The Lakes golf course was designed by the Canadian firm Sid Puddicombe Associates, has reputedly has the best back nine holes in New Zealand.
At the Lakes, the 10th hole is a cute par 3 over a lake and the 11th is really an ordinary straight-forward par 4 that runs alongside natural wetlands that so characterised this entire 20-hectare layout.
The 12th through the 17th holes here, however, are truly special for they combine wetlands, native bush (including the exotic "cabbage trees" rarely seen on a New Zealand golf course), nicely positioned white sand bunkers, and a layout that taken altogether is unique in New Zealand.
Like the entire Lakes course, the back nine doesn't challenge players by being long so much as it does by demanding good golf shots. That is, straight, well-placed shots for the course doglegs nicely around native bush and natural streams that even though the course is part of a new residential development, still, the back nine feels remote.
The greens at The Lakes are without question among the best in New Zealand. They are the first putting surfaces in New Zealand to be made from L93 Bent, an exceptional strong, consistent strain of grass developed at the University of Georgia in the U.S. The course opened in 2004 so it's still settling down and the final look of this Coromandel gem is still to come. But the stone bridges, waterfalls, native bush, and the unique boardwalk that links the 4th green with the 5th tee add up to a new golf links that's the perfect place to play.
Check out the New Zealand golf tour that visits The Lakes Golf Course:
Auckland & Taupo Region Golf Tour