Formosa Golf Resort is an 18-hole championship course on the clifftops of Beachlands in east Auckland, looking north across the Hauraki Gulf towards Waiheke Island, Rangitoto and the Coromandel. It was designed by Sir Bob Charles — New Zealand’s first golfing major champion — opened in 1997, and hosted the New Zealand Open the following year.
This guide sets out the practical facts a visitor or prospective member needs: current 2026 green fees, membership categories and prices, how the layout plays, the clubhouse and villa accommodation run under the Rydges banner, and how to reach the course from central Auckland. All figures come from the resort’s official rate cards and are in New Zealand dollars, GST inclusive.
Quick Facts
| Location | 110 Jack Lachlan Drive, Beachlands, Auckland 2571 |
| Designer | Sir Bob Charles |
| Opened | 1997 |
| Layout | 18 holes, par 72, approx. 6,633 m from the back tees |
| Major event hosted | 1998 New Zealand Open (won by Matthew Lane, 279) |
| Operator | Rydges Formosa Golf Resort |
| Accommodation | Around 50 on-site villas |
| Access | Open to the public seven days a week |
| Bookings | Pro shop 09 218 3870 or online via golf.co.nz |
Sir Bob Charles’ clifftop course at Beachlands
The course sits on a 170-hectare (roughly 440-acre) clifftop site and plays to a par of 72, measuring about 6,633 metres from the back tees, 5,704 metres from the club tees and 4,214 metres from the front. It is an American-style parkland layout — open and undulating, with wide fairways, large greens, strategically placed bunkers and small ravines that must be carried in front of several greens. The design is often described as inspired by Augusta National, though it is very much a course of its own coastal character.
Water is a recurring feature, with man-made lakes, streams and an ornamental bridge in play, most notably around the par-4 18th. Because the property sits above the Hauraki Gulf, the wind can change how a hole plays from one hour to the next, turning a routine short-iron approach into a genuine test of ball flight. The fairways are generous enough for higher-handicap players to enjoy, but the bunkering and green contours reward those who approach from the correct angle.
| Part of the course | Character | Main hazards | Playing tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front nine | Inland, rolling parkland holes | Lakes, streams and fairway bunkers | Respect the water carries and avoid over-clubbing on approach |
| Back nine | Elevated holes closer to the coast | Coastal wind, native bush and boundary edges | Flight the ball lower to hold your line in the sea breeze |
| Greens | Large, gently contoured surfaces | Greenside bunkers and run-off swales | Aim for the flatter portion of the green rather than short-siding yourself |
The back nine and the best sea views
The scenery peaks on the back nine, where the resort markets around 16 holes with water views. The 10th opens up a seascape panorama across the Tamaki Strait, and the par-3 11th — with views over the river estuary — is widely regarded as the signature hole. These exposed holes demand control: a shot hit too high into the breeze can drift off line into bush or bunkers. It was on this Sir Bob Charles layout that Matthew Lane won the 1998 New Zealand Open with a total of 279.
Green fees and how to book in 2026
Formosa is open to the public seven days a week, so you do not need to be a member to play. Fees are split into a summer season (1 November to 30 April) and a lower winter season (1 May to 31 October), with cheaper rates for players affiliated to a recognised home club than for non-affiliated visitors. All public holidays are charged at the weekend rate. The table below shows the summer 18-hole prices.
| Player type (summer, 18 holes) | Mon–Tue | Wed–Fri | Sat–Sun & public holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affiliated club member | $55 | $80 | $90 |
| Non-affiliated visitor | $55 | $90 | $105 |
| Junior (under 18) | $55 (Mon–Fri) | $55 (Mon–Fri) | $60 |
Nine-hole rounds are available too, at $35 (Mon–Tue), $45 (Wed–Fri) and $55 (weekend) for affiliated players, with non-affiliated nine-hole rates $10 higher on the busier days. Through winter, prices are close to flat — around $55 for 18 affiliated holes any day and $60 for non-affiliated players at the weekend, with nine holes from $35. ‘Affiliated’ pricing simply means you hold current membership at a recognised golf club; being able to prove a club handicap is what unlocks the lower rate. You can book a tee time by phoning the pro shop on 09 218 3870 or online through the golf.co.nz booking system.
