Imagine teeing off where golf legends have walked, with the salt air of the Kapiti Coast in your lungs and pure links terrain underfoot — welcome to Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club. Known as the spiritual home of New Zealand golf, this course isn’t just a local favourite — it’s an international icon.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or a passionate fan of the game, Paraparaumu offers a golfing experience that’s raw, authentic, and unforgettable.
A Legacy That Stands the Test of Time
Designed in 1949 by Alex Russell, the mastermind behind Australia’s world-renowned Royal Melbourne, Paraparaumu Beach is a pure links course inspired by the greats of Britain and Ireland. The course carves through dramatic coastal dunes, offering a layout that demands strategy, precision, and creativity on every hole.
Over the decades, the course has hosted 12 New Zealand Opens, welcoming legends like Gary Player, Peter Thomson, Corey Pavin, Michael Campbell, and even Tiger Woods in 2002, when he was ranked the world’s No.1 golfer.
Ranked Among the Best in the World
Paraparaumu Beach isn’t just a Kiwi favorite — it’s consistently ranked among the world’s top courses:
- 65 – Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses
- 7 – Golf Digest’s Top 40 NZ Courses
- 84 – Planet Golf World Top 100
- 94 – Top100GolfCourses.com
Even famed golf course architect Tom Doak placed it on his “Gourmet’s Choice” list — a collection of courses that, in his words, “stir the soul.”
Endorsed by Golfing Legends
The praise for Paraparaumu runs deep. Here’s what some of golf’s most respected voices have said:
“I loved it instantly. We had nothing like it in Australia.”
— Peter Thomson, five-time Open Champion and nine-time NZ Open Champion
“Difficult holes are not necessarily good holes, but the 13th is a perfect example of a great hole”
— World Atlas of Golf
“This is a great course. A great, great course.”
— Gary Player, Major Champion
“Paraparaumu is my favourite course in New Zealand — it’s got the blood of golf soaking in its sprinkler system.”
— Erik Anders Lang, Adventures in Golf
Play a Round Where Legends Have Walked
Planning a visit? Here’s what to expect:
- Green Fees & Services (Per Person)
- Green Fees: $195 NZD
- Golf Cart: $50
- Caddy: $120
- Rental Clubs: $40
- Golf Trundler: $5
Tee Options (Tailored to Your Skill Level)
- Black Tees – 6038m (Slope: 126)
- Red Tees – 5895m (Slope: 123)
- Blue Tees – 5465m (Slope: 118)
- White Tees – 5178m (Slope: 124)
- Green Tees – 4718m (Slope: 109)
The club recommends tee blocks based on your individual ability, ensuring an enjoyable experience for every player.
Book Your Tee Time
Whether you’re chasing a bucket list experience or simply craving a round on one of the world’s finest links courses, Paraparaumu Beach offers golf in its purest form. Come for the history, stay for the challenge — and walk away with memories that will last long after your final putt drops.
Credit: Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club
