Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club — Attraction in Wellington

My winter golf trip with three friends was made perfect thanks to the nearby location of this iconic golf course. And we were lucky to play it twice in two days.

Alex Russell's masterpiece design had provided us with what one member of our group considers the country's top golf course - and he has played all of NZs best - incl Tara Iti.

The pro shop staff are always so welcoming and engaging as are the bar and restaurant staff. The food and beverage options are very good with views from the clubhouse and deck being world class.

The feel at Para is not at all stuffy nor uncomfortable; it just feels like the golf is what is first and foremost. You can sense the game's influence and be fully aware of its importance without ever feeling overwhelmed or intimidated. There is no pretence here - but there is a modest greatness that is ever present.

The course is such a treat to play. It delivers that tricky blend of challenge & fun and can be enjoyed by many levels of golfers. Be equally prepared for birdies but also pickups; calamity and glory happily coexist here; often at the same hole.

The renowned set of par 3s and the epic 13th & 17th par 4s are rightly recognized as some of the best anywhere but so many of Para's other holes are equally memorable. The 1st must be high on the list of contenders for best opener in NZ and really, the front 9 is a near faultless stretch of golf (although the Blue tee block on the 9th, adjacent to the internal OB with the 1st, doesn't feel or look quite right). The par 4 15th rewards a carefully placed blind tee shot (ideally favouring the right side of its fairway) and acts as a tasty appetizer to the evil beauty that is the short 16th - NZs closest thing to Royal Troon's Postage Stamp or Barnbougle Dunes' treacherous 7th (recently voted Australia's best par 3).

Para's 16th hole epitomizes the lack of bailout options on a number of Para's raised greens - indeed the 16th offers no real bailout option. Falloffs front, back and right and a grassy knoll left. It simply demands - and sometimes rewards - exact precision with your aim, club selection when delivered with a quality strike. But sometimes even that heady combo will not end in success. If Sirens and Mermaids surrounded the 16th green, that would be wholly appropriate, at least metaphorically.

The par 5 18th is a cracking risk reward hole that can provide an exciting finish for a match that has come down to the last, its deep bunkers ready to accept any stray tee shot and its long, wide green offering the chance to finish the round with a birdie or even better.

The consistently high quality of the holes is what sets this course apart from other contenders.

If you love the game of golf, you owe it to yourself to visit and play Paraparaumu Beach. It is a golfing experience like few others in NZ. And it has no equal when it comes to value.

You will...

Every hole is a gem. The greens are always superb and the green staff are extremely talented at preparing the course to look its best everyday. This Alex Russell design will test your skills and strategy every time you play it. You can bomb your drive as far as you like, but if you aren't on the fairway and your angle to the green isn't correct, you will have a challenging time making par. I never get bored of playing it. The clubhouse has undergone some recent cosmetic upgrades making it an appealing place to enjoy a bite or drink even if you're not playing golf and the view down the 18th from inside is great. You can get a barista coffee, soft drinks, or alcohol from the bar and the kitchen offers a simple menu during the day if you feel like a bite. There's also some counter food, from freshly prepared sandwiches to cakes and slices and on occasion there's a nice soup of the day. All at reasonable prices. The pro shop can organize your golf times and they have a small range of equipment and apparel. Carts are available, but need to be booked to secure one. Happy golfing or dining if you just want to drop in for a...

Fantastic Course - A Must-Play in New Zealand!

I had the pleasure of playing one of New Zealand’s top 5 courses on a perfect day with no wind and clear skies. The course exceeded my expectations, with attention to detail apparent at every level. Tee boxes were in great shape, and the fairways were excellent. Fairway to rough transitions are well-defined, but if you’re off the fairway, you’re in deep trouble! Strategy is key—knowing driving lines for approach shots is critical. If it’s your first time playing, I recommend pairing up with a member for guidance. The real challenge is hitting the greens in the right spots—there’s lots of roll-off that can hurt your score, as I saw on the par 3 sixteenth. The black sand bunkers are superb, and the greens were brilliantly maintained, offering great pace and roll. I would happily take these greens home with me! It’s also wonderful to see the natural vegetation and wetlands well preserved. Overall, a must-visit course for any golfer in...