Tauranga Golf Club: Course, Green Fees and Membership Guide

Tauranga Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-71 course at the Racecourse Reserve on Cameron Road in Gate Pa, Tauranga, in the Bay of Plenty. Founded in 1911, it is one of the region’s oldest clubs and sits about ten minutes from the city centre, within easy reach of Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa. This guide covers the course, facilities, current green fees, membership options and how to book a round, whether you are a visitor passing through or a local weighing up a membership.

Where is Tauranga Golf Club and what is it?

Tauranga Golf Club is a members’ club and public-access course located at the Racecourse Reserve, Cameron Road, Tauranga 3142, in the suburb of Gate Pa. The course shares the reserve with the Tauranga racecourse, so the golf holes wrap around and beyond the flat racing oval on gently rolling parkland.

The club dates back to 1911, which makes it a long-established fixture of Bay of Plenty golf rather than a modern resort layout. It operates as a traditional affiliated club — members hold formal handicaps and play in club competitions — while also welcoming casual visitors and tourists on green fees. That mix of heritage and open access is a large part of why it stays busy year-round.

What is the golf course like?

The course is an 18-hole layout with a par of 71 from the back and club tees (and par 72 from the front tees). From the back markers it measures roughly 5,585 metres, while the club and front tees play to about 5,148 metres, so it is a manageable length for most players rather than a punishing championship distance.

The terrain is tree-lined and open parkland with some undulation. The front nine is the more rolling and characterful half, with a few slopes to walk, while the back nine flattens out. Well-placed bunkers, tree-lined fairways and true greens reward accuracy off the tee and a tidy short game, yet the moderate length keeps the course fair for higher handicappers and newcomers. If you are still learning the basics of scoring and course management, the club’s own beginners are well catered for — our guide to how to play golf is a useful primer before your first visit.

What facilities does the club offer?

Tauranga Golf Club provides a full set of on-site facilities for members and visitors. The main amenities are:

• Pro shop — stocked with equipment, apparel and accessories, with staff who can help with selections, club hire and fittings.
• Practice areas — a driving range with mat and grass hitting areas, plus a putting green for warming up or working on your short game.
• Hire equipment — rental clubs, golf carts and trundlers are available, which is handy for travellers who arrive without their own gear. If you are deciding whether to ride or walk, our overview of golf carts in New Zealand explains the options.
• Clubhouse — a modern clubroom with a café and bar serving meals and refreshments, and function spaces that host corporate groups and private events.

These facilities make the club a comfortable base for a full morning or afternoon rather than just a quick round, and the catering and function options are widely used for club days and group bookings.

How much are green fees at Tauranga Golf Club?

Green fees for visitors are set at competitive rates so casual players and tourists can enjoy the course without a long-term commitment. As of the club’s fee schedule effective 14 February 2025, an 18-hole round costs $70 for affiliated golfers (members of another affiliated club) and $80 for non-affiliated players, with reduced rates for nine holes, juniors and Bay of Plenty Passport holders. The table below sets out the current fees and the main membership categories side by side.

Fees and subscriptions change from year to year, so confirm the latest figures with the club before you play. Affiliated rates apply to golfers who already hold membership at another New Zealand club affiliated to the national body, which is why carrying proof of your home club can save money on green fees.

What membership options are available?

Membership is organised into age- and access-based categories so the cost suits how often and how you play. The main options include full senior membership for players aged 40 and over, a lower-cost nine-hole membership, intermediate tiers for younger adults, and junior categories for players under 20. Family and weekday-style arrangements are also part of the club’s line-up.

Members receive benefits that casual visitors do not, including entry to regular club competitions, an official handicap managed through the club, and priority access to tee times. If you are new to the handicap system, our explainer on what a handicap is in golf covers how it works and why an official one matters for competitive play.

How do you book a tee time?

Booking a round at Tauranga Golf Club is straightforward. Tee times can be reserved online through the club’s official website or by phoning the clubhouse on +64 (7) 578 8465. Because the course is popular — particularly on weekends and during tournaments — booking ahead is strongly recommended.

