446 Clifton Rd,
Te Awanga, Hawke's Bay
Office
+64 (0)6 875 1900Pro shop
+64 (0)6 873 1018Fax
+64 (0)6 875 1901Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Eric Smith (Head Golf Professional)The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links-style. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb (most players use a golf cart).
Surroundings:
Coastal cliffs and rural countryside.
Designer:
Tom Doak
-39.654184
177.042607
17 km E of Hastings / 20 km SE of Napier.
From Hastings: follow signs for Napier (Hwy 2), which bring you onto the Karamu Rd North, direction Clive. After approx 4 km turn right into Pilcher Rd direction Cape Kidnappers-Haumoana. Follow signs for Cape Kidnappers-Te Awanga-Clifton for approx 10 km. 1 km after leaving Te Awanga turn right into Cape Kidnappers entrance.
From the north: approx 9 km south of Napier (just after the village of Clive) turn left off Hwy 2 into Mill Rd, direction Cape Kidnappers-Te Awanga. Follow signs for Cape Kidnappers-Te Awanga-Clifton for approx 10 km. 1 km after leaving Te Awanga turn right into Cape Kidnappers entrance.
Cape Kidnappers
Cape Kidnappers: Not only does New Zealand have a reputation for spectacular scenery, it has also secured a name as a haven for outdoor adventure seekers. For golfers wanting to combine the best of New Zealand's scenery, plenty of excitement and world-class facilities, Cape Kidnappers delivers big-time. Here on cliffs towering 500 feet above Hawke's Bay, you'll find a world-renowned golf course, providing an unforgettable golfing experience.
Laid out high above the Pacific Ocean on fingers of land that point eastward into the sea, this open, links-style layout is riven with gullies and ravines. Its not unusual to find a deep gully making an appearance in front of the green you're playing to. Although several wooden bridges help you across the ravines, the terrain remains quite undulating and presents a stiff walk. For those who forego the relative comfort of a golf buggy, taking a caddie is well worth considering, not least on your first outing.
From the immaculate tee-boxes, wide fairways and lightning fast greens you'll enjoy stunning views onto Hawke's Bay, the blue Pacific and the rustic-looking luxury accommodations of the Farm at Cape Kidnappers. Even if you end up in the plentiful and stylish bunkering, you can still enjoy the fabulous views!
Should the wind be blowing (it often does) your course management and shot-making will be more thoroughly tested than on those blissfully calm days. From the back tees, there are many long carries to the relative safety of the fairways, so give some thought to which tees best suit your game.
Cape Kidnappers may be counted as one of the most expensive green fees in New Zealand, but most players don't leave here counting the dollars they've spent, but rather the golfing thrills they've enjoyed.
Stay&Play at Cape Kidnappers: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance.
Contact club for full details, discounts, Stay&Play rates, etc. [Last updated: 2024].
Non-metal spike facility. Walking permitted. Golf carts available for hire. Caddies and forecaddies available.
Excellent
The clifftop lands of Cape Kidnappers are of special significance to the local Maori population. It was here that many Maori Pas (fortified encampments) were located. Cape Kidnappers takes its name from events that took place in 1770, when Captain Cook's expedition tried to abduct Maoris into slavery from this area.
Cape Kidnappers golf course and estate shares the same owner (Julian Robertson) as its sister course in New Zealand - Kauri Cliffs.
New Zealand's 6th best course (Australian Golf Digest, 2023/24).
World's 55th best course (GOLF Magazine, 2023/24) and 51st best public access course (Golf World, 2023).
446 Clifton Rd, Te Awanga, Hawke's Bay.
+64 (0)6 875 1900
Visit websiteLocated on New Zealand's North Island and set atop 6,000 rolling acres of stunning Hawke’s Bay pasture land, the world-renowned Farm at Cape Kidnappers offers wonderfully appointed accommodations and spectacular 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. The cluster of luxury lodge buildings is suggestive of a working farm.
With a blend of river stone and weathered wood, the buildings combine rustic and textured materials with comfortable modern furnishings. Cape Kidnappers and the surrounding area has a rich history, beginning with its colonial discovery by Captain James Cook in 1769.
Cape Kidnappers
No
No
No
No
Cape Kidnappers
124th US Open: the No.2 Course at Pinehurst once again plays host to this most illustrious championship (June 13-16). Wyndham Clark defends his title, having won at Los Angeles CC in 2023.
79th Women’s US Open: the second women’s major championship of the season gets underway at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania. It’s the second time the championship has been held here.
(May 30-June 2).
Nelly Korda: won the Mizuho Americas Open (May 16-19) at Liberty National GC, continuing her extraordinary form in LPGA events. This was her sixth win in seven starts in 2024.
Xander Schauffele: recorded his first major championship win, and second record-equalling low score of 62 in a major. Only he, Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler and Shane Lowry have achieved this feat in a men’s major championship.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.
