhouse facilities and friendly club atmosphere, Boulcott’s Farm delivers a complete and memorable golfing and leisure experience for members and visitors to the Club.
Set in park-like surrounds, this long Par 71 layout is a challenge for all golfers. The course is fully irrigated and intensively groomed with reasonably narrow fairways. The greens are large, sand based and subtlety 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.
Find out more: http://www.boulcottsfarmhgc.co.nz/
Miramar Golf Club
Miramar Golf Club in Wellington is just a short distance from the airport
Miramar Golf Club has been at the present site on the Miramar Peninsula since August 1908 and has become a championship golf course close to Wellington City. The course was re-designed by the renowned Australian Graham Marsh and offers a tough test of golf with a New Zealand slope rating of 124.
Miramar Golf Club over the years has held the New Zealand Open and Amateur events in both Men and Ladies and recently held the North Island Under 19 tournament. Miramar Golf Club is next to Wellington airport and is a great stopping place for either golf or conferences. The clubhouse has three bars and a cafe open seven days all with panoramic views over the course.
Find out more: http://www.miramargolfclub.co.nz/
So that’s our top 5 golf courses in Wellington – we hope you manage to get out and play some of these quality courses on your next visit to the capital and we’d love to hear about your experience or other recommendations.