TARA ITI GOLF COURSE - 19 POINTS

When owner Ric Kayne brought Tom Doak to see the land at Tara Iti, next to the town of Mangawhai, less than two hours north of Auckland, he had a very simple question. Did Doak think he could produce one of the best courses in the world from this land? If not, they would walk away and keep looking for a site. Doak explored the site and discovered the most wonderful sandy ground, largely under non-indigenous pine trees, and gave Kayne, his verdict. They could build something pretty special here.

There’s quite a lot of mystique about Tara Iti before you actually see the golf course. It used to be possible to play at Tara Iti as part of a ‘one time experience’ whereby you could stay on the property for as long as you liked, and play as much golf as you wanted, but only once. When you left, there was no way back unless invited by a member.

It was an expensive option but it meant that many people got to experience the magic of Tara Iti. That’s no longer the case. To play there now, you now have to be on property with a member. Given the relatively low - and international nature - of the membership, this makes it one of the hardest tee times in world golf to get. But those who do make it in are in for a real treat.

Modern golf courses are sometime a little Disneyfied. The turf is maybe just a little too springy or the greens a little over-shaped. Well you will have no such worries about Tara Iti. It is pure quality from beginning to end. It is almost impossible to believe that it only opened in 2015, it feels so much more established than that.

The trees that were on the site were removed, revealing the most magnificent sandy ground. Visually, Tara Iti is a feast of sand and turf, the two blending into each other in the most natural-looking way possible.

The course is set amongst wonderful sandy dunes. Some of them are man-made, others natural, but it is impossible to differentiate. The clubhouse looks towards the coast and you have clear views of the water on most holes. You never get right onto the coast to feel the spray in your face - regulations didn’t allow building that close to the water - but this definitely feels like an ocean course.

The holes tilt towards the water and have views over towards the bay, with the Great Barrier and Hen and Chicken islands behind. Towards the nearby town of Mungawhai there is a huge dune, said to be the largest in the country, which serves as yet another dramatic backdrop. This is just a spectacular place to play golf.

The property is pretty flat but the clubhouse is set on a ridge which also makes for some really interesting green sites in that part of the course.

Caddies are compulsory at Tara Iti and this is to your benefit. Often you will be standing over a shot, only really seeing sand and a small slither of grass to aim for, but reassurance from your caddie will allow you to commit to the shot. Often, as the hole reveals itself, you will find there is a lot more grass that you had seen originally.

The width on Tara Iti is wonderful. I played in a good 3-club wind and hit all but one fairway such is the forgiveness from the tee. However, as you would expect, even if you land on grass, get your angles wrong and the next one will be a real challenge. But this is a course that everyone will be able to get round without feeling too beaten up. There is little in the way of rough, but you will need to be hitting it well to score.

I don’t think I have ever seen a course that uses sand on such a grand scale - and it works so well. There are no bunkers on the course, everything is treated as a waste area and if you are in a footprint you just place the ball nearby. There are few really deep ‘bunkers’ around the green - but they are so plentiful, and so well positioned, it would be a rare round here that didn’t have you reaching for your sand wedge on multiple occasions.

While there isn’t really much in the way of thick rough, the sand areas often contain vegetation - spinifex is the most common local variant. They do a good job of maintaining this - it’s important it doesn’t encroach too much as people aren’t used to hunting for golf balls at Tara Iti.

Tara Iti will reward you for coming into greens at the right angle; it’s right up there with Royal Melbourne in that regard. And the greens themselves are excellent. I found the contrast to Doak’s new course at Te Arai Links interesting. At Te Arai I think he may have gone a little too far at times, at Tara Iti the greens were a joy.

I love the challenge of trying to get near a pin on a seemingly confounding putt and Doak has got the challenge just right here. For sure there are some real head scratchers, but there is always a way to the pin - it just might take you several rounds to work it out. Again, another reason caddies are so useful here.

The consistency of the challenge at Tara Iti is quite something too, the quality of the holes is maintained throughout the round and there’s nothing approaching a dud out there.

Here are a few of my favourites. Distances are from the middle tees.