Cart, club and trundler hire
The course covers a lot of ground with some long transitions between greens and tees, so a cart is popular. Cart hire is $60 for 18 holes and $40 for nine, the same across every season and day; members pay a reduced cart rate. Rental club sets and manual pull trundlers are available from the pro shop, which is worth booking at the same time as your tee slot on busy weekends.
Formosa Golf Resort membership options
Membership suits golfers in the eastern and southern Auckland suburbs who play regularly, since the affiliated green-fee saving, cart discount and dining benefits add up quickly. The membership year runs from 1 November to 31 October, and the club runs a lower early-bird price for people who join or renew in the September–October window. Categories range from full seven-day access down to weekday, nine-hole, senior and junior tiers, so you only pay for the access you will use.
| Membership category | Standard annual fee | Sep–Oct special |
|---|---|---|
| Full Individual (7 days) | $1,850 | $1,650 |
| Weekday Individual | $1,350 | $1,220 |
| Secondary 6-Day (excl. Saturday) | $1,300 | $1,170 |
| Tertiary / Young Adult (19–26) | $1,200 | $1,100 |
| 9-Hole Individual | $1,120 | $1,050 |
| Weekday Senior (65+) | $900 | $850 |
| Junior (18 and under) | $500 | $475 |
Payment options and benefits
Members can pay the full fee up front or spread the cost. The instalment route typically takes a 20% deposit plus a $150 administration fee and then splits the balance into weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments, which helps manage cash flow across the year. Beyond course access, members receive around 20% off food and drinks and a lower cart-hire rate, along with entry to club competitions and an official affiliation that links to New Zealand Golf’s national handicap system.
Practice facilities and coaching
Warming up before a round is straightforward. The resort has a driving range next to the clubhouse where you can hit to distance markers, plus a practice putting green to gauge speed before you head to the water-heavy front nine. A short-game area lets you rehearse chips and bunker shots on the same kind of surfaces you will meet on the course.
- Driving range — target markers to calibrate your irons and driver.
- Putting green — to read the pace before your round.
- Short-game area — chipping and greenside bunker practice.
- Lessons — on-site professional coaching, from beginner sessions to swing analysis, is available through the pro shop.
Clubhouse, dining, villas and events
The clubhouse is the hub of the resort and looks out over the 18th green and the gulf beyond. The Nineteen restaurant and bar serves meals and drinks with coastal views and is open to the public, not just golfers, making it a common stop for a post-round lunch. Note that the swimming pool and gym that once operated here were closed by previous owners some years ago, so the resort today centres on golf, dining and accommodation rather than a full leisure-club offering.
On-site accommodation comprises around 50 villas, ranging from studio and one-bedroom rooms to larger family and accessible units, which makes the property popular for golf breaks and stay-and-play packages. The clubhouse and function spaces also host weddings, conferences and corporate golf days, with the events team handling catering and on-course logistics such as scorecards and refreshment stations.
Getting there and where it sits
The resort is on the Pohutukawa Coast at Beachlands, reached from central Auckland by driving south on the motorway and then east through Whitford — typically around 40 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. A relaxed alternative is the Pine Harbour passenger ferry, which crosses to and from downtown Auckland in roughly 30 to 35 minutes and lands only a short drive from the course, a useful option for city-based corporate groups. There is ample on-site parking, and Maraetai Beach and Omana Regional Park are close by for anyone travelling with non-golfing family. For general reference on the wider area, see Wikipedia.
Dress code, pace of play and etiquette
Like most New Zealand clubs, Formosa expects neat golf attire and a reasonable pace of play. A collared golf shirt with tailored trousers or tidy shorts is the standard; denim, gym wear, singlets and hi-vis workwear are not appropriate on the course. Soft-spiked golf shoes are the norm and metal spikes are not permitted. On pace, aim to keep up with the group ahead rather than merely staying in front of the group behind, play a provisional ball when a shot may be lost, and repair your pitch marks and divots as you go. A four-ball completing 18 holes in around four and a quarter hours is a fair target.
