Lads' trip

The Taupō region welcomes dads, lads, the good, the bad, and the downright golf-mad. First port of call - just get your carcass to the great lake. Throw in some extra socks, pack the rain gear - and bring a good attitude - nothing's getting in the way of this lads' golf trip.

Check-in, drop the bags, your diggs and ‘round up the gang - there’s only one place a lads golf trip goes on arrival and that’s Two Mile Bay Sailing Club - the unofficial official 20th hole (allowing for one or two at each course - see what we did there?).

Secure a good spot at the sailing club and get the frosty tubes flowing - wood-fired pizzas with views across the lake and live music from Friday to Sunday. Set up the golf trip formats, call out some dodgy handicaps and reveal that niggle you’ve been carrying in your lower back. Shameless and unvetted golf chat has begun. 

PRO TIP: Owner Torben and the team at the sailing club are big golfers - set up a side bet with their staff, and request that the golf is on the telly for big events. Oh, they’ll make good coffee from 7.00am, too.

For breakfast on the go, Taupō has some of the best options in the country. The cabinet at Cafe Baku is stocked full of gourmet clubs, sandwiches, filled croissants and scrolls. Or, for the lovers of pies, consider Paetiki Bakery which has a long track record of winning medals for its wide array of delicious flaky, savoury treats.

The best lads golf trips in Taupō salute our two greatest hits - The Kinloch Golf Club and Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary. And while there’s no right or wrong, a popular approach is to tame Wairakei before you look to conquer Kinloch.

If you are following that method, get your crew out to Wairakei in good time and have a pre-game brunch, and maybe even wash it down with a nerve-loosening hair of the dawg crafty brew. Get there in good time (well ahead of your essential booking) to take advantage of the quality practice facilities. Wairakei sports a generously large driving range with all-you-can-eat free-range eggs, all before warming up your flat stick and you banter on the putting green adjacent to the first tee. Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary - with its enchanting wildlife and evergreen fairways - has been a golfing magnet for decades, no matter what type of golfer you are.

Head to the 19th and wash away the bogeys, call out Nick for that suspect drop, and remind everyone of that 30-foot putt you made, the one that gets longer with each telling. Time to head back - with a possible stop for a selfie at Huka Falls on the way to prove to the missus that it wasn’t all golf.

Evening plans should include a beer and meal at one of Taupō’s many great little pubs. Experience a tasting flight at the Crafty Trout, or head to Jimmy Coops Lakehouse for a bevvy and burger with a lake view, or to Pub N Grub for some front-row seats with tasty food and cold brew. These establishments are all within walking distance of the town centre.

Lads' golf trips have two key ingredients - easy and low admin fueling stations (food) and great golf courses. Of course, there’s more to it than that, but we got those two sorted to set the foundation.

If you’re not doing room service or breakfast buffet at your accommodation, venturing out for breakfast or brunch at the centrally located, and eternally popular, Kefi never disappoints. This long-standing haunt is famous for award-winning, fresh and tasty cabinet goods. Load up on coffee and allow the butterflies of excitement to build. 

There’s no two ways about it, a round at The Kinloch Golf Club is the main event. It’s nothing short of phenomenal - well-conditioned, picture-perfect and playable all year round. Yep, you might lose a little dignity in that long rough, and a few Pro V1s in the process, but you and your lads are game, right?! The exhilaration of Kinloch stays with you long after your final putt drops, it’s what you came for - it’s where bragging rights are cemented, hearts are broken and redemption stories are calling. Tom Long, the Director of Golf, will see you right, just ask for an inside tip and he’ll be sure to offer one up. It’s your time - go forth and conquer. 

Battered and bruised (maybe with a bridie or two also), it’s back to the accommodation. Refresh, and head up to The Deck to try your hand at pool before hitting Taupō township for feeds and a final night of festivities where winning and losing speeches will be flowing. Tūwharetoa Street is the ticket.

Check out of your accommodation - just in the nick of time. A couple of golf options to round out the lads' golf trip:

All golf trips to Taupō require a couple of balls hit at the Lake Taupo Hole In One Challenge - see if you can hit the green, and dunk a couple in the lake too!

Alternatively, and if you’ve got more time before the boys head home, hire a fishing charter! Lake Taupō is home to a world-renown fishery that is open all-year round. Bring a few bevvies for a relaxing few hours to mark off a laugh-filled lads trip.