New Zealand weather is temperamental. We're all used to that.
The morning began under a blanket of fog, but we knew it would eventually burn away. What we didn't know was that it would reveal near perfect golfing conditions. Sunshine from start to finish, paired with just enough breeze to keep you cool as you navigate the rolling undulations of Te Arai Links' South Course.
We arrived early, grabbed a breakfast bap, and eased into the morning with a few stretches before making our way to the putting green and chipping area. I (Joel) decided to skip the driving range, still riding the confidence from an evening spent at Golf HQ's simulator, where I'd finally ironed out some yippy driver swings.
With a 9:00am tee time, we collected our scorecard and made the short walk to the opening tee. There we met our playing partner for the day, member Murray Deaker: author, broadcaster, and famously one of the few New Zealanders to interview Tiger Woods. Before we'd even hit a shot, the day had already become memorable.
After a handshake and a few introductions, we teed off with what quickly felt like both a playing partner and a caddie. A solid opening drive found Position A, and after walking off the first green with a par, the nerves settled and the focus kicked in.
As we made our way around the course, Murray shared stories from his many rounds at Te Arai, pointing out the ideal landing areas and, more importantly, where not to miss. His local knowledge removed the second guessing, allowing the round to flow effortlessly. I found myself playing each hole strategically, avoiding costly mistakes wherever possible and giving myself the chance to attack the platformed greens with short and mid irons.
The morning fog had become a distant memory, replaced by warm winter sunshine stretching across the links. It was one of those days where every hole seemed to reveal another postcard worthy view.
The South Course is generous from the tee, with wide fairways encouraging you to simply swing freely. The undulating fairways can kick your ball in every direction, but more often than not they reward you, leaving your ball resting on a surprisingly flat platform.
The real defence lies on and around the greens.
The fairways and green surrounds blend together so seamlessly that they can play tricks on your eyes. From 40 metres and in, a putter can often be the smarter option than reaching for a wedge, thanks to the tight links turf. If you're not paying close attention to your playing partners putts, you're largely on your own. Fortunately, Murray had seen these breaks countless times before, offering subtle reads that made navigating the greens far less intimidating.
Sid's round unfolded like a roller coaster. Playing from the forward tees presents genuine eagle opportunities, but only if the shot is executed with precision. We arrived at one of those holes, and Sid's swing was as smooth as ever. The ball launched perfectly. Walking ahead to the green, I turned and waved her forward.
"You're putting for eagle."
Five metres from the hole.
The golf gods, however, are rarely that generous.
Three putts later, it was a par.
Four hours slipped by almost effortlessly as we soaked in the spectacular coastal scenery. Te Arai South isn't simply about the golf, it's about the experience. The moment you stop trying to conquer the course and instead appreciate where you are, the game becomes secondary.
Enjoy the walk.
Once the round came to an end, we exchanged numbers with Murray before making our way to Rics Ocean Club, perched beside the 18th green and serving as the South Course clubhouse. We ordered food, grabbed a drink, and did what every golfer does after a memorable round, relived every hole, every shot, and every "what if."
At 3:00pm, it was finally time to check into our accommodation.
Already riding the high of an unforgettable day, the wonderful Te Arai team told us a hostess would show us to our room. As she led us further than expected, I became convinced I'd somehow booked the wrong accommodation.
Then we stopped.
With another warm smile, she let us know we'd been upgraded to an Ocean Cottage.
Ecstatic, grateful, and admittedly still a little confused, I thanked her before looking over at Sid with the raised eyebrow expression that simply said, "How did we get this lucky?". Linked between the 18th green and the ocean, our cottage's outdoor fireplace is the ideal place to unwind, keep warm, and watch golfers play their final shots into the green.
From the moment you arrive at Te Arai Links, you're welcomed with genuine smiles, warm greetings, and a level of hospitality that makes you feel less like a guest and more like a friend. In many ways, it really is an adult's Disneyland for golfers.
The experience never dropped away after the golf. Every interaction with the staff reinforced the feeling that nothing was too much trouble. Whether it was answering questions, sharing recommendations, or simply taking the time to have a conversation, everyone genuinely cared about making our stay memorable.
We caught a shuttle to explore the North Course clubhouse, enjoyed a few pints of Guinness while taking it all in, before heading back to Rics for our dinner reservation.
I'm not writing this as a sales pitch.
I'm writing it as a thank you.
Dinner was the perfect finish to what had already been a 10 out of 10 day.
To everyone at Te Arai Links, thank you.
You didn't just provide a great golf course. You created an experience that we'll remember for a very long time.
