Waverley Golf Club

Waverley Golf Club is one of those hidden gems that feels special the moment you pull in. It will be the best “cheap” golf course you will ever play!  Located just north of Waverley tucked behind the racecourse.  You will enjoy the environment and the conditions as you play around this working farm layout!  Yes, sheep are the fairway mowers (about 400 of them) and keep the golf course in trim shape.  

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Designed in 1965 by New Zealand legendary golf professional Ernie Southerden, who clearly understood links‐type land, the routing works beautifully with what nature has provided. There are plenty of dunes, rises, falls, and blind shots. It’s not about length or power—it’s about imagination, line, and adapting to the land.  

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The course is 18 holes (par 72), measuring about 5,537metres from the back tees. Not super long by modern championship standards, but more than enough when the ground moves under your feet and every shot counts.

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Renown golf course architect Tom Doak has raved about the golf course ever since he first played it nearly 20-years ago.  He raved about how the course fitted the land and challenge of some of the holes summing it up ”the terrain for golf is superb and holes like the par 5 opener running along the edge of high ground, the short par 4 12th with its tiny green in a valley, the wild back to back par5s at 14 and 15 and the short 16th over a dip to a green tucked in between sharp dunes, are among the best golf to be found in New Zealand”.

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In conclusion, if you’re after a true “Kiwi” golf experience then Waverley offers exactly that. Perfect for those who enjoy walking a course, playing with the breeze coming from different directions, manufacturing a golf shot to fit the situation and don’t be perturbed if you don’t get the right bounce.  This is rustic golf and yes, it is fun!   If you are travelling through the area then definitely make time to play the course and even better enjoy a beer with the locals!  

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