Top Ranked Golf Courses in New Zealand (2025 Rankings)

Top 10 Golf Courses in New Zealand

1. Tara Iti Golf Club – Mangawhai, Northland
   • #1 ranked course in NZ and top 50 in the world
   • Designed by Tom Doak
   • Exclusive private club with stunning coastal dunes layout
2. Cape Kidnappers – Hawke’s Bay
   • Iconic cliff-top course with dramatic views over Hawke’s Bay
   • Designed by Tom Doak
   • Known for its “ridge and valley” holes and ocean cliffs
3. Kauri Cliffs – Bay of Islands
   • Luxury resort course overlooking the Pacific Ocean
   • Designed by David Harman
   • Ranked consistently among the world’s top resort courses
4. The Hills Golf Club – Queenstown
   • Private course with spectacular alpine scenery and sculpture installations
   • Designed by Darby Partners
   • Hosted New Zealand Open multiple times
5. Jack’s Point – Queenstown
   • Public-access course with dramatic views of The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu
   • Designed by John Darby
   • Known for its natural rugged beauty and challenging layout
6. Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club – Kapiti Coast, Wellington
   • Classic links course, often called “The Home of New Zealand Golf”
   • Hosted numerous NZ Opens
   • Designed by Alex Russell (partner of Alister MacKenzie)
7. Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary – Taupo
   • Set within a wildlife sanctuary with geothermal terrain features
   • Designed by Commander John Harris, Peter Thomson & Michael Wolveridge
8. Kinloch Club – Taupo
   • Only Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in New Zealand
   • Links-inspired inland layout with challenging bunkering
9. Royal Wellington Golf Club – Wellington
   • Historic parkland course with strong membership tradition
   • Recently redesigned by Greg Turner and Scott Macpherson
10. Clearwater Golf Club – Christchurch
    • Championship course hosting NZPGA and New Zealand Women’s Open
    • Combines parkland and links-style features

Key Highlights

• Queenstown region: Jack’s Point and The Hills – scenic alpine golfing
• North Island East Coast: Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs – luxury cliff-top courses
• Taupo region: Kinloch and Wairakei – inland but world-class layouts