New Zealand Golf - Kauri Cliffs

Malaika and my trip to New Zealand was almost two years ago, but three of the golf courses I played there (Kauri Cliffs, Kinloch, and Cape Kidnappers) are among the best in the world.

Kauri Cliffs was the first course I played in New Zealand. After arriving in Auckland and being met by Malaika's sister and her boyfriend, we drove north to the Bay of Islands. Our journey was delayed slightly by a flat tire, and a trip to McDonalds where you get coleslaw on your burgers.

The Bay of Islands, and Paihia where we stayed, is one of the most beautiful places in the world. That beauty is a main attraction of Kauri Cliffs, which is a little more than an hour north of Paihia near a town called Kerikeri.

Be sure to arrive early at the golf course and use the practice range. While the downhill targets might not allow you to dial in your distances, you can practice getting distracted by the scenery.

Like many resort courses, the opening par 4 is a bit of a breather with a downhill tee shot to a bunkerless fairway.


The second hole, is the true introduction to the course as the dogleg left par 4 requires you to pick the correct line with your drive. Two bunkers offer aiming points, however, further left shortens the hole and leaves a wedge to the green.


Hole 4 is a gambling par 5. The bunkers on the right side pose no challenge to the longer hitter, but the cliff side certainly does. The second shot has room to bail out left, but an approach to the green needs to carry the gully and two bunkers short of the green.

The next hole is the first of the four stellar par 3s. Requiring a carry of 150 yards from the white tees, the green is protected in front by three bunkers. Short and left side is the bailout although a well struck pull might bounce off of the hill and onto the green.


Hole 6 is a testy short par 4 with a tee shot across a canyon to a narrow fairway. The best angle is from the left side of the fairway as your second shot plays significantly uphill to a narrow green protected by a bunker and the gully on the right.


The next hole will grab your attention. Once you break your gaze away from the view, this one shotter requires a carry of approximately 160 yards to reach the green. Like the previous par 3, the bailout is on the left side although you're unlikely to receive a member's bounce.


While short on the scorecard as a 500 yard par 5, the eighth hole plays uphill but usually downwind. For those going for the green in two, your target is flanked by two bunkers left with a gully even further left. Landing on the correct tier will offer you a good chance at eagle.


The 10th hole offers the long hitter a chance to drive the green. Downhill and downwind, there's a narrow opening for a bounding tee shot. For those choosing the more traditional approach, the relatively stress free tee shot should set up a wedge approach.

Holes 11 and 12 are a bit different as they play on the on the non-sea side of a ridge. In addition, marshland surrounds both holes. The 11th is a par four requiring an aerial approach over the marsh to a small green while hole 12 is a par 3 with a carry to a narrow green. The miss is right or long with mounds keeping the ball in play. Short and left ends up in the marsh.


The walk over the hillside brings you back to the sea and the fantastic views. Hole 14 offers a downhill par 3 to a green open in front but falling off to the left and behind.

The first of the par 5s on the back, the right side of hole 15 is the safe play but offers virtually no chance at going at the green in 2. The layup is somewhat easier as the landing area is open and offers a target bunker however, those attempting to get close to the green need to contend with a narrow target guarded by bunkers on both sides of the green.

Hole 16 is sometimes mentioned as a drivable par 4. The sharp dogleg left is littered with bunkers left of the fairway starting from the 100 yard mark all the way to the green. Downhill, a sweeping hook might bounce onto the green.


The 17th hole is a long par 4 which again plays as a dogleg left. With no bunkers to aim at, it's a bit more challenging to pick your correct line although the extra elevation will help those who choose to be more aggressive.


Once at the green, take a good look at the sea as you'll play away from it on the home hole. A uphill par 5, the dogleg left might be reached if you challenge the fairway bunker on your tee shot. Otherwise avoid the bunker on the right on your layup and make sure you have enough club to reach the green.

Kauri Cliffs is a course that's worth visiting. While a bit expensive, and the tee shots coming in were a bit repetitious, the course offered a real challenge and great scenery. How often do you find yourself in New Zealand?