Maramarua Golf Club: Course, Fees and Visitor Guide

Maramarua Golf Club is a friendly 18-hole country course near Pokeno, roughly a 30-minute drive south of Auckland. It offers a well-kept parkland layout, several tee options, affordable green fees and a relaxed rural setting that suits everyone from newcomers to experienced players. This guide explains where the course is, how it plays, what a round costs, the facilities on site and how to book a tee time (a booked time slot to start your round).

Where is Maramarua Golf Club and how do you get there?

Maramarua Golf Club is at 40 Golf Road, Mangatawhiri (postal address RD2, Pokeno), in the rural south-eastern corner of the Auckland region. It sits close to State Highway 2, which links the Southern Motorway with the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty, so it is easy to reach from several directions.

The course is about 30 minutes from Manukau and roughly 20 minutes from Papakura, and it lies under an hour from both the Auckland and Hamilton city centres. Coming from the Southern Motorway (SH1), take the Pokeno or Mangatawhiri exit onto State Highway 2 and follow the local signage to Golf Road. Its position on a direct route between Auckland and the Bay of Plenty also makes it a convenient stop for travellers heading in either direction. If you are still deciding where to play, our overview of finding golf courses across New Zealand lists other options in the wider region.

The 18-hole course: layout and tees

Maramarua is an 18-hole layout that plays to a par of 71. Several club and Golf New Zealand listings show it at roughly 5,574 metres off the blue (championship) tees; note that some third-party directories still show par 72, but the club and the national body list par 71, which is the figure used here. The ground is mainly flat with gentle elevation changes, so it is comfortable to walk, yet it still asks for accurate approach play.

Bunkers are placed to guard many of the greens, and there are water hazards and out-of-bounds areas that reward thinking your way around rather than simply hitting hard. The course also changes noticeably with the seasons: fairways run firm and fast in summer and play softer and longer through winter. Multiple tee sets let you match the challenge to your ability, from full-length blue tees to shorter, more forgiving options.

Tee options at a glance

Lengths and ratings are approximate and can change as the club adjusts tee positions, so confirm the current scorecard on the day. Slope rating is a number that describes how difficult a course plays for an average golfer compared with a scratch (zero-handicap) player — a higher number means a tougher test from that tee. For tips focused on the putting surfaces here, see our companion guide to playing Maramarua’s greens.

Green fees, cart hire and discounts

Green fees at Maramarua are modest by Auckland standards, which is part of the course’s appeal for casual and social golfers. A weekday 18-hole round is $40 and a weekend 18-hole round is $45, while nine holes cost $25 on any day. Members can bring guests for $30 for 18 holes on weekdays, up to a maximum of three guests per member. A four-round discount card is available for $120, usable any day of the week and valid for one player.

Motorised carts can be hired for $45 for 18 holes or $22.50 for nine holes, and pull carts (trundlers) are also available. If you are weighing up whether to ride or walk, our guide to golf carts explains the trade-offs. Group rates can be arranged — contact the office for pricing. Prices can change season to season, so treat the figures here as a guide and confirm current rates when you book.

Membership options

Membership at Maramarua covers a range of budgets and playing patterns, from full playing rights to midweek-only and pay-as-you-play arrangements. Subscriptions run for 12 months from the date you join, and the club offers a single-payment option as well as instalment plans (for which an administration fee applies). The categories below reflect the club’s most recently published annual subscriptions.

Full and midweek members can hold an official handicap administered under Golf New Zealand’s system; if you are new to the idea, our explainer on what a handicap is in golf is a useful starting point. To join, download the club’s membership form and return it in person, by post or by email.

Facilities and amenities

Maramarua’s facilities are practical rather than lavish, matching its country-club character. Alongside the 18-hole course there is a practice area for warming up before a round, and both motorised carts and pull carts are available for hire.

