Video:
Green
Fees:
45
50
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Hawkes Bay Golf Club
Hawke's Bay
Hawkes Bay Golf Club, formerly known as Flaxmere Golf Club, is the youngest of the major courses in the region, yet it carries a rich history and a strong sense of community. Set on pumice land just 10 minutes from Hastings, the course began life in the late 1960s with dedicated locals clearing pumice, planting trees, and shaping the fairways by hand. Over the years it has continued to evolve, including a major redevelopment in 2017–18 that reshaped greens, refined the layout, and elevated the course into the modern era.
Today, the club presents a beautifully maintained layout with wide, tree-lined fairways of browntop and fescue and large, true-rolling Pencross greens—among the first of their kind installed across all 18 holes in New Zealand. The tranquil setting adds to the experience, with tūī singing in nearby branches and doves, ducks, plovers, herons, and the occasionally noisy pied stilts sharing the landscape. Views toward Te Mata Peak and the Ruahine Ranges complete the picture, giving golfers a peaceful, expansive backdrop as they make their way around the course.
The newly designed layout, opened in 2018, offers an enjoyable but testing round, with water hazards, carefully shaped greens, and strategic hole designs that reward accuracy and smart course management. The club remains known as one of the friendliest in the bay, welcoming new members, casual visitors, and anyone keen to experience a well-crafted course with a warm, community-driven feel.
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Yes Life Review
Hawkes Bay Golf Club
6.75
/ 10
Condition
The course is typically in good condition year-round, thanks to the favorable Hawke’s Bay climate and the club’s ongoing maintenance efforts. Fairways are well groomed and kept at a consistent, playable length, while the greens are prepared to a high standard and roll smoothly. On club days especially, the entire layout is cut, shaped, and well presented, giving golers a tidy and enjoyable playing experience every time.
Challenge
Hawkes Bay Golf Club offers a fair but engaging test for golfers of all levels. The course features a few doglegs and mostly flat, tree-lined fairways, making accuracy off the tee important. While it isn’t overly long, the combination of strategic hole layouts and well-placed trees ensures it provides a satisfying challenge without being intimidating.
Facilities
Hawkes Bay Golf Club offers a full range of facilities to make your visit enjoyable. The clubhouse is open daily, providing a welcoming spot for refreshments, while the on-site pro shop stocks essentials. The course is open year-round, and carts are available for hire, along with a practice range to warm up before your round.
Value for Money
At around $50 a round, Hawkes Bay Golf Club offers good value for a well-maintained and thoughtfully designed course. You can generally always get a game, though club days may be a little busier. With its peaceful setting overlooking vineyards, the airport, and nearby Hastings Golf Club, it’s a great spot for an enjoyable round in a scenic part of the Bay.