Tara Iti

The Tara iti Golf Club has quickly become world famous and is New Zealand’s number one place to play golf!  It is one of the best places anywhere in the world to tee it up and it will impress you.  Located along the pristine coastline of Te Arai, it is a 90-minute drive north of Auckland, by the town of Mangawhai.  The course was designed by the renowned golf architect Tom Doak. Tara iti opened in 2015 and quickly established a reputation as a masterpiece of modern links design.

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Tara iti is an exclusive, members-only golf club. Designed by Tom Doak, this masterpiece offers one of the world’s best golfing experiences.

Currently ranked #19 in the world on the GOLF magazine Top 100 Courses in the World, and #7 in the world, outside the US by Golf Digest, the rugged, seaside links layout is nestled between towering sand dunes and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf.

What sets Tara iti apart is its raw, stripped-back aesthetic and deep connection to the land. Built in a former pine forest converted back to native dunes and coastline, the course uses fine fescue fairways, expansive sandy waste areas (rather than traditional bunkers), and dramatic natural contours to craft a challenging yet fair test.  With breathtaking views of the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and nearby islands, the course can often be testing with the ocean breezes.  Even a mild breeze can drastically alter club selection.

There are many standout holes, with the short par-4, 7^thhole being a great risk-reward hole. Often reached by a good drive but because of the tightness off the tee and a small tabletop green, making a three here is challenging and walking off with a par feels satisfying.  Standing on the 14^th tee looking down the hill, this long par-4 has everything out in front of you; you can also lookout across the back nine holes towards the clubhouse and out across the ocean.  The18^th hole is a great par-5 finishing hole, where the approach to the green offers high risk-reward.  Yes, the green is quite challenging!

In typical Tom Doak designs, the playing experience demands creativity.  The ground game is heavily prized, bump and run shots can be effective playing into the greens.  The design encourages strategic decisions from tee to green.  This is where the skill of your caddy is a true asset as they guide you around the course, especially when it comes to your approach shots and reading the greens.  

The clubhouse, as is fitting for a top course, has one of the best views in golf and the ambience is perfect. Tara iti is not just a great golf course, it is the perfect golfing experience!

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Tara iti no longer accepts outside play. However, the sister property located 1km down the beach, Te Arai (North & South courses) features two Top 100 in the World Golf Courses, luxury accommodation, unique dining experiences and a variety of activities, including Spa and Fitness Facilities.

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