With a Trans-Tasman travel bubble in full swing, Michael Donaldson plots a week-long road trip across New Zealand’s North Island before finishing with a South Island surprise.
Perched on sand dunes overlooking the famous black-sand Muriwai Beach, the course features crumpled fairways built on an impeccable sand-base, tricky bunkers and demanding greens. It’s a fierce test of skill but equally a great fun course to play for all handicappers.
There will be a membership component to Te Arai when it opens in October 2022, but the two courses will alternate between private and public tee-times on different days.
The 606-metre par-5 18th at Kapalua is the longest closing hole on any Golf Digest American-ranked course, but it’s still reachable in two, given its elevation drop and prevailing trade winds behind.
Golf Digest’s inaugural ranking of the best courses across the ditch shines the spotlight on New Zealand’s international classics as well as its time-honoured gems.
Australian Golf Digest
