Why this remote golf course is worth being dragged 7,000 miles to get there

There is a certain madness that prompts someone to book a 7,700 kilometer trip to New Zealand’s north coast, all for a few rounds of golf.

Or…is there?

The journey from the US to New Zealand is long, but surprisingly easy. One afternoon in early November, my husband and I flew from Nashville, had a quick layover in Los Angeles, and 13 hours later, landed in Auckland. Even after that long time in the air, we felt energized as we began the last leg of our journey – a 90-minute drive from Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, to Te Arai, the country’s most spectacular golf course.

This was our return trip. We had visited six years earlier to play Tara Iti, a private lesson that started with No. it has increased to 20. We stayed there for two nights, then spent the next two weeks driving from the North Island down to Queenstown, the southernmost peninsula of the South Island. We went and teleported it from the stop to the stop. After traveling all the way from New York City, we wanted to expand our experience.

After six years and two kids, we decided we could be away from Nashville for about a week during this second visit and that we wanted the trip to really feel like a vacation – that means less driving, rooming and stuffing. our days with amazing golf and the restorative power of nature. Tara Iti was the star of our first trip, and since its resort-style counterpart, Te Arai, had just opened up the road, it felt like the obvious choice for a popular experience.

There’s no getting around it: 7,700 miles is a powerful draw for a week-long getaway. But as we stood on the par 4 of Te Arai’s South Course, staring out at the plunging hole in the Pacific Ocean, any lack of sleep or travel fatigue melted away. This wasn’t just a round of golf; it was an escape to the raw beauty of nature and an opportunity to engage in golf in the most spectacular way.

I have endured a very difficult journey for very little gain.

Te Arai sits just south of Tara Iti and is the brainchild of Tara Iti’s developer and managing director – Ric Kayne and Jim Rohrstaff, respectively. As such, the buildings share many similar qualities, both offering a unique combination of natural beauty, architectural beauty and a relaxed yet luxurious atmosphere. One major difference between them: Tara Iti is private and Te Arai is a 36-hole, half-membership resort. Te Arai’s North and South courses alternate between public and private on a daily basis to ensure that both courses retain a special feel while still allowing for public play.

Despite sharing a patch of land, Te Arai’s courses are very different. The South Course, a 6,843-yard Coore/Crenshaw design that opened in 2022, draws in its visual beauty — 14 of its 18 holes are set against the Pacific. It is not only a feast for the eyes, but also a golfer’s dream in terms of movement and flow.

The course is challenging but fair, focusing on shots and creativity, all while the golfers look at them in one amazing way after another. The design balances beauty and playability, allowing golfers to immerse themselves in the landscape while strategizing how to navigate its clever features.

The North Course, a Tom Doak design that opened in October 2023, is a tough test. The 6,931-yard par-71 course starts in the Pacific and heads inland, winding through a large basin before returning to the ocean. While only seven holes sit directly on the Pacific (the South Course is spoiled us!), the course is a masterpiece of strategy. With fairways that curve in subtle and dramatic ways, golfers are constantly challenged to think about angles and approach shots. Green buildings are some of the boldest things I’ve come across, requiring a thoughtful approach. North also has a nice fairground – fish tacos are a must – available to players on both the 10th and 15th holes.

Links golf almost always comes with beauty but also the downside of cold temperatures, heavy rain and biting winds. Te Arai, however, bucks the trend in that its beachfront properties are planted entirely with fescue, meaning they offer the experience of authentic links in a comfortable tropical climate. In winter (our summer), the high temperature hovers around 60 degrees, while the summer temperature is around 75 degrees. Yes, happiness.

Te Arai’s attention to detail extends beyond golf to all aspects of the resort. One of the central hangouts at Te Arai is Ric’s, a fine all-day dining restaurant surrounded by a 2.5-acre Himalayan-style putting green aptly named the Playground.. Ric’s isn’t just a place to grab a bite – it’s a community center. All are welcome, even those who don’t live or play on site, and the restaurant’s family-style seating and come-as-you-are vibes encourage interaction, creating an environment where it’s easy to meet fellow golfers and locals alike.

Ric’s warm Scandinavian charm permeates the entire resort. We lived in a cozy studio apartment overlooking the drive. The space’s warm palette, natural materials and high-quality materials helped us to convey a calm beauty. I found myself wishing I could buy everything — the blankets, the accent chairs, the mugs — to recreate the magic at home in Nashville.

Within five days, we played four rounds in the South, two in the North and one in Tara Iti. We supplemented those rounds with an unforgettable trip to Te Arai Beach, a pristine stretch of coastline where white sand meets the green Pacific. Access to the beach is off the green of the South 18. We walked north, past the North Course, until we reached Forestry Beach, famous among the surfing community for its left-hand breaks, and then up the hill to the point – to our right, we could see both Te Arai. studies; on our left, we saw Tara Iti. One short beach area, three of GOLF’s Top 100 Courses in the World.

The land here is so precious, it feels almost untouched. Kiwis have a long history of deeply respecting their environment, and the team behind Te Arai has embraced that ethos with a strong commitment to sustainability. We found no single-use plastics in the area, and water stations with reusable bottles are strategically placed throughout. Even the smallest details – name tags, room keys, tires, ball markers and pens all made of wood – reflect the resort’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint while providing a luxurious luxury experience.

With two great courses already in play and plenty of land available for a third, the future is bright for Te Arai. The resort continues to grow, recently adding sports courts and a formal dining option; a full-service spa is also on the way. It’s only a matter of time before it becomes a must-visit destination for golfers and adventure seekers.

Whether they live 70 kilometers or 7,000.