about
With so many fabulous golf courses,
When you're spoilt for courses,
"As a PGA Golf Professional, based at a recognised club course that had hosted leading New Zealand golf events, I saw the course was not being noticed by international visitors who then produced golf rankings for New Zealand’s leading courses.
Talking with other club professionals around the country, I was hearing similar frustrations!
That was how the New Zealand Golf Rankings was born."
NZPGA Golf Professional & Rankings Coordinator NZ Golf Rankings
Our History
Our mission is to showcase and celebrate the nation's finest golf courses, inviting both local players and international visitors to embark on unforgettable golfing adventures.
Through our ranking system based on seven key criteria, we curate a Top 40 list every two years, guiding players to discover the hidden gems and iconic destinations that define our diverse golfing culture and scenic mountain landscapes.
In 2012, the first rankings were compiled and quickly showed that many golf courses that had never been highlighted were well-worth playing. They were just not located in the major tourist regions. These rankings are not just about the ‘Top 10’ golf courses, it’s about recognising the golf courses that are ranked 20th, 25th or 33rd.
Since its inception in 2012, rankings have since been carried out every two years and showcased through the major NZ Golf publications and international golf publications. This website is about sharing the results with local and international golfers who love playing the game and who appreciate playing the best golf courses and some of the wonderful club courses!
We believe that golf is more than just a sport—it's a journey of exploration and companionship, where every tee-off marks a new chapter in an unforgettable adventure. Join us in the pursuit of memorable golfing experiences, as we navigate the fairways to uncover treasures and hidden gems across New Zealand.
With so many Great golf courses,
1
The foundation of the NZ Golf Rankings is simple – we play golf. Our experienced ranking panel travels extensively throughout New Zealand, experiencing and evaluating the country's finest golf courses firsthand.
The panel comprises PGA professionals, leading amateur golfers, course superintendents, golf industry experts, and knowledgeable club golfers from around New Zealand. Their combined experience provides a balanced and informed assessment of each course, drawing on thousands of rounds played both nationally and internationally.
2
Our ranking methodology evaluates courses across seven key categories that define the quality of a golf course and the experience it delivers. These categories are Risk/Reward, Playability, Layout, Design, Scenic Value, Conditioning, and Ambience.
Rankers award up to five points in each category, allowing for a maximum score of 35 points. This structured approach ensures every course is assessed consistently across both architectural merit and overall playing experience.
3
After each ranker has submitted their course assessments, the points awarded are aggregated and averaged to produce a ranking score for every course. These scores are then used to compile the NZ Golf Rankings Top 40, showcasing the finest golf courses in the country.
However, the rankings should not be viewed as the definitive measure of golfing enjoyment. New Zealand boasts a remarkable depth of quality courses, and many that do not feature in the Top 40 still offer exceptional golf, stunning scenery, and experiences that are highly recommended for visiting and local golfers alike.
We bring together the best list of the ‘Top 40’ golf courses in New Zealand.
The NZ Rankers rank the best golf courses in New Zealand using seven criteria based on key elements similar to what leading global golf publications use. This can give golfers confidence in the quality of the process!
NZ Golf Rankings are determined by a knowledgeable panel of experienced golfers who have played extensively throughout New Zealand and at many of the world's leading golf destinations. Their broad perspective ensures rankings that are informed, credible, and reflective of the highest standards in course assessment.
Evaluating a golf course is about more than simply playing a round. It requires an appreciation of course design, architecture, agronomy, conditioning, and the overall experience delivered to golfers.
Our seven criteria provide a balanced framework for assessment, allowing each course to be reviewed using a comprehensive 360-degree approach. Every category is weighted equally, ensuring no single aspect dominates the final score. This proven methodology identifies courses that deliver excellence across all areas, allowing the country's finest golf courses to emerge at the top of the rankings.
How well do the holes pose a variety of risks and rewards and equally test length, accuracy and finesse? Is this a golf course that makes you think? Will this golf course test all the clubs in your bag?
How were the tees, fairways and greens on the day you played the course? Were the tee boxes and fairways in good shape? Was there fairway definition? Was the rough tidy and were the bunkers cared for? Were the greens receptive and did they roll smoothly? Did you enjoy playing the course?
How varied are the holes in differing lengths, configurations and hole shapes, hazard placements, green shapes and green contours? Does the course test the best players yet still challenge the middle handicappers?
How well does the overall feel and atmosphere of the course reflect or uphold the traditional values of the game? Did you have a great experience and would you hurry back to play again?
