Summer tee time on the Taupō ‘Big Three’

Great golf courses to plan a trip around

Taupō has no shortage of places to play golf. Across the region, nine courses each bring their own vibe, setting, and local flavour. Yet when golfers talk about a Taupō trip, the conversation almost always circles the usual suspects.

Between rolling volcanic fairways, sanctuary-lined greens, and one of the most demanding tests in the country, Taupō Golf Club, Wairākei Golf + Sanctuary, and Kinloch Golf Club form the backbone of golf in Taupō. The ‘Big Three’, if you like.

Here’s what visitors, locals, and travelling golfers need to know as summer 2026 settles in.

Taupō Golf Club — Two courses, one evolving club

Taupō Golf Club remains one of the most versatile stops in the region, offering two distinct 18-hole layouts in Centennial and Tauhara.

Over summer, both courses are presenting strongly, with clear feedback from visitors noting sharper definition through the fairways and consistent playing surfaces. The club has made the strategic decision to let Centennial lean further into its role as the more testing course, with faster greens and refinements for confident players, while Tauhara remains an enjoyable and accessible option for golfers of all levels.

Recent course work on Centennial, including reshaped embankments and improved cart paths, has enhanced both playability and flow. The changes are practical, subtle, and focused on improving the experience for members and visitors alike.

Away from the fairways, Taupō Golf Club is also stepping into a new space with the imminent opening of its indoor golf facility. Scheduled to open in early January 2026, the purpose-built venue includes four TrackMan simulator bays, an indoor putting green, and social areas designed to welcome golfers who may not always have time for a full round, prefer after-hours play, or lean toward fair-weather golf.

Head professional Hamish Robertson sees the facility as a way to meet golfers where they are, offering everything from casual sessions and group bookings through to serious practice and league play. Open to the public seven days a week, it adds another layer to Taupō Golf Club’s appeal, particularly for visitors looking to mix outdoor play with something different.

Wairākei Golf + Sanctuary — Play inside a living landscape

At Wairākei, golf unfolds inside one of the country’s most distinctive environments. The course continues to balance championship-level play with its role as a working wildlife sanctuary, and summer is one of the best times to experience that connection.

Recent course updates have settled in well, including refinements to the third hole that have transformed its strategy and visual interest. Water now plays a more prominent role, creating a hole that rewards thoughtful play while blending naturally into the surrounding landscape.

Beyond the fairways, the sanctuary itself remains active. This season has seen a strong breeding year, with kiwi and takahē chicks raised on site before being released into protected environments. Deer also roam freely across the property, adding to the sense that this is a place where golf and conservation playfully coexist.

Visitors are encouraged to allow extra time when visiting Wairākei, not only for the round itself, but to enjoy the café and outdoor deck, where birdlife is often visible throughout the day. Bookings are recommended during peak summer periods, as the venue continues to attract strong numbers from both golfers and non-golfing visitors.

Kinloch Golf Club - An honest test

Kinloch Golf Club does not need reinvention. Its reputation rests firmly on what the course asks of those who step onto the first tee.

Summer brings some of the year’s most playable conditions, making it a popular stop for golfers travelling through Taupō or building a trip around the region’s marquee courses. There may be no headline changes on the scorecard, yet Kinloch’s strength lies in its consistency. It remains a course that tells the truth about your game, regardless of handicap.

Golfers often describe Kinloch as a benchmark round, the place where strengths are confirmed and weaknesses revealed. It is demanding without being unfair, and that challenge is precisely why it continues to draw players back.

Looking ahead, Kinloch will also play host to part of a new professional-amateur event in early autumn, sharing hosting duties with Wairākei. It offers golfers the chance to test the course ahead of the professionals, an opportunity many relish.

Taupō’s Big Three, right now

Taken together, Taupō’s Big Three golf courses tell the story of the region right now. Variety, challenge, innovation, and a deep sense of place sit side by side, each course offering something different while collectively shaping Taupō’s reputation as a true golf destination.

Whether you are planning a dedicated golf escape, passing through with clubs in the boot, or returning for another summer round, these courses remain the natural starting point. They are the ones golfers talk about first, book first, and remember long after the final putt drops.

Taupō has long been one of New Zealand’s original golf road trip destinations. This summer, the welcome is wide open, the courses are in great shape, and the fairways are ready when you are.

See you on the course.