Queenstown and golf go together like Rotorua and geysers. If you can pick up a club this summer, check out one of these courses.
The Hills
Holes: 18.
Designed by: John Darby, Darby Partners.
Opened: 2007.
Cost: The Hills is open to play for members only. However, in some circumstances non-members are able to play the championship course.
Set over 101ha and the new home of the New Zealand Open. Arguably one of New Zealand's most exclusive golf clubs, The Hills is owned by entrepreneur Michael Hill.
A feature of the course is the distinctive art work designed by Mark Hill, including The Weta - a 5m tall sculpture on the fairway at the 1st hole; dragonfly sculptures in the water hazard at Dragonfly Lake and Walking Woman, a 3m tall sculpture on a bridge at the 4th hole.
Jack's Point
Holes: 18.
Designed by: John Darby, Darby Partners.
Opened for play: October 2007 for residents; November 2008 for visiting players and members.
Cost to play: New Zealand and Australia affiliated players: $60; Casual and visitors: $110.
You couldn't get a course that's more picturesque. Below the Remarkables and beside Lake Wakatipu - is there a better setting?
Arrowtown
Holes: 18.
Designed by: 12 people using rakes, wheelbarrows and handmowers with advice on the layout provided by Reg Romans for the first 9 holes in 1932. Mr B.V. Wright assisted with the layout for the second 9 holes in 1956.
Opened for play: 1936.
Cost to play: New Zealand affiliated members: $30; Non-affiliated members: $50.
The second-oldest course in the Wakatipu, Arrowtown offers its own attraction at each hole, with historic stone cottage ruins nestling among trees.
Arrowtown's link with its gold-mining past is highlighted in the names of holes: Sons of Fortune and Golden Arrow.
Kelvin Heights
Holes: 18.
Designed by: John Grant and Hilton Hensman with advice from Commander Harris.
Opened for play: 1974.
Cost to play: Non-affiliated: $70; New Zealand affiliated: $40.
Check out the location - 360deg views from Kelvin Peninsula across Lake Wakatipu to Frankton, Queenstown and the Remarkables.
Frankton Golf Course and Driving Range
Holes: 9.
Designed by: Queenstown residents in the 1920s who wanted to do something when the farming season closed.
Opened for play: 1926.
Cost to play: $12.
The oldest course in Queenstown, the Frankton Golf Course holds a "closing day" prior to Christmas and an "opening day" just after in a nod to its founders who closed the course during the farming season.
The public course is open to anyone of any ability, great for tourists and members alike.
Millbrook
Holes: 18 - including four new holes, part of the Coronet nine, which opened in December 2008.
Designed by: Sir Bob Charles.
Opened for play: 1993.
Cost to play: Casual visitors: $165. New Zealand affiliated golfers: $85
Millbrook was the first luxury lifestyle golf resort to open in New Zealand. There are three interchangeable nine-hole courses - the Remarkables nine, the Coronet nine and the Arrow nine.