The pro shop typically operates from about 9am to 2pm and stocks refreshments and golf accessories, and it is the point of contact for green-fee payment and cart hire. The clubhouse has a bar and catering that operate on Saturday and Sunday, so weekend players can eat and drink on site; if you are visiting midweek it is worth confirming food availability in advance or planning to use one of the nearby eateries. Changing facilities are available for use before and after your round.

Rules, etiquette and competitions

Play at Maramarua follows the standard golf rules and etiquette used across New Zealand under Golf New Zealand and the game’s international governing bodies. In practice that means keeping a steady pace, letting faster groups through, repairing your marks on the greens and looking after the course and other players.

Soft-spiked golf shoes are the norm on the course; if you need a pair, our guide to choosing golf shoes covers what to look for. The club runs regular competitions through the year — stroke play, match play and team formats such as foursomes — with handicaps and results administered to Golf New Zealand standards. Observe any local rules and course signage on the day, and use the practice area rather than the fairways to warm up.

Who the course suits and common mistakes to avoid

Maramarua suits beginners, families, social groups and visitors who want an affordable, unhurried round close to Auckland without the formality or price of a metropolitan club. Its walkable terrain and shorter forward tees make it approachable for newer players, while the bunkering and greens still give lower handicappers something to think about. It also works well as a stop for travellers between Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.

A few simple mistakes catch visitors out. The most common is turning up on a weekend without a booking: weekend early tee times fill quickly and reservations are essentially essential, whereas weekday access is usually straightforward. Another is assuming full clubhouse dining is available every day — catering is a weekend service, so plan food accordingly midweek. Choosing a tee that is too long for your game can also turn an enjoyable round into a slow one, so pick a tee that matches your ability. Finally, confirm cart availability when you book if walking is not an option, and check current fees rather than relying on older figures. If you want to compare the experience with another nearby country course, our look at Pukekohe golf offers a useful point of reference.

Planning your visit: groups and booking

Maramarua welcomes everyone from single players to large groups, and it can accommodate parties of 100 or more as well as corporate golf days for team-building or promotional events. If you are organising a group, contact the office ahead of time so tee times and any catering can be arranged.

Bring suitable golf attire, footwear and your own clubs if you have them; rental options may be limited, so confirm in advance if you need to hire equipment. Tee times can be booked by phoning the club on 09 232 5702, by emailing [email protected], or through the online booking system on the Golf New Zealand website. Because contact details and hours can change, it is worth checking the club’s official website for the latest information before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where is Maramarua Golf Club located and how do I get there?

The club is at 40 Golf Road, Mangatawhiri (RD2, Pokeno), close to State Highway 2. From the Southern Motorway, take the Pokeno or Mangatawhiri exit onto State Highway 2 and follow the signs to Golf Road. It is about 30 minutes from Manukau and roughly 20 minutes from Papakura.

What are the green fees at Maramarua Golf Club?

A weekday 18-hole round is $40 and a weekend 18-hole round is $45, with nine holes at $25 any day. Members’ guests pay $30 for 18 holes on weekdays. A four-round discount card costs $120, and motorised cart hire is $45 for 18 holes or $22.50 for nine. Confirm current prices when you book.

What membership options are available?

Options include full playing membership at $830, midweek and 9-hole women’s memberships at $498, colts and junior categories, pay-as-you-play arrangements at $250 plus $15 per round, and corporate membership from $1,620. Subscriptions run for 12 months from the date of joining.

How do I book a tee time?

You can book by phoning the club on 09 232 5702, by emailing the office, or through the online booking system on the Golf New Zealand website. Weekend bookings are strongly recommended for early tee times, while weekday access is generally easy without a reservation.

What facilities does the club have?

Maramarua has an 18-hole course, a practice area, motorised and pull-cart hire, a pro shop (open roughly 9am to 2pm) selling refreshments and accessories, changing facilities, and a clubhouse bar and catering that operate on Saturday and Sunday. Confirm midweek food availability in advance.