New Zealand Golf Courses - South Island Golf Clubs
Here you will find reviews of some of the golf courses in the South Island we think you will enjoy playing. There is a mixture of golf resort courses, private member golf clubs and public golf courses. Interested in playing them? give us a call at VSL Golf to organise your very own New Zealand golf tour or golf vacations.
Clearwater is an official 18 hole US PGA Tour course.The par 72 championship course is home to the HSBC NZ PGA Championship. Designed by John Darby in consultation with New Zealand golfing legend, Sir Bob Charles, the course combines elements of links golf inspired by the great Scottish courses with parkland golf, more reminiscent of Florida.
Playable year-round and offering are five tee positions to suit players of all abilities, the course meanders around a succession of spring fed lakes and trout filled streams, with uninterrupted views of the spectacular Southern Alps.
Although the Cromwell course is situated further from the sea than any other, in New Zealand, it is built on genuine "links" style terrain and the native brown top and marram grasses enhance the traditional links atmosphere.
Cromwell's low rainfall and sand-based fairways combine to guarantee year-round dry underfoot conditions and firm turf, inviting crisply struck irons to firm, yet holding greens.
The Cromwell club has hosted a number of national events, including the South Island Amateur Championships, New Zealand Seniors Championships and The Freyberg Masters (Inter-provincial teams - over 40 years)
"The Cromwell Golf Course sits comfortably on land similar to that of the famous Melbourne sand belt. The combination of the expansive rolling dunes of the front nine and the more traditional tree lined nature of the back make for an endlessly interesting golf experience." Greg Turner Former European Tour Professional
Located in one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth at the base of Mt Hutt and overlooking the Rakaia Gorge; Terrace Downs Resort offers a challenging par 72 course. The choice of four tees on each hole ensures the course caters for a range of golfing abilities. At 6,440-metre long and incorporating 11 lakes and 70 bunkers, it provides plenty of obstacles for even the most experienced player.
The underlying philosophy of the course development has assured its integration into the natural environment and the respect and enjoyment of all who play on it. The awesome views remain a constant challenge for players to keep their eye on the ball!
Russley has hosted many prestigious tournaments and visitors over the years. In the 1960’s and 70’s the Wills Masters and Garden City Classic professional tournaments were hosted at Russley on 12 occasions. Players including Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle and Bob Charles were regular competitors. Other famous names who played Russley at that time were the three Toms, Watson, Weiskopf and Kite. In 1985 the NZ Open was held at Russley, won by Corey Pavin and in 1990 the Women’s World Amateur Team Championships (the Espirito Santo) was hosted here. Russley continues to host prestigious national events, the last being the Women’s Interprovincials in 2006.
Shirley Golf Club has hosted New Zealand Open Championships in 1910, 1921, 1925, 1931, 1935, 1950, 1956, 1964, 1968 and 1982. However, its greatest honour was to host the World Amateur Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy in 1990. Recent National Tournaments held on the course include the 1998 Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship, 1999 South Island Amateur Championship, 2000 Amateur Golf Championship of New Zealand, 2002 Clare Higson Trophy (age group match between Australia and New Zealand) and the 2003 Four Nations Cup (teams match between Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand).
St Clair Golf Club on the coast overlooking the spectacular South Pacific. St Clair is a course that is a good and fair test of golf and has been played over the years by famous golfers such as Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Sam Snead, Johnny Miller, Billy Casper and Severiano Ballesteros who set the 72 hole record there in 1977.
The Queenstown area offers a number of courses and in summer you can take advantage of the South's long twilights and play until late evening.
Set in a natural, alpine amphitheatre, against the backdrop of the Remarkables mountain range, the golf course at Millbrook exploits the dramatic terrain fully, delivering world-class golf. The Millbrook Resort's course is an 18-hole, par 72 championship course was designed by renowned professional and master golfer, Sir Bob Charles. It features four different tee positions for complete enjoyment at all levels of playing expertise.
The historic Arrowtown Course is just 5 minutes away from the Millbrook Resort and offers a unique golfing experience with a fantastic layout amongst amazing rock formations-a classic country course in an original New Zealand mining town.
Kelvin Heights golf club is internationally regarded as one of the more picturesque golf courses in the world. Its 18 holes overlook Lake Wakatipu with a backdrop of the Remarkable Mountains and as a par 72 course of 6103m offers a good challenge.
18 hole 72-par golf course designed by John Darby, of Darby Partners. John Darby also designed The Hills, Millbrook and Clearwater golf courses.
The 7150 yard (6538 metre) course is bounded by the Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu. It traverses through wetland to the lake edge encountering steep bluffs, indigenous vegetation and wildlife.
It is designed to work with nature, not against it. Fairways are designed with minimal excavation and careful plantings to complement the natural environment, but also to give the golfer a fighting chance.