Arrowtown Golf Club
Arrowtown is one of the most characterful club courses in New Zealand, a par 70 of about 5,500 yards set in a tight mountain valley a few minutes from the gold rush village of Arrowtown and 20 minutes from Queenstown. Built from 1936 and extended to 18 holes by 1971, it has no sand bunkers at all, relying instead on schist rock outcrops, dramatic undulations and a river to defend its turf.
Photo: Marlene McClelland via Google.
The verdict
Arrowtown will not show up on many world top 100 lists, and that is rather the point. This is a par 70 of about 5,500 yards laid out in a steep, schist strewn valley near the old gold mining village, and it delivers more fun per hole than courses ten times its budget. The original nine opened in 1936 to a design by Reg Romans and B.V. Wright, with the second nine following by 1971.
What makes it memorable is what it leaves out. There is not a single sand bunker on the property. Instead the defence comes from rock outcrops, fierce undulation, narrow valley fairways and a river that wanders into play, all framed by the mountains around Queenstown. It is affordable, welcoming to visitors and a perfect counterpoint to the big resort courses nearby, the sort of round that reminds you why you started playing.
Arrowtown Golf Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1936
- Designer
- Reg Romans, B.V. Wright
- Type
- Mountain valley
- Par
- 70
- Yardage
- About 5,500 yds
- Green fee
- Indicative
Opening year, designers, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club and Top 100 Golf Courses. The original nine at Arrowtown opened in 1936 to a design by Reg Romans and B.V. Wright, and the course reached 18 holes by 1971, a par 70 of about 5,500 yards with no sand bunkers. Visitor green fees are modest by international standards for the 2026 season; always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Arrowtown is short on the card but long on character, and the valley floor is rarely flat. The fairways tumble between schist outcrops and over abrupt rises, so blind shots and awkward stances are part of the deal, and a confident, well shaped iron game counts for far more than raw distance here.
The absence of bunkers does nothing to soften the test. Rock, slope, gorse and the river do the work instead, and the greens sit in folds of the land that turn a loose approach into a real scramble. Several holes climb and fall sharply, opening up views across the Wakatipu basin to the mountains, and the par 3s in particular ask for precise distance control on uneven ground.
It is eminently walkable and quick to play, the kind of course where a four ball can get round in good time and still feel they have had an adventure. Keep the ball in the short stuff, accept the odd quirky bounce in good humour, and Arrowtown rewards you with some of the most enjoyable golf in the Queenstown region.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members club that warmly welcomes visiting golfers; book a tee time ahead, particularly in the summer season |
| Green fee | Modest by international standards for the 2026 season; affiliated and overseas visitor rates differ; confirm directly |
| Booking | Contact the club to reserve, especially December to February when the Queenstown region is busiest |
| On the day | Walking is easy and the norm; carts may be limited, so check ahead if you need one |
| Getting there | Arrowtown, about 5 minutes from the village and roughly 20 minutes from Queenstown and its airport |
| Best months | October to April for the warmer Otago season; autumn brings spectacular colour to the valley |
Access and indicative fees verified June 2026 from the club and third party New Zealand golf sources; club rates and visitor policies change by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is Arrowtown itself, a beautifully preserved gold rush village with excellent restaurants, boutique lodging and the course on its doorstep, ideal for a relaxed golf and walking stay away from the bustle of the resort strip.
For more choice and the resort courses nearby, Queenstown is about 20 minutes away and makes a lively base with lodging for every budget. It is a superb region to build a multi course South Island itinerary around, pairing the quirky charm of Arrowtown with the polish of Millbrook, Jack’s Point and The Hills.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Arrowtown Golf Club.
Build a Queenstown golf trip
We book the Arrowtown tee times, pair them with Millbrook, Jack’s Point and The Hills, and arrange the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Arrowtown Golf Club questions
Who designed Arrowtown Golf Club and when did it open?
The original nine holes opened in 1936 to a design by Reg Romans and B.V. Wright, and the course was extended to a full 18 holes by 1971.
What is the par and length of Arrowtown?
Arrowtown is a par 70 of about 5,500 yards, a short but characterful mountain valley course with no sand bunkers anywhere on the property.
Why does Arrowtown have no bunkers?
The course defends itself with natural features instead of sand, using schist rock outcrops, sharp undulations, gorse and a meandering river to challenge golfers across the valley floor.
Can visitors play Arrowtown?
Yes. It is a members club that warmly welcomes visiting golfers, with modest green fees by international standards. Book ahead, especially in the busy December to February summer season.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designers, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.