Pro shop and equipment services
The pro shop doubles as the check-in point for green-fee players and members and stocks apparel, balls and accessories alongside hire equipment. Staff can help with rangefinders, gloves and the day-to-day gear you might have forgotten. If you play regularly on salt-exposed coastal turf, grips wear faster, so a re-grip or a proper club check is worth planning for; for a full custom fitting on a launch monitor, a specialist workshop such as custom club fitting at Golf Warehouse Ellerslie is a practical Auckland option to pair with your golf here.
How Formosa compares with other Auckland-region courses
Formosa’s draw is the combination of a Sir Bob Charles design, genuine sea views and resort accommodation within about 45 minutes of the city. It is not the cheapest public round in the region, but its winter drainage and clifftop position keep it playable when lower, clay-based courses turn heavy. The table below sets it against a few other options covered on this site, so you can weigh setting, distance and price.
| Course | Setting | Rough drive from Auckland CBD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formosa Golf Resort | Coastal clifftop, Beachlands | ~45 min | Resort golf with on-site villas and dining |
| Maramarua Golf Club | Rural, near Pokeno | ~30–40 min | Relaxed country 18-hole course, lower fees |
| Tauranga Golf Club | Bay of Plenty | 2.5–3 hrs | Established par-71 championship course |
| Millbrook Resort | Central Otago | Fly to Queenstown | Another Sir Bob Charles resort design, mountain scenery |
Key Points
- Sir Bob Charles-designed clifftop course at Beachlands, open to the public every day.
- Summer 18-hole fees run from early-week to 5 for non-affiliated players at the weekend; winter is close to flat at –.
- Full seven-day membership is
,850 (around
,650 on the early-bird special), with cheaper weekday, nine-hole, senior and junior tiers.
- The membership year runs 1 November to 31 October, and fees can be paid in instalments.
- The back nine holds the best sea views, with the par-3 11th the signature hole.
- On-site clubhouse (The Nineteen), pro shop, driving range and about 50 villas; the former pool and gym are closed.
Common mistakes visitors make
The most common mistake is turning up without a booking on a summer weekend and finding no tee times, since the resort combines member play, public golfers and hotel guests. Book ahead, especially for Friday afternoons and weekend mornings. A second is assuming you will get the affiliated rate without proof — bring evidence of your home-club membership or expect to pay the non-affiliated price. Players also tend to over-club into the coastal breeze on the back nine and short-side themselves on the large greens; both cost strokes. Finally, some visitors expect a full leisure resort with a pool and gym — those facilities have closed, so plan your day around golf, dining and the villas rather than a spa break.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the public play Formosa Golf Resort, or is it members only?
The course is open to the public seven days a week. You can book a tee time as a casual visitor, and you do not need to be a member. Members and players affiliated to a recognised home club pay lower green fees than non-affiliated visitors, and public holidays are charged at the weekend rate.
How much are green fees at Formosa in 2026?
In summer (1 November to 30 April), 18 holes cost affiliated players $55 on Monday and Tuesday, $80 on Wednesday to Friday and $90 at the weekend; non-affiliated visitors pay $55, $90 and $105 on those days. Winter rates are close to flat at about $55 to $60 for 18 holes, and nine-hole rounds start at $35. A cart is $60 for 18 holes.
What does membership cost and when does the year start?
The membership year runs from 1 November to 31 October. Full seven-day individual membership is $1,850 (around $1,650 on the September–October early-bird special), with cheaper weekday, six-day, young-adult, nine-hole, senior and junior tiers down to $500 for juniors. Fees can be paid in full or spread over weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments after a deposit and admin fee.
Who designed the course and did it host the New Zealand Open?
The course was designed by Sir Bob Charles, New Zealand’s first golfing major champion, and opened in 1997. It hosted the New Zealand Open in 1998, when Matthew Lane won with a total of 279. Sir Bob Charles also designed Millbrook Resort near Queenstown.
How do I get to Formosa from central Auckland?
Driving takes around 40 to 45 minutes from the CBD, heading south on the motorway and then east through Whitford to Beachlands. Alternatively, the Pine Harbour passenger ferry runs to and from downtown Auckland in roughly 30 to 35 minutes and lands a short drive from the course, which avoids motorway traffic for city-based groups.
