Mr Goldsmith (33), a keen golfer, has developed a nine-hole course on Hare Hill, near Deborah Bay, above Otago Harbour, and will hold an open tournament tomorrow for people to try out the course.
The idea first came about while he was working in a glass factory in Brisbane in 2004.
"It was pretty mundane sort of work and I had a bit of time on my hands. I thought about a pitch and putt course but then thought maybe you could squeeze in a proper golf course."
He got his sister, Sarah, to walk around the family farm taking photos on a digital camera, which were sent to him in Brisbane.
The family runs a horse-trekking business at Hare Hill, and Mr Goldsmith said he could see the potential of the land.
"The first design went from memory and drawings I had done on my workbench back in Brisbane."
He returned to New Zealand at the start of 2005 and began studying for a degree in political studies and geography.
But in his down time - he also played rugby at No 8 for Harbour - he worked on the golf course.
"It's a good way to relax - get away from the books and get into some manual work."
Eventually, the course with its six par 4s and three par 3s emerged, although he said it had changed greatly from what he first envisaged.
"But I'm really happy with what we've got."
He used spare fencing to help define the fairways, planted about 300 trees and spent countless hours mowing the greens.
The course measures 3180m, with the last hole the longest at 300m.
The family's 16 horses and about 50 sheep keep the fairways in good order.
"All I have to do is once a week drive up the fairways and pick up all the horse dung."
Mr Goldsmith, who is now studying for a PhD in Middle Eastern politics, said the course would reward a long, accurate hitter. Green fees were $10, and anyone who wanted to have a hit could play.
The course brings the number of golf courses within the greater Dunedin area to 14.
