In Korea, it is cold and difficult to golf in December, but in New Zealand, a golf paradise in the southern hemisphere, it is summer, the opposite season. However, rather than a very hot summer, it is a perfect climate for golfing while wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt.
In addition, the Te Arai North course by Tam Doc, who is considered the best designer of the Dunes Course, will open in October. As a result, it has become a must-visit travel destination along with the South Course, which opened in October last year. This winter’s tour of New Zealand’s best courses, created by Centum Golf, a travel agency specializing in the world’s top 100 courses, is filled with golf courses built on natural coasts.
The South Course (par 72, 6779 yards), designed by world-renowned duo Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is located on the vast sand dunes of the New Zealand coast, one and a half hours north from Auckland Airport. It is an 18-hole dunes course with a white sand beach in the background. Take a shot at a unique beach that looks like something out of a Star Wars movie.
The grass is hard and fast fescue, and 16 holes have a view of the sea, and 8 holes face the sea on their sides. The North Course, added this year, features a cedar forest next to the sea. There are seven holes facing the sea, and the coastline combined with the cedar forest provides an exotic and spectacular view. In addition, the putting green next to the clubhouse is available for 18-hole putting games, making it a great place to utilize spare time on the beach.
The person who created two coastal courses that have never existed in the world is Rick Kane, founder of Kane Anderson, a private equity fund with assets of 1.7 trillion won. Kane, who has the appearance of a wise man from Star Wars, studied New Zealand’s terrain from a helicopter and invested generously to create the best dunes course and invited the best experts.
The 36 holes created on the sandy coast of Te Arai on New Zealand’s North Island are just beautiful in photos. However, since it is an eco-friendly walking course, golfers must hire a caddy or use a cart (trundler).
Kauri Cliffs, located in Matauri Bay, Carri Carry, a 2.5-hour drive north of Te Arai, was ranked 26th in the ‘Top 100 Courses in the World Excluding the United States’ by <Golf Digest> last year. This course, designed by American David Harman and opened in 2001, is close to the sea, including the par-3 7th hole, which crosses sea cliffs throughout. In the second half, the Cavalli Islands spread out to the side, offering a fascinating seascape.
Tiger Fund founder and Forbes 400 richest person Julien Robertson is the founder of the course, and he used to spend the winter at a lodge here. This is a course where herds of cows and sheep pass by indifferently during the round. The driving range boasts one of the best views in the world, with a shot towards the ocean. Can you imagine a driving range facing the sea?
If you head to Napier, a city famous for토토사이트 its high-quality wines on New Zealand’s west coast, you can take Hawke’s Bay to Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand’s best scenic course. It was also ranked 21st among the ‘100 best courses in the world (excluding the U.S.)’ by <Golf Digest>. This course, designed by Tom Dog and opened in 2004, is a golf course built on a meadow on a limestone sea cliff 100 meters above sea level and boasts a naturally blessed site.
Taking a shot across a plain that seems to extend like five fingers over the cliffs of Cape Kidnappers is a thrill in itself. In particular, the 15th hole goes towards the end of the sea, and when you stand at the teeing area of the 16th hole, you will be in a state of ecstasy with the surreal nature between the limestone cliffs in all directions at 360 degrees. From the 11th hole to the 16th hole in the second half, you can only hear exclamations of awe at the adrenaline rush of nature.
Kinloch Club, located in Taupo in the middle of the North Island, is ranked 66th in the world outside of the United States by <Golf Digest> and is the only signature course in New Zealand created by Jack Nicklaus in 2007. The undulating hole flow next to the volcanic terrain of Lake Taupo is characteristic. The green fairway between the golden fescue grass rough is reminiscent of an oil painting.
New Zealand, a natural paradise with more sheep and cows than people, is an essential destination for golf enthusiasts. The 400 or so golf courses are generally good, but the ones that should not be left out are the top 100 courses in the world.