TE ARAI LINKS
🇳🇿 Tomarata, Auckland, NZ
Designed by Ben Crenshaw, Bill Coore
South at Te Arai Links is a study in modern linksland architecture, carved from the rolling dunes of Te Arai's coastline. Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the course embraces the natural undulations of the terrain, rewarding strategic play over brute force. Wide fairways encourage bold drives, but errant shots find unforgiving fescue and strategically placed bunkers, demanding creativity and precision on approach.
The course itself quickly earned a reputation among discerning golfers who favor walking, an encouraged and celebrated tradition at Te Arai. It's a place where camaraderie thrives, fostered by the shared experience of navigating the challenging links. The club also boasts an active membership known for its spirited competitions and post-round gatherings, fueled by the local seafood and wines of the surrounding region.
While still relatively young, South at Te Arai Links has already cemented itself as a destination for those seeking a pure links experience. It is a modern take on the classic links courses, and is quickly gaining global recognition by those who prefer a rugged and less manicured golf experience.
Reviews
My favorite in New Zealand
Te Arai is one of the best golfing experiences you can have. The cottages are simple, modern and fantastic. The template hole driving range is special. The alps putting course makes for great betting in the evening. Hard to decide between the South and North, but I think the South just about edges it due to the number of spectacular waterfront holes. The reveal on 4 is one of the best in golf. So many fun slopes you can use to get your ball close even when the wind is up. A place you could play a thousand times and never get bored.
I preferred the more idiosyncratic North, but understandably some like South better, which has more holes along the water (C&C had the first crack at the Te Arai site and claimed a huge portion of water-facing property, where IMO the North’s more interesting routing balances land and sea). Of course nitpicking bc it is such a remarkable site with incredible sand features. Like North, a very memorable stretch for me is early in the round when you play some interesting holes into the pine tree forest and then get a dramatic reveal of the ocean below upon cresting a hill. In this case it's #4 which is easily my favorite hole on the property and among my favorite in the world, a wide sweeping par 4 taking gargantuan steps downhill to a green site that has a massive natural sand dune behind it. #5 is a postcard short par 3 playing at the water, followed by the awesome 6th hole with dogleg tee shot picking an aim line out over a “Himalaya” dune left (like #4 Royal St George's and one at Erin Hils). Unlike North there is sometimes long grass off the fairway which TBH was really patchy and inconsistent to hit out of. 11 is an eye-catching par 4, again from the somewhat inland 10th and then re-treading back to ocean. 14 is a good/great par 5 with interesting green surrounds. The next few holes are reminiscent to the ones playing along the water at Royal Liverpool, in that huge dunes are a bit overpowering but compelling. 17 is interesting tiny tight par 3 but with wind that shot is not holdable for may with bunkers cutting left and right. 18 is an awesome finishing hole giving eagle chances to 2 awesome shots. This is a good course, certain hole stretches are good and even great at times.
An absolute “must play”. Views are spectacular. Course is fun.
Simply the best to quote Tina!
The gold standard for me! Played Te Arai South on 2 separate occasions. The entire property is as close to golfing heaven as you are going to get. Just peaceful quiet through the wooded areas that reveal an awesome course laid out on the pacific Conditions are pristine, everybody is very welcoming and friendly, the property has amazing accommodations and things to do for your non golfing partner. The costs is pretty high but so worth the experience. Cannot recommend enough
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FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
South at Te Arai Links has a Course Vaults score of 9.7 out of 10 based on 18 explicit golfer ratings.
South was designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore.
Yes. South at Te Arai Links is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at South is 72.
South is a 18-hole course.
