The Five Best Winter Golf Courses in Auckland

Golf enthusiast and The Bloggers 2011 finalist Reece Witters from Mr Bo Jumbles, tells it as it lies with his round up of Auckland's best winter golf destinations.

If you love golf, you’re living in the right place if you call Auckland home. We’re spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a cheeky game, but we also have a niggly problem, winter. Auckland’s winter quite literally sucks balls at the best of times, providing an unwelcome challenge when local golfers crave a game with firm fairways underfoot. It’s fair to say that the vast majority of Auckland tracks are not immune to bogginess, and lots of it. However, all is not lost, as Concrete Playground’s ‘Guide to Auckland Winter Golf’ explains...

1. Muriwai Golf Course

In the humble opinion of this scribe, Muriwai is unequivocally the best track in Auckland. Yes, it hands-down tops this winter golf category, but top-of-class all year ‘round ain’t out of the question, too.

One day Muriwai can be a stunning, tranquil golfing paradise that makes you ponder ‘could I live out here full time and commute to work’, only to be utterly soul destroying the next leaving you with wind burn and plenty of math to do on your scorecard.

The wind whipped up off that rugged West Coast Tasman Sea cannot be underestimated - on a strong day it can be a four, or even five, club difference. The closest you’ll get to Open Championship conditions in Auckland; links golf does wonders for one’s game, forcing you to attempt the full array of golf shots known to man to reach the relative safety of the 19th. Muriwai can be kind, and a cold-hearted slut at the same time, but a golf tragic will enjoy the outing no matter what number they sign for.

Embrace the bump-and-run and be careful on the slippery Lino dance-floors, a three-putt wants to dance at any opportunity. Just soak up the experience and enjoy Auckland’s finest links.

Roadie from Britomart: 43 km, 39 minutes

Course Stats: Par 72, Ladies Par 72

Length: Blue - 6,186m; White - 5,918m; Ladies - 5,253m

Green Fees: Affiliate & Non-Affiliate weekend - $65; weekday - $50; Junior (under 20) weekend - $30; weekday - $20

2. Waipu Golf Course

Less that two hours’ drive from downtown Auckland lies a mouth-watering golfing treat. This all-weather links track boasts cracking panoramic views of Bream Bay and the offshore Hen and Chicken Islands, and a stern golfing test for golfers of all abilities to boot.

Showcasing all of the classic links golf characteristics - rolling dunes, firm slopey greens, heavy sea breeze and a lack of trees, Waipu gets the creative juices flowing. And with greens quicker than your Granny’s hallway carpet, keeping your putter cover on isn’t out of the question. A welcome change from Auckland’s generally soggy offering.

True to links golf, Waipu tests your entire shot repertoire and imagination until you find the bottom on the cup on the 18th. Capped off with extremely friendly and welcoming members, Waipu is gem worth the roadie. Highly recommended.

Roadie from Britomart: 125 km, 1 hour 37 minutes

Course Stats: Par 72, Ladies Par 73

Length: Black - 6,151m; Blue - 5,907; White - 5,448m; Ladies - 5,186m

Green Fees: Affiliate - $45 (weekday - $40); Non-Affiliate - $55 (weekday - $50)

3. Mangawhai Golf Course

If you’re looking for more of that winter links goodness, throw the sticks in the trunk and take the 90 minute trip up State Highway 1 to delightful Managwhai. This inland-links course has a reputation built on quality which has continually seen New Zealand’s finest exponents of the sport return for more.

With narrow landing areas and dramatic undulating greens, Mangawhai can be a handful even on a good day for the most ardent golfers. If the native bush, wetlands and bird life aren’t enough of a distraction, your flat-stick will keep you busy grinding for Old Man Par on the multi-tiered-lightning-greens.

Members will tell you that visitors who tackle the course off the Blue pegs almost never play to their handicap - this golf writer has brutal personal evidence of this sentiment. Do yourself a favour and conquer the White’s on your first visit and step up the challenge on your return trip.

Roadie from Britomart: 106 km, 1 hour 28 minutes

Course Stats: Par 72, Ladies Par 72

Length: Blue - 5,947m; White - 5,475m; Ladies - 4,905m

Green Fees: Affiliate - $47 (weekday - $37); Non-Affiliate: $57 (weekday - $47)

4. Omaha Golf Course

Anyone thinking that Omaha’s only golf course would be a simple little hit-and-giggle for city slickers are wrong. Very wrong.

The outward nine, through 13, is truly one of the best stretches of golf in the Greater Auckland Region. With unblemished, carpet-like true greens, brutal rough, and funky undulations; Omaha is sex on toast.

Don’t ever let this attractive young lady lull you into a false sense of security, though. Be prepared to take your medicine as strategy is paramount. Throw an extra couple of sleeves in your bag, because if you’re cack-handed and get a case of the cuts, or a right-hander on a tuggy day, that card-ruining, ever-present knee-deep left rough eats balls. Seriously, forget it.

In contrast, the final handful of holes are much flatter and almost rough-free, and are instead peppered with water to bring you home. If you zero-in Omaha offers opportunities to card well, just be respectful, keep your patience with a simple game plan, and all (well, most) will be okay.

Roadie from Britomart: 74 km, 1 hour 3 minutes

Course Stats: Par 70, Ladies Par 70

Length: Blue - 5,773m; White - 5,466m; Ladies - 4,808m

Green Fees: Affiliate - $45; Non-Affiliate - $50

5. South Head Golf Course

Snatching the fifth and final spot on Concrete Playground’s ‘Guide to Auckland Winter Golf’ is a tasty treat on the ‘South Head’ of the Kaipara Harbour, South Head Golf Club.

The home club of Steve Williams, former caddie of you-know-who, this parklands’ number holds its own against its links counterparts for playability in the winter months, and with Members’ Day on a Sunday, there’s always free slots for a casual four on Saturdays. South Head throws up some delicious views of the neighboring farmlands, stretching down to the Kaipara, and provides enough variety for one to get their golfing fix.

Recent times have seen many trees felled, opening up the views and further exposing the course to the elements in the process. Firm but fair in winter, a tidy dabble for an hour’s drive in the wet season.

Roadie from Britomart: 77 km, 1 hour 8 minutes

Course Stats: Par 73, Ladies Par 74

Length: Blue - 5,881m; White - 5,563m; Ladies - 5,197m

Green Fees: Affiliate - $30 (weekday - $25); Non-Affiliate: $42 (weekday - $32.50)

*Notable mention to Huapai Golf Club. Huapai is one hell of a GC that would be rude not to mention in this category. Worth a look.

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