Hole 3 - 425 yards, par 4

The third may just be the best hole on the property, indeed in the entire country! You want to hit your drive down the left hand side of this hole as sand comes in quite tight on the landing area to the right. However, from there you are unlikely to have a view of the green as there’s a big mound in front and to the left. The dell green that sits behind it can be accessed in many different ways including a high aerial shot or low running shot playing off the bank to the right. There are so many options, it’s a really special hole.

Hole 7 - 280 yards, par 4

This is a delicious short par 4. The tiny green is set on the edge of a ridge less than 300 yards from the tee. If the wind is playing ball you will be very tempted to take out a driver and see how close you can get. But, if you pull it left, you will be in the sand with a tough 50-yard bunker shot. So, the more sensible play is short, right of the green so you will be pitching up to the small green.

We had plenty of discussion with our caddies about what the best option was from the tee and there was no consensus about whether or not the layup and pitch in was the better play.

The ground is firm and you’ll get plenty of roll. So much so that I went into the bunker through the green and, four shots later, walked off with a very disappointing bogey. Yet another hole here I just wanted to go straight back out to play again.

Hole 12 - 468 yards, par 4

Long uphill par 4s, with blind tee shots, aren’t usually among my favourite holes on a course, but the twelfth at Tara Iti was an exception. From the tee you are playing up a hill, but the ball will bound along making this hole play much shorter than it appears. But then the real fun comes! The green is set on a ridge and the right of the green sits way higher than the left. So using the slope is the real key to getting close to the pin. The tight turf at Tara Iti means the ball runs forever and you can play the hole exactly how Doak intended. It’s a lot of fun.

Hole 17 - 145 yards, par 3

One of the best par 3s you will find anywhere. The setting is wonderful - playing directly towards the water with the ‘Hen and Chicks’ islands behind.

This was one of the first holes Doak found on the land and the plan was always to have it as a par 3. But the owner, Ric Kayne, wanted more spice and edge on the hole than Doak had originally planned. The target is now a virtual island green surrounded by sand and a putting surface which by no means guarantees two putts.

These are just a few of the highlights of Tara Iti but the consistency in quality across the whole course is quite something. From beginning to end you will have a feeling of real exhilaration as you play wonderfully designed holes, all brilliantly presented.

There’s nothing brash about Tara Iti. The clubhouse is relatively modest, but beautifully constructed. Course furniture is kept to a minimum. There are no cart paths to spoil the views. Everything is just simple and pretty darn perfect.

I fell in love with Tara Iti. It is one of the most wonderful courses I have seen in world golf. In fact, I think I would rank it at the top of all the new courses I have been to.

It’s a shame that fewer people than before will get to see the course now. Well done to Ric Kayne for building the two excellent courses next door at Te Arai Links, but they aren’t quite Tara Iti. I’m not sure if anything ever will be.

BOOKING THE COURSE

Tara Iti is now completely private so you can only play it if you are with a member on site.

TOUR TIPS

First things first, don’t worry too much if you think you are lost after entering the property at Tara Iti! As you follow the winding road just keep your eyes peeled for some very discrete signs pointing to you towards the clubhouse. On arrival you will pull in at the concierge station, just a little walk from the clubhouse, and be relieved of your car and clubs.

The clubhouse setup is very stylish - a small but very well stocked pro shop, a lovely bar and restaurant. There are never too many people here so it’s not a big place, but it is done very well.

There are lodges available for members and their guests. These provide a very high level of accommodation so if you get the chance to stay here I would recommend you go for it. The odds are, if you are playing at Tara Iti, you will also be playing Te Arai which is a 20 minute drive away. The lodges there are also very comfortable so, if you can’t stay at Tara Iti, then that would be the next obvious place.

If you aren’t staying on site then nearby Mangawhai has a few options, though there is more self catering available than hotels. There are several restaurants there too but, like lots of rural New Zealand, you can’t eat too late in the evening. The Dune restaurant was a good place to eat.

CONTACT DETAILS

Tara Iti Golf Club
71 Tara Iti Drive
Mangawhai 0975
New Zealand​​.

Phone Number: +64 9 431 4600​​
Website: https://taraiti.com/​

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