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 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, which 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.
It’s also just a short drive from Golf 360, so it’s easy to combine a round with a visit to the range or the shop. You can find more on the Mount Maunganui Golf Club website.
Omanu Golf Club
Omanu Golf Club is 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 resemble a links-style layout, particularly when the wind picks up. The breeze often becomes part of the challenge, and controlling your ball flight makes a real 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.
More information is on the Omanu Golf Club website.
Tauranga Golf Club
Tauranga Golf Club offers a really interesting layout and presents a fun challenge.
It’s not the longest course in the region, which means you’ll often be hitting short irons into greens. There are several risk-and-reward par fives that encourage you to think about how aggressive you want to be.
One of the standout holes is The Knoll, widely regarded as the signature hole at the club. There are also plenty of dogleg holes, which make positioning off the tee an important part of scoring well.
You can read more on the Tauranga Golf Club website.
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 feel 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 provides a good challenge without being overly punishing.
More details are on the Te Puke Golf Club website.
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 becomes a serious test of golf. Ball flight control matters enormously 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.
You can find more on the Ōhope Beach Golf Links website.
Golf in the Bay of Plenty
Golfers visiting Tauranga or living in the Bay of Plenty are fortunate to have access to such a variety of courses within a short distance. Whether you enjoy parkland golf, open layouts, or coastal links, the region offers something for everyone.
Before your round you can warm up at our driving range, sharpen things up with a coaching session, or see everything on offer at our facilities.
If you are prepared to travel a bit further, Te Arai South is well worth the trip, and if you are just getting into the game there is a beginner’s guide to golf in Tauranga.
FAQs
What is the best golf course in Tauranga?
It depends what you enjoy. Mount Maunganui Golf Club is a superb walkable parkland course, while Omanu offers a more open, links-influenced test when the wind is up.
Are there links golf courses in the Bay of Plenty?
Ōhope Beach Golf Links is the standout coastal links course in the region, and Omanu can play with a links feel in the wind.
Which Tauranga golf course is best for beginners?
Shorter, more relaxed courses such as Renner Park and Summerhill suit beginners well, with Omanu a good next step as confidence grows.
Happy golfing,
Scott Pickett
PGA Professional
Founder – Golf 360
Mount Maunganui
