Review On Cape Kidnappers And Clearwater Golf In New Zealand

Time Of Year

When you are planning a golf trip to New Zealand, remember that the warmest months in the region are December, January and February. The coolest temperatures that will warrant heavier clothing are in June, July and August. These seasons make New Zealand a great place for holiday getaways! Many of the golf clubs will want to see your handicap certificate. Your certificate might not be needed, but it is wise to carry it.

Two Top Courses to Visit...

Cape Kidnappers at Hawke’s Bay

Kidnappers is a ‘Golf Magazine Top 100’ ranked course, and was voted to be the 27th best golf course in the world in 2005. Renowned course designer Tom Doak, President of Renaissance Golf Design Inc, designed Kidnappers using a minimalist design philosophy to keep the natural surroundings on Hawke’s Bay at the forefront of the golfing experience.

Cape Kidnappers isn’t a true links course. It has ridges that tilt the land towards the sea, jutting out on the edge of the cliffs. Pretty fierce at first glance. Yet, the play is seaside golf at its finest. The surface is fast and firm, the conditions can be windy as you are seaside, and the player who can best control their trajectory will be the master of the course. You will have the opportunity to hit shots over the tops of trees, and also play along the edges of deep ravines. If you stray on your approaches, you'll actually hope to get caught in bunkers hanging off the green's edge. Some of the bunkers are deeper than you've ever seen before.

Clearwater at Christchurch

The championship par 72 course layout at Clearwater is currently turning several heads in the golfing world, far outside of New Zealand. The Clearwater course was by John Darby in consultation with a New Zealand golfing legend, Sir Bob Charles. Clearwater combines elements of links golf inspired by the great Scottish courses consisting of parkland golf very reminiscent of Florida courses.

Clearwater states this course best... The course consists of 15 lakes that are fed by several natural springs and crystal clear streams, many of which teeming with trout. Water comes into major play on 14 holes and if the lakes don’t catch miss hit golf balls then the several acres of surrounding plant life will.

Clearwater is a true challenge and has been awarded the highest rating of any course in the country by the New Zealand Golf Association. It ranks as the toughest course in New Zealand at 76.8 off the black or championship tees. There are also four other tee positions to suit players of all abilities, so this is a great golf tour selection for all walks of players.