Omokoroa Golf Club is an 18-hole coastal golf course on the Omokoroa Peninsula in the Bay of Plenty, roughly 15 minutes’ drive north of Tauranga. It is a member-owned, not-for-profit club that welcomes both members and casual green-fee players on a mostly flat, easy-walking layout overlooking Tauranga Harbour.
This guide covers what the course is like to play, current green fees and membership costs, the facilities and coaching on offer, how to get there, and the questions visitors most often ask before booking a round.
Quick Facts
| Location | 67 Links View Drive, Omokoroa 3114, Bay of Plenty |
|---|---|
| Distance from Tauranga | About 18 km / 15 minutes north (via SH2) |
| Founded | Registered 1975; official opening 1979 (18 holes late 1979) |
| Type | Member-owned, not-for-profit; open to the public |
| Holes / Par | 18 holes, par 71, approx. 5,800 metres |
| Course style | Flat, easy-walking links/parkland with harbour views |
| Guest green fees | $75 (18 holes) / $45 (9 holes) |
| Cart hire (guests) | $50 (18 holes) / $35 (9 holes) |
| Full membership | $1,565/year plus $400 joining fee (from 1 April 2026) |
| Coaching | NZPGA/TPI coaches Andrew Gurney and Stacey Koppens |
About Omokoroa Golf Club
Omokoroa Golf Club is a community-focused, member-owned club that has operated beside Tauranga Harbour for more than four decades. The idea of a golf course at Omokoroa was raised in the early 1970s, and the club was formally registered in August 1975 as “Western Bay Golf Links (Omokoroa) Inc.” Around 100 acres of farmland were secured in 1977, and course architect Harry Dale directed construction.
The first tournament, a nine-hole Christmas event, was played on 16 December 1978, and the official opening followed on 18 March 1979. The layout was extended from nine to twelve, then sixteen, and finally eighteen holes during late 1979. In October 2007 the club was renamed “Omokoroa Golf Club Inc.” to better reflect its location.
Today the club runs a full calendar of member competitions while remaining open to the public throughout the week. Its relaxed, village-like atmosphere suits families and newcomers as well as more experienced golfers, and it is one of several courses worth knowing when finding golf courses around New Zealand.
The Course: Layout and Highlights
The course is a mostly flat, easy-walking 18 holes that combines links-style openness with parkland features. Its position on the shores of Tauranga Harbour gives wide water views, including glimpses of Matakana Island, and the greens and fairways generally hold up well year-round.
What is the course like to play?
The course rewards accuracy off the tee more than raw length. Bunkers, occasional water hazards and gently undulating greens ask for thoughtful shot placement without being severely punishing, so it stays enjoyable for higher handicappers while still testing better players. Because the peninsula is exposed, wind is the biggest variable and can change club selection significantly from one round to the next.
What is the par and course rating?
Omokoroa plays to a par of 71 over a total length of roughly 5,800 metres. Published course and slope ratings vary between listing sources and by tee: the men’s white tees rate at approximately 68 with a slope near 115, while the women’s tees carry a higher rating in the low 70s. For an official handicap-affecting figure, confirm the current rating with the club or your NZ Golf record. If you are new to these numbers, our guide to understanding golf handicaps and ratings explains how they work.
Green Fees and Playing as a Visitor
Omokoroa is open to the public, and casual players can book a tee time online or by phone. Fees are modest by New Zealand standards, and discounts apply for members’ guests, juniors and affiliated players.
How much are green fees at Omokoroa Golf Club?
Standard guest green fees are $75 for 18 holes and $45 for 9 holes. Members’ guests pay $60 (18 holes) or $40 (9 holes), and players under 19 pay $35 (18) or $25 (9). A 10-round concession card costs $500 for 18-hole rounds or $350 for 9-hole rounds. Bay of Plenty Passport holders and players from reciprocal clubs receive reduced rates. These figures reflect the club’s published pricing at the time of writing; always confirm current fees before travelling.
What does it cost to hire a cart or clubs?
Cart hire for guests is $50 for 18 holes and $35 for 9 holes (members pay less). Club hire is $25 (18 holes) or $15 (9 holes), and trundlers are $5. Because the terrain is flat, many players simply walk. If you are weighing up buying rather than hiring, see our overview of golf carts and buggies in New Zealand.
Can non-members play at Omokoroa Golf Club?
Yes. Non-members are welcome to book and play, subject to the club’s booking policies and course availability. It is worth checking the events calendar first, as club competitions can limit public tee times on certain mornings.
Membership Options and Costs
Membership suits regular players who want competition access, voting rights and reciprocal privileges at other Bay of Plenty clubs. The club offers graded categories so the cost scales with age and how often you play. The schedule below reflects annual subscriptions effective 1 April 2026; a one-off joining fee applies to several categories.
- Full Playing: $1,565 per year (plus $400 joining fee) — full playing and voting rights.
- 9-Hole: $1,145 (plus $400 joining fee).
- Under 40: $1,145 (plus $300 joining fee) — full playing rights.
- Under 25: $470 (plus $200 joining fee).
