Ohope Golf Club

Ohope Links offers visiting golfers a distinctive coastal golfing experience defined by natural beauty, thoughtful design and engaging shot-making. Located beside the ocean in the Bay of Plenty, the course draws much of its strength from its seaside setting, where coastal dunes, native vegetation and open skies combine to create a layout that feels both relaxed and strategically demanding.

One of the course’s greatest strengths is how well it integrates with the coastal landscape. Built across sandy terrain, Ohope plays firm and fast underfoot, encouraging the ball to run and rewarding golfers who use the ground creatively. Fairways are shaped by natural contours rather than heavy earthworks, meaning uneven lies and subtle slopes are part of the challenge. For international golfers familiar with parkland layouts, this provides a refreshing change and a more traditional, links-inspired style of play.

Wind is a defining feature at Ohope and a key part of its character. Rarely the same from one round to the next, it influences club selection, shot shape and overall strategy. Golfers must think carefully about trajectory and placement, particularly on exposed holes closer to the coastline. This variability ensures the course remains engaging and unpredictable, even for repeat visitors.

The greens at Ohope Links are well-designed and true, with gentle contours that reward accurate approach shots. While not overly severe, they demand attention and precision, particularly when approaching from the wrong angle. Surrounding areas are closely mown, encouraging imaginative recovery shots and reinforcing the course’s emphasis on touch and creativity rather than brute strength.

Bunkering is used selectively and purposefully. Rather than dominating the visual landscape, bunkers are positioned to protect key landing areas and greens, shaping decision-making from both the tee and the fairway. Combined with natural dune features and coastal vegetation, these hazards frame holes attractively while maintaining the course’s understated, natural feel.

The routing at Ohope flows comfortably through the property, offering a balanced mix of holes and directions that keep the round fresh. Par threes are particularly memorable, often exposed to the elements and demanding precise distance control. Throughout the course, ocean views and the sound of surf enhance the sensory experience without overwhelming the golf itself.

For visiting golfers, Ohope Links delivers a memorable coastal round that highlights the strengths of natural terrain, wind-influenced strategy and relaxed New Zealand golf. It is a course where environment and design work together, creating a uniquely satisfying and authentic seaside golfing experience.

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