I’ve gotta be honest– I’ve always had this weird aversion towards these trendy, expensive, all inclusive golf resorts. I definitely don’t want to be the golf-douchebag who’s “too cool for school”, but there’s something about these places that, from the outside looking in, feel a little bit forced, similar to that feeling of when you see adults without kids wanting to go to Disney World.
I get it, that makes me sound like a pessimistic loser who wants to shit on other people’s happiness. To make it even weirder, every time I have gone to one of these big name, Top 100, stay-and-play resorts, I’ve had the time of my life and can’t wait to go back.
The reality is, I yearn for adventure, hidden gems, and maybe a bit of uncomfortability or unknowns on a golf trip.
So, after all of that negativity, was I excited to go to New Zealand’s crown jewel of expensive stay and play golf resorts that boasts 2 courses in the top 100 in the world? Fuck yes.
Te Arai Links is a little under 2 hours north of the Auckland airport and just a few miles south down the beach from the famed Tara Iti. The coastline this property sits on is remarkable. Turquoise blue waters, spooky volcanoes on the horizon, and a never-ending set of barreling waves crashing onto the empty beach just begging to be surfed.
But, obviously, it’s the golf at Te Arai that people travel around the world for. With the North Course, by Tom Doak, and the South Course, by Coore & Crenshaw, there is an argument to be made that these 2 very young golf courses pack a better “one-two” punch than any other resort in the world.
The North Course takes you into the lush pine forest roaming through sand dunes, washouts, and massive green complexes. It was easy for me to think I was back home playing in the sandhills of North Carolina. That is until Doak routes you to certain high points that perfectly frame endless Pacific Ocean views. It’s a combination of landscapes and visuals that only New Zealand can offer.
The South Course is a completely different experience. A routing that has you hugging the ocean for 14 of its 18 holes. A much more exposed piece of land offers a different challenge and many more visual distractions. Imagine if Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course and Pebble Beach had a baby, that’s what this place looks and feels like. While not playing nearly as hard as either of those, if the wind is blowing it’s easy to find some big numbers.
The accommodation, on-site dining, and staff hospitality are maybe better than the world class level of the golf courses. New Zealand is eager to welcome any visitor with open arms and is quick to make you feel like a life-long friend. Part of the reason why a visit to Te Arai will always be greater than the sum of its parts. There’s something about New Zealand; the air, the water, the people, the food, and, of course, the golf that just feels different.
Trevor McGowan