- Under 19: $260 — no joining fee.
- Under 13: $130 — no joining fee.
- Associate: $990 (plus $150 joining fee) — for full members of another NZ club.
- Sunday Only: $670 (plus $150 joining fee).
- Social: $40 — non-playing membership.
Full Playing subscriptions can usually be paid in instalments for a small administration fee, and short-term memberships are available on request. Members typically benefit from discounted bar purchases, reciprocal green fees at partner clubs and entry to interclub events.
Facilities and Amenities
The facilities are practical and community-oriented rather than luxurious. The single-storey clubhouse has changing rooms, restrooms and a bar for post-round refreshments, with light food available on site. The pro shop stocks essentials such as balls, tees, gloves and some apparel.
Practice options include a putting green near the clubhouse, hitting nets and a small chipping area; there is no full driving range on site. Carts and clubs are available to hire as noted above. Because playing conditions can be breezy and firm, appropriate footwear matters — our guide to choosing golf shoes in New Zealand is a useful starting point.
Coaching and Lessons
Professional coaching is available on site from two NZPGA coaches. Andrew Gurney is an AAA NZPGA Full Member and TPI-certified coach who focuses on structured lesson programmes and progress reviews rather than one-off sessions. Stacey Koppens is an NZPGA and TPI-certified coach who specialises in women’s and junior instruction, clinics and on-course lessons. Junior coaching runs on Thursday afternoons, and new players are usually welcome to a free trial class. Lessons are booked directly with each coach.
Location and Accessibility
The club is at 67 Links View Drive, Omokoroa 3114, about 18 km (roughly 15 minutes) north of Tauranga. It is reached by car via State Highway 2, with clear signage to Omokoroa and Links View Drive, and there is ample on-site parking beside the clubhouse.
The predominantly flat course and single-storey clubhouse make the venue relatively easy to navigate. Accessible parking and entrances are provided for golfers with disability or mobility needs. If you are combining a trip with other rounds in the region, the nearby Tauranga Golf Club and Maramarua Golf Club are within reach.
Events and Tournaments
Omokoroa runs regular competitions across the week for all levels, including women’s, men’s and veterans’ days in both nine and eighteen-hole formats. The club also stages annual events such as championship matchplay, a junior open and Ambrose tournaments, and takes part in regional interclub competitions.
Beyond competitive golf, the club hosts corporate days, charity fundraisers and social programmes aimed at bringing new players — particularly women and juniors — into the game, supported by its resident PGA coaches. Members and visitors who enjoy following the professional game, from the majors to the latest golf betting odds, tend to swap views over a post-round drink in the clubhouse.
Common Mistakes Visitors Make
Most problems at Omokoroa are avoidable with a little planning. The most common ones are:
- Not checking the competition calendar: club events can restrict public tee times, especially on weekday mornings — book ahead and confirm availability.
- Underestimating the wind: the exposed harbour setting can make a flat, short course play much harder; take an extra club when it is breezy.
- Assuming there is a driving range: there isn’t one, so warm up on the putting green, nets and chipping area instead.
- Turning up in the wrong gear: tidy golf attire and suitable footwear are expected; jandals, singlets and denim are discouraged.
- Relying on outdated fees: prices change annually — verify the current green fee, cart hire and membership costs with the club before you arrive.
Key Points
- Omokoroa is an 18-hole, par-71 coastal course near Tauranga, open to both members and the public.
- Guest green fees are $75 (18 holes) and $45 (9 holes); members’ guests and juniors pay less.
- Membership ranges from $40 (social) to $1,565 (full playing) per year, effective 1 April 2026.
- The course is flat and easy to walk, but the exposed harbour setting means wind is the main challenge.
- There is no full driving range, but on-site coaching and practice areas are available.
- Always confirm current fees and competition dates with the club before visiting.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the par and rating of Omokoroa golf course?
Omokoroa plays to a par of 71 over about 5,800 metres. Course and slope ratings vary by source and tee, with the men’s white tees rating around 68 (slope near 115) and the women’s tees rating higher, in the low 70s. Confirm the current official rating with the club for handicap purposes.
How much are green fees at Omokoroa Golf Club?
Standard guest fees are $75 for 18 holes and $45 for 9 holes. Members’ guests pay $60 or $40, and under-19 players pay $35 or $25. A 10-round concession card costs $500 (18 holes) or $350 (9 holes). Cart and club hire are extra.
Can non-members play at Omokoroa Golf Club?
Yes. The club is open to the public, and visitors can book a tee time online or by phone. It is best to check the events calendar first, as competitions can limit public access on some mornings.
What is the dress code at Omokoroa Golf Club?
The dress code is casual but tidy. Golf shirts, shorts or trousers and suitable footwear (preferably golf shoes) are expected, while singlets, jandals and denim are discouraged.
Does Omokoroa Golf Club offer coaching?
Yes. Two NZPGA and TPI-certified coaches teach at the club: Andrew Gurney, who runs structured lesson programmes, and Stacey Koppens, who specialises in women’s and junior coaching. Lessons are booked directly with each coach, and junior sessions run on Thursday afternoons.
