Muriwai Golf Club
On the wild west coast of Auckland, Muriwai is the city's one true links: black sand underfoot, the Tasman Sea over the dunes, and a maritime wind that turns a par 73 of about 6,200 metres into a different course every day.
Photo: Muriwai Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Most New Zealand golf is parkland, which is exactly why Muriwai stands out. It is a genuine links, laid on the black sand of the west coast where the land meets the Tasman, and it offers a kind of golf you simply do not find elsewhere around Auckland. The club was formed in 1956 and the course, first designed by Harold Babbage, opened in 1960, then was reworked by John Bourke and Alex Glasgow between 1996 and 2003 into the links played today.
It is regularly rated among the best courses in the country, and it earns that standing not through length but through the relentless test of the wind. The ball runs on the firm sand based turf, the maritime weather can change in an hour, and a calm morning round can become a survival exercise by afternoon. For a traveling golfer it is the most distinctive round in the region and a perfect counterpoint to the city's parkland courses.
Muriwai at a glance
- Club formed
- 1956
- Opened
- 1960
- Type
- Black sand links
- Par
- 73
- Yardage
- About 6,200 m
- Access
- Visitors welcome
History, par and length verified June 2026 from the club and leading databases. Muriwai formed in 1956 and opened in 1960 to a Harold Babbage design, renovated by John Bourke and Alex Glasgow from 1996 to 2003; it plays as a championship links of about 6,200 metres to a par of 73. Tee markers and fees vary, so always confirm current access and any fees directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Muriwai plays the way links golf should. The turf is firm and the ball releases, so the run of the ground is part of every shot and the bump and run is often the smart play into a breeze. The dunes give the holes their shape and their shelter, framing fairways that ask you to favor one side and punishing the loose drive with thick coastal rough.
The wind is the architect that never rests. A hole that is a flick of a wedge in the morning can need a long iron by lunch, and learning to flight the ball low and trust the bounce is the difference between a good card and a wreck. The greens are true and the bunkering is honest, but it is the constant negotiation with the weather that makes the round so absorbing.
Add the raw beauty of the setting, the black sand, the dunes, the surf and the seabirds of the regional park, and Muriwai delivers an experience that lingers. It is the round most visitors remember longest from an Auckland trip, and the one they most want to play again.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Visiting golfers welcome; the course sits within Muriwai Beach Regional Park |
| Green fee | Visitor green fees apply; good value for a links of this quality (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Reserve a tee time in advance, especially over summer and at weekends |
| On the day | Walking and carts both available; clubhouse and pro shop; smart golf dress |
| Getting there | Muriwai Beach on the west coast, roughly 45 minutes from central Auckland |
| Best months | November to April for the warmest weather, though wind is part of the year round appeal |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from Muriwai Golf Club where published; rates change, so always confirm current access and any fees directly before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
Most visitors base themselves in central Auckland, around 45 minutes east, with the full range of city hotels and dining, then make the run out to the coast for the round. The Muriwai and nearby coastal areas also have relaxed places to stay, along with the wineries of the west and the famous gannet colony on the headland.
From an Auckland base Muriwai is the wild card in a city itinerary. Pair the links with the MacKenzie design at Titirangi, the accessible parkland of Remuera and the resort golf at Formosa for a varied week.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Auckland.
Build a New Zealand golf trip
We build Muriwai into an Auckland itinerary, pairing the links with the city's best courses and arranging the lodging, dining and transfers around your group. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Muriwai questions
Is Muriwai a true links course?
Yes. Muriwai is one of the few genuine links courses in this part of New Zealand, built on black sand beside the rugged west coast of Auckland, with a maritime climate and variable winds that make it a real test in all weather.
When did Muriwai Golf Club open?
The club was formed in 1956 and the course, originally designed by Harold Babbage, opened for play in 1960. The links was renovated by John Bourke and Alex Glasgow between 1996 and 2003.
What is the par and length of Muriwai?
Muriwai is a championship links of about 6,200 metres, played to a par of 73 off the back tees, defended above all by the wind off the Tasman Sea.
Can visitors play Muriwai Golf Club?
Yes. Muriwai welcomes visiting golfers; the land is part of Muriwai Beach Regional Park. Book a tee time in advance, and always confirm current access and any fees directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. History, par and length verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.