golf in NZ and snorkeling
 

I'm planning our first trip to NZ and don't know where to start. Loved all the forums I've read. We are avid golfers and enjoy snorkeling and walking (not hiking). Looking for a place to start and suggestions. Mahalo.

http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/newzealand/ , http://www.nzgolf.net/ http://www.travelplanner.co.nz/activ...snorkeling.cfm , Poor Knights Island being one of the more known locations in NZ [not all that many] and http://www.goatislanddive.co.nz/ too , locations being mainly north of Auckland on east coast, and quite a few golf courses that way too.
Warkworth being a nice area and then Poor Knights/Bay of Islands being a few hours further north.

Plenty of reasonable all category walks about of a few hours or so and you'll see sign posting - look for Brown colour.
Also check out www.doc.govt.nz and/or their local offices.

Hi cusogolf!

You've certainly picked one of the best countries for golf! I don't play myself, but I have lots of clients who do - as well as some of the top courses in the world (Golf Digest), even the smaller courses are very inexpensive compared to US rates.

Walking - that's pretty much all of NZ - so many places to have a good walk!

You don't say how much time you have to explore all of your interests, which would be helpful in pointing you in the right direction...

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Kiwi Specialist

Melodie is a travel agent hopping about the this forum looking for contacts and usually signing off as a "Certified Aussie Specialist" just in case you hadn't figured.

And then Kiwis are a New Zealand bird.

Mahalo Bushranger for all the great suggestions. I will begin to do my homework. Cusogolf

Melodie, I have no idea what you've done to incite Bushranger to stalk you in this mean-spirited way - perhaps he or she is the alter ego of another poster who seems to resent you - but my advice is to ignore it. Veteran contributors to this forum know that your advice is based on training and experience and provides more than just a blizzard of URLs.

But Snozza, you're the chief stalker!
If Melodie was to be truthful she would declare very clearly what she is and what may be sought in "pointing someone in the right direction" , and then she could even advertise as other travel agencies do on Fodors, perhaps Fodors being willing to accept the fees.

As to links, you may not see the benefit of reference material yourself and blizzards! aside even if one has some familiarity with an area or topic, it is just plainly a bit stupid on many accounts not to use reference to material already on the net.

cusogolf seems to appreciate the information given, it being far more specific than what else has been provided.

Btw cusogolf,
meant to include http://www.warkworth-information.co.nz/ as a useful link for that region, there being reference to a Golf trip you'll find under "more info" of Kawau Cat Cruises in Sights and Activities section and then under Transport "Ruebens Water Taxis" has info on the Royal Mail boat run.
The region also has quite a few vinyeards/wineries and so if looking to try a local drop, there's references on that site and also Auckland region on http://www.winesofnz.com/ will have listings.

Hi cuso golf, I've been on 4 different self-guided golfing trips to NZ. There isn't any reason to book a package tour or even to play one of the high end tourist courses such as Kauri Cliffs (unless you are very good and very rich, I don't even advise it).

My favorite golf guide resource is The Golf Guide, it has golf descriptions as well as discounts on some places. Almost all are private and you can play there if not interfering with club play. It's best to phone or email if you have a tight schedule, especially for places like Titirangi. Many of the clubs now have websites with contact info. Also it's good that you like to walk, since electric carts can cost nearly as much as the green fees, and some small country courses may not offer them.

http://www.golfguide.co.nz/

You can also look up non-participating clubs in
nzgolf.org.nz

Some of my favorite courses
North Island
Muriwai (west Coast near Auckland)
Titirangi (Auckland suburbs, Alister MacKenzie course)
Waitangi (Bay of Islands)
Whangaparaoa Golf Club - North Harbour
Poverty Bay (Gisborne)
Mt. Maunganui (Mt. Maunganui)
Arikikapakapa (Rotorua Golf Club)

South Island
Arrowtown (probably my favorite)
Kelvin Heights Queenstown
Chisholm Park (Dunedin) patchy conditioning but great views
Balmacewen Otago Golf Club(Dunedin)
Cromwell GC (Cromwell)
Christchurch Golf Club (Shirley)
Hokitika GC (true links course)
Methven GC
Otatara Links (Invercargill, another links course).

The once course that I didn't like was Terrace Downs (my 8 golf friends who also went there agreed). The rough is two feet tall and even if you have a direct line on your ball you can't find it.

Bring lots of golf balls (it seems to be easier to lose a ball there) and plastic tees. The wooden one break.

The last time I went I brought older gloves and shoes and on my last day gave them to some juniors rather than carrying them back. The mom was really appreciative.

Don't know why that second link with course lookup did not work

http://www.nzgolf.org.nz/FindAClub/F...b.aspx?ID=1117

This is an official website of some sort, not a tourist promotional one.

As mlgb mentions, definately get the golf guide, the discounts are great, and it also helps with planning
http://www.golfguide.co.nz/

If you can't buy it before hand, most golf courses have it on sale

I've played quite a few of the courses that mlgb mentions, I thought Invercargill was a hidden gem although not many reasons to visit that far south IMHO.

I also liked Gulf Harbour (not everyone's opinion) in Auckland as it has great views and many different tee positions to choose, depending on ability.

I thought St Clair in Dunedin was very good, it even has a quirky way of getting from one hole to another where you hold onto a motorised rope that drags you up the steep incline. Never seen that before.

Geordie

Bushranger:

To address your post:

STATING CLEARLY WHO I AM: I don't have a problem with that. I'm a Premier Aussie Specialist and a Certified Kiwi Specialist, certified by Tourism Australia and Tourism New Zealand. There. Feel better now?

POINTING SOMEONE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: I think you missed the point -- what I said was: "you don't say how much time you have...which would be helpful in pointing you in the right direction."

In other words, if the poster only has a limited amount of time, or is planning on just visiting say....,the North Island, there's no point in listing courses / walks on the South Island!

WEBSITES: I suppose I think if someone can manage to find Fodors and post a question, they can can find other information on the internet. What they're looking for is personal experience; such as MLGB's provided. I think Cusogolf will be set with those recommendations - they're great!

Melodie

Melodie

Well Melodie,
no supposing, thinking or ifs here on how much of a premier specialist you might be and you might notice that Fodors have other paying agencies advertising rather than slinking around.
And I from what I've seen, your advice can easily be obtained otherwise.
And I'll declare you to be an agent just as I would anyone doing the same.
Happy hunting now.

Geordie, I have not yet played St. Clair but it has been highly recommended. Balmacewen also has a cable tow to help pull you up one to one of the tee boxes. I met someone who had been a longtime member and he said the greenskeeper used to make a bit of spare cash driving people up to that tee.
Warning ... NZ golf courses are exercise!