How difficult, while still being fair, is the course for a scratch player from the regular back tees? Will a mid- or high-handicap golfer be able to play the course without feeling “beat up”?
How well do the scenic values of the course add to the pleasure of a round? Is there a harmonious blend of natural and artificial elements, focusing on visual appeal and playability? Do you have some “Wow” moments when you stand on a tee or the surrounds which leave you in “awe”?
How well do the design features provide individuality for each hole and still combine to be cohesive over the entire 18-holes? Does the golf course flow and work well/blend with the surrounding landscape? Was it memorable for you and can you remember the holes/course a week or months later?
Our NZ Golf Rankers
Our rankers are spread out across New Zealand and know the top golf courses but also what makes some of our club and country courses so special.
Led by Andrew Whiley, the seasoned coordinator of these rankings, our diverse panel of golf experts aim to capture and assess the essence of each course.
From the thrill of risk/reward challenges, to the beauty of the famous New Zealand countryside.
Through the evolution of the rankings, we learnt the importance of having rankers located around the country. Rankers needed to have strong golf knowledge with experience playing golf courses locally and internationally. Over half of the rankers have played representative or professional golf. They all understand what makes a golf course special.
More importantly, rankers were not able to rank golf courses that they had worked at or were members at. This takes away the emotional engagement the ranker may have had with a golf course.
Phil Aicken
NZ Golf Ranker
Phil Aicken
NZ Golf Ranker
Leo Barber
NZ Golf Ranker
Leo Barber
NZ Golf Ranker
Barry Brown
NZ Golf Ranker
Barry Brown
NZ Golf Ranker
Hamish Campbell
NZ Golf Ranker
Hamish Campbell
NZ Golf Ranker
Blair Dibley
NZ Golf Ranker
Blair Dibley
NZ Golf Ranker
Michael Glading
NZ Golf Ranker
Michael Glading
NZ Golf Ranker
Simon Forshaw
NZ Golf Ranker
Simon Forshaw
NZ Golf Ranker
Denise Langdon
NZ Golf Ranker
Denise Langdon
NZ Golf Ranker
Tony Houpt
NZ Golf Ranker
Tony Houpt
NZ Golf Ranker
Willie Moore
NZ Golf Ranker
Willie Moore
NZ Golf Ranker
Alan Rose
NZ Golf Ranker
Alan Rose
NZ Golf Ranker
Grant Moorhead
NZ Golf Ranker
Grant Moorhead
NZ Golf Ranker
Benn Ashford
NZ Golf Ranker
Benn Ashford
NZ Golf Ranker
Phil Ellison
NZ Golf Ranker
Phil Ellison
NZ Golf Ranker
Tolan Henderson
NZ Golf Ranker
Tolan Henderson
NZ Golf Ranker
Jamie McIsaac
NZ Golf Ranker
Jamie McIsaac
NZ Golf Ranker
Nigel Merrett
NZ Golf Ranker
Nigel Merrett
NZ Golf Ranker
Patrick Moore
NZ Golf Ranker
Patrick Moore
NZ Golf Ranker
Kieran Muir
NZ Golf Ranker
Kieran Muir
NZ Golf Ranker
Hamish Robertson
NZ Golf Ranker
Hamish Robertson
NZ Golf Ranker
Harry Bateman
NZ Golf Ranker
Harry Bateman
NZ Golf Ranker
Sam Vincent
NZ Golf Ranker
Sam Vincent
NZ Golf Ranker
Duncan Croudis
NZ Golf Ranker
Duncan Croudis
NZ Golf Ranker
MacKenzie Gibson
NZ Golf Ranker
MacKenzie Gibson
NZ Golf Ranker
John Rowland
NZ Golf Ranker
John Rowland
NZ Golf Ranker
Having such a variety of rankers also minimises the player bias where a golfer may have had a nice round, so they rank the golf course positively to reflect how well they had played.
It also allowed the rankers to evaluate a golf course a week after coring the greens, as this could reflect on the conditioning but not the other criteria.
Explore the best golf courses in New Zealand
Ready For Your Next Golf Road Trip?
New Zealand Golf Rankings also wants to acknowledge the great work that golf clubs across the country do to present their golf courses in outstanding condition.
For many, it is a ‘labour of love’ and even though a course may not be in the ‘Top 10’, you will know why it is worth playing and what makes it so enjoyable.
Please use these rankings to get out and play as many of New Zealand’s great golf courses as you can. It will be worth your while!
