Te Arai (South)
Te Arai (South)
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Course Type
Resort -
GOLF Top 100 World Rank (2023-24)
85 -
Year
2022 -
Architects
Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw -
Par
72 -
Yardage
6,779
Course Overview
Panelist Michael Goldstein writes, “Te Arai South, designed by Bill Coore, is soon to form half of the Te Arai resort alongside the Tom Doak designed Te Arai North opening in late 2023. Collectively with their cousin just along the coast (Tara Iti), this section of coastline north of Auckland is soon to be a challenger for the king of the world’s dream golf destinations. Playing Te Arai South is a beautiful experience where the linksland rises perfectly from the beach, mesmerizing the golfer with white sand below, the Pacific Ocean beyond and the islands in the distance. Whilst the early holes dance in and out of the woods, from the 5th hole onwards, Te Arai South unfolds into a mind-bendingly fun stretch of coastal golf featuring thrilling short holes, an array of fun short fours and some bold, diverse, restrained and zany greens punctuated by the Sitwell inspired sixteenth. No commentary on the South course at Te Arai is complete without a nod to the wee 17th which, no matter how hard the wind is blowing, is one of the greatest 100 yard holes in world golf.”
3 things to know
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Hole everyone talks about
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw have dug deep into their bag of tricks in recent years by focusing their creative energies on the joy of the short par-3, and Te Arai South might have the best of them. The cliffside 100-yarder 17th is one of the coolest holes in modern design, and some say, might alone be worth the trip to Te Arai. -
Best non-golf amenity
Te Arai has long been named one of the best surfing spots in all of New Zealand, which has long been named one of the best surfing countries in the world. So if you dig undulations on the ocean as well as the greens, pack your board. -
Insider tip
A trip to the area isn’t complete without a hike out to Te Arai Point, a secret, cliffside beach just a 30-minute walk from the trailhead. Wander out and experience what it feels like to be completely, totally alone in one of the most exotic locales in the world. You won’t regret it.