Two New Zealand Golf Courses Make World’s Top 20

NZ Golf Courses in Top 100

Two New Zealand golf courses have made the World’s Top 20 and another two are in the Top 100 as the official list of the best golf courses in the world was released today by Golfscape.

The list has been put together by an extensive panel of industry leaders looking at golf courses that offer experiences to remember for a lifetime, from lush woodland to coastal gems.

The courses in New Zealand that have secured positions in this year’s top 100 golf course ranking are Cape Kidnappers Golf Course(12), Tara Iti Golf Club(14), Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club(61) and Kauri Cliffs Golf Course(63).

The courses were ranked out of 5 alongside the following criteria:

  • Course condition
  • Memorability
  • Aesthetics
  • Playability
  • Course facilities
  • Overall experience

The scores were added and an average was taken to place the golf courses in order from 1-100.

The panel also provided the following comments on the New Zealand courses they ranked.

#12. Cape Kidnappers Golf Course

Built on a ridge-and-valley landscape and with stunning sea views, Cape Kidnappers Golf Course plays high above the ocean atop dramatic cliffs. Designed by legendary golf architect Tom Doak, the Cape Kidnappers par 71 golf course measures 7,147 yards and will challenge golfers of all skill levels.

Cape Kidnappers
Cape Kidnappers Golf Club (Supplied)

#14. Tara Iti Golf Club

Newly opened since just 2015, this beautiful layout is the first-ever American-style private club to grace New Zealand. Wide ocean views and bold mountainous scenery are the backdrop of this course. Greens are open and the location is perfectly nestled by the glistening shoreline.

Tara Iti Golf Club
Tara Iti Golf Club (Supplied)

#61. Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club

Host of the New Zealand Open 12 times, Paraparaumu Beach is a revered course situated on the waving dunes of the Kapiti Coast. Designed with renowned designer Dr Alister MacKenzie in 1949, has great hole variety and provides amazing mountainous views.

Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club
Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club (Supplied)

#63. Kauri Cliffs Golf Course

A breathtaking clifftop location, 6 holes here keep you open to the elements with vast views of the shimmering ocean, while the inland holes meander through beautiful marsh, farmland and forest. Designed by David Harman this stunning layout spans 7,139 yards.

Kauri Cliffs Golf Course
Kauri Cliffs Golf Course (Supplied)

Royal Dornoch Golf Club in Scotland was named the number one course in the world.

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