One of the great things about living in the Bay of Plenty is the number of quality golf courses around Tauranga and the surrounding region.
Within a relatively short drive you can experience everything from classic parkland layouts to coastal links-style golf.
Over the years I’ve been fortunate to play a lot of golf around the Bay of Plenty through club events, Pro-Ams and social rounds with friends. These are a few courses around Tauranga and the wider region that I particularly enjoy playing.
Mount Maunganui Golf Club
Mount Maunganui Golf Club is one of the most popular golf courses in the Tauranga area and offers a very enjoyable round.
The course has a beautiful parkland feel and is very walkable, with minimal slopes across the layout. That makes it comfortable for golfers of all ages to play on foot.
One of the standout recent additions is the large new putting green, which has become a major attraction at the club.
The course is also located just a short drive from Golf 360, making it easy to combine a round of golf with a visit to the driving range or shop.
Learn more about Mount Maunganui Golf Club here.
Omanu Golf Club
Omanu Golf Club is actually the closest golf course to Golf 360, making it a very convenient option for local golfers.
The course has a slightly more open feel and can sometimes resemble a links-style layout, particularly when the wind picks up.
The breeze often becomes part of the challenge at Omanu, and controlling your ball flight can make a big difference to scoring well.
It’s also relatively forgiving off the tee. You can spray the driver around a little without losing too many balls, provided you avoid the drainage channels running through parts of the course.
Learn more about Omanu Golf Club here.
Tauranga Golf Club
Tauranga Golf Club offers a really interesting layout and presents a fun challenge for golfers.
It’s not the longest golf course in the region, which means you’ll often be hitting short irons into greens.
The course features several risk-and-reward par fives, which encourage players to think strategically about how aggressive they want to be.
One of the standout holes is The Knoll, widely regarded as the signature hole at Tauranga Golf Club.
There are also plenty of dogleg holes, which make positioning off the tee an important part of scoring well.
Learn more about Tauranga Golf Club here.
Te Puke Golf Club
Te Puke Golf Club is one of my personal favourites in the Bay of Plenty.
One of the best parts of Te Puke is simply the great atmosphere around the club. It has a relaxed and welcoming vibe that makes it a very enjoyable place to play.
A standout feature is the outdoor bar area that wraps around near the 18th green. It’s a fantastic place to sit after your round, watch golfers finishing, and enjoy the club environment.
The course itself is enjoyable and provides a good challenge without being overly punishing.
Learn more about Te Puke Golf Club here.
Ōhope Beach Golf Links
Ōhope Beach Golf Links is one of the real gems of the Bay of Plenty.
The course has a genuine coastal links feel, and when the wind picks up it can become a serious test of golf.
Ball flight control becomes extremely important here, and the conditions can dramatically change how the course plays.
On a calm day it’s a spectacular place to play, but when the wind gets up you quickly realise how important trajectory control and course management become.
Learn more about Ohope Beach Golf Links here.
Golf in the Bay of Plenty
Golfers visiting Tauranga or living in the Bay of Plenty are fortunate to have access to such a wide variety of courses within a short distance.
Whether you enjoy parkland-style golf, open layouts, or coastal links courses, the region offers something for everyone.
Happy golfing
Scott Pickett
PGA Professional
Founder - Golf 360
Mount Maunganui
