| Time Of Year | | | | and also play along the edges of deep ravines. If |
| When you are planning a golf trip to New Zealand, | | | | you stray on your approaches, you'll actually hope |
| remember that the warmest months in the | | | | to get caught in bunkers hanging off the green's |
| region are December, January and February. The | | | | edge. Some of the bunkers are deeper than |
| coolest temperatures that will warrant heavier | | | | you've ever seen before. |
| clothing are in June, July and August. These | | | | Clearwater at Christchurch |
| seasons make New Zealand a great place for | | | | The championship par 72 course layout at |
| holiday getaways! Many of the golf clubs will want | | | | Clearwater is currently turning several heads in |
| to see your handicap certificate. Your certificate | | | | the golfing world, far outside of New Zealand. The |
| might not be needed, but it is wise to carry it. | | | | Clearwater course was by John Darby in |
| Two Top Courses to Visit... | | | | consultation with a New Zealand golfing legend, Sir |
| Cape Kidnappers at Hawke's Bay | | | | Bob Charles. Clearwater combines elements of |
| Kidnappers is a 'Golf Magazine Top 100' ranked | | | | links golf inspired by the great Scottish courses |
| course, and was voted to be the 27th best golf | | | | consisting of parkland golf very reminiscent of |
| course in the world in 2005. Renowned course | | | | Florida courses. Clearwater states this course |
| designer Tom Doak, President of Renaissance | | | | best... The course consists of 15 lakes that are |
| Golf Design Inc, designed Kidnappers using a | | | | fed by several natural springs and crystal clear |
| minimalist design philosophy to keep the natural | | | | streams, many of which teeming with trout. |
| surroundings on Hawke's Bay at the forefront of | | | | Water comes into major play on 14 holes and if |
| the golfing experience. | | | | the lakes don't catch miss hit golf balls then the |
| Cape Kidnappers isn't a true links course. It has | | | | several acres of surrounding plant life will. |
| ridges that tilt the land towards the sea, jutting | | | | Clearwater is a true challenge and has been |
| out on the edge of the cliffs. Pretty fierce at first | | | | awarded the highest rating of any course in the |
| glance. Yet, the play is seaside golf at its finest. | | | | country by the New Zealand Golf Association. It |
| The surface is fast and firm, the conditions can | | | | ranks as the toughest course in New Zealand at |
| be windy as you are seaside, and the player who | | | | 76.8 off the black or championship tees. There |
| can best control their trajectory will be the | | | | are also four other tee positions to suit players of |
| master of the course. You will have the | | | | all abilities, so this is a great golf tour selection for |
| opportunity to hit shots over the tops of trees, | | | | all walks of players. |