On the day, check in at the pro shop before heading to the first tee, and arrive early if you want to warm up on the range or putting green. Securing your slot in advance avoids disappointment on busy days and keeps the field moving to schedule.

What competitions and events does the club hold?

Tauranga Golf Club runs a full calendar of competitions, from weekly club events and interclub matches to open tournaments, scramble days and seasonal championships that draw players from across the Bay of Plenty. Alongside the members’ programme, the course is best known for hosting a genuine professional tournament.

The Carrus Tauranga Open is an annual event staged at the club, established in 2006 and part of the Charles Tour — New Zealand’s leading professional circuit — since 2008. It is typically played over 72 holes each September for a prize fund of around NZ$50,000, and it has produced some remarkable scoring, including multiple competitive rounds of 59. That professional pedigree, on a course open to visitors, gives everyday golfers the chance to test the same layout the country’s leading players compete on. The event forms part of the wider circuit alongside the country’s other golf courses across New Zealand that host ranked tournaments.

Who is Tauranga Golf Club best suited to?

The club suits a broad range of players thanks to its moderate length and welcoming policy toward visitors. Beginners and higher handicappers benefit from a course that rewards steady play without demanding huge carries, while low handicappers and touring players who follow the country’s courses — including players ticking off clubs around New Zealand — get a layout with real character and championship history.

It is also a strong fit for visitors staying in Tauranga, Mount Maunganui or Pāpāmoa who want an accessible round with full facilities, and for locals who want an established club with an active competition scene. Families are catered for through junior and family-oriented membership, and the café and function spaces make it a practical venue for group and corporate golf.

Common mistakes visitors make

Knowing a few practical pitfalls in advance makes for a smoother visit:

• Not booking ahead. Turning up on a weekend or during a tournament without a reserved tee time is the most common problem. Book online or by phone first.
• Forgetting proof of affiliation. Affiliated golfers pay a lower green fee, but you generally need to show membership of your home club to claim it.
• Skipping the check-in. Head to the pro shop before the first tee rather than going straight to the course — that is where bookings, hire gear and any competition entries are handled.
• Underestimating the front nine. The more undulating opening holes catch out players who expect a flat parkland course throughout; walk it or take a cart if you are unsure.
• Ignoring etiquette. Repair pitch marks, replace divots and keep pace with the group ahead — basic course care is expected of members and visitors alike.

How does it compare with other regional courses?

Within the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga Golf Club is the closest full-length 18-hole course to central Tauranga, which sets it apart from smaller or more rural clubs nearby. Just north-west, the coastal Omokoroa Golf Club offers a shorter, scenic waterside alternative, so visitors often play both on a golfing trip to the region.

Compared with premium destination courses elsewhere in the country, Tauranga is a value-focused, community-oriented club rather than a resort layout — its appeal is accessibility, heritage since 1911, a real professional tournament and moderate green fees, rather than dramatic clifftop scenery or resort pricing. For most players visiting the Bay of Plenty, that combination makes it the natural first choice for a round.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where is Tauranga Golf Club located?

Tauranga Golf Club is at the Racecourse Reserve, Cameron Road, Tauranga 3142, in the suburb of Gate Pa. It is roughly ten minutes from central Tauranga and within easy reach of Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa.

How many holes is the course and what is the par?

It is an 18-hole course with a par of 71 from the back and club tees, and par 72 from the front tees. From the back markers it measures about 5,585 metres, making it a fair test rather than an extreme championship length.

How much does it cost to play as a visitor?

Under the fee schedule effective 14 February 2025, 18 holes cost $70 for affiliated golfers and $80 for non-affiliated players, with nine-hole, junior and Bay of Plenty Passport rates available at lower prices. Confirm current fees with the club before you play.

How do I book a tee time?

You can book online through the club’s official website or by phoning the clubhouse on +64 (7) 578 8465. Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends and during tournaments, and you should check in at the pro shop before your round.

Does Tauranga Golf Club host professional tournaments?

Yes. The club hosts the Carrus Tauranga Open, an annual professional event on New Zealand’s Charles Tour held since 2006. It is usually played over 72 holes each September, so visitors can play a course with genuine tournament history.