New Zealand has quietly become one of the world’s premier golf destinations, combining dramatic landscapes with masterfully designed championship layouts. From cliff-top oceanside fairways to pristine alpine backdrops, the country delivers an unforgettable golf experience at every turn. Here are ten courses that showcase the very best New Zealand has to offer.

1. Cape Kidnappers – Hawke’s Bay

Perched atop towering cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Cape Kidnappers is one of the most visually striking golf courses on Earth. Designed by Tom Doak, the fairways run along razor-thin ridgelines that drop away dramatically on either side, creating both beauty and challenge. It’s not just golf — it’s scenery that feels almost otherworldly.

2. Kauri Cliffs – Bay of Islands

Kauri Cliffs combines sweeping ocean panoramas with immaculately manicured fairways cut through native forest. With holes set along cliffsides, valleys and rolling farmland, this is a course where every tee delivers a postcard view. Designed by David Harman, it consistently ranks among the world’s best.

3. Tara Iti – Mangawhai

Exclusive, minimalist and sculpted into natural dunes, Tara Iti is a private masterpiece many golfers dream of playing. Tom Doak shaped the land to create a pure links experience, where creativity off the tee and around the greens is rewarded. Its natural beauty and strategic design have earned global acclaim.

4. Jacks Point – Queenstown

Set against the jaw-dropping backdrop of The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu, Jacks Point is arguably New Zealand’s most scenic inland course. The alpine environment makes every hole feel like a cinematic experience, blending rugged landscapes with a premium championship layout.

5. The Hills – Arrowtown

Home to past New Zealand Opens, The Hills is both a world-class golf course and an outdoor sculpture gallery. Sir Michael Hill’s private course features dramatic bunkering, water features, rolling fairways and monumental artwork scattered throughout the property — a unique blend of sport and culture.

6. Millbrook Resort – Arrowtown

Millbrook’s 36 holes sit in a serene alpine basin surrounded by mountains, lakes and landscaped gardens. With multiple championship routings and a picture-perfect resort setting, it’s a favourite for both competitive tournaments and relaxed holiday golf in Queenstown.

7. Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary – Taupō

Wairakei isn’t just a golf course — it’s a wildlife sanctuary. High fences protect native birds and animals, creating a peaceful natural environment unmatched anywhere else. The tree-lined fairways and classic parkland layout make it a tranquil yet strategic challenge.

8. Paraparaumu Beach – Kapiti Coast

Often called the best true links course in the Southern Hemisphere, Paraparaumu Beach has hosted numerous New Zealand Opens and famously challenged Tiger Woods. Its fast-running fairways, natural dunes and coastal winds offer a pure links test reminiscent of Scotland and Ireland.

9. Royal Wellington – Heretaunga

One of the most elegant championship courses in the country, Royal Wellington is beautifully tree-lined with streams, parkland holes and refined landscaping. It hosted the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship and remains a favourite among traditionalists.

10. Clearwater Golf Club – Christchurch

Built around lakes and wetlands, Clearwater is known for its tour-level conditioning and strategic water hazards. Home to numerous professional tournaments, it offers a challenging but rewarding layout with crisp greens and immaculate fairways year-round.