Hit list of the best 18 holes in Taupō
Line up and find your flow on the golf courses of Taupō — one hole, one golf course at a time.
There’s no shortage of great golf in Taupō. From the serene sanctuary fairways of Wairākei to the wild contours of Kinloch, this region packs more character into 18 holes than most countries.
Rather than ranking them outright, we’ve built what we’re calling Taupō’s Perfect Round - one hole from every number, 1 through 18. It’s subjective, a little cheeky, and designed to showcase the sheer variety of golf across the region’s standout courses.
So, grab your imaginary card, tee it up in your mind, and see if you agree. You probably won’t crack this aspirational 18-hole round in just one visit but it’s always good to have a challenge to crack.
Hole 1 - Wairākei Golf + Sanctuary (Par 5)
There’s no better start in Taupō. From the tee, bunkers appear to be everywhere, but it’s friendlier than it looks. A comfortable par 5 to ease you in, framed by native greenery and the morning bird song of Wairākei. The green is tiered, so accuracy matters, but it’s a tranquil, confidence-building opener before the real tests begin.
Hole 2 at Wairākei Golf + Sanctuary (Par 3)
A beauty, and a brute. This long par 3 plays across a ravine to a green that rejects anything less than a pure strike. After the gentle handshake of the first, this is where Wairākei starts asking questions. Miss your line, and you’ll pay for it.
Hole 3 at The Kinloch Club (Par 3)
One of the few water carries at Kinloch and one of the most memorable tee shots. Club selection is everything here; the wind off the lake can make it play two clubs longer or shorter. Find the green and you’re halfway home. Large, slick, and full of contours that can turn two putts into four without care.
Hole 4 at The Kinloch Club (Par 4)
A blind tee shot over a bunker to a fairway that falls away from view. Big hitters can take it deep and catch the downslope, but they’ll be left with a downhill lie to an elevated, sloping green. A risk-reward gem, every shot here feels like a mini adventure on its own.
Hole 5 at Tūrangi Golf Club (Par 4)
A short but testing par 4 that rewards smart play. Long hitters can take on the gully, but the safe play is to the right, setting up a climb to an elevated green. Take an extra club and keep it straight, the bush-lined fairway is as punishing as it is pretty.
Hole 6 at Wairākei Golf + Sanctuary (Par 4)
One of the most picturesque holes in Taupō. From the high tee you can see Mount Tauhara in the distance, often shrouded in morning mist. A strong par 4 that demands both power and placement. Miss the fairway and the dense bush awaits. Miss the green and you’ll face tricky collection areas and slick slopes. A masterpiece in natural design.
Hole 7 at Taupō Golf Club (Par 5)
A strategic test from start to finish. This long par 5 rewards patience and precision, where overconfidence leads to trouble fast. Play it conservatively, watch the flag position, and trust your plan. For Taupō locals, this hole is where matches can turn.
Hole 8 at Tūrangi Golf Club (Par 4)
Known as The Drop, this elevated tee shot looks out toward the Great Lake and beyond. Just when you think you’re deep inland, the course gives you this breathtaking view and one of its toughest holes. A strong drive sets up a long second, but don’t get distracted by the scenery.
Oh, and special mention to Wairākei’s signature 8th hole.
Hole 9 at The Kinloch Club (Par 5)
A thrilling finish to the front nine. The tee shot is somewhat blind, but once you crest the hill, the hole unfolds beautifully. Players can take different routes — left or right — toward a crescent-shaped green guarded by trouble on all sides. Keep your nose clean, and a birdie’s possible. Stray, and double’s just as likely.
Hole 10 at Reporoa Golf Club (Par 4)
The signature hole at this country gem. A dramatic carry over what was once a riverbed, now a vast ravine with alien-like rock formations. It’s both intimidating and unforgettable. One of those shots you’ll want to film just to prove you made it across.
Hole 11 at Wairākei Golf + Sanctuary (Par 4)
A mid-length par 4 that sneaks back toward the heart of the course. The green sits like an upturned bowl, shedding anything less than perfect. You might spot deer in the trees or a takahē wandering near the fairway. It’s golf in its most peaceful state, pure New Zealand.
Hole 12 at The Kinloch Club (Par 5)
Dogleg right, with temptation written all over it. Cut the corner and chase your drive down the fairway, and you’ll be rewarded with a shorter approach to a wide, sloping green overlooking the lake. But chew off too much and you’ll find the sand. When the sun’s low and the shadows stretch, this hole captures Kinloch’s magic perfectly.
Hole 13 at Taupō Golf Club (Par 4)
404 metres of pure golf. This hole starts a brilliant four-hole run at Taupō Golf Club’s back nine. A precise drive is crucial a— trees right and bunkers left make placement key. The approach plays uphill to a deceptively sloping green. Par feels like an achievement here.
Hole 14 at Mangakino Golf Club (Par 3)
Technically, this hole doubles as the sixth and fourteenth — a par 4 on the front nine and a par 3 on the back. Either way, it’s a beauty. A shot across the pond, down near the lake edge, that defines the fun, welcoming spirit of Mangakino. Short, sweet, and Insta-ready.
Hole 15 at The Kinloch Club (Par 3)
A spectacular par 3 framed by the Great Lake beyond. The wind here can turn club choice into a puzzle, often a long iron or more from the back tees. Anything left disappears down a steep drop, so favour the right and shape it in. A demanding hole with big reward for the brave.
Hole 16 at The Kinloch Club (Par 4)
One of New Zealand’s finest. Reachable for big hitters from certain tees, but equally rewarding for those who plot their way in. Multiple routes, rolling contours, and a green that slopes hard from back left to right. As the sun sets over the back nine at Kinloch, it’s simply breathtaking, Jack Nicklaus at his best.
Hole 17 at The Kinloch Club (Par 3)
Another jaw-dropper. Elevated tee, carry over a vast front hazard, and a green that sits like a stage. Miss it short or wide and you’ll find yourself in awkward lies. Get it right, and it’s one of the most satisfying shots in Taupō.
Hole 18 at Taupō Golf Club (Par 3)
A fitting finish. Long, demanding, and often decisive, the kind of par 3 that can make or break a card. Anything less than flush contact is rejected, and trouble surrounds the green. Many local matches have been won or lost right here. A perfect closer for Taupō’s ultimate composite round.
Final Score
There are dozens of other holes that could’ve made the cut, and that’s exactly the point! Taupō’s golf scene is deep, diverse, and endlessly replayable. From bird sanctuaries to lakeside fairways, no two holes feel the same.
Play them all, compare your picks, and see if your own Taupō 18 looks anything like ours.
