Royal Auckland Golf Club

I was lucky to be invited by a friend to play the most prestigious golf course in Auckland.

As expected, everything is in perfect condition.

This is the most posh golf club in NZ, but nowhere near the posh style of 'royal' golf courses in Belgium.

I really liked the fast speed of the greens. The whole course was in top notch condition.

My favourite hole was #11 with a huge hollow and bunker front right of the green.

They have merged with The Grange golf club and are redesigning the course (and integrating some holes from The Grange). Will be interesting to see the new lay-out.

Sad to hear they will replace the old clubhouse with all the tradition that goes with it.

Royal Auckland is approximately 5 minutes away from the airport which makes it very convenient in terms of traveling. The nearby area does not quite suit the wealth you'll experience inside the fence.

The clubhouse is an amazing historic building, staff are all very friendly and helpful, but you do notice the eye's of the members staring at you when you enter the club 'unattended'. The golf course is very well maintained. Bunkers are tidy and greens have a true role at a reasonable speed. In terms of design, I would say that it is not a must play. Holes are relatively short (especially on the back 9), which doesn't have to be an issue, but they are a bit dull as well. Good thing is that you don't really notice that you're in the middle of the city. I can only imagine that it's a good getaway for its members.

The club is undergoing a merger with the Grange Golf Club, good news is that they are going to redesign the course. The bad news is that they have to build a new clubhouse as well.