Te Arai Links South
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw routed the South Course at Te Arai on a stretch of wild dune north of Auckland, opening it in 2022 as the first eighteen at one of the most talked about new links in the world. A par 72 of about 6,843 yards, it runs sixteen holes with ocean views and eight hard against the Pacific.
Photo: Te Arai Links via Google.
The verdict
Coore and Crenshaw came to Te Arai, on the Mangawhai coast about ninety minutes north of Auckland, and found one of the great modern links sites: tumbling dune, native fescue and a long run of Pacific shoreline. The South Course opened in 2022 as the property's first eighteen, and it announced New Zealand as a serious destination for the travelling golfer. Tom Doak's North Course followed in 2023, giving Te Arai two world ranked links side by side.
The design is classic Coore and Crenshaw, wide off the tee, firm underfoot and full of options, with greens that gather and repel in equal measure. Sixteen holes have ocean views and eight play right along the sea, the closing stretch among the most photographed in the southern hemisphere. It is minimalist architecture at its best, the kind of course that rewards a second and third visit.
Te Arai Links South at a glance
- Opened
- 2022
- Designer
- Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw
- Type
- Links
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,843 yds
- Green fee
- NZ$650
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Te Arai Links and leading course databases. The South Course was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and opened in 2022, a par 72 of about 6,843 yards. International visitor green fees were around NZ$650 for eighteen holes in the 2025 high season from November to April, with lower rates in the shoulder season (indicative, 2025). Always confirm current rates and tee time availability directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Te Arai South plays firm and fast across rolling dune, the fairways generous but the angles everything. Coore and Crenshaw give the player room from the tee, then ask precise questions on the approach, where the greens fall away to collection areas and run hard toward the sea.
The ocean holes are the heart of it, eight that play right along the Pacific with the wind off the water shaping every shot. The short holes are superb, varied in length and exposure, and the par 5s tempt the bold to take on the corners. It is strategic golf in the truest sense, where position trumps power.
The closing stretch runs back along the coast with the sea filling the view, a finish that has quickly become one of the most admired in the game. Te Arai South rewards the golfer who plays the ground game and reads the wind, and it leaves most visitors planning a return before they have left the property.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort and public play; book in advance, with priority for members and lodge guests |
| Green fee | International visitors around NZ$650 for eighteen in high season November to April; lower in the shoulder season (indicative, 2025) |
| Booking | Reserve tee times well ahead through Te Arai Links; stay and play packages with on site lodging are available |
| On the day | Walking links with caddies and trundlers available; firm coastal turf, exposed to the wind |
| Getting there | Te Arai on the Mangawhai coast, about ninety minutes north of Auckland Airport |
| Best months | November to April for the warm, settled New Zealand summer, though links golf plays year round |
Access and fees verified June 2026; rates and availability change by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers stay on the property, where Te Arai Links offers lodging steps from the first tee and the second course, the simplest way to play both the South and North layouts over a few days. The Mangawhai and Te Arai coast is quiet and scenic, a world away from the city.
For a wider trip, Auckland sits ninety minutes south with international connections, hotels and dining, and the wineries of Matakana lie close by. Te Arai pairs naturally with Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers for a North Island links and clifftop tour.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Te Arai Links South.
Build a New Zealand golf trip
We secure Te Arai tee times where access allows, pair them with the best of New Zealand and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Te Arai Links South questions
Who designed Te Arai Links South and when did it open?
The South Course at Te Arai Links was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and opened in 2022. Tom Doak's North Course followed in 2023, giving the property two championship links.
What is the par and length of Te Arai Links South?
Te Arai South is a par 72 of about 6,843 yards, with sixteen holes offering ocean views and eight playing along the Pacific.
How much is a round at Te Arai Links South?
International visitor green fees were around NZ$650 for eighteen holes in the 2025 high season from November to April, with lower shoulder season rates. Always confirm current pricing directly before booking.
Can visitors play Te Arai Links South?
Yes. Te Arai Links offers resort and public play, with priority for members and lodge guests. Book tee times well in advance, ideally with on site lodging.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.